Embarkation Sydney

[first time cruising]

Hi, first time cruising with Celebrity and hoping for some advice. We are flying from Adelaide on 13th April for cruise on Edge departing Sydney 14th April. We need to check out of hotel at 10am and our check in window begins at 14.30. Is there an area at the Sydney cruise terminal where we can check in our suitcases? Not sure if it makes a difference but we are in a Sky Suite with access to the Retreat. Very much looking forward to this cruise to Hawaii. 

[Arizona Wildcat]

Simply have your hotel hold the suitcases till after lunch.  You likely will be able to board before 2:30.  Suites do get to board earlier, but Sydney has rules that are unique.   We boarded about noon.

[JLMcruise]

When we got off the ship at Sydney Harbor in October it took 1 hour in line and we were in Retreat. We did not rush off and had breakfast on board. Friends were picking us up at 10:00am and there was a very long line behind us waiting to disembark. We didn't get out of the terminal until 10:30. Getting off was very slow with the customs check. At 10:30am the terminal employees were sending passengers who wanted to board early away. It may have certainly changed since then. We just checked in for our next cruise and 2:00pm (Edge - HNL) is the earliest check in time. Another guest called and stated they were in Retreat and they were told 2:00pm is the earliest boarding. Enjoy your cruise - we wish we were joining you - love that itinerary! 

[mahdnc]

4 hours ago, first time cruising said:

Hi, first time cruising with Celebrity and hoping for some advice. We are flying from Adelaide on 13th April for cruise on Edge departing Sydney 14th April. We need to check out of hotel at 10am and our check in window begins at 14.30. Is there an area at the Sydney cruise terminal where we can check in our suitcases? Not sure if it makes a difference but we are in a Sky Suite with access to the Retreat. Very much looking forward to this cruise to Hawaii. 

 

Perhaps the hotel will grant you a later checkout time.

[jelayne]

54 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Perhaps the hotel will grant you a later checkout time.

If you can’t get a later check out at the hotel they most likely will hold your luggage until you are ready to go the port.

[TrixieBel]

Yes there is bag drop at the terminal. You can drop your bag and go off elsewhere

[Suzi66]

At Sydney they start taking your bags very early (9.30 - 10 ish) even if they aren't allowing any one on.  Just drop off your bags once you leave the hotel and go for a walk around Circular Quay, visit the Opera House etc until your check in time.

[UK1sttimer]

Boarding will start around 11am. Suites can board anytime you like so the 2:30pm time doesn't matter.

We boarded edge a few weeks ago in retreat and was onboard within 10 mins of arriving.

[The_Big_M]

No need to go back to the hotel. Check out when you prefer, take your bags to the terminal and just before the entrance is the place to drop them off. It will be open when you arrive and they will take them then.

 

Then, if you're too early you can spend time around Circular Quay and the Rocks while you wait, but you should be able to board from 11-11:30, dependent on successful clearance of the arriving passengers.

[Jim_Iain]

I will be in a similar situation the week before you joining Solstice.   I've been told by Shoreside concierge and a number of CC members that the Luggage Drop off at Overseas Cruise Terminal around  9:30.   I plan on dropping off my luggage early if available.

 

Second option is there is an App called Bounce that offers Luggage Storage all over the world.   Many of the places are Restaurants and Dry Cleaners.    There is one location about 500 meters from the terminal across from the ferry terminal.   All storage locations are bonded and insured.

 

I've used Bounce in Sydney in December as well as Singapore, Toronto and Amsterdam

[Phamer55]

Same experience with it being so easy...This past Feb, we dropped off luggage at around 10am, came back to board at 12:15pm.  Our boarding time was 12:30pm.  Nobody looked at our paperwork regarding the time, we could have been 2:30pm and still boarded when we did.  So pretty much show up any time after 12 (that was the earliest boarding you could get, but likely they started even before that).  By the way, that cruise terminal in the heart of Sydney downtown has to best location for any embarkation cruise terminal in the world!

[first time cruising]

Thank you all so much for info. We will check out at 11 and head to terminal. If we can check in shortly after that then bonus. If not know we can drop off bags and go fir a wander.