Time to Arrive on Embarkation Day? (Celebrity Summit)

[MichBelle81]

Hi - We are taking our first-ever cruise in July, leaving from Seward.  We are on Celebrity Summit, departing from Seward on July 26.  I'm having trouble finding detailed information about embarkation timing and logistics. We're hoping to hike at Exit Glacier the morning of the cruise (not super early), so trying to figure out if we have time for that. We may or may not have a rental car: we have a rental car booked from our week-long land tour and originally planned to drop it off when we arrived in Seward a couple day earlier, but considering extending the reservation if we can make it to Exit Glacier.  I called Celebrity and they just said to choose the earliest possible arrival time of 12:30, which wouldn't allow much time that morning.

 

- What is the latest possible arrival time we would be able to select when we are checking in? (cruise departure time is 8pm)

- How much time should we allow to get through the arrival and check-in process? We will do all the online check-in requirements ahead of time.  We are in Concierge class if that makes any difference.

- Are there check-in times that are less busy than others if we wanted to avoid long lines/lots of waiting?  (We have a 9-year old so waiting in lines can be rough!)

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Northern Aurora]

You will want to be onboard two hours before embarkation when first boarding.  Remember that you will need to watch the safety video and report to your muster station.  All passengers need to do this before the ship will depart Seward.  
 

The Seward cruise terminal is a warehouse type of structure.  It will be rather empty of passengers until the ship chartered  Alaska Railroad train from Anchorage arrives about 5pm.  That transfer is very popular.  If you arrive before the rail transfer there will be no lines.  And the checkin procedure Celebrity developed after Covid is incredibly smooth — virtually no lines no matter where you embark.  If you arrive before the train you will essentially walk on board, deliver your carry on bags to your stateroom and start to explore the ship.