Embarkation - when to get on the ship

[Rolandtgs]

Hi all;

 

I noticed in a couple threads that people are suggesting to get in line for embarkation at 11:00 am (Carnival out of Port Canaveral).

 

The Carnival site shows embarkation hours of 1:30. Are people standing in line for 2+ hours, or are you getting aboard the ship earlier than the stated hours?

 

Thanks

[sjohnson529]

We arrive around 10:30 and have always been on the ship no later than 11:30, having lunch on the lido. It's like another days vacation. This goes for all the cruise lines we've been on.

[melika091900]

it depends if they are ready for passengers to board,,

 

 

weve sailed many times, and last time our documents said, boarding starts at 2p,

so we were there at 12n and they were like come back ..

 

and then theres been times when we got there at 1130am and they are boarding already

 

 

 

it all depends on customs, and how fast they were getting passengers off, etc..

if your documents say 130p i wouldnt get there earlier than 12noon,

we have waited in lines before when there was chaos because of people getting off and us coming on , not in florida, but in LA ..

[eh2zed]

Generally bewteen 1130 and 1200 they will start embarkation for most cruise lines in FLL and MIA. We try to get on as early as possible and take full advantage of what the ship offers.

[cruisinbuddy]

We arrive around 10:30 and have always been on the ship no later than 11:30, having lunch on the lido. It's like another days vacation. This goes for all the cruise lines we've been on.

What they said, go early.

[cb at sea]

Think of it this way--boarding day is day 1 of your cruise. If you wait too long, 1/2 of the day is shot--but you've paid for a whole day! You want to take advantage of the ship, even before you leave port, to get some of your money's worth! Lots of folks think they should count the disembarking day--WRONG!!! Your cruise basically ends when you go to bed that last night. The last morning is no fun! No service! No welcoming smiles! They want you OFF the ship--and hurry! So, use the boarding day, as much of it as you can!

[Kruising Katt]

We are just back from an Alaskan Cruise. We went to Canada Place about

11 AM to embark. Our friend's were directed into a parking place right at the entrance, our luggage taken away and, not much later, we were on the ship. Others were embarking then also.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

We try to arrive at the ship about 10:30 to 11:00 AM. And in most situations we have been on the ship by Noon or earlier. Later in the day is when the bus arrivals come in and this means longer lines.

 

You probably will not be standing in a long line as the cruise lines have greatly improved embarkation procedures.

 

Fred

[Rolandtgs]

Thanks for the feedback. I was looking forward to getting on board as early as possible, but didn't want to get there early and wait in line for 2 hours.

I think we are going to try and get there at 10:30 or so. I would love to check out the ship, make any changes to dinner reservations and relax while watching the others sweat it out in line ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even on HAL we always get to the pier around 11 and are on the ship by 11:30 inspite of what the cruise documents say.

[Grandpaul]

Think of it this way--boarding day is day 1 of your cruise. If you wait too long, 1/2 of the day is shot--but you've paid for a whole day! You want to take advantage of the ship, even before you leave port, to get some of your money's worth! Lots of folks think they should count the disembarking day--WRONG!!! Your cruise basically ends when you go to bed that last night. The last morning is no fun! No service! No welcoming smiles! They want you OFF the ship--and hurry! So, use the boarding day, as much of it as you can!

 

If they get you off the ship in a hurry the people cruising behind you can board early and take advantage of the ship to get some of their money's worth.

[gail811]

We got to the Glory at about 1050 and had to stop and wait 5 minutes before they would let us drive around and drop our luggage. We were checked in and on the Lido deck with drink in hand by 1130.....and there were plenty of people on board ahead of us!