Navigator Boarding Time in Ft. Lauderdale

[Das K]

We received our trip documents for our upcoming cruise on the Navigator of the Seas, leaving January 24th, to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. The instructions say they advise arrival at the pier NO EARLIER that 2pm. Since this trip departs at 5pm, isn't that a bit late? If anybody has been on that trip recently, do they allow boarding before 2pm? I know this varies, based upon port turnaround time, but is there a way to find out when boarding might begin? On other itineraries, I have been on board before then.

Thanks in advance...

[QTMichele]

My parents were on the Navigator last week. :) They arrived at the terminal around 11 and were on the ship in less than 30 minutes. They said it was very prompt and painless. They LOVED their cruise too! (In fact, they booked Freedom for the same week next year. :D) Enjoy YOUR cruise!!!

[Clarea]

We were on Navigator last month. Arrived at the terminal about 11:15 and was on board before noon.

[nordicus]

Just off Navigator on the Jan 8-12 sailing. Got to port at about 10:45 and was on ship by 11:15. I would definitly be early on the 24th. Other ships in port beside the Navigator that day:

 

1. Independence OTS

2. Carnival Miracle

3. Carnival Splendor

4. Ruby Princess

5. MSC Orchestra

6. HAL Eurodam(last trip before drydock so no loading of Passengers).

 

You're looking at about 22,000 off and 20,000 on all in that time. Busy day there.

[cruiserbryce]

I think those times are just published to attempt to avoid a crunch of people right at noon or 1...I think they figure people will probably still show up early but if you get there earlier you shouldnt have any issues

[eem0924]

Ditto. We usually plan to arrive between 11-11:30.

 

Last cruise we were on board before 12 noon and dining in the Windjammer. Our rooms were not available until 2 pm on that cruise, but there are still lots of things to do while you wait.

 

ENJOY!!

 

Is that the last cruise before drydock??

[Das K]

Thanks, everybody, for your responses. We were going to aim for 11:30am, like we usually do (I have a group of 12), but I just wanted to make sure it hadn't changed into one of those '2 pm means 2 pm' policies.

 

Ours is the last trip before the Navigator goes to drydock. I am told that one of the stablizers will be reinstalled and there will be fewer occasional periods of yellow water AFTER our trip, but we still expect no major bumps in the road for this one.

 

It's going down to 2 degrees below zero tonight here in Pittsburgh, and it's 80 something in Grand Cayman. I can deal with ANY minor bumps in the road for 80 degrees, a bucket of Coronas and about a dozen friends!!

 

Thanks again!