What Time is Best To Arrive at My Cruise Departure Port?
By , Cruise Specialist | January 01, 2013 ( Comments)
This is an extremely important frequently asked question. No one wants to miss the boat, right? Because that would be plain silly.
What Time Can You Board a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ships will usually begin boarding approximately four hours before the scheduled departure time, typically around 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you'd like to arrive at that time, go right ahead! You can hop onboard and grab some lunch or start your vacation right in a lounge chair by the pool, fruity drink and all.
What Time Do You Board a Cruise Ship?
No matter the scheduled time, you MUST be onboard and checked-in no later than 90 minutes prior to the departure. To expedite this process, make sure you have completed your cruise line's pre-registration and printed your boarding pass.
The check-in process is familiar – you will pass through security, so make sure you have travel identification and boarding pass. You will then proceed to the check-in counter where you will need your I.D., proof of citizenship, and cruise documents. The agent will check you in and set up your onboard spending account. And that's it – you will be handed your key card which is used both for opening your stateroom and making purchases onboard.
What Time is Best to Arrive at Your Cruise Departure Port
If you're flying into your departure port, the best rule of thumb is to arrive a day early. Only when possible, of course. This helps to alleviate some of the stress of flying, as actual arrival times can be quite turbulent (pun intended). Flying into your departure port a day early allows you to relax and rejuvenate before you board the ship the next day. You don't want to go to bed at 7pm your first day at sea! There is a ship to explore, food to eat, shows to attend and dancing to be done in the disco.
If flying in a day early is just not an option, nine times out of ten you will want your flight to arrive no later than 12-noon on the day of departure. Again, allowing enough time for delays, picking up luggage and getting transportation to the pier. You have the opportunity to pre-purchase cruise line transfers to take you to the pier, or grab the next cab. Your cruise specialist will be able to discuss which is more cost effective as it depends on each individual departure port.
If you are driving to the cruise terminal, also plan to arrive by 12-noon to allow for traffic and any other extenuating circumstance. If you need directions, we have a complete list of each departure port, parking rates and other pertinent information.
What Time Do Cruises Depart?
Be sure to always check your cruise documents for exact departure times. Most cruise ships in the Bahamas or Caribbean sail away at 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m., but ships departing from ports like San Juan, Puerto Rico or those in the Mediterranean may not leave until 8:00 p.m. or later.
Cruise Check-In Times and Boarding Times by Cruise Line
Cruise boarding times are not always so straightforward though. All cruise lines have their own rules so it's essential when booking your cruise and other travel arrangements that you understand your individual cruise line's boarding requirements.
For example, on some cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, staggered boarding times are selected in advance and you are not allowed to board outside of your designated window. So if you have a boarding window that begins at 1:00 p.m., you'll likely have to wait if you arrive at 12:00 p.m.
Generally, the earlier you select your boarding time or the earlier you arrive (if you're taking a cruise on a line that doesn't require pre-selected boarding times), the better. This is so you have more time to enjoy everything that your cruise has to offer and to avoid any complications as the departure time approaches.
The perfect time to arrive is often debated though as to avoid long lines. So if you choose a later boarding time or to arrive later, make sure you arrive on time as not to miss your ship.
Here are a few more boarding tips:
- 1. If you arrive early, staterooms may not be ready yet, so you will have to lug any bags you do not check outside the terminal. So if you're planning on packing a lot, or just do not want to roll your luggage with you, check as much as you can.
- 2. Be sure to pack all of your medication in your carry-on luggage. Also, pack a change of clothes, as you may not see your checked bags until well after the ship has departed, usually about an hour or two after it's pulled away.
- 3. Many cruise lines offer loyalty programs that allow special privileges to passengers in those programs. One of these privileges is often earlier check-in than all other cruise passengers. If you frequently sail with a specific cruise line, or book an upgraded stateroom, you may be eligible for an earlier boarding time. Check if the cruise you're sailing on has exclusive boarding times and if they apply to you.
Read on for more information regarding specific cruise line boarding times.
As previously mentioned, Carnival Cruise Line offers staggered boarding times which means you select your arrival time (a one-hour window) before the cruise when you check in online.
So how early can you board a Carnival cruise?The earliest time you can board is the beginning of your designated window (show up any earlier and you'll have to wait until your window begins). Boarding times are based on availability, therefore if you're looking to arrive early or at a specific desired time, you should check in online as soon as online check-in becomes available for your cruise (90 days before the departure). The longer you wait, the less options that will be available and you may have to arrive at a less convenient time. If you do not select an arrival time, one will automatically be selected for you and sent to you the morning of your cruise.
The best time to board a Carnival cruise then is not based on avoiding lines or making sure you don't miss the ship, but instead is based on the time you actually can and want to arrive. This can be influenced by your flight times (although it's best to fly in before the day of the cruise), check-out times at your hotel, a time that is most convenient for your entire group, etc.
Priority guests and those who have purchased the "Faster to the Fun" package have different boarding time rules, still allowing them their exclusive boarding times.
Celebrity Cruises' check-in time is similar to other cruise lines, in that they require you to complete a check-in process ahead of time (something that cannot be done within a few days of the cruise). After completing this process, you will receive your cruise documents in the coming weeks (about three to four weeks) before your cruise. If you do not complete this process, you will need to arrive early - at least four hours before boarding.
So what time can you board a Celebrity cruise ship?In your cruise ticket booklet, you'll find Celebrity's boarding time for that specific cruise.
Guests with suites and Concierge-class staterooms have exclusive check-in times.
Disney Cruise Line boarding times are based on designated times selected during the check-in process (similar to Carnival Cruise Line).
So what time can you board a Disney cruise?Boarding times are first-come first-serve, with long-time Disney cruisers having priority choice over their boarding times. First time Disney cruisers can select their boarding time up to 75 days before their cruise, those who have sailed on at least one Disney cruise can select a time up to 90 days before their cruise, those who have sailed on at least five can select up to 105 days before, and those who have sailed at least ten can select up to 120 days before. Disney Cruise check-in times begin at midnight of each check-in date.
What time can you board a Holland America cruise ship? Boarding times are given on your boarding pass. But if you're wondering how early you can board a Holland America cruise, check-in (different from online check-in) starts at 11:00 a.m. and boarding usually starts at 12:00 p.m.
So what time can we board Holland America?You should always follow the instructions on your boarding pass, so if a later time is listed, it's integral you show up at that assigned time.
Your Norwegian Cruise boarding time will be listed in your cruise documents. If you complete your online check-in then your Norwegian Cruise check-in time can be anytime from when the terminal opens to one hour before the ship sets sail. If you have not completed your online check-in, your NCL check-in time can be no later than two hours before the ship embarks.
For a smooth NCL boarding time, it's recommended that at least four days before the cruise you complete your online check-in.
Princess Cruises Boarding Time
Princess Cruise boarding times essentially have the same process as most other cruises mentioned - you have a three to four hour window to board, typically between 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the specific window will be given in your cruise documents to ensure arrival at the correct time.
So how early can you board a Princess cruise ship?For an earlier Princess Cruise check-in time, you can take advantage of the cruise line's premium memberships or suite bookings. If a member in your party has a special need, such as mobility, you may get early boarding by calling at least 30 days before your cruise.
Royal Caribbean check-in times work the same as above - no staggered check-in times. Therefore, it's important to complete your online check-in ahead of time (at least three days in advance), read through your cruise documents to verify your Royal Caribbean embarkation time, and arrive at least 90 minutes before the ship is set to sail. If you do not complete your online check-in, you'll need to arrive at least two hours before it's time to sail.
The key takeaways are to arrive at the location before the day of your cruise, have your online check-in complete ahead of time, book your boarding time (if cruising aboard Carnival or Disney) or check your cruise documents for when your specific cruise is boarding, and show up on time. Then you can sail away into paradise.
