Check in at least 90 minutes before c...

Author Message   Edwin B McConville Senior Member Username: Perkyva1 Post Number: 757 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 05:53 pm:    When boarding as soon as is posssible is boarding when the most folks try to board; the process can be very slow. Best time to board is abt half way into the boarding process thereby avoiding the early birds. This from a person who is employed as a boarding processor for a cruise line. Works for me.   Allan H Weagle Intermediate Member Username: Popsie1947 Post Number: 76 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 04:46 pm:    my wife and I have been on better than a dozen cruises; John's point is well worth rereading. Personally I prefer to over night in as hotel in the area prior to boarding- priceline.com usually can get you a night for under $39.00 in a one star- Its only one night! Arrive at the pier about 10AM board about 11 and sit on the deck and relax, scope out the ship, or arrange shore excursions-its your choice!   dinotars Senior Member Username: Dinotars Post Number: 5255 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 07:05 pm:    Looks like getting to the boat on time advice for our space a brethern applies equally as well to our cruise afficianodos.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1900 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 05:10 pm:    On Feb. 7th, there was BIG traffic jam in the Houston, Texas area and many folks did not make the dock in time. I had 6 friends who were driving down and got stuck in it. While they left in time, they knew it was going to be close, when they got in the traffic jam. They called the cruise line and told them the problem. They said they would wait as long as possible. They made it, were the last 6 folks to get on board. However a bus with 46 people did not make it and missed the boat. We are like John, just knowing what might happen, get us there several hours before time to shove off.   Jim Bagley Intermediate Member Username: Jim_bagley Post Number: 135 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 04:41 pm:    In addition to the comments made below, consider also that if you have not already done so on line, an early arrival allows you an opportunity to select dinner seating choices and provides an opportunity to make reservations at specialty restaurants.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 1154 Registered: 02-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 03:35 pm:    Let me add to Cherry's comments: We always try to arrive on the ship as soon as it is cleared to take on new passengers. Why? Usually the ship leaves port in the 4pm to 8pm time frame. They often allow new pax on board as soon as 11am. Although the room may not be available, you can always go to the restaurant for lunch/dinner and save spending that money on a over-priced shore restaurant. Clearly, my cheap side is showing! :-) Happy travels,John   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 4900 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 10:51 am:    Here's the latest, from the Vacations to Go cruise e-letter: Cruise passengers departing from US ports are now required to check in at least 90 minutes prior to their ship's scheduled departure time and anyone arriving later will likely be denied boarding. That's because cruise lines must submit the passenger manifest to the Department of Homeland Security for review at least 60 minutes prior to departure. If you are flying to your departure port, consider the possibility of flight delays. Try to avoid booking the last flight that will make the scheduled departure time and if you are flying a long distance, consider arriving a day in advance. If you drive to your departure port, plan for rush hour, accidents or other situations that may snarl traffic on the way to the pier. To be on the safe side, plan to arrive at the cruise pier no later than two full hours prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. To that I'd add that in winter it's always wise to plan to arrive at the port the day before the sailing, because you never know what system-wide weather-related delays may suddenly appear. This applies even if YOU are not flying from a city that expects bad snow or ice conditions, because snarled air traffic at other far away airports may substantially delay (or even cancel) the scheduled arrival at your location of the aircraft you need to take.