When Do Cruise Ships Start Boarding?

On embarkation day, cruise ships typically begin boarding an hour or two after all passengers from the previous voyage. To ensure a smooth boarding process, guests should arrive at the port no later than 60 minutes prior to the published sail time. For a carefree boarding process, it is recommended that guests complete their Online Check-In no later than midnight (eastern time) prior to their sailing date. Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board no fewer than two hours before the scheduled departure time, which is almost always in.

By boarding approximately four to five hours before departure, most ships allow you to start boarding around 11AM or 12 noon. The earliest check-in time often starts around 10:00 a.m. on most voyages, with cabins not being accessible until 1 or 130 minutes before the scheduled departure. Boarding times and procedures can vary significantly depending on the cruise ship, your stateroom category, or your status with that cruise line, but boarding must be on board 90 minutes before scheduled departure. Cabins will not be accessible until 1 or 130 minutes after boarding.

To reduce wait times, passengers are encouraged to check their travel documents before arriving. To ensure a smooth boarding process, guests should select their Arrival Appointment and complete their Online Check-in process no later than midnight (eastern time) prior to their sailing date.

Which floor is best on a cruise ship?

For passengers looking to enjoy views, especially the scenery in the wake of a ship, we recommend higher decks and the back of the vessel. The higher you pick, the farther you’ll see.

If you’re after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship’s rear end. Aft balcony accommodations at the ship’s corners are also the largest and often give more outside area than conventional balcony cabins, allowing you to enjoy both the beautiful views and the extra space.

Those seeking a good night’s rest should avoid cabins near the pool deck. Additionally, if you’re anywhere near elevators, casinos, theaters or nightclubs, your chances of sleeping will sink faster than the Heart of the Ocean at the end of “Titanic.”

We also recommend avoiding the lower decks at the front of the ship, where you’ll likely hear the anchor chain moving up and down at every port of call. Instead, pick a cabin surrounded by other cabins for more insulation.

Who gets priority boarding on Royal Caribbean?

Priority embarkation is offered exclusively to suite guests (except Junior Suite).

Flexible Arrivalis offered to Crown & Anchor® Society Pinnacle Club members only. With Flexible Arrival, members can arrive at the cruise terminal one hour prior to or after the arrival time pre-selected during Check-In.

Do I need to print my boarding pass for a Carnival cruise?

On embarkation day, a boarding pass will be emailed to your email address that is linked to your reservation profile, whether Online Check-in has been completed or not. At embarkation, you may show your printed boarding pass or the boarding pass on your mobile phone.

To review Online Check-in Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Will Carnival let me board early?

• Priority guests will be given access to Online Check-in to select their terminal arrival appointments 48 hours ahead of all other guests.
• When completing Online Check-in, guests must select a terminal arrival appointment that works best with their plans. For a better embarkation experience, guests are asked to adhere to that arrival time. We will not be able to accommodate guests who show up earlier than their selected window. If Priority guests arrive later than their selected window, they will be accommodated in the Priority line.
• Upon arrival to the terminal, guests must look for the Priority line to check-in.
• Terminals with dedicated Priority seating areas may have limited space. Depending on arrival patterns, seats will be available on a first come, first served basis. Regardless of seating location, Priority guests will still be able to take advantage of Priority boarding.
• Once on board, if staterooms are not ready, Priority guests will be permitted to drop off luggage in their stateroom. Guests will be asked to return to the public areas of the ship as our team completes its work.

Towards the end of the cruise, Priority guests will receive a letter, with special luggage tags, offering debarkation options.

Can you go to your room as soon as you board a cruise ship?

Cabins open around 130pm usually. Some folks go earlier, just walk through hallway doors that are closed. We always take our luggage to our state room when we get on the ship. Never a problem.

Platinum and Diamond guests may drop off their luggage, but keep in mind the door may be wedged open so the stewards can work. I would not leave anything of value in that case. You never know who is walking by.

It used to be that Platinum, Diamond, and Faster to the fun rooms were ready when the guests boarded. Then some accountant at headquarters used a sharp pencil to eliminate a large number of hotel operations crew. Stewards were charged with more rooms to service, and it was impossible to offer the “ready when you board perk.”

I like to be the first to board. I drop my bag and do a quick PM of the room so I can alert guest services of any problems with plumbing, lighting, HVAC, doors and latches, safe, TV, switches and fridge. On Spirit I found a sink drain with enough hair to reupholster a cat. They always take care of those things before the 1:30pm “rope drop”

Is it better to sit in the front or back of a cruise ship?

The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel.

Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn’t the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness. Instead, if you want to avoid motion sickness,aim to book a stateroom set as close to the center of the ship as possible, on a lower deck, where you’re guaranteed the smoothest ride and most stability in the case of turbulent seas.

Now that you’ve got your maritime lingo down pat, you’re ready to book your cruise vacation. Celebrity’s 14 ships sail to 300-plus worldwide destinations—browse our itineraries to find your perfect cruise.

What is the earliest time I can board my Carnival cruise?

Earliest actual boarding time depends on customs/immigration and when Carnival is ready to start receiving new guests onboard, but they usually start boarding by 1100 (if not sooner).

Suites can do online check in starting 16 days before the cruise. But am I correct in thinking you really meant suites can check in at the port (Arrival Appointment time technically) at any time, regardless of their official arrival appointment time?

First time in a suite and I’m still trying to learn the ropes.

Yes. Suites have the same privilege as diamonds and platinums. A check in time is required whether you pick one or Carnival assigns you one when you don’t choose one. You can arrive at any time, 10:30,12:00, 1:00 or 2:00 you go right to the check in counters no waiting on line. When we arrive past our check in time we just walk up to a Carnival rep at the door to the terminal show our boarding pass and are ushered right in.

What happens if you arrive early for your cruise?

While the excitement of diving into vacation mode as soon as possible is tempting, resist the urge to arrive early. If you arrive ahead of schedule, you’ll be asked to wait for your designated time before entering the cruise terminal. Patience is the magic wand that ensures a smooth start to your voyage.

Now, Jan, if you’ve opted for Disney Transportation, there’s no need to fret over your Port Arrival Time. Once you’re dropped off, you can waltz right into the terminal without a second thought. On the other hand, if you’re driving like I do, leaving a comfortable cushion of 20 to 30 minutes for luggage drop-off and parking works like a charm. By the time we reach the terminal, it magically aligns with our check-in time.

Before boarding, Disney Cruise Line representatives will check your Port Arrival Form and citizenship documents before guiding you through security and onto the ship. As you step aboard, be sure to have your camera ready to capture the magical welcome by the cheering crew members. You’ll undoubtedly want to capture and cherish this moment for years to come! I hope every part of your vacation is magical from start to finish. Thanks for stopping by!

Is it better to board early or late on a cruise?

Quicker boarding process. Arriving at the terminal early means that you will not have to deal with the later crowds. While the check-in process is pretty straightforward, there are a couple steps that you have to take prior to being let on the ship, including checking your travel documents and going through security.

Even if you get to the terminal at your designated check-in time, the lines will start to get long later in the afternoon. It may take you twice as long to get through the check-in process!

You can, of course, speed up checking in by having all of your documents ready and completing all steps of the online check-in process. Coming prepared with pre-printed luggage tags means that you will not have to spend time giving your stateroom information to the porter.

What is the earliest time to board Royal Caribbean?

40+ cruises and we get the earliest check in time available (usually always 11AM) and invariably, the ship has MANY, MANY passengers already on board. On our last sailing on Mariner, we stood forever in line for the 11AM check in.

This is an interesting topic. 40+ cruises and we get the earliest check in time available (usually always 11AM) and invariably, the ship has MANY, MANY passengers already on board. On our last sailing on Mariner, we stood forever in line for the 11AM check in. People were already in line talking about their 2PM check in…..not just a few but many having late check ins. They were bragging about it while some elderly passengers were at a point of passing out due to standing in the long lines (terminal 5, which I HATE). We have always gotten to the cruise port at the appropriate time but wondering about getting there prior to our 11AM time…..say….10:30. Obviously, no one is turned away for not getting there at the appropriate time. So much for being turned out of line and told to wait.

Am seeing the same thing in Puerto Rico. Unreal amount of pax showing up before noon, long…long lines tying up traffic to get to the ships. So much so that RCI is sending text warnings with the heavy arrival traffic getting to the ship. Had a view from our hotel of the massive traffic jam that started at 10:30. Earliest available check in time was noon. And yet….so many not paying attention to it and simply arriving when they want to.

Result? Massive lines to check in too early. Both in traffic and pax standing in long lines to check into the terminal.

How early can you board a cruise ship?

Boarding begins roughly between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ship’s schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board no fewer than two hours before the scheduled departure time, which is almost always in the late afternoon or evening.

The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. The trick is knowing when that will be.

Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m.

How do you get early boarding on a cruise?

Here’s our list of 15 ways you can board your cruise ship faster.Book a suite. … Earn loyalty status. … Pay for exclusive access. … Fly in the day before. … Stay close to the port. … Leave luggage with porters. … Have luggage tags ready to go. … Book a private transfer.

Do you have an upcoming cruise and you’re looking to board your cruise ship as fast as possible? We can’t blame you – we always eagerly await starting our cruise vacations too!

There’s nothing worse than painstakingly waiting in a crowded cruise terminal. It can be frustrating to see everyone on the pool deck already having fun while you’re stuck in a barely-moving line, which is the opposite of fun.

Once you arrive at your cruise terminal, there are a few basic things you can do to board your cruise efficiently. The more efficient you are, the quicker you can get started vacationing with a fruity cocktail in hand!