What's It Like Checking in Around 3pm?

[Bfson]

It seems as if most of the passenger show up and try to check in and board as early as possible. It's often a zoo with lots of lines. Anybody wait and check in say around 3pm (for a 5pm deprture). Any advantages? Disadvantages?

[tommy]

We did a B2B and got off to check our car at around 3 and people were getting right on no lines. TOM

[jhannah]

We prefer getting on the moment we can. Makes us feel like we spent the day on the ship before sailing away. Also, a tradition for us is to get on board, drop off our stuff, then head to the lido for lunch. Again, it makes us realize we're really there ... finally!

[CaptData]

Let me see. There will in most likelyhood be no crowds as most would have boarded already. The only ones that come that late are from planes that have been delayed or are later arrivals. Sometimes, local people who have booked will wait till after the rush.

Personally, I get on as soon as I can so I can have lunch on board. Since I always arrive the day before (retired), I like to start to get to know the ship. I have only repeated one ship on the same line once. so each ship is different and I need to know where some things are such as Medical (MS).

[Bfson]

My office is a few blocks from the San Diego Cruise Terminal and every time there is a cruise departure, traffic is backed up all around the pier and people are standing in lines just before they begin check in. I thought it would be so nice to avoid such a frenzy.

[RuthC]

The sooner you board the sooner you can start to relax.
If you board later you might rush to get something to eat. There's little time to unpack your carry-on before life-boat drill, and then the rush to unpack the big suitcase, clean up, and change for dinner.

Too much rush-rush, stress-stress.

I'd rather board with the frenzy and get it over with. I can tend to all those details at a slower pace and feel like I've spent the first day of the cruise on the ship.