Early Check In?

[LizbethMcQ]

Our cruise documents say we need to be on board 2 hours prior to departure...is this a hard and fast rule? We are flying into Copenhagen a day early and have so much we want to see that we were thinking it would be nice to check out of our hotel in the morning go check in early on the ship, drop our bags and then go out to see more of the city. We would then plan to be back on board by a half hour before departure. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so what is the earliest you can check in?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

There is an "all aboard" time, always, and that is usually at least an hour prior. But if they say 2 hours, you have to believe them.

But...you can usually board about noon or so, check in, and then go off and sightsee until the stated all aboard time, which should be posted prominently as you embark. Normally staterooms aren't ready until about 2:30 or 3:00 p.m., so think about what you might do with your carry-ons (sometimes you can slip them into your room if it's open, but make sure to tell your stewardess if she's around so she knows.)

[Aloha Cruiser]

Aloha Liz

You DO need to be back on board at least two hours prior to departure, primarily due to the fact that you will need to take part in the "muster drill" where all passengers take their life jackets from their rooms and go to their respective muster stations on the ship. (FYI -- By international law, a passenger muster drill must be conducted by the ship within 24 hours of departure, but most cruise lines choose to conduct the drill before the ship departs port for the first time.)

Also due to the fact that you are travelling internationally, there are certain requirements that the ship has in terms of dealing with the customs agents in Copenhagen.

As Wendy said, on RSSC you are able to board the ship as early as Noon, (although the suites aren't generally ready until about 2:30 - 3:00). You can either have lunch up on the Pool Deck, or get through the check in process, leave your bags and then go sightseeing for the afternoon.

Hope that helps.

Bon Voyage and Happy Sailing!

[PaulaJK]

My understanding [which might be flawed] of why one must be checked in two hours in advance of sailing time centers on issues related to the manifest needing to be submitted to government authorities for security/immigration concerns.

I don't believe that this means that you then need to remain on board. For example, you could check in at noon and then depart the ship to tour. At the security desk/gangplank you will see a board with the posted time by which you must be back on board. This time is usually 30-60 minutes prior to departure.

The life boat drill is held pretty close to sailaway time as I recall but others on this board may be clearer about this.

[RachelG]

If they say you have to be onboard 2 hrs prior to sailing, you definitely have to be on board then. The lifeboat drill is held then.

But you can definitely go check in at noon, drop off your bags and then go sight seeing for a while if you want. We have sailed out from CPH twice and did this both times. We actually had time to check in, eat lunch, then sight see. The dock in CPH is really close to every thing, so you can just walk. Highly rec the Resistance Museum if you haven't been there before. It is quite close. Little Mermaid is currently on tour, but I gather there is a replica in place. She is just down from where the ship docks.

[basedow]

The Little Mermaid replica is currently situated in Tivoli Gardens. I agree it is a lovely walking park you can reach from the ship. There is also a military fortress on the grounds you can stroll around.

[RachelG]

I was pretty underimpressed by the little mermaid statue anyway. On our first visit, I made my husband go with me and take my picture by her because when I was a little girl, I had a book that I dearly loved about the little mermaid.
Seeing her in person was something of a let-down actually.

[Portolan]

check in early on the ship, drop our bags and then go out to see more of the city

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1246913