11 pm departure - when to board?

[linda_22003]

Previous Regent cruises we've been on leave the initial port around 5 or 6 pm. Our cruise on 9/15 leaves Athens at 11 pm. I'm hoping we could board in time for dinner (the previous cruise arrives in Athens at 7 am that day).

When would the muster drill be, do you think? We're generally in bed by 11 pm; I'd hate to go to muster in my jammies, and the other passengers would hate it too! :)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

When you get your cruise documents you'll see when the last time aboard is--i.e., the "all aboard" time. Or perhaps there will be a check-in time deadline.

I would imagine they would have the drill before dinner, around 5 or so. But again, not sure. It won't be after bedtime, for sure. Perhaps others will chime in, or perhaps you should call Regent and ask.

[cruiseluv]

I don't see why you couldn't board at the usual 12:30-1 pm. Our cruise a a few weeks ago left at 8 PM and we boarded by 12:30 and had a nice relaxing lunch at La Veranda. I think the drill was around 5. Our cabins were ready certainly by 2:30, I think by 3 our lugagge was in the room.

[linda_22003]

We don't intend to board as early as lunchtime, but to have a second full day in Athens before boarding (we're staying at the Grande Bretagne, downtown). Thanks - I'm sure the docs will have specific instructions. :)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

That's what I assumed, that you wanted to spend the full day in Athens. And Piraeus being a bit of a trek makes it a bit awkward to check in and then go off again. But I'm sure it will work out fine once you know the deadlines involved.

[NCCruzQueen]

Do factor in extra time for traffic. If I remember correctly, it can be a bear.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Oceania does later departures like this to be able to bring people in the same day as sailing. It allows for broader departure times from the US. I guess Regent has adapted the same kind of departure times. There were people on both of our Oceania sailings that arrived after dinner hour direct from the airport. That said, we always go in ahead and deviate with air.

[mborchgardt]

We are on the same cruise and got our docs last week from Regent via our TA. The docs list an embarkation time of 2 PM and state that all passengers must be on board two hours prior to the departure time of 11 PM. I don't recall any references to the muster drill time, but I could have missed it.

We are arriving the day before in Athens in the morning. We have been to Athens before, so we are renting a car at the airport and driving to Ancient Corinth for some quick sightseeing. After revisiting a couple of highlights in Athens the next morning, we are planning to head out from Athens to the ship around noon. From what others have said, we are hoping to board as soon as we arrive at the port around 1 PM so that we can get settled and make the most of our time on the ship.

We are staying at the Athens Gate Hotel near the new Acropolis Museum so we are hoping to have quick access to the main sites.

We are getting very excited. I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away. Have a safe trip.

[linda_22003]

Do factor in extra time for traffic. If I remember correctly, it can be a bear.

I had thought we would just take the metro from Syntagma Square to Piraeus. It looks like a pretty straight shot, unless anyone can tell me differently.

[linda_22003]

We are getting very excited. I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away. Have a safe trip.

You too! If I remember correctly (and I probably don't!) you're having an anniversary on this trip? So are we. :)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I had thought we would just take the metro from Syntagma Square to Piraeus. It looks like a pretty straight shot, unless anyone can tell me differently.

Yes it is, but it's about a 20 minute walk from the metro station to the cruise port, which is around to the left of the ferry terminals. I haven't tried it, but I believe there is a bus--if you do a search over on the Greece board you will probably find the number. Not sure how easy it would be to get a cab at that point.

[linda_22003]

Yes it is, but it's about a 20 minute walk from the metro station to the cruise port, which is around to the left of the ferry terminals.

Thank you for the tip! Considering all the walking and climbing we're going to do on this trip, I think a 20 minute walk is not a big concern, assuming that it IS walkable (not in the middle of a highway!). :)

[linda_22003]

Yes it is, but it's about a 20 minute walk from the metro station to the cruise port, which is around to the left of the ferry terminals. I haven't tried it, but I believe there is a bus--if you do a search over on the Greece board you will probably find the number. Not sure how easy it would be to get a cab at that point.

Thanks for the tip! It looks like the bus number is X96 and there is a lot of Piraeus information here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1218546

[bigdougw3999]

Was on a regent/raddison cruise years back that sailed at midnight and we had our muster drill next day. Law used to be had to have muster drill in first 24 hours of sailing. so guessing if law still the same you will do next day.

[RachelG]

The law is still the same as far as I know. Have to have muster drill within 24 hrs of sailing. (Hum, what happens if the ship hits an iceberg before the 24 hr mark??)

[turtlemichael]

The law is still the same as far as I know. Have to have muster drill within 24 hrs of sailing. (Hum, what happens if the ship hits an iceberg before the 24 hr mark??)

Do much the same as I think I'd do even after the muster, panic particularly if Leonardo Di Caprio is swanning around the deck. :)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

If you hit an iceberg in Greece, we are all in trouble.

[LUVTRVL]

Talked with Regent today. Boarding begins at 2:00pm and latest boarding is 9:00pm. I was trying to change my Prime 7 reservation as we've decided to tour Corinth before we board....