Any point printing Express Docs at this time?

[Globaliser]

I haven't yet had my cabin assignment and it probably won't come for weeks yet.

So I'm wondering (as I've never booked a guarantee cabin before): even though the website is exhorting me to print my Express Docs, is there actually any point in doing that before I have a cabin number?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even though we book a specific cabin -- I do fill out all the information -- but I wait until about 2 weeks before we cruise and then print out only the 1st page and the luggage tags.

[barbarah33]

I have always waited until I get my cabin assignment before printing them out. Luckily we got our assignment last night for our cruise 3 weeks from Saturday so this morning I printed them all out. I just prefer it that way as then our cabin number is on there, it's printed on the luggage tags, etc.

[sail7seas]

You really don't even need the documents at check in.
Only one time (some number of cruises ago) were we asked for the boarding pass but there truly would not have been an issue if we didn't have. No one has asked for it since.

[SadieN]

You really don't even need the documents at check in.
Only one time (some number of cruises ago) were we asked for the boarding pass but there truly would not have been an issue if we didn't have. No one has asked for it since.



Must be different at the different ports. Long Beach, San Pedro and San Diego won't let you into the building without checking your boarding pass and passport.

We would print out the boarding pass. It verifies your name and saildate. The luggage tags can wait and you can get them from the porters if need be. Our printer knows when we are leaving and refuses to print before a vacation.

Instead of printing you can put your boarding pass on your smartphone.

[jtl513]

... is there actually any point in doing that before I have a cabin number?I would print just the boarding pass (first page) for each of you, in case there's a problem with their system or yours when the assignment is finally done. You could also print your bag tags early and write in the cabin number when you get it.

[MrsMuir]

I'm all paid up, so I decided to print our boarding passes a couple of weeks ago for our cruise starting in April. After filling out ALL the information, I hit Print only to get a message that my documents would not be available to print until February 22. I was crushed (a little). I don't remember having to wait to print out our passes before. Is this something new?

Mrs M

[RuthC]

I'm all paid up, so I decided to print our boarding passes a couple of weeks ago for our cruise starting in April. After filling out ALL the information, I hit Print only to get a message that my documents would not be available to print until February 22. I was crushed (a little). I don't remember having to wait to print out our passes before. Is this something new?
It's been this way at least for a while. Possibly since the new e-check-in program went into effect?
You should be able to print out your boarding pass around the 50-days to sailing mark. You'll get an e-mail when the pass is ready for printing.
And then reminders come until you can't stand it anymore. :rolleyes:

[GeriatricNurse]

Must be different at the different ports. Long Beach, San Pedro and San Diego won't let you into the building without checking your boarding pass and passport.

We would print out the boarding pass. It verifies your name and saildate. The luggage tags can wait and you can get them from the porters if need be. Our printer knows when we are leaving and refuses to print before a vacation.

Instead of printing you can put your boarding pass on your smartphone.

From my experience, it was the same for the Port of Vancouver! ;) Best to print & take your HAL "Signature Preferred Boarding Pass" with you for (possible) presentation! :)

[bob brown]

I would print just the boarding pass (first page) for each of you, in case there's a problem with their system or yours when the assignment is finally done. You could also print your bag tags early and write in the cabin number when you get it.
Sound advice. I once waited until last minute for GTY assignment, and then found my printer had a problem. Don't need that stress before vacation, again.
Now, I print out my booking confirmation, as soon as I make my deposit and receive Email confirming it. That in itself may suffice for admission to the port in event of trouble later on with boarding pass....

[bob brown]

Must be different at the different ports. Long Beach, San Pedro and San Diego won't let you into the building without checking your boarding pass and passport.

We would print out the boarding pass. It verifies your name and saildate. The luggage tags can wait and you can get them from the porters if need be. Our printer knows when we are leaving and refuses to print before a vacation.

Instead of printing you can put your boarding pass on your smartphone.
I agree that they often ask for the pass before allowing you to check in, but there are probably a few cases for every sailing where for whatever reason, some forget or don't have it. In such cases, the security will call the check in desk to confirm you're on the manifest, and allow you in.

[RMLincoln]

I just LOVE printing out our boarding passes just as soon as I can!!!! If we get our cabin number later I can print it again (if the printer is working) or not if I'm running too busy. But I just GOTTA have it in hard copy. I think it's just another hit on the addiction :|

Plus we've also had to show them to enter the terminal. m--

[Globaliser]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I think I'll wait for a bit as we're still a while off, but I will remember not to leave it to the last minute in case something goes wrong!