Ft Lauderdale Pier Early

[100cruisesorbust]

I have searched through the boards and I was not able to find out information about how Holland America handles people who show up to the pier early in Ft Lauderdale. We usually drive through the night and end up getting to the pier around 10am as long as traffic is okay. Other lines that we have been on usually do not have people ready to check in the luggage. But we have been lucky sometimes that some cruise lines are ready to get the luggage and had a nice lobby area that we could wait until they checked people in. Also what time does Holland America usually allow people to check in?

Thanks

[sail7seas]

The stevedores are not usually available to start taking luggage until about 10:45 or so....... The terminal doors open about 11:15 to begin check in. If you arrive before the doors are open, you will have to wait outside. There are very few benches at HAL's usual terminal on which you can sit.

The last of the previous cruise guests have to claim their luggage and get out of the terminal before they can start letting in the new group. The ships are normally emptied by about 9:30 - 9:45 A.M. or so.

If you find you are arriving very early, maybe you might like to stop for a light breakfast/cup of coffee to while away a bit of time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely find some place to stop and have something to eat before heading to the pier.

That way you will have plenty of time to drop off your luggage around 11, park your car, and then head into the terminal for check-in.

[100cruisesorbust]

[QUOTE=Krazy Kruizers]

thanks to you both for the info. Quick additional question we have found previously that if you wait to show up after 11am that is when all the hotels drop off people is that the same with holland america. When do people usually show up to the pier for holland america? We like to get there as soon as we can to enjoy the day on board.

[OceanLiner]

This terminal is just a large warehouse with check in stations at one end and a gangway at the other end. It isn't exactly the best first impression of HAL, but it sure does make the ship look really great.

As long as you know what you are about to experience, try arriving around 10:30am. Even if you had to wait it won't take long, and you should be well ahead of the hotel buses.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites and their first bus leaves the hotel at 11:15. It is a small bus and sometimes drops off people at other ships. Usually the bus holds about 16 people if they use the larger one. Other hotels use the same type of buses. These not not the big ones like those that come from the airport holding around 60 people. We usually get to the pier around 11:30. By then they have started boarding people and the line goes quickly.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites and their first bus leaves the hotel at 11:15. It is a small bus and sometimes drops off people at other ships. Usually the bus holds about 16 people if they use the larger one. Other hotels use the same type of buses. These not not the big ones like those that come from the airport holding around 60 people. We usually get to the pier around 11:30. By then they have started boarding people and the line goes quickly.

[DFD1]

We almost always arrive at about 10:30 in the morning. Things are usually just getting underway in the baggage collection area and there is almost always a line beginning to form outside the entry doors. The doors are usually opened soon after 11:00 and the process begins.

I can't remember when we haven't been in the lido for lunch before noon.

Hope you have a great cruise. HAL does a fine job both going and coming!

[wowzo]

We,also, like to get there before the big buses. It makes a big difference to get there around 10:30 even if you have to wait until the doors open.

[torpeedo]

Definitely agree with a 10:30 arrival time. Most of the arriving passengers have disembarked and you can start dropping your luggage without fear that it is for the disembarked.. We have our own car too so we drop the luggage and then go to the parking deck and park. The whole process can take around 30 minutes by the time you have parked and get to the terminal, depending on the crowds. We probably get to the terminal after parking around 11am or so. Believe me there are already plenty of people there by that time! Then you have to get in line to check in, get your keys, go through the xrays etc. By that time it's 11:15 or so. Then you will wait till 11:30 or 12:00 and the embarkation process will begin. You will then have to go to the Lido for lunch as your cabin will not be ready until 1 or 1:30. Probably 1:30. SO be prepared for a leisurely wait and find a comfortable place and a book or somebody to talk to. Or you can book the Pinnacle, wine package, spa treatments, or wander some of the public rooms..All fun!

[Stock Cop]

:) Does HAL have a line just for Express check-in? I have had that on other lines but it did not seem to make any difference.
Just wondering...

[sail7seas]

What is express check in?

Do you mean if you have done your Immigration Form on Line?

[torpeedo]

If express means online pre check in, yes they do. It doesn't make much difference but the check in process is pretty good with HAL. They generally do have enough staff to keep you moving well.

[Stock Cop]

:) yes, that is what HAL calls it on their web site.
Just wondering if it really meant anything.---maybe if you fill it out on line it is Express for them... LOL

Rich

[jagsfan]

first time on HAL and I sure hope check in is easier and faster than on
Carnival. No matter what port I sail out of on Carnival, the check in is
horrible compared to the other lines. I look forward to Volendam check in.

[Pilot70D]

Everyone is different so treat this a suggestion which everyone is free to ignore. We have sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale several times with HAL. Even though they do a really good job with embarkation still it's crowded when the herd first arrives and for about two hours thereafter.

We head to Ernie's on Route 1 and havea lesurely lunch before boarding. Ernie's has the best conch chowder anywhere and I've sampled the conch chowder throughout Florida and the Caribbean. We target our arrival at the port to be sometime between 1:30 and 2:00. The ship is still there and the crowds have dissipated. Usually there are no lines by this time and we can simply walk up to the counter and complete the paperwork formalities in under five minutes. Of course boarding follows immediately. Our total time in the terminal is usually no more than 10 minutes.

After getting to our cabin it's time to open the chanpagne we bring with us and start the bon voyage ritual. The only recurring problem is watching those little guys that lead you to your cabin struggle when they try to lift the war department's (a.k.a. Mrs. B.) carry-on bag. She can't bear to be parted from her collection of undrilled designer bowling balls which she packs every year.

Just a suggestion like I aid but whether you arrive at the pier early or late enjoy that next cruise and have a great day.

[FinelyRetired]

Pilot70D:

Your advice makes sense relative to arrival time.

Do you drive and park at Port Everglades? We will be and am concerned re: finding a spot at 1:30-2:00 pm since 8 ships are embarking on our departure date.

Thanks for your input.

[tootiesmom]

You are a scream talking about the bowling balls :D :D :D

Thanks for the laugh :cool:

tootiesmom

[Bmrsmom]

My husband and I are arriving at Ft. Lauderdale at 7:00 A.M. on the day of our cruise. We want to know what to do with our luggage until it is time to
go to the pier. Any suggestions?

[newmexicoNita]

first time on HAL and I sure hope check in is easier and faster than on
Carnival. No matter what port I sail out of on Carnival, the check in is
horrible compared to the other lines. I look forward to Volendam check in.
Haven't cruised Carnival for years but they had the worse embarkation and debarkation of any line ever. A few years ago we toured the Glory. The same thing, people all over the place waiting to board. Of course there were several travel agent groups touring the ship, but still: it was the worst mess I ever saw....NMNita

[Pilot70D]

Pilot70D:

Your advice makes sense relative to arrival time.

Do you drive and park at Port Everglades? We will be and am concerned re: finding a spot at 1:30-2:00 pm since 8 ships are embarking on our departure date.


Parking at Port Everglades will not be a problem even with eight ships embarking. The parking deck is huge and should accomodate all who need parking.

We have our own plane and usually I fly us to Ft. Liquordale the day before our scheduled departure. We get a rental car from the FBO where I park the plane. We return the rental car to the international airport so no parking is needed.

Two years ago I had an unexpected problem with the plane's ABS system for the brakes as we went to depart from Atlanta. I elected to leave the plane in the hangar and we drove to Ft. Lauderdale. Yes, we did park in the deck there at Port Everglades. Parking there is convenient but expensive.

Here is one suggestion on reducing the cost of parking. It's not very widely known but some of the major car rental companies offer parking at their facilities near the international airport. In Ft. Lauderdale this airport is very near Port Everglades and the rental car companies send the same shuttle buses to the port that they do to the terminals. One can make the parking arrangements with them then take the short ride on their shuttle to the port. The same in reverse when you arrive back from your cruise.

Hope all of this idhelpful.

[Pilot70D]

You are a scream talking about the bowling balls :D :D :D

Thanks for the laugh :cool:

tootiesmom


It's not as bad as it used to be. In years gone by she brought her collection of custom engraved manhole covers as well as the bowling balls and the kitchen sink. Our sailing was delayed one year because they had to bring extra ballast aboard to keep the ship from listing once her luggage got aboard.

[torpeedo]

jagsfan, I think you are on my Volendam cruise so we will be embarking the same day. We have done the Carnival embarkation and HAL is much much better. Not perfect of course, but much better. We just try to relax and enjoy the anticipation of walking across the HAL gangplank. Always such a thrill no matter how many times we have sailed!

[FinelyRetired]

Thanks Pilot70D:

I'll look into car rental lots as well. We use Thrifty's Car Lot/Shuttle all the time out of PVD.

[100cruisesorbust]

Definitely agree with a 10:30 arrival time. Most of the arriving passengers have disembarked and you can start dropping your luggage without fear that it is for the disembarked.. We have our own car too so we drop the luggage and then go to the parking deck and park. The whole process can take around 30 minutes by the time you have parked and get to the terminal, depending on the crowds. We probably get to the terminal after parking around 11am or so. Believe me there are already plenty of people there by that time! Then you have to get in line to check in, get your keys, go through the xrays etc. By that time it's 11:15 or so. Then you will wait till 11:30 or 12:00 and the embarkation process will begin. You will then have to go to the Lido for lunch as your cabin will not be ready until 1 or 1:30. Probably 1:30. SO be prepared for a leisurely wait and find a comfortable place and a book or somebody to talk to. Or you can book the Pinnacle, wine package, spa treatments, or wander some of the public rooms..All fun!

I had an additional question off of this quote. Are you not premitted in the rooms until 1 or 1:30. I know when we were on Jewel of the Seas they actually closed off doors to the room area. Is that what Holland America does or is it more that your room might not be done by the time you get on board but you can drop off your stuff.

[RuthC]

You will be directed away from the cabin area for a reason; you should not be attempting to head there.

At one time disembarking passengers had to leave their cabins for a public area very early; embarking passengers were not allowed to board until everything was ready---sometime after 1:00-1:30.
Now, disembarking passengers may remain in their cabin until they are called to leave the ship, and embarking passengers start to board shortly thereafter. This leaves little time for the stewards to do their chores.

If people were to start to attempt to head to their cabins then it could make it difficult for everybody. HAL could decide to force people out earlier and/or eliminate early embarkation.
I would hate to have to go back to those days of waiting around in an uncomfortable terminal waiting to board, or having to leave my cabin on that last day.

[torpeedo]

There are no closed doors to prevent you from going to your cabin.
When the cabins are ready, there is an announcement made over the loudspeaker. You can go to all the public rooms and explore the ship so those areas are fine. We have found that if you get there too soon and the room is not complete, it will never be completed.. So to be sure it's all clean as a whistle, we stay out of the cabin stewards way..