Questions from someone new to cruising

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

Sue

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You can usually drop off bags starting about 10 am. Checkin starts 11 to noon. Boarding starts about 30 minutes later. I believe you need to check in 2 hours before sailing, so by 2pm for you.

You can drop your bags, visit the park and then come back to checkin. Note: You will have your carryon luggage while going to the park. An alternative would be to checkin, drop your carryon in your cabin and then go visit the park.

Getting off in port will be dependent on the local authorities. They must approve the ship. The listed time is when the ship is expected to dock. Clearance usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Then passengers start getting off. The initial rush can be up to about 30 minutes. The above assumes the ship is docked so you can walk off the ship. Sometimes a ship will anchor off the port and passengers ride tenders to shore. This slows things.

Excursions - ship. Payment depends on the cruise line. Some charge you when you book, while others charge your onboard account. Independent tours are usually paid for at end of the tour.

Some restaurants will be open on port days, but not all. Again this may vary by cruise line. We usually find the MDR is not open, but the buffet is.

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

 

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

 

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

 

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

 

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

 

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

Some answers to your questions will be specific to the line you are sailing on.

If the ship leaves at 4pm, generally there will be a passenger muster drill 30 minutes prior, which you must attend. This is to explain emergency procedures (think airplane safety briefing). Most times, check in starts around 10am or so, with boarding not starting until noonish. This is because all of the departing passengers have to leave the ship before they allow boarding.

Generally, closer to sailing date, you will be able to print luggage tags for your bags. You can give these to the porters at the pier, and they will be delivered to your cabin by afternoon/evening (sometimes early night). So you can drop off your bags and go to the park. When you check in, I believe it depends on the port as to whether you have to stick around or can go sightseeing.

If the ship is on time at a port (and remember this is not guaranteed), you can generally start going ashore 30-60 minutes after the ship is docked (the ship needs to clear immigration). Tender ports, where you take a launch to shore have their own rules, and this can delay getting ashore, depending on what you have booked.

Not all the restaurants will be open in port, but usually the buffet and one main dining room will be open for lunch.

Other far more experienced hands here at CC will provide even more detail.

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

Probably best to arrive around noon, but no later than 2 hours before departure

 

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

You check your bags as soon as you arrive, but keep a carry on with essential items like medications, just in case luggage is late arriving to cabin.

 

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

Usually you can leave the ship about 30 min after arrival. It will be announced all over the ship.

 

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

Excursions booked through the cruise line always are paid in advance. Independent tours you almost always pay at the end of your tour (to make sure you get back to ship on time) First timers are recommended to book with the cruiselines. That way guaranteed not to be left behind.

 

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

All the services on the ship are open in port except for gift shops and the casino. Depending on the ship, some dining options may not be available. You can come and go as you please.

 

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

See all my replies above to your questions.

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship?

On a number of our cruises, the ship has docked early at many of the ports, and we were able to get off at the listed time without any problem.

Your mileage could vary.

You want to get on the ship ASAP.. Boarding day is day 1 of the cruise you paid for...get on the ship and USE it! You will need to be checked-in 90 mins. prior to the initial sail away.

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

Around 11 - noon. Pursuant to government regulations you have to be on board about 1.5 hours before departure.

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

The porters will take your luggage from about 9-10 a.m. on. As the day progresses the check in lines get longer. Again, remember you have to be fully checked in & on board by 2:30 so there really won't be much time to go to this park. You wil also still have your carry ons

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

It depends. If it's a tender port, where you transfer from the big ship to a smaller transport boat it will take some time to have everybody disembark. If it's a walk off port 15-20 minutes. Anybody you are meeting in port will know this

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

There will restaurants open but maybe not all of them. The for pay fee extra places are not usually open for lunch.

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

 

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

 

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

 

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

 

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

 

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

Hi Sue, Welcome to Cruise Critic

Norwegian Pearl, August 2015 & I believe out of Seattle.

Almost all of your questions will get a better (more accurate) answer on the Norwegian forum as they are cruise line specific. Having said that:

You have to be on the ship 90 minutes before sail away.

Generally, you can arrive at any time after 10 AM and drop your check baggage with the porters. Port facilities are similar to airports. Access on/off is through guarded access points. Visiting your park will be dependent on your transport. If you have a car, I would think you can drop your bags, leave the port area and return later to check-in and board. If you are on foot, you may have to walk quite a distance to get to the closest port access point.

For the ports you will visit . . . Ships typically arrive and tie up at the dock a little before the scheduled arrival time. People are able to go ashore 15-20 minutes after that. As others have said, if at a tender port there is no good answer to give you.

Excursions . . . Every cruise line handles it different. I don't know how Norwegian does it; Princess doesn't charge until you board the ship and then you can cancel with refund up until the night before. Independent excursions often have you pay in advance or, at a minimum, give a credit card number so you get charged if you are a no-show. I have done independent excursions where you pay cash when you arrive for the excursion and have also had a few where you didn't pay until the excursion was done. Not sure how things work on the Alaska itineraries.

Yes, you can head for the ship and get "lunch" on port days. Most ships are serving food almost 24 hours a day, every day. However, many do not serve a lunch meal in the Main Dining Room (MDR) on port days but do serve in the buffet. This is one of those Norwegian specific questions.

Enjoy!

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

 

If you want to be early, then 11am. If you want to avoid the long lines, then I recommend 2 1/2 hours before the departure time, or 1:30pm in this case.

 

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

 

As soon as the porters finish removing the old luggage. 10:30am is the earliest I've seen this happen.

 

I would check in first, then explore.

 

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

 

It takes time to clear the ship. I would allow 30 minutes from arrival time.

 

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

 

Some cruise lines bill you when you book, others bill your on board account. The same with independent tours. Some bill when you book, others bill when you arrive.

 

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

 

You can eat on the ship, but all the restaurants might not be open. The buffet will always be open on port days.

 

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

See above in red.

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there? you MUST be on board 90 minutes before departure time. not checking in, ON BOARD.

 

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there. generally speaking you can check in about 9/930. boarding will not begin until after 1100.

 

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking? that is the estimated time of arrival. figure 30 minutes before you will be allowed off. anyone on a ship's sponsored tour has first priority, especially for tender ports

 

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking? ship sponsored you must pay immediately. private is up to the tour operator

 

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat? the buffet will be serving all meals. the MDR will be closed for lunch when in port. other venues may have options

 

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

if you do not want to wait around to board, get there about 1100 or so. by the time you check in, boarding will have begin or is about to. as the cabisnb will be ready at 1 so keep your carry ons limited

Glad someone clarified the cruise line as some of these questions (what dining venues are open for lunch on port days, when you are billed for ship excursions -- the answer t-car gave is NOT applicable to Princess excursions as you aren't billed until after the cruise begins, how priority for tenders is determined) are cruise line-specific.

G'day Sue, the answers can vary depending on where you are boarding and who you are sailing with, but in general

My husband and I just booked our first ever cruise and I would love all of your help with some questions that I have.

 

--If the ship leaves at 4 pm, what would be the suggested time to get there?

 

You will have to be on board about 90 mins before departure so 2:30

--How soon can you check bags in? Also, once your bags are checked, do you have to board immediately? The reason I ask is because there's a park near the dock that we'd like to visit and we'd rather not have to carry our luggage there.

Baggage drop off usually starts by 10:00am often as early as 8:00 am, and no you can drop your bags and go off to the park, no worries at all.

--As far as the ports, how quickly can you generally get off the ship? If you're supposed to be in port starting at 2 pm, would you actually be off the ship by that time or is that just the time the ship is docking?

2:00 WILL BE EXPECTED DOCKING TIME.

--If we want to book excursions ahead of time either with the ship or independently, do you generally have to pay at the time of booking?

That depends, sometimes yes sometimes no, always ask when booking privately if they'll refund if there is a problem with the itinerary.

--Are all the restaurants on the ship open while the ship is in the ports? Just wondering if we wanted some food if we could go back on the ship to eat?

Again that depends on the ship the Buffet pretty much always open in Port [i've never known it not to be], the MDR may not be nor the specialty restaurants.

Thanks for any help that you could provide!

 

Sue

Hope that helps.