What time to board the ship???

[Jessiebaby18_]

I was wondering what time we would actually need to be on our cruise if it leaves at 4:30pm... also, what time are you typically allowed to get on the ship?

 

Thanks for your help!

[wrp96]

Do you mean departure is at 4:30 pm? Disembarkment is when you get off the ship at the end of your cruise.:)

 

If departure is at 4:30pm, then you must be checked in and onboard the ship no later than 3pm. If there are no delays to the previous cruise, boarding generally begins between 11 and 12 in most ports.

[Jessiebaby18_]

Do you mean departure is at 4:30 pm? Disembarkment is when you get off the ship at the end of your cruise.:)

 

If departure is at 4:30pm, then you must be checked in and onboard the ship no later than 3pm. If there are no delays to the previous cruise, boarding generally begins between 11 and 12 in most ports.

 

 

 

Thank you - obviously a first timer..... Just curious... we are leaving Port Canaveral and I wanted to stay the night before in Orlando. Thanks again

[sail7seas]

You're doing a smart thing to come to the port a day early. It can be very nerve wracking to travel to the ship on the day you are to board if it requires air travel.

 

Have a great cruise.

There's none like your first. ;)

 

[cb at sea]

You may board the ship as soon as all departing passengers are gone....usually around 11-11:30am.

[lady_cruiser]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

My sister and I usually are one of the early birds who like to be waiting at the terminal to board the ship even before its cleared for the previous passengers to start departing. We love to be one of the first hundred or so :eek: people to be onboard so we can get take photographs on the ship before it gets too crowded with other passengers walking up and down and in front of our cameras.

 

Jus remember that if you are like us and board early your cabin won't be ready for several hours so you will have to carry or lug around any luggage that you carry-on board.

[tmitchell82]

I would definitely try and board around noon. Then you have plenty of time to explore the ship, drop off the carry ons, eat, etc before sailway. Nothing says you are on a cruise than sailway.

[Teeara]

Thank you - obviously a first timer..... Just curious... we are leaving Port Canaveral and I wanted to stay the night before in Orlando. Thanks again

 

You do realize that Orlando is about an hour's drive from Port Canaveral? You might want to think about renting a car at the airport and stay the night in the Port Canaveral area. The Radisson is close to the port AND there are several rental car dropoff locations nearby. We used Hertz and they have a shuttle that will take you to the ship and after the cruise will pick you up to pick up a car to drive back to the airport.

 

We usually get to the port between 10:30 and 11:00 and board the ship between 11:30 and noon. We're among the first onboard, get our luggage first and get to spend more time onboard. We also usually get totally unpacked before muster drill which usually takes place between 3:30 and 4:00.

 

Good luck and have a great cruise!