whens the best time to board?

[20YearsBetweenCruises]

Going on the NCL Spirit out of Seattle. We'll be in Seattle 2 days before, so we can get down to the dock as early as needed. The boarding starts at 1PM & the ship is suppose to leave at 4PM. SHould we be there right at 1? Or will it be really crowded then since many people will be coming in that morning? Maybe 2:30 would be less crowded?

 

I've been reading these boards for the last few weeks & they have been a great source of info! thanks to all who share their knowledge!!

 

NCL Spirit 6/4/04

Carnival? 9/1984

[Isaac]

When we sailed out of Seattle last July, we flew in the morning of and got to the terminal around 11 to check-in. It wasn't very crowded at that time. We had to wait around for a while and were on the ship at noon. I'm not sure how crowds were after that.

 

Your Friendly Bartender

[intrepid_guy]

20 years...

I suggest getting there an hour early. That is what I have always done.

 

~Intrepid <-- Likes boarding ASAP

 

SS NORWAY! NEVER GONE IN MY HEART! I will always miss her.

Norway - Philadelphia - Nowhere July 14, 1984

Norway - Miami - Eastern July 08, 2000

Norway - Miami - Eastern February 17, 2001

Norway - Miami - Eastern April 21, 2002 Birthday Cruise!

Norwegian Sky - San Juan – Southern November 9, 2003

Splendour of the Seas - Galveston - Western March (or April), 2004

 

____/7__/7__/7____

\::::::::::::::::::::::/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[SecondMate]

If you don't get there an hour early, you might try waiting until mid-afternoon, when the lines thin out. A couple of hours after boarding "officially" begins, you can usually breeze onboard.

[20YearsBetweenCruises]

So if you get there early, will they board you early (i.e. before the stated boarding time of 1PM?)

 

Also - I've read about upgrades on some threads. How does that exactly work? My sister (who has 4 in an inside) would really like a balcony but the extra cost to upgrade was too much. Is it possible to get an upgrade the day of sailing for less?

 

Thanks for the replies..

 

NCL Spirit 6/4/04

Carnival? 9/1984

[SecondMate]

Officially, they don't board before the stated time (unless you're a Latitudes member, in which case you can usually board an hour early). However, in practice they usually let anyone who's there by noon or so onboard. Showing up early is taking a slight risk, but only a slight one, I think. Would others here agree?

[intrepid_guy]

Slight risk at most...

I have never been turned away and only had to wait in a lounge once.

 

~Intrepid

 

SS NORWAY! NEVER GONE IN MY HEART! I will always miss her.

Norway - Philadelphia - Nowhere July 14, 1984

Norway - Miami - Eastern July 08, 2000

Norway - Miami - Eastern February 17, 2001

Norway - Miami - Eastern April 21, 2002 Birthday Cruise!

Norwegian Sky - San Juan – Southern November 9, 2003

Splendour of the Seas - Galveston - Western March (or April), 2004

 

____/7__/7__/7____

\::::::::::::::::::::::/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Isaac]

I've almost always found boarding begins early on most lines. No guarantee that it always will, but probably a good chance. We did have to wait a little while in the lounge in Seattle, but like I said, we were on by noon and it was our first cruise with NCL so no Latitudes early boarding benefits.

 

Your Friendly Bartender

[20YearsBetweenCruises]

Thanks everyone for the info. When you said you had to wait in the lounge, is that on the boat? Or on the dock? I think I'll get there an hour early & hope to get on so we can get settled earlier & expore the ship.

 

NCL Spirit 6/4/04

Carnival? 9/1984