Seeing friend before departure in port, best timing?

[selma]

Hopefully (likely) you guys will be able to help me out with some experience her. I'm scheduled to cruise later this month and departure port is the home town of a great friend of mine. One I haven't seen for a few years because of health issues. So obviously we want to take advantage of this. :) But, I'm trying to determine a good time slot.

 

 

Plans will likely be to arrive at port to board asap and plan my arrival accordingly. This will allow me to get some lying down time after the drive, check in etc which will easily be 5 or more times my max. seating time. We've got it set up with HAL so my dad (not sailing) can install some medical needed equipment in the stateroom. Perfect! But that combined with me needing to lie down does result in it not being very smart timing to try to smoosh friend into the equation at that time.

 

Her waiving as we sail away is nice and peachy, but we want to be able to have a quick hug and chat. Sail away is scheduled for 4pm, so I should expect the safety drill to be around 3pm, right?

 

How easy is it to get off the ship in between check in and the safety drill? Should I expect it to be rather time consuming or not anything worse than as if it were just a portday but no embarkation day? For my health it would be best if I could plan check in-install bed-rest-quick friend meeting-rest-safety drill. We're not expecting a real long meet, 30 minutes very likely would be on the longer end than it'll be in reality.

 

I've got no previous experience with HAL, so can only go on experience that could very well be of zero help here. Am I setting myself up for an impossible planning or should it be possible to do if things go as normal (read; no unforseen stuff that we all know can sometimes seriously hold up embarkation etc.)

[sail7seas]

You are free to leave the ship at will after checking in.

You and your Dad can go to your cabin, he can do whatever needs doing and you both can leave the ship. He will turn in his Visitor Pass given to him at the gangway, they will return his license they will be holding and you will 'scan' off the ship by having your newly issued ship's ID swiped by security.

 

You must be back aboard for life boat drill and that is customarily 45 minutes prior to sailing. Don't cut it to the minute as you will need to be at your life boat station on time.

 

Enjoy your visit. You must be excited to see your friend after all this time. :)

[selma]

Ah, only 45 minutes prior the drill. That's good to know! And agree with you about the warning of not trying to cut that one late. It can take time to get where you need to be, esp. when you need to use the elevator like I do. I allways plan time in for that.

 

They've actually got an escort set up for dad. Smart move probably to get him off again. ;) Either way, he'll be making his way back on his own either alone or escorted but not with me. That bed will be my only destination at that point. Already pains me knowing he'll need time to get it set up, grin.

 

How realistic is it to count on a 11/11.30 boarding time, as long as there are no incidents that can influence that? Taking it cautiously, with needing about 15 minutes to get bed installed that could result in 12.30 latest being on bed, 1.30 back up. Getting off ship, finding eachother, meeting, let's say all together max. 45 minutes. Would lead to 2.15. Would be cramped, but could just cramp in a 25/30 minute quick lie down before dragging back up and making my way to safety drill location.

 

 

Excited doesn't even begin to describe our sentiments with regards to meeting up again. Last planned meet up was in '11 when she decided to surprise me by simply showing up on my flight to Barcelona to board a cruise there, just to "waive byebye" and have some us time in Barcelona. That trip never happened, turned into a stay at Resort Hospital so to say. ;) Both have had too many health issues to "just" visit and after all of that it will be amazing to finally hug a friend who's had such a rough time but also always was there for me.

[sail7seas]

If you are boarding in FLL, it is reasonable to expect to board 'about' 11:30 - 11:45 if you are in the first group or in a wheelchair. By no means take this as an 'absolute' as they can hold up boarding time for any number of reasons. However, we have sailed HAL out of FLL dozens and dozens of times and it is rare when we are not boarding by 11:45.

 

[garydm]

I would definitely not try to board, get off and then reboard. Keep in mind you will have to go through security each time. It would be incredibly easier to see your friend prior to boarding and avoid the hassles inherent in boarding an additional time.

[selma]

Not FLL, but Rotterdam.

 

I know how easily things can happen, that's why I'm being cautiously and labelling that planning "if all goes as smooth as can be". Beyond that; planning out the window, back to the drawingboard. ;) But for now it'll give me a bit of an idea of timing to discuss with friend. I can easily call her on the day self if things change, but this way she can also have a tentative planning.

[selma]

I would definitely not try to board, get off and then reboard. Keep in mind you will have to go through security each time. It would be incredibly easier to see your friend prior to boarding and avoid the hassles inherent in boarding an additional time.

 

I realise I'll have to repeat security again and am not that worried about that. It's not like I'll be dragging my stuff back and forth with me each time. ;)

 

Meeting before boarding probably will not be an option, I reckon. Healthwise in all honesty not an option to begin with, for me. And with everything we had to set up to get some medical stuff aboard installed etc. looks like procedure would leave no room for it. Sorry to sound so annoyingly vague, but don't want to get into too much details of that as I don't know how much of it is meant to not be openly discussed.

 

Time will tell, I guess.

[cruz chic]

I realise I'll have to repeat security again and am not that worried about that. It's not like I'll be dragging my stuff back and forth with me each time. ;)

 

Meeting before boarding probably will not be an option, I reckon. Healthwise in all honesty not an option to begin with, for me. And with everything we had to set up to get some medical stuff aboard installed etc. looks like procedure would leave no room for it. Sorry to sound so annoyingly vague, but don't want to get into too much details of that as I don't know how much of it is meant to not be openly discussed.

 

Time will tell, I guess.

No need to go into details. I think your plan sounds workable. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and enjoy seeing your friend.

[YubaSutter]

You can always get there a day earlier or see your friend after the cruise.

[jtl513]

MAAAAAAAYBE you can get permission for her to board the ship with your Dad and visit with you while he's doing his set-up work. It has been done in the past on occasion, with HAL approval. Since you've already gone through the process of getting his visit approved you know the steps!

[sail7seas]

MAAAAAAAYBE you can get permission for her to board the ship with your Dad and visit with you while he's doing his set-up work. It has been done in the past on occasion, with HAL approval. Since you've already gone through the process of getting his visit approved you know the steps!

 

 

It is possible that could be an option but start working on it now.

The more time you allow for a POSSIBLE approval, the better. Don't be disappointed or annoyed with HAL if they deny permission. It isn't often they permit such a visitor.

 

You will need her date of birth and passport and/or drivers license number to make such an application.

 

[Tampa Girl]

Why is it not possible for you to see her 1/2 hour before you board? You don't have to get on at 11:30, do you? It seems like you are putting unnecessary stress on yourself by trying to squeeze her in between boarding and re-boarding.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Okay

 

You are leaving from Rotterdam -- June 22.

 

Where does your friend live?

 

Can she make it to the port before you enter the terminal to check in?

 

That would be the best solution since your father will be setting up medical equipment and I know you want to be there and also get some rest before sailing.

 

Hope you get everything worked out.

 

Have a great cruise.