Station Pier

[welder70]

we are departing Melbourne 4/12/16 and have a boarding time of 12 noon, are Princess strict with boarding times or is it a free for all?

[ceba]

we are departing Melbourne 4/12/16 and have a boarding time of 12 noon, are Princess strict with boarding times or is it a free for all?

Hi and welcome to Cruise Critic! I think a lot of the time it depends on the pier and staffing there. I've heard both ways. But I'll tell you, I think you'd get more responses if you posted this question under Princess Cruises (more to the top of the page under Cruise Lines P-Z). More people read and respond up there. Good luck!!!

[By The Bay]

we are departing Melbourne 4/12/16 and have a boarding time of 12 noon, are Princess strict with boarding times or is it a free for all?

What Captain Circle level are you? What cabin class are you traveling in? Both have an impact on when you can board.

[OzKiwiJJ]

we are departing Melbourne 4/12/16 and have a boarding time of 12 noon, are Princess strict with boarding times or is it a free for all?

 

No, they aren't strict. Boarding doesn't usually start until 11:30am. You will be allocated to a boarding group when you check in - you get given a little card with a letter or number on it. Once boarding starts the priority boarding groups go first then the rest. Typically there is 5-10 minutes between the announcement of each group - it depends on how quickly the immigration and security checks are moving.

 

I'm not sure what time check-in actually starts, we typically get to the cruise terminal between 10:45am and 11:15am, go straight through check-in (except in Fremantle where they start the group system before check-in) and, after a short wait, are usually onboard by 12:30 at the latest.

[welder70]

Thank you for the information, I will leave the hotel at about 11am then. I

suppose it doesn't really matter as we all get on anyway but keeping to the times stated would help with embarkation and the people who are trying to board us.;)

[OzKiwiJJ]

Are you going on Golden? It never seems to be a problem with Princess. The boarding flows quite smoothly - as long as people remember to empty their pockets before they go through the security arch. :rolleyes: Also some people prefer to board early, some later, some travel to the port on the day, some stay in a hotel overnight so like to go straight to the port once they check-out.

 

We like to board early so we can have lunch in the MDR (12-1:30pm). It's a nice way to start our cruise. :D Luckily we've now reached a level where we have priority boarding so that makes like easier. :D :D

Edited November 6, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[welder70]

What Captain Circle level are you? What cabin class are you traveling in? Both have an impact on when you can board.

 

we are in a mini suite and a Ruby Member and after this cruise we go to the next tier.

[welder70]

Are you going on Golden? It never seems to be a problem with Princess. The boarding flows quite smoothly - as long as people remember to empty their pockets before they go through the security arch. :rolleyes: Also some people prefer to board early, some later, some travel to the port on the day, some stay in a hotel overnight so like to go straight to the port once they check-out.

 

We like to board early so we can have lunch in the MDR (12-1:30pm). It's a nice way to start our cruise. :D Luckily we've now reached a level where we have priority boarding so that makes like easier. :D :D

 

yes we are on the Golden Princess, we are taking my Mother with us so I am trying to make it as smooth as possible.