Constellation Check in time dilemma need opinions

[cgolf1]

We are staying near port and are going to walk to the port, 2-3 blocks away. The dilemma is that we need to check out of the hotel by 11 and our cruise check in time is 12:30. Due to Covid concerns we don’t want to just hang out somewhere where masks aren’t being worn. 
 

So can we just head down to the port after we check out from the hotel at 11?

[LGW59]

6 minutes ago, cgolf1 said:

We are staying near port and are going to walk to the port, 2-3 blocks away. The dilemma is that we need to check out of the hotel by 11 and our cruise check in time is 12:30. Due to Covid concerns we don’t want to just hang out somewhere where masks aren’t being worn. 
 

So can we just head down to the port after we check out from the hotel at 11?

Yes why would you think not?

[cdn_tbird]

13 minutes ago, cgolf1 said:

We are staying near port and are going to walk to the port, 2-3 blocks away. The dilemma is that we need to check out of the hotel by 11 and our cruise check in time is 12:30. Due to Covid concerns we don’t want to just hang out somewhere where masks aren’t being worn. 
 

So can we just head down to the port after we check out from the hotel at 11?

Have you spoken to someone at the hotel about their checkout policy. Most hotels will allow for  a late checkout and if it's not too much past their normal checkout time they won't charge you for it.

[WestLakeGirl]

Perhaps your hotel has an outdoor patio or area by the pool so you could hang out there

[cgolf1]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

Yes why would you think not?

I read on a thread recently during the pandemic they wanted people to stick to their times to spread people out. Also 12:30 was the earliest time we had available. 

[cgolf1]

41 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Perhaps your hotel has an outdoor patio or area by the pool so you could hang out there

Thanks I honestly hadn’t even thought of that. We can give them a call. 

[cruisestitch]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

Yes why would you think not?

I would not go to the port early. You may end up standing in a long queue waiting for your assigned time

[Arizona Wildcat]

Am positive you can find someplace at the hotel - lobby, outside patio ??? or another business nearby.  Get a cup of coffee or some food.  

Personally if the above is not possible I would take a taxi someplace have the hotel hold my luggage.  Then walk to the port. 

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Am positive you can find someplace at the hotel - lobby, outside patio ??? or another business nearby.  Get a cup of coffee or some food.  

Personally if the above is not possible I would take a taxi someplace have the hotel hold my luggage.  Then walk to the port. 

All good suggestions, though we are taking about perhaps 90 minutes.  Many posters have said how pleasantly happy they were to have arrived at the port to be allowed to board early.

[miched]

We sailed on the Constellation in Dec out of Tampa.   We were in a SS and had 11:30 check in.  We drove from our hotel and parked at a private lot.   Got to the terminal around 11:00.   The gates were lock and people were standing in a holding area that they were told to wait in.    We joined them and there was no line just people standing around. 
 

They opened the gates at 11:30 and it looked like the Oklahoma Land Rush.  Everyone took off toward the baggage area.   We checked in our luggage and then got screened.    Since we were in a suite we got a personal escort to the check in area.   There were corrals according to time slots that non suite guests were directed to.  I don’t know what time they were let on but if their time was noon they were in the noon area

 

As others suggested you could hangout at the hotel after checking out and try to get there around the time you are assigned to.   There aren’t any places to sit 

 

I don’t know when you are getting in.  If you have the time I would suggest the Tampa Aquarium.   It is next to the port and excellent.  2 to 3 hours is about the normal time most spend there although you can hang out longer. 
it is more than an aquarium.   We went there the day before our 

cruise.   If you buy on line you get a little discount.  
 

One fish is called Flag Fish

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[gold1953]

We have had hotels store our luggage for a couple of hours and lounged by the pool and gone for walks. No need for late check out

[occasional cruiser guy]

We are also very close to the ship at a hotel with an 11am check out time.  Unknown until getting here and inquiring,  they in fact, have a shuttle that will deliver us to the ship!  Not in any website or literature do they advertise this.  We plan on leaving our room at 11am., grab a coffee and shuttle on over.  Our boarding time is noon.  Ask the front desk as you might be surprised!  They probably have a contingency plan for people in your situation. 

[RollWave]

13 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

I would not go to the port early. You may end up standing in a long queue waiting for your assigned time

I would not go to this particular port early!

 

We were on the Constellations first cruise after Covid (November 2021). They may have ironed out some of the issues, but embarkation was chaos due to the set-up of the terminal and that many passengers arrived well before their assigned time.

[scidee]

We are due to sail the Silhouette In March and are still looking for a port hotel.  Could you both share which hotel you're staying at?

[cruisestitch]

That won’t do you much good because they sailed out of a different port than silhouette sails out of.

[Jim_Iain]

Most times when requested the hotel will give us a later check out time.   They usually require you to ask when you check in so they can check their bookings.   

 

Almost all hotels also will hold your luggage for you and you can check out and then take a walk or drop by a close shopping center.   

 

With current low bookings I've read of many that have showed up early and their was no wait to checkin nor were they checking your checkin time.   

 

Finally re-check the CheckIn app as they often open up additional 11:30 checkin slots

[phoenix_dream]

I agree about not arriving early. They don't open the gates until 11 and don't let people in until 11:30 at the earliest.  Honestly,  very friendly staff working there but not the most competent that's for sure.  Seems like they are still learning the ropes so to speak. 

[RollWave]

10 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I agree about not arriving early. They don't open the gates until 11 and don't let people in until 11:30 at the earliest.  Honestly,  very friendly staff working there but not the most competent that's for sure.  Seems like they are still learning the ropes so to speak. 

Agree - very friendly staff who are trying hard. The terminal and the area around the terminal are not the best for large amounts of people. Very different than Ft Lauderdale or Miami. 

[curtsfan]

On 1/23/2022 at 6:02 PM, LGW59 said:

Yes why would you think not?

We were on the Edge in August &’the a reflection in November & they were not allowing anyone to enter the terminal until their check in times.  Why not just sit at your hotel until it’s close to your check in time. Sit by the pool or in the lobby.  I’m sure they won’t mind.  

[DaKahuna]

On 1/24/2022 at 11:29 AM, scidee said:

We are due to sail the Silhouette In March and are still looking for a port hotel.  Could you both share which hotel you're staying at?

They are sailing on Constellation which sails out of Tampa.  If you are on Silhouette then you are sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, on the other side of the Florida panhandle. 

 

 We are staying at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort the night before our Silhouette sailing.  Have also stayed at the Renaissance at Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port.  Long time Marriott customer. 

 

[hcat]

If no late check out offered, check out on time , have them hold luggage, get a coffee..relax...time will pass

Then call a cab to the port,

[wrk2cruise]

Plus they sailed over a month ago!

[DaKahuna]

Just now, wrk2cruise said:

Plus they sailed over a month ago!

Not if they are sailing in March as their post indicated. 

 

[wrk2cruise]

2 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Not if they are sailing in March as their post indicated. 

 

 

OP's question was about Tampa and sailed in January.  Someone else was sailing out of PE in March.  Apples and Oranges.

[baldilocks]

Just a quick question. We have never sailed on Celebrity before. Is Aqua class considered as a suite for boarding?