Disadvantages to later embarkation time?

[moposh]

On 3/4/2023 at 10:46 PM, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Beats sitting in a hotel room watching TV.

True.  I don't arrive the day before.  Or I'm local to port.

[davekrnavek]

Hey there, just joined the forum and was searching around and saw this post. We're in the same boat as you (literally). Also going to be staying at an Airbnb in Rome (sadly only for the two nights previous) and we plan on enjoying our morning before we get kicked out of the apartment, then heading out. 

 

If you see two boys (10 & 8 ) and their exasperated parents, please say hi. 😉

Edited March 6, 2023 by davekrnavek

[teddybear231]

We always try to board as early as possible to take full advantage, it's almost like an extra day on the boat! We were just on the Freedom in November and had The Key. We were on the ship by 10:43am, and had a drink in hand by 10:55am! We took full advantage of the drink package. 

 

I see what you're saying about lunch in Rome, but one thing you should note is that Italian lunches/dinners are more laid back and not a quick in and out like you get here in the states. You could easily have a 1.5 hour lunch (if not longer). I feel like this would add to my stress trying to get to the ship. I would have a small breakfast at a cafe and maybe grab a slice of pizza or a panini before leaving Rome. As many others have said on this post, traffic in/out of Rome can be horrendous at times.

[fishiecrackers]

14 hours ago, teddybear231 said:

We always try to board as early as possible to take full advantage, it's almost like an extra day on the boat! We were just on the Freedom in November and had The Key. We were on the ship by 10:43am, and had a drink in hand by 10:55am! We took full advantage of the drink package. 

 

I see what you're saying about lunch in Rome, but one thing you should note is that Italian lunches/dinners are more laid back and not a quick in and out like you get here in the states. You could easily have a 1.5 hour lunch (if not longer). I feel like this would add to my stress trying to get to the ship. I would have a small breakfast at a cafe and maybe grab a slice of pizza or a panini before leaving Rome. As many others have said on this post, traffic in/out of Rome can be horrendous at times.

Sounds like a plan!

[fishiecrackers]

On 3/6/2023 at 11:32 AM, davekrnavek said:

Hey there, just joined the forum and was searching around and saw this post. We're in the same boat as you (literally). Also going to be staying at an Airbnb in Rome (sadly only for the two nights previous) and we plan on enjoying our morning before we get kicked out of the apartment, then heading out. 

 

If you see two boys (10 & 8 ) and their exasperated parents, please say hi. 😉

Will do! You'll recognize me by my 3 tired teenagers!

[PhillyFan33579]

On 3/3/2023 at 11:34 AM, moposh said:

I don't know why people want an early boarding time.  Rooms aren't ready.  What can you do?

I think a better question would be what can’t you do? On embarkation day pretty much everything on the ship is open by 11 AM with a few exceptions like the casino. A few months ago on Wonder they started boarding at 10:05 AM, which is the earliest I have seen an RCI ship start boarding. By the time our cabins were ready around 1 PM, we had already been to several bars, rode all three water slides and the abyss, and had something to eat at WJ. 

[DukeASUGirl]

On 3/3/2023 at 9:34 AM, moposh said:

I don't know why people want an early boarding time.  Rooms aren't ready.  What can you do?

 

Eat before the crowds, explore the ship before the crowds, pool, waterslides, rock climbing/surf/etc, sign up for kids club/teen club...generally we eat, then go to pool deck. Yes, we have our carry-ons, but it's really not that big of a deal.

 

Dragging a carry-on around on a cruise ship is infinitely more interesting to me than hanging out in a hotel room waiting to head to the port. And usually you don't even have to drag it much - plop it down while eating lunch, then head to the pool deck where you plop it down again. By that point, it's usually time to head to cabin.

Edited March 9, 2023 by DukeASUGirl

[moposh]

10 hours ago, DukeASUGirl said:

 

Eat before the crowds, explore the ship before the crowds, pool, waterslides, rock climbing/surf/etc, sign up for kids club/teen club...generally we eat, then go to pool deck. Yes, we have our carry-ons, but it's really not that big of a deal.

 

Dragging a carry-on around on a cruise ship is infinitely more interesting to me than hanging out in a hotel room waiting to head to the port. And usually you don't even have to drag it much - plop it down while eating lunch, then head to the pool deck where you plop it down again. By that point, it's usually time to head to cabin.

If it's hanging in hotel room or going to ship, then yes, go to ship.  I don't stay in a hotel prior to cruise.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

35 minutes ago, moposh said:

If it's hanging in hotel room or going to ship, then yes, go to ship.  I don't stay in a hotel prior to cruise.

People are just telling you why they like to board early (as you asked).  

[KiwiGal117]

On 3/7/2023 at 12:06 PM, teddybear231 said:

We always try to board as early as possible to take full advantage, it's almost like an extra day on the boat! We were just on the Freedom in November and had The Key. We were on the ship by 10:43am, and had a drink in hand by 10:55am! We took full advantage of the drink package. 

 

I see what you're saying about lunch in Rome, but one thing you should note is that Italian lunches/dinners are more laid back and not a quick in and out like you get here in the states. You could easily have a 1.5 hour lunch (if not longer). I feel like this would add to my stress trying to get to the ship. I would have a small breakfast at a cafe and maybe grab a slice of pizza or a panini before leaving Rome. As many others have said on this post, traffic in/out of Rome can be horrendous at times.

We stayed in Civitavecchia at an AirBnb the night before our cruise.  This allowed for a leisurely breakfast and little stress in getting to the ship as we had already located the port bus stop.  While it's not Rome, and nothing really to write home about, there are some cute restaurants and piazzas to hang out in and start your day in a leisurely way.

[moposh]

48 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

People are just telling you why they like to board early (as you asked).  

I understand.

[Mark_K]

On 3/3/2023 at 3:38 PM, reallyitsmema said:

 

One thing to understand is you need to be on the ship 90 minutes before sailing as they have to finalize the manifest. @njsmomwas able to board five minutes before sailing as she was there on a port of call.  You and your family need to get checked in at the port and then board.  Just give yourself plenty of time for unforeseen issues.  If you stick with your plan to get there for 2pm for a 5pm departure you should be golden. 🙂 

The 90 minute limit is for a US departure. It may vary in other countries.

[livylotte]

I wouldn’t rush. Your rooms won’t be ready and the Windjammer will be like a cattle market. If you board early, there won’t be much else to do apart from sitting on the pool deck.  Spend a nice relaxed morning in Rome. Enjoy breakfast at your leisure and enjoy the opportunity to stay in bed late. This itinerary is all about the ports not the ship and you need to preserve your energy 😋

[reallyitsmema]

28 minutes ago, Mark_K said:

The 90 minute limit is for a US departure. It may vary in other countries.

 

Do you have a link to support that statement?  The cruise line requires people to be on the ship 90 minutes prior to sailing and states it on their website.  

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/cruise-ship-port-arrival-time

[Subman738]

Fishiecrackers - I ran across an interesting word doc from another cruise line that was mainly designed for an autistic child so that they would know what to expect and the steps in the whole process. I modified this to fit my needs for a cruise I did last year with my two young grandkids. We went on the Oasis of the Seas so you may want to edit some of the references in this doc but maybe it will help. 

My Cruise Vacation Generic2.docx

[HappyTexan44]

On 3/3/2023 at 11:55 AM, George C said:

Under normal circumstances we like getting on board early , but given the choice of eating lunch in Rome or on ship I would pick Rome. We book suites so there is normally a suite restaurant which is way better than WJ , another possible problem is if you buy UDP and want to get reservations for rest of the week asap. 

I'd have a hard time even getting on the ship if it was in Rome.   I'd be like some kid whining, "Do I have to go on this cruise?"    

Galveston on the hand ...    I love Texas, but that is a whole different story.   
 

[fishiecrackers]

On 3/14/2023 at 12:02 PM, HappyTexan44 said:

I'd have a hard time even getting on the ship if it was in Rome.   I'd be like some kid whining, "Do I have to go on this cruise?"    

Galveston on the hand ...    I love Texas, but that is a whole different story.   
 

😂 Would it help if the first stop was the Amalfi Coast?

 

Yeah, we’re going a few days early to explore, but the more I look into Italy, the more I wish we had like three or four more days in each city we’re going to. Darn budget!

[fishiecrackers]

On 3/14/2023 at 10:22 AM, Subman738 said:

Fishiecrackers - I ran across an interesting word doc from another cruise line that was mainly designed for an autistic child so that they would know what to expect and the steps in the whole process. I modified this to fit my needs for a cruise I did last year with my two young grandkids. We went on the Oasis of the Seas so you may want to edit some of the references in this doc but maybe it will help. 

My Cruise Vacation Generic2.docx 433.43 kB · 4 downloads

Thank you so much for posting!

[mcatmcat]

I’m going to be honest. I didn’t read your post but for me it is always early. 

[HappyTexan44]

7 hours ago, fishiecrackers said:

😂 Would it help if the first stop was the Amalfi Coast?

 

Yeah, we’re going a few days early to explore, but the more I look into Italy, the more I wish we had like three or four more days in each city we’re going to. Darn budget!

 

No, not really.   But, then Rome makes my heart go pitty-pat.  I've been to a great many cities and all but one of them was wonderful.  But I love Rome.   

 

When I was in college, I did the Europe Eurorail 'backpacking' thing.  It was for 7 weeks and I spent over 3 weeks in Rome or nearby.  For part of that trip I was with my Swedish friend doing her post-graduation continental trip and she wanted to avoid Italy because of the World Cup, otherwise I probably would have spent more time there.  

 

[Kathscof]

Knowing that a normal Roman lunch won't be over until 1:30 or 2 and then a departure to Civitavecchia might give you less of a cushion for mishaps, you COULD do the leisurely lunch thing after getting a late morning transfer to CV and wander around town and enjoy a nice Italian lunch there....that meaning you would have less room for error time wise if you were already in town with no rush to get on....

[Kathscof]

Just to add to my idea from earlier....

 

I just did a street view of Civitavecchia, because I have only been there twice for a ferry to Sardegna and I can't quite remember much about it....only that we took a city bus to the port from the station. 

 

I would say....either a lunch near the train station or the port (so you can take advantage or a bus or taxi from the station) would be enjoyable.  I didn't find much "charming" about anything on the inland side, but I did find a few places with good views of the port with some pleasant outdoor tables as well as a number of places along the water at the station.