Online Check-In

[jlandz09]

Our check-in date is tomorrow since that will be 21 days from the sail date.

 

1) Is there any benefit from being really fast to check-in (a la Southwest flights)?

 

2) How is check-in time calculated? For us here in EST, would it be 6:00 pm (midnight Rome time), 12:00 am (midnight our time), or 11:00 am tomorrow (exactly 21 days to the hour of our sail-away time)?

[ChiefMateJRK]

Midnight Eastern time.

 

The "benefit" of an early checkin is that you can obtain an earlier terminal arrival time.  That said, most just show up at the terminal when they choose and we haven't heard any reports of anybody at the port actually checking the arrival times for a long time.

[casofilia]

@jlandz09

 

I imagine that as the HO is in Miami it would be based on EST

[UKstages]

online check-in time begins at midnight ET, regardless of where the cruise is embarking. so your check-in should be available at midnight tonight. the exception is at midnight on a saturday night, when they sometimes do maintenance at NCL.com. in that case, check-in usually becomes available at around 6 am.

 

the advantage to being the first to book is to get your preferred check-in time at the pier. typically, those that want 9:30 or 10 or 10:30 am check-in times  at the pier need to check in online promptly before those times disappear.

 

check-in time at the pier is not the same as boarding time, but many believe in waiting in a short line at the pier, then sitting around, then being among the first to board, so they can maximize their time on the ship. the alternative is waiting in a somewhat longer line later in the day, but boarding right away. the choice is yours, but if you want an early check-in time. those tend to disappear within a few hours of online check-in opening up.

[ChiefMateJRK]

42 minutes ago, UKstages said:

check-in time at the pier is not the same as boarding time

Check-in time is not predetermined.  You get through whatever lines and then check-in.

 

What we are talking about is terminal arrival time.  What do you think this is used for?

[don't-use-real-name]

You can do On-Line Check-In 21 days before sailing -

Your E-docs may note a check-in time at the port -

After dropping off your luggage proceed to the check-in

area for processing your documents and paperwork.

Depending on the boarding process you may have to

wait for your que to board or with luck just simply go

right on board.

If in a (full) Suite or Haven stateroom ignore the

suggested port check-in times.

If you have Platinum Latitudes status or traveling

with CAS (Casinos At Sea) look for the designated

signs for check-in.

If those lines seem a bit long maybe better to just

simply board with the general public.

Boarding 2500-4000 guests is not a lark - pay attention

to any and all boarding calls - jump for it although

you still may have to wait in line on the gangway to board.

[jlandz09]

If we are not sure yet when we will want to board, is it okay to try to get as early a check-in time as possible and then just show up whenever we want either at or after that time? Or is that impolite/frowned upon?

Edited May 5, 2023 by jlandz09

[ChiefMateJRK]

2 hours ago, jlandz09 said:

is it okay to try to get as early a check-in time as possible and then just show up whenever we want either at or after that time?

Again.  It's not a check in time.  It's a terminal arrival time and it means nothing and nobody cares.  Is this thing on? 😀

[jlandz09]

Only just figuring out that this is a COVID remnant. Was so puzzled because I haven't cruised since 2018 and couldn't figure out why I needed to pre-determine when we were arriving at the terminal. Seemed such a silly thing to try to control what with traffic and other high-variable factors. Now I get it. Turns out fiance isn't in a hurry to get there anyway and wants to spend more of our last morning in Rome...you know...IN Rome. Go figure 😅