Do you prefer getting there early or getting there later??

[i'llbesea-ingyou]

Hi everyone!

 

Just wondering...from all of your experienced cruisers: what do you prefer? Do you prefer to get to the ship on embarkation day nice and early so as to be able to walk around, get a feel of the ship, have lunch and wait around or do you prefer getting there a little later than everyone else and not having that much time to do anything before you check in?

 

How early do they let you get on the ship?

 

Happy Cruising to all!:)

[immargaret]

Hi everyone!

 

Just wondering...from all of your experienced cruisers: what do you prefer? Do you prefer to get to the ship on embarkation day nice and early so as to be able to walk around' date=' get a feel of the ship, have lunch and wait around or do you prefer getting there a little later than everyone else and not having that much time to do anything before you check in?

 

How early do they let you get on the ship?

 

Happy Cruising to all!:)[/quote']

 

I vote for the earlier the better!:D

[Debbie in Orlando]

I like to get on board as early as they'll let me. I'm gonna get as much time on that ship as I possibly can. Once I cross onto the ship I'm on vacation, doesn't matter if it's sitting at the dock or sailing. Plus, those first day lunches in the dining room are always great.

[duckman715]

I like to get on board as early as they'll let me. I'm gonna get as much time on that ship as I possibly can. Once I cross onto the ship I'm on vacation, doesn't matter if it's sitting at the dock or sailing. Plus, those first day lunches in the dining room are always great.

Could not have put it better except to add the virtues of locating where all things are located and taking advantage of early sign ups for spa, tours, dining reservations etc.

[mbisson]

Getting on early-I understand, but why rush off at the end of the cruise unless (of course) you have an early flight home?

 

-Monte

[Cosmopolitan]

I vote for the earlier the better!:D

 

 

Me too:) :)

[Leafpeeper]

I like to get on board as early as they'll let me. I'm gonna get as much time on that ship as I possibly can. Once I cross onto the ship I'm on vacation, doesn't matter if it's sitting at the dock or sailing. Plus, those first day lunches in the dining room are always great.

 

I agree that getting there early is best--so we can start the party and find an empty hot tub.

 

How did you like NCL Star? We will be sailing her Feb 2.

[johnql]

Definitely the earlier the better - the sooner I get on the ship, the sooner my cruise begins.

[LateCruiser]

The earlier the better. To plagerize a fishing quote: "A bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work"!:)

[star7228]

I love getting on as early as possible to explore...and to have a drink on deck! :) And, of course, check out our room and all, if we can. I say, the earlier the better!!

[jp2001]

I voted for ''arriving early to meet my fellow passengers and hopefully make new friends'' because I always arrive early in New York (bus schedule) and I like talking to people, especially on my last cruise since I went solo. I met John and Pat who were very nice people and we even went ashore together once. I also enjoy getting aboard the ship as soon as I can, drop off my carry-ons and go for a leisurely lunch in the dinning room. A spa treatment right after lunch is also the best to unwind from the travelling before the ''real'' vacation starts. I also try to unpack before muster drill and the real vacation starts with the sailaway party for me.

 

At the end of the cruise, unless I have a chance to get the early bus, I prefer to wait on the ship as long as I can to avoid the debarkation rush and long lines.

[Maryfrei]

As early as possible;)!

[Rosiemeadow]

I also like to get there as early as possible, but it never happens :D

[driker2]

I just calculated that the cost of our fifteen day 2007 cruise on the Norwegian Pearl will be approximately 69 cents per minute. THAT'S $41.40 PER HOUR! I want to be on that ship as soon as the gangplank hits the dock. Sorry, but disembarking passengers will just have to wait.

 

Time is money!

[johnql]

Sorry, but disembarking passengers will just have to wait.

I'm not sure if you really meant this, but you're the one who will just have to wait - new passengers are not allowed to board the ship until the previous passengers have all disembarked.

[Debbie in Orlando]

I agree that getting there early is best--so we can start the party and find an empty hot tub.

 

How did you like NCL Star? We will be sailing her Feb 2.

 

We loved the Star. Just as much as we loved the Spirit and the Jewel. Staff was great, food was very good, don't have any idea what the people who complain about food eat. Ship was clean. My only complaint had to do with the location, Alaska opposed to the Carribbean. For some reason I hadn't thought about the cooler weather creating lots more crowding the first few days for meals. No one wants to eat outside and everyone wanted to eat at the same time, all 3 meals worth the first night and the whole second day. After that it spread out some with excursions and so forth. All in all the Star was wonderful.

[lv2crooz2]

We board ASAP! (as soon as possible). I'm not one of those bad attitude disembarkers either........I leave the minute they pry my fingers from the rails:D

[2Pounds]

We like to start our eating frenzy as soon as possible and get our money's worth! Actually I think they lose money food-wise on us! LOL ;)

[watchdiva]

Count us in for earlier the better! We only live 30 minutes from the Port, have a limo pick-up at 10:30 AM and are at the terminal by 11:00. I'd rather wait a bit at the terminal than miss one nano-second of cruise time. I book spa appointments, dinner ressies, etc., before many people even arrive at the terminal:D . Then it's on deck to relax until sail-away.

[LaRee1L]

The earlier the better. Like to explore the ship and get my bearings, have a nice lunch, get unpacked and everything put away and just in general begin a great vacation - even when there's a problem aboard ship (like an intinerary change) I just take it in stride and get on with the wonderful experience of cruising.

[cruiser12]

We prefer getting to the pier early. Getting on the ship early gives us time to look around, have a nice lunch in the resturant,relax a bit in our cabin and let the fun begin. Twenty-two times and counting.

[Elizabeth27]

The earlier the better for me too...chance to explore, take some pics and video of the ship while its uncrowded.

 

Plus, I get that welcome aboard drink that much sooner!

[packercruising]

Let's face it, the vacation doesn't really begin until you are on board right? Who doesn't want every nano second of their vc they can get. :)

[shoreguy]

The best reason of all to plan to get there very early. If something happens on route you still have time to make the ship :eek:

 

Personal examples

 

Examples Tunnel into NYC a two hour back up.

 

7am flight to Miami had to turn back to Newark - still made the ship.

 

GF realized she forgot her passport when we got to NYC. Still time to go back and get it and make the cruise. Had to pay 3x limo fee :rolleyes: :D