What do until ship leaves?

[tsj04]

We are going down the day before but check-out from the hotel is at 11 a.m. Our ship doesn't leave until 5 p.m. What do you usually do to fill the time gap? Thanks!:)

[intothevoid]

I usually board as soon as I am able to. I walk around the ship go to my room and check it out and just start drinking.

[Hypo]

Go to the ship, around 11 and check in, get on board, eat at the Windjammer, unpack and start enjoying your vacation, it is counted as Day 1 of your cruise. Don't wait until late afternoon, as the lines are long for check in (at times), and you have to be on board by at least 4 PM.

[DonnaK]

Board the ship and start your vacation experience early! Regardless of what the paperwork says, arrive at the port around 11 or 11:30am, and you'll be having lunch in the Windjammer buffet within an hour! Once onboard, there's plenty to do! If you're on a Voyager or Freedom class ship, they have a lovely cruise expo in the promenade. If you wear your swimsuit under your clothes (or pack it in your carryon), you can enjoy the pools and jacuzzi.

[LONESTAR 101]

Definitely Tsj milk it to its dry, Board early, go to the Pursers Office to set up your account, go get some chow, and just check out the ship till you can get into that Cabin, Now thats what Im talking about uh! Huh! Also get your life vests adjusted for the Drill as well and hey your ready to "GET OUT THERE":D ;)

[tsj04]

Oops, check out is at noon. Thanks for replying so quickly. I'm still learning all of this stuff. I didn't realize you could board so early. Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks!

[Sue L]

If you want to eat in the specialty restaurants go make those reservations as well as any spa appointments you want to do. I love going around the ship and taking pictures with no one around. We have always been on by the latest noon and it is great.

[erniesband]

Sounds like you'll be sailing out of San Juan. We usually get to the pier around 11:00, and get there within 1/2 hour of when they start to board. Can't usually get to your room then; we go up to the Windjammer with our carryons, get some lunch, and by the time we're done, can go stow our carry ons in the room, check out the very first cruise compass, go out on our aft balcony and take in the scenery and relax for a little, then starting at the top of the ship and walk each deck to acquaint ourselves with the ship (although we don't do that on Serenade anymore - we've been on her often enough that we could lead tours :D ). Check out our dining room table, and then relax some more, watching the San Juan scenery, others on the ship, traffic in the harbor, and the aviation traffic come and go from the airport right by the port. There's a sea plane that comes and goes all day from St. Thomas, and lands right across the harbor from the ship. Unpack when the luggage gets there, freshen up for dinner, and make the most of your first day aboard. Play some putt putt before the ship gets crowded, have your welcome aboard drinks, start making new friends....

 

Jodi

[zuscruiserz]

Never had a problem of what to do before sailing time :D !

 

We try to board between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sometimes we walk right on, but have had to wait for as long as 45 mins to get to the buffet - come on Honey-dipped (?) Chicken - YUM!!!

 

Board, take pics, make ressies at Portofino or Chops, have lunch, get soda card/have a drink, take carry-ons to the room, hang out by the pool, explore the ship - wow, not enough time to do everything before muster drill :p .

 

This is the first day of the rest of your vacation - LIVE IT UP!!!

[intothevoid]

As you can see you can get on at least by noon, it is a great opportunity to see the whole ship without all the congestion of human traffic. From what I hear if you are on freedom or liberty Sorrentos is open as soon as you go in, so you can go in and enjoy some pizza instead of going to the packed windjammer.

[gaiamother]

Never had a problem of what to do before sailing time :D !

 

We try to board between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sometimes we walk right on, but have had to wait for as long as 45 mins to get to the buffet - come on Honey-dipped (?) Chicken - YUM!!!

 

Board, take pics, make ressies at Portofino or Chops, have lunch, get soda card/have a drink, take carry-ons to the room, hang out by the pool, explore the ship - wow, not enough time to do everything before muster drill :p .

 

This is the first day of the rest of your vacation - LIVE IT UP!!!

 

Yeah, Honey-dipped chicken!! It's so yummy and yes it does seem to always be on the buffet day of boarding.

 

So much to do the first day. I try to be one of the first groups on the ship and get my vacation started as early as possible!

 

T

[Alphawave]

We are going down the day before but check-out from the hotel is at 11 a.m. Our ship doesn't leave until 5 p.m. What do you usually do to fill the time gap? Thanks!:)

 

Absolutely try and board early. If weather permits, wear your bathing suit underneath your clothing and hang out at the pool area after having a nice Windjammer lunch.

 

DO NOT drink too much alcohol. I have seen with my own eyes people being kicked off the cruise ship before it left the pier. Yes, kicked off, permanently. The most memorable one being one where a female puked at the muster drill while almost passing out. Entire family was removed from the ship!

[tsj04]

We will be leaving from Port Everglades. I'm so glad I asked this question because I did not know that you could board so early:o . I wanna go now but have a few more months to go:eek: I'm SO excited!!

[cb at sea]

Look, you have PAID for boarding day, which is day 1 of your cruise. Get on the ship and start using that which you have paid for!!!!! If you can get to the ship by 11:30 am, you should be able to board, get settled and start your vacation without a huge crowd! Go to the pool! Get a drink! Eat something! If your bags arrive early, unpack!

Use that day! Damn it--you've spent money on that day---make it worthwhile!