NJCruisers Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 Our cruise leaves this Sunday, 11/17 and I received the following email from RC, however almost everything I read on this blog tells me to get there around 10am. I have zero plans for San Juan that day, as we will have all of our luggage with us. We are planning to tour SJ after our cruise. I'm not sure what to do now, any advice is welcome. Dear Guest, We are excited to welcome you onboard for your November 17th Freedom of the Seas sailing. To get you ready for your cruise, we have some check-in tips to share with you! Check-in Tips: If you haven't already done so, please complete your online check-in at www.royalcaribbean.com/onlinecheckin. Next, print your SetSail Pass for yourself, and everyone in your party. To ensure you have a smooth experience on boarding day, plan to arrive to the cruise terminal after 3:00 PM. Seating in the terminal is limited, so arriving at your check-in time will ensure you have the best boarding experience. Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you soon! Sincerely, Royal Caribbean International Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWDW1204 Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 What time does the ship leave? Maybe that's why they're suggesting a later get-to-the terminal time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJCruisers Posted November 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said: What time does the ship leave? Maybe that's why they're suggesting a later get-to-the terminal time? The muster drill is at 5:45 and it leaves at 8:30 pm. Luckily we are staying at the beach in Condado so I guess we can just check our luggage and hang out on a lounge chair but I was really hoping to be on the ship with a drink in hand around lunch time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinUpinLife Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said: What time does the ship leave? Maybe that's why they're suggesting a later get-to-the terminal time? I believe the set sail time is 8 or 830pm. It leaves much later but you can still get on at a "normal" time of approximately what you see here. Of course, they could have a surprise inspection which would cause a little later time to embark. Basically because it leaves late, it just gives you more time on the ship before you depart or more time to enjoy SJ before you depart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinUpinLife Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 Just now, NJCruisers said: The muster drill is at 5:45 and it leaves at 8:30 pm. Luckily we are staying at the beach in Condado so I guess we can just check our luggage and hang out on a lounge chair but I was really hoping to be on the ship with a drink in hand around lunch time. I believe you can still plan to do that. This 3pm is just a suggestion, just like they have a suggested embarkation time for everyone. If you want to get on first, just get there early and you can expect to get on early if there are no reasons for a delay such as CBP inspection or technical delay or anything of that nature. Just know that as usual, rooms will not open up until 1-130pm. Have a great trip! I'll be on Freedom soon enough and CANNOT wait given we hit a record low where I live today. I'm ready for sunshine and warm temperatures! NJCruisers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 When i sailed on Freedom last Nov was onboard by 11am drink in hand by 11: 05 lol mrp4352 and NJCruisers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPS Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 The time listed on your email is just a suggestion. They are NOT strictly adhered to. Show up as early as you'd like, check-in, get on board and start enjoying your vacation and exploring the ship! We showed up for Freedom this past January at around 10:30-11:00 a.m. This early arrival let us drop off luggage, check-in, and get on board in under 20 minutes! NJCruisers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted November 12, 2019 Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 Freedom just leaves later than the typical Caribbean cruise and so they try to skew the passenger arrival to later. But the terminal should be open 10-11am as it will be cleared from the prior sailing's arrival in the wee hours of the morning. Might as well get there early and take advantage of the full day on the ship. NJCruisers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisM Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 We sailed in September, arrived a port at 10:30 took 15 minutes to get onboard. Our friends got there at 10 and was onboard in 15 minutes. Just drop your bags off with porters in front of terminal, go in terminal and as Matt says you maximized your time onboard. Loved the English pub, great people there. Have fun, we did. NJCruisers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJCruisers Posted November 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Thanks for the replies everyone. I was just double checking! We'll enjoy breakfast at our hotel (or nearby) and head over. We are having colder than normal temperatures here in NJ this week, I cannot wait to get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mturk Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 We sailed Freedom back in March and we boarded around 12:30PM. I think the idea behind the later check-in is to avoid everyone getting there at the same time. We did have to wait in a lineup for about a half hour before getting into the terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmsmith Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 We are sailing on Freedom leaving the 17th too! My email said to arrive after 12:30 but, like others have commented, that's just a suggestion. We are in grand suite and concierge email says boarding begins at 11:30. Our usual target arrival time is 11:00 and we have never had an issue boarding. NJCruisers and CruisinUpinLife 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJCruisers Posted November 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Tmsmith said: We are sailing on Freedom leaving the 17th too! My email said to arrive after 12:30 but, like others have commented, that's just a suggestion. We are in grand suite and concierge email says boarding begins at 11:30. Our usual target arrival time is 11:00 and we have never had an issue boarding. I haven't cruised in about 10 years and last time we had our kids. We booked a junior suite and were upgraded to an amazing 2 bedroom suite with an amazing balcony to match. This time I opted for a Spacious Ocean View and I know I'll miss the balcony, but it's just the 2 of us. I got the Royal Up email, but I'm too much of a control freak to give up the room I selected. I am so excited for this cruise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDemuth Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 A recent experience. We sailed on Nov 3, 2019. Left the hotel in a Uber at 11AM, arrived at the port at about 11:15, checked in and walked right on board at 11:30. NJCruisers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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