Browneyedangel Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 I am cruising on Freedom of the Seas March 12, 2017 out of Ft. Lauderdale. It says the ship leaves at 5:30pm. How early can I embark? Also, how late is too late? I am booking transportation and need to know best times to book! Zobertlab, MylesDots, Xobertlab and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 Royal Caribbean usually starts checking in people around 10:00, and boarding typically starts around 11:00-11:30, but may vary significantly depending on how quickly everyone onboard from the previous sailing disembarked and whether there are any external factors that could delay boarding (US Coast Guard inspection, norovirus sanitization, etc.). Their policy is that you must be checked in and onboard by no later than 90 minutes before departure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browneyedangel Posted October 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 Thank you very much! You helped me decide on travel times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerel Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 I (and many others) recomend going early, the more time on the ship the better. It also gives you time to explore befor many people board. You may get a email or pre recorded call from Royal telling you your boarding time is 2pm. Ignore it, it's a dirty trick trying to spread out the people boarding :). Enjoy! Browneyedangel and RJLV 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted October 5, 2016 Report Share Posted October 5, 2016 We routinely get to the embarkation port the day before and stay in a hotel. Next morning we are at the port between 11:00 and 12:00 ready to board. I do not mind standing in line in order to be one of the first on board. We feel like the ship is all ours! Flying or driving to the port the day of embarkation leaves the door open for disaster, ie, plane delays, traffic accidents, traffic, etc. We do nit want to take a chance of being late or missing the departure. Browneyedangel and MikeK 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 Remember that embarkation day is "Day 1" of your cruise. You paid for Day 1 and you might as well arrive early and enjoy your first day on board! Phillip A. and Browneyedangel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 Remember that embarkation day is "Day 1" of your cruise. You paid for Day 1 and you might as well arrive early and enjoy your first day on board! Agreed! Phillip A. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donolog Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 And of course you want to get on early enough so you can have lunch on board! Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunkelBierJay Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 I recently arrived at the terminal and handed luggage to porters at 10:15 and was on the ship at 10:45 Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arebee Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 We also like to find our table in the MDR before everyone gets on board, that way we don't stumble around looking at dinner time. And find the Schooner... Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whenismynextcruise Posted October 16, 2016 Report Share Posted October 16, 2016 Steve made an excellent point that "embarkation day is "Day 1" of your cruise". I have never thought of it that way! I was wondering if anyone had any tips for what to do after early boarding on Anthem. We have been on the ship before (this will be the second time in a year for us) Lunch is usually a top priority after traveling 4 hours to New Jersey and we would just normally migrate to Windjammer and then kind of wait around for luggage at that point. Is Windjammer the only choice? What else is open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted October 16, 2016 Report Share Posted October 16, 2016 Bring bathing suits with your carry on, change and hit the pool. Oh yeah, get your drink package loaded on your sea pass card and let the cruise/party begin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonemanbob Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Absolutely get their the day before. We flew to Barcelona for our cruise 3 weeks ago and we were to fly from Knoxville to Chicago to Frankfort and then to Barcelona. Well Chicago was closed due to bad weather. After a 4 hour delay the ticket agent booked us on a different airline and a totally different route. We actually got to Barcelona 4 hours earlier than originally planned and with no stress or fuss. When we lived in Florida we always stayed overnight at the cruise terminal city. That was due to you never know when their will be an accident that ties up the interstates for hours. It is definitely worth the extra money for that incredible piece of mind. Besides Windjammer open the pool bar and some other bars will be open as well. Also you can book excursions, spa treatments, shows, etc. with no long lines. It is worth getting their by 11 a.m. Dress casual with your bathing suits on or have them ready in a carry on. Wether its your 1st cruise or 30th it is always nice to explore the ship. And if like to imbibe it is the perfect time to hit the pool bar and get to know the bartenders before the throngs hit. Enjoy your cruise. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard05 Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 I just printed out our cruise docs yesterday and noticed that the earliest boarding time listed begins at noon. Is this the "normal" time that most cruises are listed to start boarding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 I just printed out our cruise docs yesterday and noticed that the earliest boarding time listed begins at noon. Is this the "normal" time that most cruises are listed to start boarding? You can disregard that Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted October 20, 2016 Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 I just printed out our cruise docs yesterday and noticed that the earliest boarding time listed begins at noon. Is this the "normal" time that most cruises are listed to start boarding? Most of us here just consider that a suggestion. Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyclingVa Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 My last cruise we were onboard at 11am and my wife and I were the only 2 people at the pool. Looked strange laying in loungers with a couple beers and the place was a ghost town. Kinda nice. Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Lunch is usually a top priority after traveling 4 hours to New Jersey and we would just normally migrate to Windjammer and then kind of wait around for luggage at that point. Is Windjammer the only choice? What else is open? Depends on the ship, but there are always different locations to have food onboard on that first day. Especially on the bigger ships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Depends on the ship, but there are always different locations to have food onboard on that first day. Especially on the bigger ships. Food???What about the beer and mixed drinks????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Food???What about the beer and mixed drinks????? At $10-$12 each you will find PLENTY of staff offering you drinks. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsbrady Posted November 14, 2016 Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 I always get to the port early and often have to wait to board. Also, if you have any carry on bags, your room will not be ready until 1pm. On our Anthem out room was not ready til 2pm and had to lug around my carry on bag for hours. On our next cruise I think Im going to get to the port for 1pm. Get on board and go right to my cabin and drop off what I dont need. Anyone get to the ship later? Experience? Wliampl and MylesDots 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted November 15, 2016 Report Share Posted November 15, 2016 I usually arrive at the port between 10:30-11, but there have been times when I've arrived later. Generally speaking, arriving at 1:30/2:00 results in little if any wait. In my opinion, the wait is worth it to arrive early to enjoy lunch on the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted November 15, 2016 Report Share Posted November 15, 2016 Of course RC always sends out the "bluff" email a week prior to the cruise telling passengers to show up no earlier than 1:00pm. I believe this is a crowd control tactic as I have always shown up at 10:00am and been on the ship by 11 or 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsbrady Posted November 15, 2016 Report Share Posted November 15, 2016 Actually when I checked in online O was asked what time I will arrive. On the Anthem I said Noon and that was my checkin time. Check in has gotten much easier and quicker. We even uploaded photos to the website and those were used as the photo that pops up when you get on and off the ship. Now that might only be on Quantum Class and Harmony, not sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 On our next cruise I think Im going to get to the port for 1pm. Get on board and go right to my cabin and drop off what I dont need. Anyone get to the ship later? Experience? There are two "problems" with that strategy. First, you will have less time overall onboard. Yes, that's only 2-3 hours but that's 2-3 hours you paid for. Second, and more importantly, everything will be more crowded. There will be longer lines for check-in and the Windjammer will likely be more crowded. Nothing wrong with your plan, just keep that in mind. Browneyedangel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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