How long it takes to board?

[sunset1031]

Normally how long it takes to board from the moment I enter the terminal to set foot on the ship, if I have done all required check in tasks pre cruise? Thanks.

[SpeedNoodles]

I've been curb to ship in less than 10 minutes for my last 4 or 5 sailings.

[Ampurp85]

Depends on a lot of factors.

Traveling solo I was on board once in 5min and another time it took about 8.

If you arrive before a cruise ship has started boarding, you can expect at least a half hour. This usually happens when they tell you to come later than you scheduled check-in, but you arrive at or around the time. 

If other travelers aren't prepared or the system is wonky, expect at least between 15-30mins. 

[CruisingOz]

At Miami, about 10 min for three criuses, which blew us away. A Port Everglades, 20min. We turned up an hour prior to our allocated times as we had a JR suite, so around 10.30

[Leighq]

I’m probably getting to the terminal in Fort Lauderdale around 9 am with a 11 am check in so how much waiting outside will I have and is there seating indoors to wait?

[melmar02]

11 minutes ago, Leighq said:

I’m probably getting to the terminal in Fort Lauderdale around 9 am with a 11 am check in so how much waiting outside will I have and is there seating indoors to wait?

Here's a quick video a family took while going through the terminal. There are a few benches outside the building. I don't recall, and didn't see in the video, any seating once you are in the building until you are through the security and check in area. It's a lot like an airport terminal where the goal is to get people processed through check in and security with all the chairs at the gates.

 

[Jill]

40 minutes ago, Leighq said:

I’m probably getting to the terminal in Fort Lauderdale around 9 am with a 11 am check in so how much waiting outside will I have and is there seating indoors to wait?

We have 11 also. We’re leaving the hotel at 10:15 planning to be parked, unloaded and in line by 10:30-ish. I’m not a fan of standing around lol 

[Colombia20102018]

1 hour ago, melmar02 said:

Here's a quick video a family took while going through the terminal.

This is pre-covid process

[BrianB]

At Port Liberty in NJ so far it’s been pretty quick…as long as you arrive at your reserved time. There have been lots of people sitting outside because they came early.  
The only delay I have experienced inside the terminal was (***warning! Rant coming!)…getting through security. I don’t know why some folks just can’t understand the simple instructions to ‘place your phones, keys and all metal objects inside your carry on’ before they get to the magnetometers. I can pretty much guarantee there will be some who hold up the line as they scramble to empty their pockets after they reach the machines…then set off the beep because they forgot something, again and again. Or those who think they’re in an airport and stand there taking off their belts and shoes and jackets….then hold up the line on the other side as they put everything back on. The port workers are pretty clear as they give instructions to people in line, but many are so excited, or oblivious, and just don’t stop talking to listen. Or find it so difficult to separate themselves from their cell phones…even for a few minutes. Once in a great while…everything goes smoothly and the line moves right along. (end of rant).

[SPS]

1 hour ago, Leighq said:

I’m probably getting to the terminal in Fort Lauderdale around 9 am with a 11 am check in so how much waiting outside will I have and is there seating indoors to wait?

You're gonna have to wait outside until your check-in time and there isn't any seating outside. You're not gonna be able to go inside the terminal until then because the doors lead directly into a queueing line for security/health check, and check-in. The seating indoors is past the security/check-in area for guests waiting to board if the ship isn't ready for boarding.

 

[Done]

12 hours ago, CruisingOz said:

At Miami, about 10 min for three criuses, which blew us away. A Port Everglades, 20min. We turned up an hour prior to our allocated times as we had a JR suite, so around 10.30

I remember when the new RCL terminal opened in Miami, Richard Fain (I think) stated the goal was, "From the car to the bar in 10 minutes!"  We experienced that when we last sailed out of Miami on Symphony, one of the last cruises before the shutdown in Feb, 2020.  We were in a JS and they had staff members waiting for suite guests.  She ushered us into a waiting elevator up to a special lounge.  We sat on a comfortable couch while she completed the short data verification process, we got our SeaPass cards  and escorted to the gangway to board the ship.  We were both stunned!   

[jticarruthers]

Boarding itself is pretty quick once you get "to the door". Probably averaging about 15 mins from entering terminal to exiting terminal since the restart.

The unknown is how long the line will be to get in the terminal, i think its typically been about 10-15 minutes for me, had one as long as 2 hours but that was early and they were in full blown insane/stupid mode on that one.

 

 

[BritInFlorida]

When people are quoting less than 30 mins from Door to being on board, does that time INCLUDE taking the rapid covid test when you get to the port?

We have done 2 x Disney Cruises and 1 x MSC cruise in the past 5 months... and it took at least 45 mins to do the test and wait for the results to come back.

If it really is less than 30 mins, I shall make lunch on board.   We have a 12- 12.30 boarding time for Mariner of the Seas this Saturday in Port Canaveral! 

[SpeedNoodles]

2 hours ago, BritInFlorida said:

When people are quoting less than 30 mins from Door to being on board, does that time INCLUDE taking the rapid covid test when you get to the port?

We have done 2 x Disney Cruises and 1 x MSC cruise in the past 5 months... and it took at least 45 mins to do the test and wait for the results to come back.

If it really is less than 30 mins, I shall make lunch on board.   We have a 12- 12.30 boarding time for Mariner of the Seas this Saturday in Port Canaveral! 

Not me, since I don't have kids and can test at home.  They really don't want you testing at the port  unless you have to (kids) or have no other options (and then it needs to be prescheduled, from what I understand).

[Pattycruise]

11 hours ago, BrianB said:

At Port Liberty in NJ so far it’s been pretty quick…as long as you arrive at your reserved time. There have been lots of people sitting outside because they came early.  
The only delay I have experienced inside the terminal was (***warning! Rant coming!)…getting through security. I don’t know why some folks just can’t understand the simple instructions to ‘place your phones, keys and all metal objects inside your carry on’ before they get to the magnetometers. I can pretty much guarantee there will be some who hold up the line as they scramble to empty their pockets after they reach the machines…then set off the beep because they forgot something, again and again. Or those who think they’re in an airport and stand there taking off their belts and shoes and jackets….then hold up the line on the other side as they put everything back on. The port workers are pretty clear as they give instructions to people in line, but many are so excited, or oblivious, and just don’t stop talking to listen. Or find it so difficult to separate themselves from their cell phones…even for a few minutes. Once in a great while…everything goes smoothly and the line moves right along. (end of rant).

I've never heard anyone giving instruction at Port Liberty, nor are there any signs.  
As I stood in line, happily, for my cruise again, I marveled, like you, that people did not know to empty their pockets.  then I realized that no one was providing the simple instruction (not that they would listen! LOL)
Last week I waited on the "already through security" side for my daughter.  and she asked security if she needed to remove her laptop  from her backpack (like at the airports)....I was so proud of her! LOL  (college student that had to study, otherwise she would have gladly traveled without it!)

 

[Pattycruise]

2 hours ago, BritInFlorida said:

When people are quoting less than 30 mins from Door to being on board, does that time INCLUDE taking the rapid covid test when you get to the port?

We have done 2 x Disney Cruises and 1 x MSC cruise in the past 5 months... and it took at least 45 mins to do the test and wait for the results to come back.

If it really is less than 30 mins, I shall make lunch on board.   We have a 12- 12.30 boarding time for Mariner of the Seas this Saturday in Port Canaveral! 

Testing for vaccinated passengers can take place 2 days prior to sailing, at a location of your choice. Be sure to bring results to port (via email or printed).  Unvaccinated passengers require testing up to 3 days prior to sailing (PCR only) and will also be required to test at the port on the day of sailing.  
So if you are fully vaccinated and have done your testing elsewhere like you should be (cruise line does not offer testing for vaccinated passengers) then you will "breeze through" if there are no unforeseen events.

 

[Snowchaser]

Question about showing up later than your reserved check in time?  We are flying in the morning of our cruise out of Miami and there is definitely a chance of this happening?

[Ampurp85]

3 hours ago, Snowchaser said:

Question about showing up later than your reserved check in time?  We are flying in the morning of our cruise out of Miami and there is definitely a chance of this happening?

If you are later, just go in and you will be fine. It being early that might cause problems.

[SPS]

7 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

3 hours ago, Snowchaser said:

Question about showing up later than your reserved check in time?  We are flying in the morning of our cruise out of Miami and there is definitely a chance of this happening?

If you are later, just go in and you will be fine. It being early that might cause problems.

Correct. Due to available shuttle times from our hotel being either too early or too late for our liking, we opted for the early shuttle time.

We were required to wait about 45 minutes at the terminal before entering. (Longest 45 minutes of my life! ) Late arrivals can proceed to the line leading inside)

FYI: @Snowchaser The app allows you update your arrival time (later or earlier) if time slots are available!

[BritInFlorida]

19 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Testing for vaccinated passengers can take place 2 days prior to sailing, at a location of your choice. Be sure to bring results to port (via email or printed).  Unvaccinated passengers require testing up to 3 days prior to sailing (PCR only) and will also be required to test at the port on the day of sailing.  
So if you are fully vaccinated and have done your testing elsewhere like you should be (cruise line does not offer testing for vaccinated passengers) then you will "breeze through" if there are no unforeseen events.

 

This is amazing news.  Thanks for clearing that up.   When we did the Disney cruise a couple of months ago, we had to test 2 days before the cruise at CVS.. then test again at the port.  It was a total PIA.

This is much better.   Thank you.

[Va4fam]

On Feb 27, we arrived late for our 12:30 check in at Port Miami Terminal A,  and breezed through the empty concourse and were aboard in less than 10 minutes.  They didn't even ask to take the cheesy photo before we hit the gangway.  It was the best experience we have had with boarding.

[TXcruzer]

On 3/9/2022 at 6:56 AM, Leighq said:

I’m probably getting to the terminal in Fort Lauderdale around 9 am with a 11 am check in so how much waiting outside will I have and is there seating indoors to wait?

That’s way too early. You will be waiting outside for at least 90 minutes if not the full 2 hours. 

[Leighq]

30 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

That’s way too early. You will be waiting outside for at least 90 minutes if not the full 2 hours. 

That’s what my mom said.  

[jticarruthers]

15 minutes ago, Leighq said:

That’s what my mom said.  

Listen to mom