10:30 unofficially gone.

[Ampurp85]

I am currently on Allure. Several crew members and the Crown Lounge concierge said they stopped doing 10:30 am check-in. It now starts at 11am to give the crew members enough time to turn the ship around. However some ships/ports may allow pax on if the ship is ready.

[Mark_A]

Bummer - two weeks ago I was on Allure and drink in hand at 10:38!!

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, Mark_A said:

Bummer - two weeks ago I was on Allure and drink in hand at 10:38!!

Oh we got on around 10:32 but it's no longer an option.

[SweetPea]

Thanks for the update! I know many will be disappointed. And i do feel bad for those who vied for that time, but I'm sure 11am is really 10:30 for most anyway in that I'm guessing that Royal will under promise and over deliver about 75% of the time.

 

[JB17]

I'm wondering if this is port/ship specific because we recently checked in for our upcoming cruise on Wonder out of Port Canaveral, and we got a 10:30 spot.

[OCSC Mike]

54 minutes ago, JB17 said:

I'm wondering if this is port/ship specific

I think that's a strong possibility. I'm not sure every port even had a 10:30 to begin with but I could be wrong. I only sail from PC.

[Kenneth]

I actually just did my check-in a week ago for my Allure of the Seas sailing in late November and it allowed me to pick 10:30am still.

[BrianB]

Doing back to backs gives us a good idea of how quickly they do the turn around after reaching a zero count.

In Bayonne on the Anthem and Liberty…after virtually all the other passengers have disembarked, we are escorted off the ship and through the CBP facial recognition screens (when they’re working) and then stand in line in the baggage hall. Sometimes there’s a straggler or two coming off the ship behind us.

Then, immediately after the zero count…which usually takes just a few minutes…we’re escorted back aboard.

General boarding begins shortly after. Usually around 10:30 and sometimes before.

There are times when there is a delay that keep us in the baggage hall for an extended period. Usually it’s a Coast Guard or Public Health inspection. Then all boarding is pushed back until the inspection is completed. Sometimes disembarkation can be delayed due to a late arrival time back to port…or an issue onboard…or with the port facilities or staffing. Anything can happen to cause a delay so it’s best to just expect it and hope for the best.

[Rakaia]

I've always scored 10 or 10:30 from Bayonne (most recently 10:30 for Liberty in August). Checking in next week for Anthem in Dec....curious what will be available (last December we did get 10). 

[Fuzzywuzzy]

On 10/20/2023 at 10:04 AM, BrianB said:

Doing back to backs gives us a good idea of how quickly they do the turn around after reaching a zero count.

In Bayonne on the Anthem and Liberty…after virtually all the other passengers have disembarked, we are escorted off the ship and through the CBP facial recognition screens (when they’re working) and then stand in line in the baggage hall. Sometimes there’s a straggler or two coming off the ship behind us.

Then, immediately after the zero count…which usually takes just a few minutes…we’re escorted back aboard.

General boarding begins shortly after. Usually around 10:30 and sometimes before.

There are times when there is a delay that keep us in the baggage hall for an extended period. Usually it’s a Coast Guard or Public Health inspection. Then all boarding is pushed back until the inspection is completed. Sometimes disembarkation can be delayed due to a late arrival time back to port…or an issue onboard…or with the port facilities or staffing. Anything can happen to cause a delay so it’s best to just expect it and hope for the best.

Thank you Brian. This is info I wanted to get.

[JasonOasis]

I on Wonder of the Seas right now. We boarded the ship at 10:15 am this morning and I had a drink in my hand by 10:30 am.

Our original boarding time was suppose to be 12:00pm but since we are in a suite they didn't hold us back which we knew they wouldn't.  However they were redirecting people in non-suites to the appropriate lines to wait for their assigned check-in time.  We were told today's sailing is over capacity the sailing isn't oversold but every stateroom will be occupied which is probably why they were redirecting people who showed up early in non-suite rooms to the appropriate line where they would have to wait for their check-in time to come around.

But if you are in a suite or have purchased the key they started boarding at 10:00 am

[OCSC Mike]

17 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

they started boarding at 10:00 am

For whatever reason, Wonder seems to always board very early. We got up to the boarding area at 10:15 in June and it had already begun. I've also seen multiple reports like yours. Enjoy the cruise!

[Greg R]

On 10/19/2023 at 6:42 PM, Kenneth said:

I actually just did my check-in a week ago for my Allure of the Seas sailing in late November and it allowed me to pick 10:30am still.

We checked in a week ago for our 11/24 cruise on Allure and got a 10:30, I just looked a few minutes ago and it has changed to 11:30

[KevinJ]

When we checked in for out Symphony transatlantic I was able to take advantage of the 6 hour time difference and check-in at 6pm the day before. 11am was all that was available as soon as check-in opened. That was gone within an hour. Had the opposite when we did our Alaska check in, had to wait to 3am.

[Jill]

I’ve got 10:30 for my Allure next Monday. Her first 4 night! 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

On 10/20/2023 at 10:04 AM, BrianB said:

There are times when there is a delay that keep us in the baggage hall for an extended period. Usually it’s a Coast Guard or Public Health inspection. Then all boarding is pushed back until the inspection is completed. Sometimes disembarkation can be delayed due to a late arrival time back to port…or an issue onboard…or with the port facilities or staffing. Anything can happen to cause a delay so it’s best to just expect it and hope for the best.

Yup happened to us in July when Oasis docked late due to container ship traffic delaying their entrance in under the bridge!  Disembarkation that day did not end until close to 10am!   It was complete chaos outside the terminal and parking lot areas but we were all on as soon as possible (boarding began around 11:30ish I think) and we sailed away on time!  

[CruzOnBye]

I had my 45 day check-in at midnight for Allure in Dec. Scored a 10:30am check-in window! Then I got way too excited to go back to sleep, I was already thinking of my packing list. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Checked in online early this morning for our 12-8-24 Freedom sailing (~3:00 AM so not as soon as it opened for check-in) and the earliest was 11:30.  Not sure if earlier times had been available but I really doubt it.  Also, another bad experience with the app.  As always seems to happen lately, the app would not work AT ALL.  I ended up having to go online and do the full check-in with passports, etc.  How much do I hate the app......

[CruzOnBye]

37 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Checked in online early this morning for our 12-8-24 Freedom sailing (~3:00 AM so not as soon as it opened for check-in) and the earliest was 11:30.  Not sure if earlier times had been available but I really doubt it.  Also, another bad experience with the app.  As always seems to happen lately, the app would not work AT ALL.  I ended up having to go online and do the full check-in with passports, etc.  How much do I hate the app......

I keep seeing more and more posts like yours, issues with check in and the app. That's what kept me from sleeping last night for my checkin. I didn't have an alarm set, I just tossed and turned until midnight lol. I don't normally stress too much over it, I've waited days and still gotten 10:30-11am slot but I don't know if it's the fact that the ships lately have been packed/fully booked or if it's a combo of that and just tech issues. I did mine last night on the app, but I had it open on the web browser also in case the app crashed. I took screen shots once they were in my apple wallet too because someone above said their time changed on its own and that scared me.

Happy you still got before noon, but if you're like me, I want to be onboard asap! Cheers to a 45 day countdown to our cruises! 

[Pattycruise]

48 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Checked in online early this morning for our 12-8-24 Freedom sailing (~3:00 AM so not as soon as it opened for check-in) and the earliest was 11:30.  Not sure if earlier times had been available but I really doubt it.  Also, another bad experience with the app.  As always seems to happen lately, the app would not work AT ALL.  I ended up having to go online and do the full check-in with passports, etc.  How much do I hate the app......

Click on naturalization papers and skip the passports.  Once the app works you can edit the document to the passport.  If you forgetthe gate agent will scan the passport for you.

[CruzOnBye]

Just now, Pattycruise said:

Click on naturalization papers and skip the passports.  Once the app works you can edit the document to the passport.  If you forgetthe gate agent will scan the passport for you.

Last night was the first time the passport scan worked for me! It's never worked and always had me input the digits so I usually skip that piece as well. However it was easy peasy since it scanned quickly. We always take our headshots too, a couple days after check-in, but every.single.time. the gate agents rescan us. I'm like helloo.....that was a fabulous kitchen picture of myself  Instead they make me take off my baseball cap and it's #cruisehairdontcare

[OCSC Mike]

30 minutes ago, CruzOnBye said:

We always take our headshots too, a couple days after check-in, but every.single.time. the gate agents rescan us

Maybe it's because I always use pictures saved on my phone rather than selfies/new pics but somehow we have never ever had to have ours re-taken.

I've read sooo many people say they always have to re-take theirs at the port. I don't know what's so special about what I do, lol. (Also not remotely a big deal just odd).

[CruzOnBye]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Maybe it's because I always use pictures saved on my phone rather than selfies/new pics but somehow we have never ever had to have ours re-taken.

I've read sooo many people say they always have to re-take theirs at the port. I don't know what's so special about what I do, lol. (Also not remotely a big deal just odd).

Interesting! I'll give that a shot this go around..use a picture saved on my phone. Thanks for the tip. And you're right, it's not a big deal since the pic process at the port takes seconds, but still...if I have the option to skip an in-person photo shoot, why not?

[WAAAYTOOO]

We never bother with a photo.  It takes microseconds for them to snap a pic at check-in.  

[WhoCruiser]

On wonder right now with my group of about 75 or so. Most of us, about 50, all coordinated to ask for 11:30 arrival times facilitated by our 10:30 departure time from our group hotel with GoPort, and everything went off without a hitch. I and everyone else with me agreed that it was the fastest and smoothest onboarding our group has ever experienced in 23 previous voyages spanning 35 years on assorted lines.

[OCSC Mike]

40 minutes ago, WhoCruiser said:

I and everyone else with me agreed that it was the fastest and smoothest onboarding our group has ever experienced in 23 previous voyages spanning 35 years on assorted lines.

Boarding in the morning at PC Terminal 1 has always been a breeze in my experience. Glad it went so smoothly for you and your group and you didn't have to take the long way around.

[AlphabetMafia]

22 hours ago, CruzOnBye said:

Last night was the first time the passport scan worked for me! It's never worked and always had me input the digits so I usually skip that piece as well. However it was easy peasy since it scanned quickly. We always take our headshots too, a couple days after check-in, but every.single.time. the gate agents rescan us. I'm like helloo.....that was a fabulous kitchen picture of myself  Instead they make me take off my baseball cap and it's #cruisehairdontcare

This made me laugh. My wife made me take her picture 2 weeks ago for our Nov 16th check in cause she had gotten her hair done and wanted to look fancy 

[CruzOnBye]

1 hour ago, AlphabetMafia said:

This made me laugh. My wife made me take her picture 2 weeks ago for our Nov 16th check in cause she had gotten her hair done and wanted to look fancy 

She gets it! 

[asquared17]

i had the same experience as @WAAAYTOOO in the app. worse, actually, because i have duplicate profiles and it was an ordeal to get them to merge them and we had to hold off — long story — so i could see the reservation in the app but not when i logged in on desktop view. 

also only the 11am slot was avail as the first one. 

On 10/24/2023 at 1:37 PM, Pattycruise said:

Click on naturalization papers and skip the passports.  Once the app works you can edit the document to the passport.  If you forgetthe gate agent will scan the passport for you.

thank you for this tip!! really helped breeze through the process and i can see where i can go back and fix it when it’s not midnight and i’m not desperately needing sleep

[Lovetocruise2002]

I wanted to come back to add to this thread. Last night I stayed up until midnight to do my online check in for Odyssey 12/31/23 leaving from Port Everglades. The earliest time available at midnight was 11:30am. All others in the FB roll call group who checked in at midnight noticed the same thing.

[Xaa]

I had forgotten about this thread.  On a PC departure for next month, we all still got 10:30.  Check in was back on 11/01.  Seems like maybe PC is still doing 10:30.  I keep checking to see if it swaps but thus far it has not.

[JohnK6404]

3 hours ago, Xaa said:

I had forgotten about this thread.  On a PC departure for next month, we all still got 10:30.  Check in was back on 11/01.  Seems like maybe PC is still doing 10:30.  I keep checking to see if it swaps but thus far it has not.

We had 10:30-11:00 check-in too for our 10/29/23 Wonder sailing (PC).

[BrianB]

I checked in yesterday for a cruise on the Anthem on December 31st. This is the first time I can remember seeing 10:00 being offered. Took it!

[recogneyes]

11 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I wanted to come back to add to this thread. Last night I stayed up until midnight to do my online check in for Odyssey 12/31/23 leaving from Port Everglades. The earliest time available at midnight was 11:30am. All others in the FB roll call group who checked in at midnight noticed the same thing.

I did the same thing and the first available time was 11:30 am.  Perhaps they feel it will take longer to have guests disembark from the Christmas cruise?

[Adpcruise1]

5 hours ago, BrianB said:

I checked in yesterday for a cruise on the Anthem on December 31st. This is the first time I can remember seeing 10:00 being offered. Took it!

I was up at midnight for my Anthem on Dec 17th and got 10:30.  I expected 10 based on the fact that this itinerary leaves port earlier than many in FL.  Oh well.  Just interesting to see this thread so I know what to expect on my future cruises.  I have a Wonder and Odyssey in 2024. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, Adpcruise1 said:

Oh well.  Just interesting to see this thread so I know what to expect on my future cruises. 

Yes, I agree. At this point it seems to be ship/port dependent. After Odyssey 12/31/23, my next two (January 2024/March 2024) sail out of Terminal A in Miami so we'll see if the 10:30am slot is back for those ones.

[AlphabetMafia]

Sad to see 1130…. But it could be worse. Wondering if they are taking down the Christmas decorations and that’s part of the delay. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

25 minutes ago, AlphabetMafia said:

Sad to see 1130…. But it could be worse. Wondering if they are taking down the Christmas decorations and that’s part of the delay. 

No, those stay up for NYE sailings.

I totally expected 11:30am as the earliest time slot. Others leaving from Port Everglades have reported this as the earliest time slot recently. 

[SMOKEY0202]

Things we do to snag those early check in times.....it's all worth it to be tired next day.

 

[smokeybandit]

I wonder what percentage of people check in on the dot? I'm going to guess it's a lot lower than is represented by fanatic forums like this.