How early should we show up to board our cruise?

Question

We're cruising next Saturday from San Diego on Carnival Elation.

Answer 1

If the ship is leaving port at 4pm you have to be on board now by 2pm.  We usually show up around noon then we can stow our carry on gear in the cabin and the early crowd has all ready been processed.  The ship is not going to let anyone on board until they are ready and if you get there too early you will be stuck sitting in the waiting lounge

Answer 2

Please don't rush. It's a hurry up and wait thing. Board about two hours before departure time. This will give you time to check out your room (which most rooms are not ready until around 1:30pm) and get a quick bite to eat.Been there.. My carry on's were a pain to tote for the 2.5 hrs that I had to wait (for my room).  Have a GREAT Time!!

Answer 3

we got there at  Port Canaveral [Carnival Glory] At 8:30-9:00 and We waited a Hour or so and Were Able to Board at 10:30.

But we werent allowed in our room until 1:30

We were the First people to board.

Patience is a Virtue!

Our reason for being there too early was because,

We drove down the Night Before and we had planned of stopping halfway but my husband just wanted to drive it and get it over with. So we drove the whole nine hours and arrived at like 5:30 a.m., we were unclean, unshowered, and just tired!

So we Stopped at a McDonalds and we went in and used the bathroom, came out to the car, slept until 7:30, Went in and Ate breakfast, and Stopped at a Publix to pour Vodka into our WATER BOTTLES [we carried them aboard, that added to our two bottles of wine, this is a good tip!!] And by abouit 8:15 we were parked and ready to enter the building! We went in did all the necassary stuff and we were sitting down  in the waiting area by abour 8:30-8:45!

We were the First People there  & the First people to board.

We got there so EARLY just beacause of Psat expirences, having to wait a total of about 2 hours on our last cruise[just in lines to get our stuff]

this time we waited probally a grand total of 5 minutes just while they get our stuff ready!!!

So get there early, and See how far it gets you.

The only tip i have is to, Directly when you get on Sit your Stuff outside your stateroom but if they're working on it ask to sit it inside. Then HURRY UP and go eat, Than swim until 1:30!!!

Tip: Take a Carry on bag [the bag you leave inside or outside your stateroom] And bring swimsuits! It could be as late as 8:00 before you get your luggage taken to your room!!!

Enjoy your Cruise!!

Answer 4

taken that cruise and the best time is about noon as you can't board until then .check in is fast there and you can't get to your cabin until 1 pm . but you can eat as soon as you get on.

Answer 5

I have been on many many cruises on different cruise lines and I have found that the best time to get there is about noon. Most cruise lines try to have the ship cleared of passengers by about 10:00 AM and the rooms cleaned by noon to 1:00 PM.  Arriving at noon will put you ahead of the rush of passengers as the afternoon wears on, you will be able to board immediately even if your cabin is not ready, and you will be able to get lunch and then start touring the ship.  

There is one requirement for boarding regarding time and that is they want you to be boarded at least an hour before the ship sails. In addition, if you have not completed the pre-boarding passenger information you need to get to the port at least 2 hours before sailing time.

When you board (at noon) there will be food ready, the gym, pools and hot tubs will be open for use, and of course the bars will be open for drinks.  So you can start enjoying the ship as soon as you board; you don't have to wait until departure time.

Answer 6

On most cruises you can board as early as 11 if the ship leaves at 5 or 6 in the evening.  You most likely will have to wait, but it's easier and faster if you get there earlier than later because then it gets incredibly crowded. Also, if you get there as soon as you are allowed to embark the ship, you can have lunch onboard.  It's not very crowded on the ship in the very beginning when people are just starting to embark.  I personally love to start my cruise as soon as possible, so I always go as early as I'm allowed to. I would say the very latest you can show up at a half and hour to fourty five minutes before your ship leaves.  For instance, if your ship is leaving at 5 in the evening, I would show up no later than 4:15. Showing up at the port at 4:30 is VERY risky. The last thing that you want to do is miss the ship.  Earlier is ALWAYS better.  

Hope this helps and have a lot of fun! (: