Can I arrive at cruise port early?

Can I arrive at cruise port early? Do not attempt to arrive earlier than is permitted. However, arriving later in the day (but before the designated cut-off time) can speed up the boarding process. It is always recommended to arrive at the pier at least 3 hours prior to the departure time. If you are late you risk being denied boarding.

Do cruises start and end at the same port?

Most cruises beginning and ending in the same location are considered closed-loop, meaning they begin and end at the same port in the United States and travel within the Western Hemisphere.

Can you join a cruise last minute?

By booking a last-minute cruise deal a few weeks or a couple of months before sailing, you may be able to enjoy a more affordable vacation. Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins.

Can you eat at any time on a cruise ship?

Cruise ships are good at making food available 24/7, so if you're hungry, there's usually no one to blame but yourself. The main dining room usually has set meal times, but sections of the buffet will always be open, and you'll usually be able to find a diner, cafe, or pizza shop that's open at all hours.

How early can you board on embarkation day?

However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect the earliest embarkation time to be four to five hours before sailing. As most cruise lines leave port at around 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm, in most cases, you can anticipate the earliest time you can board to be at around noon.

Can you eat lunch on embarkation day?

We always eat lunch at the MDR on embarkation day, and never once has anyone on the crew encouraged us to do anything different.

Can you stay on ship during port day?

You can stay on the cruise ship when in port. In fact, it's a pro cruiser “secret” to let others get off the cruise ship, while they enjoy a quiet and less crowded day onboard! When staying on board the cruise, you can relax and enjoy the cruise ship amenities and activities.

How long do you have to get off a cruise ship after it docks?

Generally, passengers are required to disembark within an hour or two after docking. However, some cruise lines may allow passengers to remain onboard for a few extra hours if they have special arrangements with the port authority.

Can you leave your balcony open on a cruise?

Leaving Your Balcony Door Open Can Make a Mess You might want to prop open your balcony door as you sail, but cruise lines aren't so keen on the idea. For starters, the warm air coming in will cause your cabin's air-conditioning to work harder (unless you turn it down), wasting energy on the ship.

How to get early boarding a cruise?

Can you sleep with balcony open on cruise?

In order to keep the air conditioning working inside the cabin you do have to keep the balcony door closed on the majority of cruise lines. This is one of the reasons that many people do sleep on the balcony because in theory you can't lay in bed and keep the door balcony open.

Can you go straight to your room on a cruise?

Many first-time cruisers don't realize that they won't be able to go directly to their staterooms upon boarding. Pass the time while you wait for your room to be ready and for the ship to set sail by enjoying lunch on the Lido Deck of the ship. This is a great way to make sure you aren't starving by dinner time!

Why do cruise ships not stay in port overnight?

Money makers on the ship are drinks, casino, and shops - they need that income. The costs of staying in port are very high between fees, dock rental and employees who come with that, security, taxes, etc. Many ports don't have enough cruise ship docks to have some come in an stay a few days either.

Do you get breakfast on last morning of a cruise?

Feeding Yourself on Debarkation Day Even though you're leaving the ship, you're still entitled to breakfast onboard. These are your options: Eat in a Dining Room You'll be assigned to the same dining room you had dinner in on the last night of your cruise.

Can cruise workers sleep with guests?

Cruise ship workers are not supposed to hook up with passengers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It is rare though – most crew follow the rules because they know they'll lose their job if they're caught. You won't be surprised to hear that cruise lines ban crew from having sex with passengers.

Do you eat the first day on a cruise?

Getting on your ship means a lot of choices on how to begin your vacation, but many guests elect to start things off with lunch. Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat.

Can I stay on a cruise ship while in port?

You can stay on the cruise ship when in port. In fact, it's a pro cruiser “secret” to let others get off the cruise ship, while they enjoy a quiet and less crowded day onboard! When staying on board the cruise, you can relax and enjoy the cruise ship amenities and activities.

What happens if you are left at port on cruise?

Most cruise lines have port agents stationed in the port area to assist if your ship has left without you. In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents.