Do cruises depart at night?
Do cruises depart at night? Be sure to always check your cruise documents for exact departure times. Most cruise ships in the Bahamas or Caribbean sail away at 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m., but ships departing from ports like San Juan, Puerto Rico or those in the Mediterranean may not leave until 8:00 p.m. or later.
How late can you depart a cruise ship?
On the final morning of a cruise experience in most countries all guests must leave the ship before the guests joining the next cruise can board. In most environments the latest time to leave the vessel will be between 10:00am and 11:00am.
Do cruise ships leave port at night?
You can sleep in without missing out, too. Most ships also don't leave for their next destination until late afternoon or evening, giving passengers nearly a full second day in port.
What not to do on embarkation day?
One sure-fire way to muck up your embarkation day is by smuggling illegal substances or going over your allotted amount of carry-on alcohol. Embarkation day will be much more peaceful if you don't get busted by ship's security. Whether it's drugs, alcohol or a clothing iron -- leave it at home.
How long can you stay on 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.
What time of day do cruises depart?
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.
Do cruises sail at night?
Overnight cruises are a great way to experience the best a destination has to offer. You can take your time exploring your favorite ports and discovering the vibrant nightlife of a city.
What time is best to board a cruise?
The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. The trick is knowing when that will be. Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m.
How early do you have to be back on the cruise ship?
In all ports of call, it is also the guest's responsibility to be back onboard the ship no later than one (1) hour prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. Please be aware that shipboard time may differ from the port of call and it is the guest's responsibility to follow the shipboard time.
Can I sleep on my cruise balcony?
Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.
Can you eat as soon as you get on a cruise ship?
Yes, a few select bars and restaurants will be open on that first afternoon, and all will be in operation in the evening. Cruisers tend to flock to the buffet for lunch upon boarding, so it tends to get overcrowded with passengers and all their carry-ons. Explore your other dining options, should any be available.
Do cruise ships serve alcohol all night?
Are cruise ship bars open day and night? Cruise ships make it easy for you to buy drinks at all hours; on most large cruise ships, you can start with Bloody Marys and mimosas in the morning, move on to fruity drinks by the pool, grab pre-dinner martinis and finish up your night with an Irish coffee.
Do cruise ships empty their pools at night?
Cruise lines drain their swimming pools at night to discourage guests from trying to enter the pool when it is closed. Draining the swimming pools each night also allows the cruise lines to replace the water with clean water and a drained swimming pool is safer if the weather is rough.
Can you walk a cruise ship at night?
Go for a walk at night A quintessential cruise ship experience is spending a little time in a quiet, dark area on the open deck on a cloudless night. Once most of the passengers are busy inside, you may feel like you are the only one on the ship as you admire the water and the star-filled sky.
What time of year is least busy to cruise?
To avoid crowds and experience cooler temperatures, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May and September or early October. Most Mediterranean cruises sail in the summer months, when the sun and sand in coastal ports are at their peak and cities come alive with activity.
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 empty the pools at night?
Cruise lines drain their swimming pools at night to discourage guests from trying to enter the pool when it is closed. Draining the swimming pools each night also allows the cruise lines to replace the water with clean water and a drained swimming pool is safer if the weather is rough.
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.
Can you bring alcohol on a cruise?
Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.
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.