How early do you need to be at a cruise ship?

How early do you need to be at a cruise ship? Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. If you choose to fly ChoiceAir, Royal Caribbean automatically displays only the airline schedules that will enable you to meet your cruise.

What is the earliest time you can board a cruise?

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.

What time do you disembark after a cruise?

Everyone from the cruise that's ending must be off the ship between 9 and 10 a.m. in most cases.

Can you depart early on a cruise?

Outside of emergencies, passengers rarely end their cruises before completion. No matter the reason, the question remains: Can you end your cruise at any port on the itinerary? Technically, the answer is yes. However, it's not quite as easy as just getting off and going home on your terms when you are ready.

Do you have a curfew on a cruise?

The vast majority of cruise lines don't publish official curfews, though they do rely on parents to exercise good judgement. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the very kid-friendly Disney Cruise Line does not have an official policy regarding curfew for underage cruisers.

Can you drink the first day of a cruise?

For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage.

Can you go to your room as soon as you board a cruise ship?

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.

What to do if you are late for cruise?

Do they check your bags on a cruise?

If you're planning to go on a cruise, you might be wondering whether cruise lines check your luggage. The answer is yes, they do.

What time does boarding end on a cruise?

Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board no fewer than one to two hours before the scheduled departure time, which is almost always in the late afternoon or evening.

How long is the average cruise boarding time?

While boarding times and procedures can vary significantly depending on cruise ship, your stateroom category, or your status with that cruise line, but boarding typically begins in the late morning and continues until about an hour or so before departure.

Can you have visitors on a cruise ship?

All major cruise lines have a No Visitor policy. This applies to all ports of embarkation and ports of call. Guests sailing will not be permitted to have visitors on board to see them off. The only exception is when attending a wedding.

What happens if you are late to board a cruise?

If you do not arrive at the port before the boarding window ends, the cruise ship will most certainly leave without you. Even if you are standing at the pier, waving frantically. That's because a cruise ship's departure time is carefully planned and more than just your vacation is at stake.

Do cruises wait for passengers?

Cruise lines typically follow strict departure times at all ports of call. While exceptions may be made for passengers participating in excursions organized by the cruise line, the cruise ship generally does not wait for late passengers.

What happens if you arrive early for your cruise?

It all depends on which cruise line you are sailing with and how busy the terminal is. Boarding will continue up until one to two hours before the scheduled departure time. If you arrive at the terminal a few minutes before the ship's departure, you will not be allowed on.

What do you need to board a cruise?

For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. In some cases, you can use a passport card instead of a passport book, but that will only work if you plan to reenter the United States via your ship from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

Do cruise ships wait if you are late?

The only time a cruise ship will wait for late passengers is if they are on a ship sponsored shore excursion, meaning the tour was booked and operated through the cruise line.

Is it better to board early on 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.

Is 7 days too long for first cruise?

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

How many hours before a cruise should you arrive?

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.