2006-11-16 08:10:18 · 5 answers · asked by andykpln 4 in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
The process of "getting on the ship" not only varies from port-to-port, but by cruise line-to-cruise line and by sailing-to-sailing!
For example, you could be on the Carnival Legend one week out of Miami and have one type of "boarding experience", and be on the the same ship the very next week and have a totally different "boarding experience".
As a Travel Agent and Certified Cruise Specialist, I always tell my clients that there's a lot that you personally can do to help insure that "getting on the ship" goes easily, without incident, and that your vacation starts on a pleasant note:
1) All major cruise lines today offer you the ability to "Pre-register" for your cruise, on-line. Do it! The pre-registration process takes only a few minutes, and asks for your personal info, passport info, and credit card info - (if you didn't know, no cash is exchanged on-board, everything is billed to your credit card account at the end of the cruise).
2) Since your luggage may not be delivered to your stateroom for several hours, pack a swim suit, shorts, or other items that you may need until it arrives. Folks flying in from colder locations during winter cruises very rarely think of this.
3) All carry-on items go through the same screening process at the pier as it does at the airport. So use the same guidelines as far as what you're carrying and you'll avoid any problems.
4) Make sure that you have all you're boarding documents with you when you arrive at the pier - any document that you don't have will need to be filled-out again.
Some cruise lines are moving over toward "electronic tickets" - similar to what the airlines have done. My wife and I were on a cruise 3-weeks ago, and boarded the ship with only a single piece of paper in our hands! I don't think the process of "getting on the ship" took more than 5 minutes! I hope you're experience is the same.
Bon voyage and happy sailing!
2006-11-17 00:42:02 · answer #1 · answered by travel guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WE cruised out of Miami of Rayal Caribbean two weeks ago. We drove right up to the curb by the ship, dropped our bags, drove across the street to park and came back and got in line and we were on ship in about 45 minutes.
Other times when we have driven to Miami and gone on Norwegian it was about the same. They get you on quickly.
2006-11-19 21:04:22 · answer #2 · answered by TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was at the Miami port in the summer and it took a long time to get to the ship, about an hour/ hour and a half.
2006-11-17 20:44:21 · answer #3 · answered by dandanthecranman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Went on a cruise in June out of Miami. Got out of the cab, checked our bags, walked in straight through security, and in line where we waited maybe 20 minutes then straight on the boat! It was so smooth! I think we got there right about the time they start allowing people on the boat so maybe that helped?
2006-11-21 12:22:33 · answer #4 · answered by T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of forums dedicated to cruising and you will probably find your answer there.
2006-11-16 20:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by search4travelwebsites 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋