I am sailing on the Conquest out of Galveston on September 6th.  I saw on the boards that people were saying that they would get to the ship as early as 10:30 on Embarkation day.  The cruise leaves at 4:00, and my documents say check-in starts at 12:30, latest 2:30.  Will there be trouble if we show up at 2:00 or so?  We're not late people, but we're never the first people in line for anything.  My husband would most def object to getting there at 10:30 for a 4:00 departure.

The closer you get to departure time is when time seems to stand still.  Boarding early allows you to get something to eat or drink while waiting.  Showing up at 2:00 will not be a problem, it might be more crowded or slower in getting through the line.  Remember, it will be awhile before your luggage is outside your cabin anyway.

jesseandjen:

My husband would most def object to getting there at 10:30 for a 4:00 departure.

Most people who go on cruises are very excited about the cruise. Even after 5 cruises we still get excited about the cruise. A 4:00 departure on a cruise is not not like a 4;00 departure on an airplane. The cruise really starts as soon as you get your boarding picture taken. There is so much going on from the minute you board. Music, buffet or the deli, or pizza and burgers. The many people to meet that are just as excited as you and so much more. This is the reason that passengers want to board as soon as possible. Just talking about it I can almost feel the excitement in that air that is experienced once on board. Only 7 weeks to go.

If your documents say no later than 2:30, you'll be fine as long as you check in before 2:30.  However, I'll second the comment about a cruise not being the same as a flight.  A cruise is the destination, not just the transportation.  If you show up earlier, you can board, put your things in your cabin, and head to the lido for some lunch.  Or explore the ship.

I wouldn't recommend showing up at 10:30 like so many people here like to do.  You end up standing in a non-moving line for far longer than is necessary, while you look with envy at those who showed up even earlier and actually got chairs to sit on while they wait...and wait, and wait...

Once they finally do start letting people on board (well before 12:30, I'm sure), the line does move surprisingly quickly, though.  If you get there somewhere in the middle, you will probably move right through the check-in process with surprising speed.  Like maybe 1:00 or 1:30.  If you wait until 2:00, and I'm only guessing here because I haven't witnessed this for myself and haven't seen any firsthand accounts, you may run into a bunch of stragglers and have to stand in more lines. 

On the other hand, there are lines in lots of places on board (although none quite that long).  It doesn't hurt to prepare yourself in advance and bring your sense of humor!  I use them to meet people - kinda like speed-dating, but without the expectations!  

I got there around 10:00 and I was onboard eating lunch on the Lido deck at 11:15.  I got a chance to wander the ship and check everything out before we got underway.  It was great!

 Kathy

Kathy, love your avatar!

Thanks - I used to belong to a tag group and someone made it for me :) I love it too! Kathy

 A word of caution about getting there too early:

 The last cruise my husband and I went on was in October 2007.  We got to the pier early, got on board early, and couldn't get to our room to drop off our carry-ons.  We were on the 10th deck of the Conquest and they had our whole corridor closed.  Some friends of ours on a lower deck were able to drop their bags off but we had to either lug them around with us or keep a close eye on them until they finished cleaning all the rooms and allowed us to our room.  I've only been on two cruises and the first one we didn't get there that early, so I don't know if that is a common problem, but it is something to consider.  And to be honest, I don't remember what time it was that we got on the boat or what time they let us into our room, sorry.

 

Hope this helps someone!

Laura:

we had to either lug them around with us or keep a close eye on them until they finished cleaning all the rooms and allowed us to our room.

This is one of the best reasons to check your luggage with the porters before boarding.

 Most of it we did check, but the stuff you shouldn't check (medications, jewelry, other stuff you don't want to part with) we had to carry around.  Not a huge deal, just something we weren't expecting.

  On Oct. 17 we got there at 10:30 and they didn't start boarding till 2:00.There              aren't any vending machines either.