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AIBU?

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Original poster

to arrive after my allotted embarkation time for cruise?

104 replies

CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:19

Shamelessly posting for traffic!
I'm going on my first ever cruise in a few weeks. I had thought from the info I had that boarding would be any time after 11am and best to be onboard at least 2 hours prior to departure. Just had updated info and I have been given an embarkation time of 11am-midday. All aboard is 5.30pm for departure at 6pm. The thing is we fly in to the departure city on that day and we wont make it to the port until 1-2pm. Have tried to contact cruise operator but they cant change my slot.

Does anyone have experience of how strict they are with the embarkation slots? I will be there 4.5 hours before 'all aboard' but 1-2 hours after my slot - will they let me on ok?

YABU - You need to be there between 11-12
YANBU - the slot is a guide, as long as you are well before all aboard it will be fine.

OP posts:
sunleopard · 31/03/2025 15:41

My afternoon flight from Belfast to Southampton yesterday was cancelled completely and rescheduled for today. It has been inconvenient but I didn’t have a cruise ship to board. I fly this route very often usually with no issues. Southampton airport is small and baggage reclaim is just as you get off the plane and usually very quick. I often meet people who are going on a cruise the next day but occasionally some brave person on the early morning flight going that afternoon (I couldn’t deal with the stress of not getting there the night before a cruise).

ExtraOnions · 31/03/2025 15:29

rosemarble · 31/03/2025 15:04

OP has a 3 1/2 hr window to get aboard.

It wouldn't have occurred to me to allow a day 'just in case' because where do you draw the line. Don't people tend to give themselves a few hours wiggle room when needing to catch flights or get a connecting one, or transfer from train to airport etc.

Or is it because it's a cruise and if you miss it you're fucked, whereas e.g missing a connecting train might just make you late.

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That’s the thing .. if you miss it, you are fucked.

if we are travelling under our own steam, we always get there the day before. I’ll only travel on the day, if the travel is part of the cruise package .. then they are obliged to get you at the next port (or next feasible port).

if I’m going from Southampton, I wouldn’t trust the railways to get me down there in time.

StormInaDcup99 · 31/03/2025 15:08

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This was directed to the patronising post about 'lovey'.....but that post has been taken down so now my post is standing all alone lol....looking v out of place lol

CantStopMoving · 31/03/2025 15:06

rosemarble · 31/03/2025 15:04

OP has a 3 1/2 hr window to get aboard.

It wouldn't have occurred to me to allow a day 'just in case' because where do you draw the line. Don't people tend to give themselves a few hours wiggle room when needing to catch flights or get a connecting one, or transfer from train to airport etc.

Or is it because it's a cruise and if you miss it you're fucked, whereas e.g missing a connecting train might just make you late.

Show quote history

I have never been on a cruise but I have heard it is best to arrive the day before and stay in a hotel because there have been incidents where flights have been cancelled last minute and the next one only goes a day later. Or there could be a 6 hour delay (I’ve had that before!) and if you miss the sailing time you have a big problem!

rosemarble · 31/03/2025 15:04

ExtraOnions · 31/03/2025 14:21

In my experience it really doesn’t matter. They are more bothered about people getting there early, and causing chaos first thing.

You are brave to fly down on the day of departure. What’s the plan of there is an issue with the flight ?

OP has a 3 1/2 hr window to get aboard.

It wouldn't have occurred to me to allow a day 'just in case' because where do you draw the line. Don't people tend to give themselves a few hours wiggle room when needing to catch flights or get a connecting one, or transfer from train to airport etc.

Or is it because it's a cruise and if you miss it you're fucked, whereas e.g missing a connecting train might just make you late.

StormInaDcup99 · 31/03/2025 15:04

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

toomuchfaff · 31/03/2025 15:01

CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:30

😂I've never cruised before so I was after knowledge/experience from people who have done - it may be well known among cruise travellers that slots are just a guide or it may be well known that if you're outside your slot you're out! that's all i was looking to determine.

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even if it is risky, it seems you're pretty much locked in to plans now anyhow. You can't leave early, you can't get another flight, you booked the cruise...

ARainyNightInSoho · 31/03/2025 14:54

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How awful and weird ! Why on earth do you feel so strongly about a stranger asking what time to get on a cruise ship? So strongly that you are nasty about it?

Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:47

Jackiepumpkinhead · 31/03/2025 14:44

I cruised with MSC last year and was given a late check in. As we’d stayed in Southampton the night before we chanced our luck and turned up quite early. We were fully prepared to have to return later if they insisted, but they let us on with no issues. I’ve also arrived later than scheduled for other cruises and no issues whatsoever. Enjoy!

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Thank you, that's exactly the type of experience I was hoping for. Thanks!

OP posts:
TheWonderhorse · 31/03/2025 14:46

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"lovely" 🤮.

Whatever credibility you had dissipated instantly after that. If there was patronising misogyny board you would fit right in.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 31/03/2025 14:44

CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:27

i;m going with MSC is that's relevant.

I cruised with MSC last year and was given a late check in. As we’d stayed in Southampton the night before we chanced our luck and turned up quite early. We were fully prepared to have to return later if they insisted, but they let us on with no issues. I’ve also arrived later than scheduled for other cruises and no issues whatsoever. Enjoy!

ThatsNotMyTeen · 31/03/2025 14:43

You’ll be fine, as long as you’re there by all aboard. You’ll be cancelled out by all the people with 4pm boarding times who seem to think there’s going to be something amazing about sitting on a ship docked in Southampton docks for hours , and who will turn up mega early.

Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:41

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AIBU to arrive after my embarkation slot for a cruise.

There, does that make you feel better?

OP posts:
L0bstersLass · 31/03/2025 14:41

@CallieCruiser So long as your luggage arrives, you'll be fine!
They tend to board by deck.
If you turn up after your deck has boarded you'll be fine. It's turning up early that causes problems.

People with past crusing history and in the posher cabins get to board when they like so it's clearly not critical that everything is done in deck order.

Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:40

Budgiegirlbob · 31/03/2025 14:37

It will be no problem at all. While they prefer people not to arrive before their slot, and may occasionally make them wait, arriving after your slot will be absolutely fine.

But arriving so close to sail away would worry me. I appreciate you may not have much choice, and most likely it will all be fine, but I would certainly have a plan of how to get to the next port if your plane is delayed.

Thank you, thanks reassuring.

I'm a frequent flier and have allowed generous time to include 1-2 hour delays to the flights in my timings listed above so unless the flight is cancelled I will be there by 2pm at the absolute latest.

OP posts:
YourBestFriend · 31/03/2025 14:39

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Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:37

minnienono · 31/03/2025 14:35

Just head straight from the airport, it will be ok to be later. For future reference, all aboard isn’t the same as arrival, Arrival includes checking in which can be 30-60 minutes it’s self whereas all aboard refers to those who boarded earlier then went off for a walk/go to a shop before departure

Thank you, that is useful to know. i have a taxi to the port from the airport which is only 20 mins so barring flight disasters I should be there by 1pm unless delays at passport/baggage claim/traffic. so still plenty of time for check in procedure.

OP posts:
Budgiegirlbob · 31/03/2025 14:37

It will be no problem at all. While they prefer people not to arrive before their slot, and may occasionally make them wait, arriving after your slot will be absolutely fine.

But arriving so close to sail away would worry me. I appreciate you may not have much choice, and most likely it will all be fine, but I would certainly have a plan of how to get to the next port if your plane is delayed.

minnienono · 31/03/2025 14:35

Just head straight from the airport, it will be ok to be later. For future reference, all aboard isn’t the same as arrival, Arrival includes checking in which can be 30-60 minutes it’s self whereas all aboard refers to those who boarded earlier then went off for a walk/go to a shop before departure

sweetpickle2 · 31/03/2025 14:35

You'll be fine in my experience OP- they give out time slots to stagger arrivals so they don't have the entire ship trying to board at once, but they won't turn you away for being late. Plenty of people will be delayed by traffic etc and will still be able to board.

Doolallies · 31/03/2025 14:33

Sounds risky

Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:30

PointsSouth · 31/03/2025 14:27

....if they get arsey with you, or there's any sort of problem, they will definitely roll over and apologise - and probably offer complimentary champagne - when you say "But 54% of respondents on MumsNet said I could turn up late!"

😂I've never cruised before so I was after knowledge/experience from people who have done - it may be well known among cruise travellers that slots are just a guide or it may be well known that if you're outside your slot you're out! that's all i was looking to determine.

OP posts:
SpringHasSprungg · 31/03/2025 14:27

I’ve flown on the day for about half of my cruises (I’ve been on over 25) and it’s been fine. I hope you have a lovely trip.

PointsSouth · 31/03/2025 14:27

....if they get arsey with you, or there's any sort of problem, they will definitely roll over and apologise - and probably offer complimentary champagne - when you say "But 54% of respondents on MumsNet said I could turn up late!"

Original poster
CallieCruiser · 31/03/2025 14:27

i;m going with MSC is that's relevant.

OP posts: