Embarkation Advice (Fort Lauderdale)

beyerfred · #1 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2008, 10:08 AM

What's the best time to arrive for embarkation? We're sailing on the Westerdam in late February. Last time I sailed HAL, embarkation took forever! Thanks!

Trip · #2 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2008, 06:00 PM

The best time can be subjective..11-12 is the time I like to board, but it's also the busiest, it seems...arrive after 2, and the crowds will have thinned significantly.

beyerfred · #3 (**permalink**) January 29th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Thanks so much for the advice. I think we'll get there early and keep our fingers crossed! Happy sailing!

jongbj · #4 (**permalink**) January 29th, 2008, 09:28 AM

I've heard they have special lines for Suite guests (we're in an SA suite), for non US-citizens and for people who already checked in through the internet.
What would be the best combination to get on board as quickly as possible?

DeeDee · #5 (**permalink**) January 29th, 2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jongbj

I've heard they have special lines for Suite guests (we're in an SA suite), for non US-citizens and for people who already checked in through the internet.
What would be the best combination to get on board as quickly as possible?

The only special line is for guests in Suites and as you are in an SA, you will be able to check in at the "Suites Only" line.

There is no special line for non US citizens - we are Canadian and as such unless we are in a Suite, we are in the same line as all other non-suite guests. Sometimes they have a separate line for those who have not checked in on-line, but as most people check in on-line, I don't think they have this anymore.

Happy Sailing

Steven · #6 (**permalink**) January 29th, 2008, 07:39 PM

Sailed on the Zuiderdam on 1/12/08 out Ft. Lauderdale. We arrived at 10:30. We waited until 11:00 to check in and that took about 8 minutes! Wow cool, we were excited, but then we had to wait 45 minutes in very full room with about 250 additional people that were there to attend a luncheon on board. There was confusion and everyone was anxious to get on board. Our table mates at dinner arrived at the terminal at 12:30 and they were onboard before 1:00. They did much better. The cruise was great! Except for a lack of seating at the Lido Buffet our cruise had no distractors. I will eventually post a full blown review.

Happy sailing! Don't forget; the anticipation is part of the fun!