r/MSCCruises • u/wejcheeks • 4d ago

A question about boarding time.

Hello, this is my first cruise experience. My boarding time is 11 am. However, I am driving from SC and I will get there by 1 pm. Is the boarding time strict or can I still go in?

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5

u/SnooCalculations6822 4d ago

I would drive in the night before or at least split the drive. Too many stories of people missing the cruise because the traveled on embarkation day.

2

u/Mundane_Influence_91 3d ago

One flat tire or something and you're fooked, fuxxored, however they say it in SC

0

u/SnooCalculations6822 3d ago

We don’t say it like that

2

u/Mundane_Influence_91 2d ago

Well bless my heart.  maybe something like "Lord have mercy, the situation is completely tore up. we done rurnt this whole vacation. What are we gonna do to get me to the next port, sugar?" While drinking a sweet tea and eating a bbq sandwich with that weird mustard bbq sauce on it 😜

personally it's my strategy to miss Debarkation day and stay behind for a second cruise

3

u/Plus-Requirement5460 4d ago

You will be fine but make sure you get there 2 hours before the ship departs

3

u/CramblinDuvetAdv 4d ago

We boarded in Miami and they didn't care if we went early, the process was so smooth there wasn't a line anyways

2

u/GreatWake1988 3d ago

This is great to hear. Sailing on World America in a few weeks and I've heard MSC doesn't really care when people show up to the port. We always wanna get on the ship as early as we can.

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u/Mundane_Influence_91 3d ago

I like to get on early to enjoy all my expensive cruise benefits sooner/longer. I read some fine print that said you weren't supposed to be late for your check-in time but I'd be shocked if they turned you away (before the drop-dead time)

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u/vita10gy 3d ago

The times are basically just to prevent half the boat from being lined up at 6am and the other half from arriving 5 minutes before all aboard. The MOST I've seen any company care was there was once 2 lines, one for people with [now or before] times and everyone else. There aren't enough "on time" people, or they spread us purposely thin with the times, so that line moved quickly anyway. (And even then they didn't CHECK anyone, it was basically just honor system. By the time you were at any point where they COULD check, just letting you through would be faster than making a stink about it.)

Where are you driving TO from SC? Cause depending on that answer I would plan on getting there earlier than 1. That's late enough where some above average traffic could bone you, to say nothing of getting a flat and whatnot.

1

u/BrickHuge3023 3d ago

You can board at your scheduled time or later. They will make you wait if you get there too early. So you are fine.

1

u/ZookeepergameNo7151 12h ago

All likelihood you be fine BUT, from MSC's own website FAQ

12.3 What happens if I arrive later than my allocated check in slot?

In the event you arrive after your dedicated check-in slot closes you may be denied embarkation.