First Cruise booked!

[stupet11]

Originally Posted by Cloverlady

We'll always use the official port parking, more expensive but worth it for less hassle factor we think

Like how in Miami we could literally park the car more or less alongside the ship, walk across a small road and be on the ship itself. We could see our car from on-board, from our cabin balcony!

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Thanks - especially being our first time, the less complications the better!

So up for this cruise!

[duchy]

I am really not sure I can justify paying hire charges and parking charges for a car I'm not even in the same country as.
Our experience (at Port Canaveral) was so easy ... we dropped the car, straight onto a shuttle to the ship ... same in reverse. No hassle , no waiting. The only advantage I can see is if you want to do early disembarkation and carry your own bags off the ship if you have somewhere you need to be. For us we tagged our bags the night before and had them collected so morning was a leisurely breakfast and we sat on deck before strolling off ship, picking up our bags fort a queue free customs and immigration. I'm on holiday ... I'm in no rush.
Obviously I realise not all ports may be so easy (as I'm currently eying up a cruise from Miami maybe I should find out)

It really wasn't complicated ... and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to join the queues to get off at the expense of breakfast and a little more relaxation. Save your money and take your time rather than join the lemmings rushing to get off They have to get back to work... you don't !

[stupet11]

So, kinda related to parking...

Out ship sailing time is 4pm - when should we board - read you can get on earlier than the boarding time to enjoy more of ship.

Ditto disembarking - says we dock at 6am - so I was assuming it was straight off then... no time for b'fast...not sure how that works...

[duchy]

Originally Posted by stupet11

So, kinda related to parking...

Out ship sailing time is 4pm - when should we board - read you can get on earlier than the boarding time to enjoy more of ship.

Ditto disembarking - says we dock at 6am - so I was assuming it was straight off then... no time for b'fast...not sure how that works...

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When you do online check in you'll be given a board time it'll probably be noon or 1pm ish ... once on board the buffet will be open and you'll be free to eat and explore the ship , have a drink etc , depending on what time you board your cabin may or may not be ready , about 1.30 is normal. Your bags will be taken to your cabin so you just get to start the fun !

First disembarkation is at around 7 if you want to carry your own bags off ... but you don't have to (see my post above) linger over breakfast , catch a few rays and disembark at 9 or 10 avoiding the crush.

[stupet11]

Thanks.

That's interesting you can stay on board after cruise for a while.

I guess we can tag bags regardless of where we park? It's only a 3 day cruise so parking cost not an issue maybe Ł30 more to park at terminal?

[duchy]

Originally Posted by stupet11

Thanks.

That's interesting you can stay on board after cruise for a while.

I guess we can tag bags regardless of where we park? It's only a 3 day cruise so parking cost not an issue maybe Ł30 more to park at terminal?

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No idea of the cost (extra days hire as well don't forget) but I just couldn't see any benefit to it .
People seemed to be queued up to leave the parking area whereas we just drove straight out of the carhire compound. It seems to me it's not worth it.
We also changed our car size before and after the cruise though. We had a 7 seater as we had other family with us in Orlando who flew home before the cruise so we switched it for a Mustang for after

[Omega1]

Originally Posted by duchy

No idea of the cost (extra days hire as well don't forget) but I just couldn't see any benefit to it .
People seemed to be queued up to leave the parking area whereas we just drove straight out of the carhire compound. It seems to me it's not worth it.
We also changed our car size before and after the cruise though. We had a 7 seater as we had other family with us in Orlando who flew home before the cruise so we switched it for a Mustang for after

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That’s our way of doing it - some folk seem so stressed on disembarkation day! We always drop the rental car off and pick up a new one post cruise - however we do cruise for 10 to 14 days so that does make a difference financially, but for a 3 day cruise I can see the point if folk want to park up and leave non-cruise stuff in the car.

[stupet11]

Originally Posted by Omega1

but for a 3 day cruise I can see the point if folk want to park up and leave non-cruise stuff in the car.

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Oh, hadn't thought of that - we could do that!

[Cloverlady]

Originally Posted by stupet11

Oh, hadn't thought of that - we could do that!

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We do that! Handy not to have to drag all your stuff on the ship, makes it easier all round