Getting ready to take off on our Pacific Coast cruise on the Mariner in May.

The docs are here and they say, as usual, that you cannot embark before 3:00 p.m.

Okay all you RSSC cruisers, "What's the real deal and HOW EARLY CAN YOU GET ON BOARD?"

Thanks for your help and have a great day !!

P.S. Those shots of NEVIBOY going thru the Canal were awesome, Mahalo Nui Loa !!! <img border="0" alt="[jam]" title="" src="graemlins/jammin.gif" />

Hi there,
When we got on the Mariner back in December in Ft. Lauderale, we were let on at a little after 12. You can't go to your room, but you can check in and go up to the top and have a delightful lunch and walk around the ship and explore. The rooms aren't ready until 2:30. Then you can go to the room and unpack the carry-on and your luggage should be there soon after that.
Have fun! Jan

Perfect answer, Jan! To others, is this the most oft-asked question or what? Isn't it great that we can share this little secret? Radisson always busses in their air-included people at precisely 3 p.m. when those of us "in the know" have enjoyed lunch on the Verandah and a tour of the ship already. So we can unpack and be ready for muster drill with all in order and not be rushed. Great way to start a cruise!

We were onboard Navigator 4/3 about noon. When the suites were ready at 2pm, our luggage was already in the suite which was great!

Just one more way that RSSC "hooked" me! And I am sooo glad!!!! <img border="0" alt="[jam]" title="" src="graemlins/jammin.gif" />

Aloha, Aloha!

We were able to board at 12:30 in Los Angeles on our March 9th Cruise. Granted, you can't go to your suite until 2:30, but you can go onboard, have some champagne, lunch, go ship exploring and the ever important spa and restaurant booking! And as Olivia and Claudia pointed out, your bags are in situ awaiting your unpacking!

I think Radisson says 3:00 to be on the safe side, I also think that depending on the port, you may not be able to board until then. Where are you leaving from again?

Aloha and thanks for your responses.

You are the most helpful bunch of cruisers around!!

We are departing out of Los Angeles so it sounds like 12:00 - 12:30 is perfect.

Mahalo nui loa !!

Aloha and thanks for your responses.

You are the most helpful bunch of cruisers around!!

We are departing out of Los Angeles so it sounds like 12:00 - 12:30 is perfect.

Mahalo nui loa !!

On the VTC cruise out of LA on the Voyager, we had booked our air and transfers to the ship through Radisson. We arrived at the ship about 1:00 PM. We had a very efficient check in at the ship, were told our suites would not be ready until about 3:00 PM, and were invited to go to the pool bar/ La veranda area for drinks and lunch till then. We did so, had a great time, and met some nice fellow guests. About 2:15 PM, there was an announcement that suites were ready. We were escorted to our suite, and our luggage was already there. We have had the same experience on several Radisson cruises.

Hope this helps,
Richard :) :) :)

Do you keep your carryons with you until the suites become available? Or do you have the option of having it taken to your suite when you board? We tend to carry on a lot (like the laptop and such) and it would be sort of bulky carrying it around while touring the ship.

Masaki

Masaki,

When we early boarded the Mariner for our Voyage Thru Canal, they let us leave our carry on in our room. Even though they told us the room would not be ready, we went by the room to see and our steward was there. We asked if we could leave the bags and we put them in the closet so they were out of the way, but, we had our valuables with us. We left only our toiletries etc. All the cabin doors are wide open, so I don't think I'd have left anything easily removed.

Kathy - thanks for the info. Hmmmm ... not sure what we'll do when we get onboard. Might be safer to lug things around in that case. :)

Masaki

Well, we have always kept our carry ons with us during that time after we get on the ship but before our suite is ready. In fact, we never have been given the option to do otherwise.

Hope this helps,
Richard :) :) :)

To Alohacruiser, the shots you saw going through the Canal were of Voyager. Not even a microscope or the Hubbell telescope could see me and the rest of our gang. The webcam motor was not working for a zoom.

So, does the same system work on all the ships? Anybody boarded the Diamond early?

I have boarded the Diamond at around 1:00 on both my cruises. In January, as we were waiting to go to the airport around 11:30 a.m., I saw people getting on.

Thanks Wendy for asking the question regarding the Diamond, I think when we are in Barcelona, we will head down around 12:30 from the hotel and then board at that time.

Regarding keeping your carry-on with you until the rooms are ready. We have always kept them with us, jewerly, camera's etc are in them. You have them locked up but someone can always just come along and take it from the open stateroom. I would suggest keeping it with you if there are valuables in it such as a laptop, etc. Jan
Diamond May 24, 2004

To Masaki: RE: Lugging your carryons on Mariner.

When we got to the LAX Cruise Terminal, we gave all our bags to the porter, except two: my hat box (I coddle my hats so I didn't want mine to slip off the pile and get crushed) and my "purse" (it is/was a black Coach diaper bag that I've now decomissioned...I've switched to a black Hello Kitty backpack for the girls). So, I didn't mind carrying it around, as this "purse" had my real purse, valuables, cameras, travel dox and Peter's medicines. Everything else, including the carryons we had on the plane went in the porter pile.

So you may consider perhaps a little rollon bag for your laptop, valuables etc and keep this while the cabin is readied. Makes carrying around a little less cumbersome.

Aloha Neviboy:

How did you enjoy your trip thru the Canal? We have just booked the Nov. 19 Mariner trip to the Canal and I'm just wondering if it is as incredible as you expected?

Thanks so much for your input.

Mahalo nui loa !!

Aloha - we did the Mariner thru the Canal last May. It was the best vacation/cruise we've taken. I loved it. Second favorite was the Mariner Alaska and Third was the Splendor of The Seas 12 days Carribbean, and it was brand new but, it was my honeymoon and everything was beautiful in my perception. I hadn't sailed on RSSC yet. Also it was December and there were no children on board.

We were first onboard Mariner in Feb from San Juan....just after noon. We walked around (champagne in hand) and headed to the pool deck for lunch and drinks. Met two couples who we ended up spending most of the cruise with. So go ahead and mix, mingle and enjoy!

Thanks to everybody who had recommendations. I think the best solution is probably going to be carrying things around until the suites are ready for occupation - though the roll-on idea is not a bad one. Hmmmm. More luggage to buy ... (yeah, Amanda is going to love that one)

Masaki

Masaki, it's not an expense, it's an investment for your future cruising ease. I couldn't do without mine, and bought the best I could because I plan on years and years of hauling it around with me after embarking early on cruises. Once I leave home, the "big" bag is of no use until I get to the cabin. Since I go a day early, that roll-on holds my clothes for the next day, laptop, jewelry, makeup, rollers, and a lot of other stuff Amanda will understand.

Yeah, Olivia, you lost me after the clothes and the laptop ... :cool: May have to show this topic to Amanda.

Masaki