what time

[SueKopAC]

should i be at the dock before the bat leaves.

[goin' cruisin']

Huh? Did you want to know what time you should be at the dock before the ship leaves? Yes, be at the dock before the ships leaves. Depending upon departure time, the time may vary but I like to be checked in and on the ship not later than noon.

[penny3333]

Hi SueKopAC, welcome to Cruise-chat. As GC stated, yes you need to be at the dock before the ship sails. It is usually no later than 1/2 hour before she leaves. If you're talking about disembarking for the originating port, I wouldn't cut it closer than 1 hour before she sets sail. Your cruise documents should state what time boarding will begin. Best wishes!

[Ron Clark]

At the departure port, you should be at the cuise terminal no later than an hour before the ship sails.
At a port on the itinerary, you should be aboard the ship no later than a half hour before the ship sails.

[Berick1234]

I like to get on the ship as soon as I can...that's when the Cruise starts for me...every minute on a cruise is precious...and I know I won't be left crying on pier waving at the fantail as she pulls away...Happy Sailing..

Bob E

[TrvlPro]

Ron's got it right. That 1 hour is a bare minimum, don't try to time it or cut it close. I had a client 13 minutes past that 1 hour window and the Customs official would not re-open the manifest to add them. They were denied boarding even though the ship was right there and had not sailed. Remember they were there 47 minutes before departure time and could not board the ship. That call to your agent/cruiseline from the pier is no fun. Nothing I or the cruiseline could do, it's that guy's (jerk's, in this case) call, he's in charge.