Hi,
Our last Celebrity cruise had a 4:30 pm sailing time from Tampa. We got to the pier about 11:45 am and were on the ship by 12:30 pm. The line getting through security (x-ray of carryon luggage) took about 20 to 30 minutes. I don't think I would get to the pier any earlier than 4 hours after the ship arrived from the previous cruise. Our ship docked from the prior cruise at 7:00 am and 11:00 am is the earliest I would personally get there.
OK, here is something you might not know about. The ship will have a photographer that will take pictures at every convenient opportunity. The ship has a photo shop where they post all of the pictures. The first photo-op is as you are boarding the ship. They will something set up with the ship itinery and you may have your picture taken before you board the ship. You will also have these same opportunities on formal nights, when you get off the ship at ports, etc., etc., etc. If you are into purchasing photos from the ship, they do have an area where you can store all of the photos they have taken of you. You do have to sort through a lot of photos to find your picture. Once you find it, it doesn't make sense to leave it sit there. Take it to the cash register (OK, are you starting to get the idea they are trying to make money???) and ask them where you could leave your photos to accumulate. Accumulate them in this one spot during the cruise and negotiate a price for the ones you wan't on the last night of the cruise. Believe me, they are willing to negotiate. Since you are traveling with another couple, you might want to include them and their selected photos in the negotiation. The photo clerk is looking at a total sale. If you aren't comfortable haggling, please ignore my suggestions.
They will have a buffet luncheon set up when you do get on board. If they do the same on your ship as they did on the Horizon, enjoy the "Welcome Aboard" glass of champagne as you are being shown to your cabin. Leave your carryon stuff in the cabin and go have lunch. At worst, you will have to take your carryon stuff to the buffet dining room and then get shown to your room shortly after lunch.
Here is a tip. If you are into sunning and swimming, it is a good idea to pack a set of swimming/sunning clothes in your carryon. After lunch, change clothes and go soak up the rays by or in the pool. Since this is your first cruise, the first afternoon is a good time to check out all of the public areas. The casino won't be operating but you can find out where everything is. There will be a deck plan in your cabin informational package that shows where everything is. You really get bummed out when you find a great little hidden bar on the last day or the cruise. Also, soon after boarding is the best time to change your seating (early to late or vice-versa) if required. Guest relations will be able to tell you where to go to change reservations. If they are really frazzled, they may only tell you where to go (pun, pun, pun)!
There will probably be a lifeboat drill shortly before or after you leave port. A lifeboat drill is mandatory for everyone and takes about 30 minutes at the most. Hopefully, your checked luggage will arrive by the time you get back to the cabin to get rid of the life vests. Put away the clothes, shove the bags under the beds and enjoy the cruise!!!!
Here is another tip that might help you remember your cruise. If you are into taking photos and putting together a scrapbook or photo album of your cruise, make sure you get a second copy of the ship's daily activity paper to take home. A copy, for the departure day, will be in your cabin when you arrive. The next day's newspaper will be in the cabin when you return from dinner. I always go to the guest relations desk and get a second copy for each day. The copy in the room becomes our "working copy" that gets marked with stuff we want to see or do and the second copy gets put away for taking back home for the cruise photo album. They also have a condensed world newspaper available each day in the guest relations area.
Wow, you started out asking about when you could get on the ship. Since I have gotten so windy, noon time if you departure time is 4:30 pm or so.
Here is another little tip. If you think you are not getting top-notch service from someone, explain to that person what the problem is. Don't let anything be a "burr under your saddle." If the problem persists, kick your concern up a level. The cruise lines are in business to have nothing except happy people stepping off their ships.
Email us if you want any "no-frills" answers to cruise questions. Bear in mind, we are commenting with only two cruises under our belts. But, we do have the basics down pretty good.
Have A Great Time!!!!
Shirley and Les
