What Is the Earliest Time You Can Board a Norwegian Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Norwegian Cruise Lines offer a variety of cruise ship options for guests to enjoy. Depending on the cruise, the earliest time you can board a Norwegian Cruise Ship varies.

Guests planning to embark from ports in the United States and Canada can generally board their cruise ship by 1:00 pm. However, for cruises departing from European ports, boarding times may be considerably earlier.

For cruises departing from U.S. and Canadian ports, check-in begins at 12:00 pm but guests can begin boarding as early as 1:00 pm. Norwegian Cruise Lines also provides priority boarding for guests who are Platinum members of their Latitudes Rewards Program or those who have purchased Suite accommodations on the ship. Priority boarding typically begins at 11:30 am and allows these guests to board before other passengers in order to maximize their time on the ship.

For cruises departing from Europe, boarding times may vary depending on the port of departure. Generally speaking, Norwegian Cruise Ships departing from European ports open boarding at 8:00 am and close it at 10:30 am. To ensure that everyone has enough time to board before sailing, loading usually begins 2-3 hours before departure time (which is usually around 12 noon).

Important Note: Due to safety regulations, all passengers must be onboard by 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time or they will lose their right to sail and no refund will be issued for any unused portion of the voyage.

In conclusion, for cruises departing from U./Canada ports the earliest time you can board a Norwegian Cruise Ship is 1:00 pm; however, for cruises departing from Europe, boarding times may be considerably earlier – starting as early as 8:00 am – with loading beginning 2-3 hours prior to departure time which is typically at 12 noon.