Early Boarding?

Hello,

Im looking into booking again with Carnival (Dream in Jan 2010) I have been on two past cruises and had always wondered something. On my previous cruises the line up were around 2 hours long....crazy and INSANE! anyway im wondering what time in the AM is good to get there to board the ship ASAP....I have heard that going later around 3 is good and fast.... but Im more interested in getting there and boarding as early as possible.

Thanks

Trish

We arrive around 11:00 and by noon we are eating lunch on the lido deck ...

suite cat 11 or 12?

so at 11 there is barely anyone there yet? ( I can't remember but I think hotels take there guests around 12? thats when I went last time and want to avoid)

We've always gotten to the port around 9 - 10 am.  That early, there will be few people there yet and you'll be at the front of the line waiting to board.  Once they clear the ship for boarding (usually around 11:30 or so) you'll be one of the first ones on.  Also, that early, the lines to register are MUCH shorter than even an hour later - I HATE to wait in line, I'd much rather be done with that and sitting in a seat waiting to board!

That sounds like a good plan, arrive around 9:30ish and just coast, at that time in the morning the people who take your bags and the security and everything is open? or your just lining up outside?

Thanks

Trish

We've had to wait outside in line a bit a couple of times, but not for long.  Most of the waiting is after you've registered and you're just waiting to board. 

Every time I've cruized (on my 4th in May) I used to listen to their instructions to arrive 1sh, I now go about 11-12 and have walked right on board.  That does depend on each port and if the prior cruise passengers have all debarked.  It should go easy if you get their before the hotels.