Our first cruise! Departure time?

[aksunshine]

Hi everyone! We are looking at going on our first cruise in Jan. If I get to Port at say 10AM, how long until check in? Will we be able to have lunch? And when we arrive at Port on last day. What is the best time to fly home? Would a 2 PM flight be good? That way we could have breakfast. What time does transportation usually get you? TIA

[Duck Addict]

I have been on two 4 day Disney Wonder so far.
The terminal opens about then, but they do not start boarding until about 12:00.
Lunch was available at Parrot Cay or Beach Banket Buffet. You bring your carryon with you until the rooms are available-typically at 1:30.

The ship departs about 5:00 (after having the 4:00 mandatory life boat drill-then returning to your room to put away your life jackets)

On the day you leave the ship, breakfast is assigned at the restaurant you ate the night before, 6:30-7:00 am for first seating diners (time depends on which restaurant the night before) 7:45-8:15 if you are a second seating diner.
Everyone will be off the ship by about 9:30
You will again bring the carryon with you as they start cleaning up the rooms as breakfast arrives. Your regular luggage will have been put outside your room the night before.

It is usually about 1- 1 1/2 hours from departing ship to MCO.

[kcashner]

If you arrive at port at 10 am, the terminal may not even be open yet. The port area opens to incoming traffic at 10. The terminal is supposed to open at 10:30, but in reality usually opens around 10:15. You can check in as soon after that as you go thru security. Boarding the ship usually starts around 11:45. Lunch will be serving as soon as you board, both on deck 3 in Parrot Cay and at various places on deck 9.

On the last day, a 2 pm flight would be great. Actually, anything after noon is good. I'm puzzled by your comment about breakfast. You'll have time for breakfast no matter what....if you have early dinner, your breakfast seating will be like 6:45 or 7 depending on which restaurant you're in on the last night. If you have late seating it will be 7:45, 8, or 8:15. If your seating time doesn't fit with your flight needs, you can have breakfast at the buffet on deck 9. You'll be able to get off the ship starting about 7:30 and are asked to be off by 9. It takes about an hour to get to the airport.

[aksunshine]

Thanks! When you say you put you luggage out the night before, they come pick it up the night before? They don't get it out of your room?

[Sccrmnky2005]

yes they come by between 9-11pm the last night of your cruise and take all the luggage for yoou. Just make sure that you don't pack away clothes and shoes or anything else you may need the next day!!

You will have a great time. Cruising is very fun and addicting

[kcashner]

You will receive a page of disembarkation instructions in your cabin on the last day. You will place your luggage outside the room by 11 pm on the last night. If you are on a participating airline AND have DCL transfers AND meet the time requirements, you will next see your luggage at your home airport.

If you do not meet the above conditions, you will claim your luggage in the terminal and it will go on the bus (or your car or limo) to the airport with you.

No, they don't take luggage out of your room--how would they know what you wanted sent and what you needed for the next morning? You will keep your carry ons and clothing for the last day with you.

[awtigger]

What are the time restrictions if you use DCL transfers and a participating airline? Our only options to flyout are 10:20am or 5:30pm when we disembark