Perfect time to Arrive at your Cruise? - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

KSDisneyDad · 07-19-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovetotravel07

Thanks for all the comments/advice. What's the earliest they allow boarding. Is it any quicker/easier if you have cruised on Disney before?

I believe they start boarding between 11:30 and noon.

The first boarding group is Concierge and Platinum CC members (more than 10 DCL cruises). After that, it's first come/first serve. Boarding goes quickly even if you're not in one of the first four or five boarding groups.

Unlike a PP, we wanted to eat at PC but were told to go to BBB (TS on Magic) as PC was full. We asked to wait and they let us. There was actually no wait - I think they were just anticipated more crowds at PC as the weather wasn't the best.

lakehead92 · 07-19-2010, 01:01 PM

Thanks for all these tips... I didn't need to ask my questions...they were all answered here.

mrsdn5 · 07-19-2010, 01:01 PM

I like to get there early..There is something about the feeling when you are in the port. It is so exciting for me and my family..It does go by fast. We ate at Parrot Cay last cruise and plan on doing that again. Really liked to start our cruise there

poizenivey · 07-19-2010, 03:09 PM

EARLY!!!

Captain Mickey and Minnie came out for pics and that got us even more excited! Plus we also went ahead and lined up so the kids could get their CC braclets!

cruiselineent · 07-20-2010, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovetotravel07

I know this is another subjective question, but in your opinion what is the perfect time to arrive at the port for your Disney Cruise?

How much time to you allow from a Disney Resort, (BLT)?

Port at 10:30-11... that gets you onboard at 12 for lunch... the kids can swim immediately, while you eat, get dining changes done, spa reservations, palo reservations, etc. The problem, coming from the resorts, is the resort buses get you to the port at 2... missing lunch... and rush, rush, rush. Bah, humbug!

Better trick, if you don't have a rental, and want to park at the port... is to use magical express to the airport.... then, get on the DCL bus at the airport, to the port... catch the 9:30, :45, or 10:00 bus... to make the port, per above.
Tell magical express that you have an 11:00 flight... they'll pick you up at 8, have you at the airport in time.... to do the above.

ibouncetoo · 07-20-2010, 09:40 AM

The buses are nearly alwys there before or at 1:30. Parrot Cay lunch is till 2:15 and Topsiders till 3:30 (at least those were the times for my last 7 day cruise in January).

But I also like to be on right away...am way to 'antsy' to sit around the hotel waiting for time on the ship!

.

Disney1fan2002 · 07-20-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbmo4444

Even if we are not trying to upgrade we like to get to port between 10am and 10:30. The time flys buy and it is always great to be one of the first people onboard and have the pools all to yourself and take pictures

Not to mention, they often bring characters out for a meet and greet while we are waiting. The kids love hanging around the port waiting to get onboard.

ratt1345 · 07-20-2010, 12:20 PM

Before I officially answer the question, here's an explanation of my answer.
Once upon a time, you had to make your dinner ressies and what-not once you got onboard and not online (Oh the horror

). So because of that, I got in the habit of getting to the port around 9:45 to be one of the first to check through the security and check-in. Back then, it was a sort of first come-first served deals for getting in line to get on the ship. So if you got there early, you got to stand or sit in line first to get onboard. I still, to this day, get there around 9:45. Doesn't get me on any faster now, but I still enjoy getting there early.

Charlie

CruznLexi · 07-20-2010, 12:32 PM

We like to get there between 1100-1130 we had number 13 too and boarded at 12:15 this time we are doing Disney transport.

BealsRwe · 07-20-2010, 12:54 PM

is the earliest we can get out of bed and drive to the port. We live in Davenport, about 20 minutes west of WDW. It generally takes us just over an hour to arrive. In December, we made it a point to leave our house by 830am...we arrived around 9:45 after a few stops, and got the chance to really enjoy the terminal. Our daughter loved watching the Disney cartoons in the terminal, and seeing characters. It was the strangest thing to see the boarding doors closed. The doors generally open aroound noon...our goal is to get to the port as early as we can for our upcoming August 3rd cruise so we can relax and just enjoy the terminal before getting onboard. It's my first platinum level cruise, so eager to see what the concierge boarding perk is all about.

kimkarli · 07-20-2010, 01:03 PM

Does the terminal open at 10:00?

nikkistevej · 07-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Yes it I believe it does open then. We also like to get there as soon as it opens- it gets us more excited plus we can be ready to board and start the cruise experience.

nyjets53 · 07-21-2010, 04:37 AM

When you get to the ship, do they have curb side check in for your luggage...

We are renting a car and would like to drop off the luggage and then go return the car so I don't have to drag around the luggage with me...

Is this possible?

ibouncetoo · 07-21-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyjets53

When you get to the ship, do they have curb side check in for your luggage...

We are renting a car and would like to drop off the luggage and then go return the car so I don't have to drag around the luggage with me...

Is this possible?

Yes, they do. Also you and your son could go check in while DH returns the car. You will need his passport, but he needs to keep his driver's license to use as an ID to get in the terminal (as well as to drive!). Then when he joins you in the terminal he just needs to get his photo taken (they'll let him go to the front of the line to the CM who checked you in),

Anjelica · 07-21-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibouncetoo

Yes, they do. Also you and your son could go check in while DH returns the car. You will need his passport, but he needs to keep his driver's license to use as an ID to get in the terminal (as well as to drive!). Then when he joins you in the terminal he just needs to get his photo taken (they'll let him go to the front of the line to the CM who checked you in),

photo taken? What is that - I don't recall the last two cruises a requirement to get a photo taken. Is this new?

07-19-2010, 01:01 PM	#18
mrsdn5 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Shore, Massachusetts Posts: 270	I like to get there early..There is something about the feeling when you are in the port. It is so exciting for me and my family..It does go by fast. We ate at Parrot Cay last cruise and plan on doing that again. Really liked to start our cruise there __________________ Laura me(35) dh(32)dd(6)dd(5)

07-20-2010, 09:40 AM	#21
ibouncetoo I get excited by the little things! I follow directions well!!! I'm not allowed to buy any more craft supplies till I actually MAKE something LOL Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Valley of the Sun! Posts: 17,335	The buses are nearly alwys there before or at 1:30. Parrot Cay lunch is till 2:15 and Topsiders till 3:30 (at least those were the times for my last 7 day cruise in January). But I also like to be on right away...am way to 'antsy' to sit around the hotel waiting for time on the ship! . __________________ Jackie '99-01AllStar Movies 02-03Many trips DLR '03 Nov AKL/Swan 04 April POFQ Oct offsite/Dolphin 05 Jan POP/WL,3DLR Nov POFQ/Wonder/POP 06 2DLR, Nov Magic DD 07 May DLR Dec SSR/Wonder 08 April DLR May Magic-WBPC Sept DLR 09 Sept WDW/Magic-Tortola Nov DLR 10 Jan Magic-Western, April EBTA 11 Jan 2Day Wonder April LA Repo/Alaska Nov Dream B2B 12 Wonder-Hawaii Dec Fantasy-SanJuan

07-20-2010, 12:20 PM	#23
ratt1345 Always wishing I was Disney cruisin'!!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Titletown FL Posts: 446	Before I officially answer the question, here's an explanation of my answer. Once upon a time, you had to make your dinner ressies and what-not once you got onboard and not online (Oh the horror). So because of that, I got in the habit of getting to the port around 9:45 to be one of the first to check through the security and check-in. Back then, it was a sort of first come-first served deals for getting in line to get on the ship. So if you got there early, you got to stand or sit in line first to get onboard. I still, to this day, get there around 9:45. Doesn't get me on any faster now, but I still enjoy getting there early. Charlie __________________

07-20-2010, 12:54 PM	#25
BealsRwe DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Davenport, FL Posts: 1,445	Our favorite time to arrive at the port... is the earliest we can get out of bed and drive to the port. We live in Davenport, about 20 minutes west of WDW. It generally takes us just over an hour to arrive. In December, we made it a point to leave our house by 830am...we arrived around 9:45 after a few stops, and got the chance to really enjoy the terminal. Our daughter loved watching the Disney cartoons in the terminal, and seeing characters. It was the strangest thing to see the boarding doors closed. The doors generally open aroound noon...our goal is to get to the port as early as we can for our upcoming August 3rd cruise so we can relax and just enjoy the terminal before getting onboard. It's my first platinum level cruise, so eager to see what the concierge boarding perk is all about. __________________ Platinum DCL 14 DCL cruises, 1 Carnival, 1 Royal Caribbean, and counting!!! Next cruise...Disney Dream December 6-9, 2012, to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary and their 1st Disney Cruise!

07-20-2010, 01:03 PM	#26
kimkarli DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bridge City, TX Posts: 970	Does the terminal open at 10:00? __________________ July 2006 DD6 & I ASMO,OKW,BWV Dec. 2007 DD B-day Trip POR Nov. 2010 Set Sail on the Wonder!! March 2013 AoA

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07-19-2010, 01:01 PM	#17
lakehead92 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 2,353	Thanks for all these tips... I didn't need to ask my questions...they were all answered here.

07-19-2010, 03:09 PM	#19
poizenivey Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 101	EARLY!!! Captain Mickey and Minnie came out for pics and that got us even more excited! Plus we also went ahead and lined up so the kids could get their CC braclets!

07-20-2010, 12:32 PM	#24
CruznLexi DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,618	We like to get there between 1100-1130 we had number 13 too and boarded at 12:15 this time we are doing Disney transport.

07-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#27
nikkistevej DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Location: baltimore,md Posts: 7,074	Yes it I believe it does open then. We also like to get there as soon as it opens- it gets us more excited plus we can be ready to board and start the cruise experience. __________________ Nikki DHDD Trips: 2005-1st trip to WDW(CBR),2007-WDW(POP)& DCL(Eastern)& bought DVC AKV,2008-WDW(AKV),2009-WDW(SSR)&DCL(Western),2010-WDW(BLT)&DCL(Bahamas), 2011-NCL-Alaska,2012-DCL & AKV for Thanksgiving

07-21-2010, 04:37 AM	#28
nyjets53 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 36	When you get to the ship, do they have curb side check in for your luggage... We are renting a car and would like to drop off the luggage and then go return the car so I don't have to drag around the luggage with me... Is this possible? __________________ Richard, Lisa, & Richie Jr (6 1/2) 1970 Disneyland 2001 Toyko Disney 2004 WL-Apr, AK-Aug (brought DVC SSR) VWL-Dec HoneyMoon 2005 BW-Feb, OKW-May, SSR-Oct, OKW-Nov 2006 OKW Dec - Jr's First trip 2007 SSR-May, BCV-Sept 2008 SSR-Dec 2009 BCV-Oct 2010 Disney Cruise & SSR-Dec 2011 OKW-Oct 2012 GCH-DVC-Oct DisneyLand 2013 SSR-Jan, OKW-Aug, SSR-Oct

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