11:45 check in time

[Dominason]

If we have an 11:45 a.m. Check in time, what time should we arrive at the port? Is there any advantage to getting there earlier?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If we have an 11:45 a.m. Check in time, what time should we arrive at the port? Is there any advantage to getting there earlier?

What you have is a Port Arrival Time, not a check in time. Yes, once you arrive, you will join the line to check in (which may or not may not happen immediately), but it's suggested that you pretty much arrive at your PAT.

No real advantage to arriving earlier. If you're early for your PAT and the terminal is full (as it well may be since it opens at 10:30) you may be asked to wait until either your PAT or the terminal is less full. Boarding (which clears out the terminal) doesn't actually begin until 11:15-11:30. And you will get the same boarding number (which is tied to your selected PAT) whether you arrive at 10:30 or 2:00.

 

[over50visits]

Your check-in time is really in a sweet spot…people start arriving at 10, they generally start being admitted to the terminal about 10:30, and there is a crowd at that time. We've stood in long lines just to get in (through security) when it opened, yet the line seemed to evaporate behind us! They start boarding 11 ish or 11:30 ish, and often by 12 or 12:30 there is little wait. Even those with seemingly high boarding numbers are okay because before long they announce open boarding.

Although everyone wants to get on as soon as they can (I know we do), there is a relaxing feeling to letting the first couple of hours crowd duke it out and come on in around noon.

It's a sweet spot because not long after that the various Disney buses start arriving from the airport and resort, and they inject large groups of cruisers.

So, my advice would be there is no advantage to arriving earlier (you won't get an earlier boarding number, and if you are too early you might have to wait to get in). Your time is called "port arrival time" but that's a semantic distinction, since you are arriving to check in.

Arrive and check in about 11:45, it will likely be less crowded and comfortable, and you'll get on the ship in plenty of time to enjoy lunch and explore.