1st time Cruiser.... Port Arrival Time???

[Ronferr80]

Going on our first Disney Cruise in April on the Fantasy!!!! During online check in I was able to select a port arrival time and chose the earliest possible time. Is this around the time I will get to board the ship? I read somewhere that boarding is based on Concierge, multiple Disney cruises. If that's the case what would be the purpose of arriving at the early port time? Thanks in advance for any information that could be provided!!!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Going on our first Disney Cruise in April on the Fantasy!!!! During online check in I was able to select a port arrival time and chose the earliest possible time. Is this around the time I will get to board the ship? I read somewhere that boarding is based on Concierge, multiple Disney cruises. If that's the case what would be the purpose of arriving at the early port time? Thanks in advance for any information that could be provided!!!

Your actual boarding group number that will be assigned to you is based upon your PAT. With that being said if you are inside the terminal by 11:00 you most likely will be on the ship by 11:30 - 11:45. the process of Concierge, Platinum, etc. moves very quickly. Have a great cruise.

 

[Ronferr80]

awesome thanks for the info!!!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Just wanted to make you aware that you will need to ARRIVE earlier than your PAT because the line to enter the building forms outside. You cannot plan to arrive at your selected PAT and just walk right in the building. Generally everyone waiting inside when boarding starts will be on the ship by 12:00-12:30 then cruisers showing up afterwards trickle on pretty much till last boarding call. Captain Mickey usually makes an appearance in the lobby while you are waiting for boarding to start. He will pose for family photos in front of the large ship model in the center of the lobby on the side of the model that you entered the lobby.

 

[mevelandry]

Because you did not mention where you were coming from: IF you were to take the shuttle from a WDW resort, the shuttle runs around 11:30-12:30... I would pick 1:00 PM (although you can pretty much get in the cruiseship as soon as you arrive because the building is almost empty.

 

[Ronferr80]

I'm saying at a hotel minutes from Port Canaveral If that makes a difference

 

[Ronferr80]

sorry *staying

 

[DizneyNutz]

Are you parking at the port or taking a shuttle to port? You could probably arrive either way around 10am and be fine but we don't mind hanging out inside a little more for peace of mind that we are there and ready when they call our boarding number so we like arriving around 9:30. If you don't want down time inside with children before boarding, you could plan to arrive around 12 and probably walk right in and on the ship.

 

[Weedy]

The parking at the terminal usually opens at 10 (this can change a little if the ship is running late).
The terminal does not open until 10:30. People line up outside until the terminal opens.
Your PAT is the time you are supposed to arrive at the port. If you arrive before your PAT and the terminal is full you maybe asked to wait outside until your PAT. This rarely ( if ever) happens.
You then will go into the terminal and check in. At this time you will receive your boarding #. Your boarding # is tied to your PAT.
They began boarding at 11:15-11:30 for the Dream and Fantasy and 11:30-11:45 for the Magic and Wonder.
Concierge and Platinum get #1 and sometimes #2. Then they start with everyone else. They call a new # every 5 minutes or so. It goes very quickly. Everyone waiting in the terminal is usually on by 12:30.

 

[Ronferr80]

The parking at the terminal usually opens at 10 (this can change a little if the ship is running late).
The terminal does not open until 10:30. People line up outside until the terminal opens.
Your PAT is the time you are supposed to arrive at the port. If you arrive before your PAT and the terminal is full you maybe asked to wait outside until your PAT. This rarely ( if ever) happens.
You then will go into the terminal and check in. At this time you will receive your boarding #. Your boarding # is tied to your PAT.
They began boarding at 11:15-11:30 for the Dream and Fantasy and 11:30-11:45 for the Magic and Wonder.
Concierge and Platinum get #1 and sometimes #2. Then they start with everyone else. They call a new # every 5 minutes or so. It goes very quickly. Everyone waiting in the terminal is usually on by 12:30.

Thanks for all that info!!! very much appreciated!!

 

[Shadowboxerkd]

How do you know what your PAT is? I don't recall seeing this anywhere on our booking papers. :-/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How do you know what your PAT is? I don't recall seeing this anywhere on our booking papers. :-/

You select your PAT during your online check in process. Unless you are Concierge or Platinum.