ADVICE needed AND what time does Cabanas close on embarkation day?

[swimfin]

The 3 times we've been to 1900 Park Fare we weren't close to sitting down near our reservation times. It was at least 40 minutes after our reservation, twice at breakfast and once for dinner.

Also, how much carryon stuff will you have? Can you check it all in and just have a backpack or two? Then you can get in the ship earlier and have a nice lunch and explore a little before the rooms open.

THANK YOU!!! We are hoping we get seated right away as we have reservations right when they open. I was thinking I change them to 0900 but might rethink that now as you brought up a great point. (We've never had reservations at 1900 Park Fare that were later than opening) After all of the great advice, we will skip MK and take our time gettin to PC !

 

[Sytrace]

THANK YOU!!! We are hoping we get seated right away as we have reservations right when they open. I was thinking I change them to 0900 but might rethink that now as you brought up a great point. (We've never had reservations at 1900 Park Fare that were later than opening) After all of the great advice, we will skip MK and take our time gettin to PC !

Good call! I would relax, enjoy a nice breakfast and head to the port.
Traffic on I4 in the Disney corridor can be as crowded and crazy as a Friday at 3 :00 PM
Best route would be to take 417 Northbound to 528 East bound (Beach line) these are both toll roads and tend to move quickly.
There is some construction happening on 528 at the interchange from I4 to the airport exit. Avoid this and take 417 all the way to 528.

As for carryons: I would suggest a bag with travel documents, ID, electronics, medication etc...in one and possibly bathing suits, sunscreen and bug spray in the other. Unless you really want to simplify your life and wear bathing suits under your clothes. Go as light as you can and it will make boarding and waiting for your cabin so much more fun.
Have a great cruise and enjoy breakfast! But save room for your "welcome home" lunch at Cabanas.

 

[swimfin]

Good call! I would relax, enjoy a nice breakfast and head to the port.
Traffic on I4 in the Disney corridor can be as crowded and crazy as a Friday at 3 :00 PM
Best route would be to take 417 Northbound to 528 East bound (Beach line) these are both toll roads and tend to move quickly.
There is some construction happening on 528 at the interchange from I4 to the airport exit. Avoid this and take 417 all the way to 528.

As for carryons: I would suggest a bag with travel documents, ID, electronics, medication etc...in one and possibly bathing suits, sunscreen and bug spray in the other. Unless you really want to simplify your life and wear bathing suits under your clothes. Go as light as you can and it will make boarding and waiting for your cabin so much more fun.
Have a great cruise and enjoy breakfast! But save room for your "welcome home" lunch at Cabanas.

THANK YOU for the route information!!! I'm originally from S Fla (Key Biscayne) and know interstate traffic and construction all to well so any tips to avoid that is much appreciated!!!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I like my groceries as much as the next guy, but do you really want a big buffet breakfast followed by a big buffet lunch? And if you have early dining you will follow that with a 4-course dinner.

And you won't just zip back to the GF for your car...the monorail will take 20 minutes.

I can't vote one way or the other for you, but I can't see doing both these activities and arriving without an vet from worrying I'd literally miss the boat. Have we mentioned the drawbridge near the port?....

 

[mmouse37]

Our experience on our few cruises on the Fantasy was the rooms didn't open until closer to 2:00 pm but we always have wheeled carry ons so bringing them around the ship is no big deal. I like to get to the port and board early and maximize my time onboard.

MJ

 

[stitchlovestink]

Our experience on our few cruises on the Fantasy was the rooms didn't open until closer to 2:00 pm but we always have wheeled carry ons so bringing them around the ship is no big deal. I like to get to the port and board early and maximize my time onboard.

MJ

Wow!! We have never gotten our rooms that late. We have even often ours closer to 1 rather than 1:30. But I would never expect it before 1:30.

 

[mmouse37]

Wow!! We have never gotten our rooms that late. We have even often ours closer to 1 rather than 1:30. But I would never expect it before 1:30.

Yep, just our experience on the Fantasy. I don't think it will be that way every cruise but can happen...that's why any carry on with wheels is the way to go IMO.

MJ