Arrive at port?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

What time should we arrive at the port on the day of our cruise? Any specific time that it wouldn't be too crowded? We'll be staying at the Radisson the night before. Also, what time do they start boarding?

Thanks!

 

[Hygiene99]

well we got to the port at 10:30 we expect ed a noon time boarding but when we arrived at the port we where told they would not begin boarding until 1:00
but most of the time i believe they start at noon...
so bye the time u check in and get a spot in line it is a short time to wait.......... peter

 

[inkkognito]

It depends...the port gets crowded for the Magic much more quickly than the Wonder, since you don't have the land/sea people coming in later on the 7-day cruises. If you get there when the port opens at 10:30 for the Wonder, it will be nearly deserted. However, for the Magic the lines get long fast. They typically start boarding at 12:15 (or at least in my experience of 27 cruises). It's ranged anywhere from noon to 1:30, but the late time is very unusual...there was a delay that time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[aaronamy]

We are planning on getting up and going to Kennedy Space Center at 9:00am. My husband does not want to stand in long lines waiting to board. If we arrive arround 1:00 will the lines be long or will they be moving fairly fast. We are doing a 7 day so I hope we won't have to much trouble booking Palos and the spa. I'm I correct in my thinking?

 

[mmouse37]

Well, by 1:00, most people will already be onboard and you could probably just walk on. But, possibly Palos may be booked already (especially brunch and high tea). Even though it is the 7 day, ressies do seem to go quick.

We like going to the port at 10:30 when they open and just people watch until boarding around 12:15. They have the characters come out a bit and there are couches and TV's with cartoons for the kids. Not everyone has to stand in the line...we take turns...one of us will stand in line and the others will sit down and then switch. I love to people watch!!!

MJ

 

[cruisnfamily]

We arrived at the port between 10:30 and 11. We checked in and didn't bother to get on line to board. We just wandered and people watched. The line got really, really, really long before boarding began, snaking through the terminal with a castmember holding the end of the line with a sign. I would say they started boarding around 12:15-12:30.....we still didn't get on line. The line moved quite quickly and once the crowd had dispersed we just wandered in.

I was worried about the long wait from 10:20 until boarding but it just passed so quickly we didn't even notice. Had we been sitting in line I think it would have been more annoying to the kids. but we just wandered around, looked at the ship, looked at the model, watched tv, etc...it went very quickly

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by aaronamy
We are planning on getting up and going to Kennedy Space Center at 9:00am.

We did this the day before our cruise last year. Be warned that it is expensive to get into KSC and you won't have time to do much. I'm not sure it would be worth the money for that period of time but that's up to you. We spent about 6 hours and DH could have spent much more time but me and the kids were done.

 

[inkkognito]

It depends on what you want and what days. The sea day appointments at the spa tend to be snapped up, but you might be able to get something for a port day or Castaway Cay day (since people don't want to stay on the ship). For Palo, dinner might be okay, but brunch and particularly the high tea have limited times and thus limited availability.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[aaronamy]

We have a car so the cost isnt an issue. We have one guy in our party who really wants to go. Would it be possible for 2 of us to stay at the terminal and hold our space while the rest go to Kennedy Space Center? I would just as soon skip it but the other family may not want to. What time do the Disney shuttles arrive?

 

[tigerhoo]

I arrived at the port at 10:30 am for a 7 day cruise. Even though we had to wait till noon to board, I was near the head of the line and it went very quickly once boarding started. By noon, the line was incredibly long and I was glad I got there early.

We made a mad dash for Palo's ressies and were among the first ones there, same for the spa and got the times that we wanted for both.

On the Space Center, it is quite a large place and lots to see. You could spend a lot of time there and I'm just wondering if there will be enough time to see everything without feeling rushed. It's also not cheap, $31 for adults and $21 for children.

Just getting on/off the bus to get to the different venues, the IMAX movie, the incredible gift shop, a few hours might not be enough time to do it justice.

They closed the most direct route from the port to the general public for security reasons and you have to go around a longer way to get there. I went there after the cruise and I had to turn back and take the long way.

Hope this info helps.