Boarding question....

[markm0926]

So, is it better to rush to the port early, and hang around waiting in line or to show up maybe around 1 o'clock or so and just stroll onto the ship.......Or would that even happen if you got there around 1 ??

Thanks in advance!!

 

[GenieDana]

Originally posted by markm0926
So, is it better to rush to the port early, and hang around waiting in line or to show up maybe around 1 o'clock or so and just stroll onto the ship.......Or would that even happen if you got there around 1 ??

You seem to have your mind made up already...

I prefer to get as much time in (on board) as I can, so prefer to board as early as I can. However, others will agree with your painting of getting there early as a "rush" and "hang around waiting in line" which by the way way if you do it right it is neither.

Getting there early has the following advantages:

More time on board - Do the math, calucalute what the cruise costs in $ / hour

Sparsly populated terminal - Good for pictures, and character encounters

Only one person in your party needs to wait and hold your place in line, and you can switch off between holders.

Board early - the announcement crew is more enthusiastic in the beginning

Best chances of at the terminal upgrades - Early bird gets the worm

Enjoy the pools by yourself - Our kids were in the Mickey pool exclusively for 30 minutes before the next folks even showed up, and it was almost until 1 P.M. until the crowds began to arrive. They did that slide at least 20 times each, and got their "fix"

Get your ressies, No lines, No crouds, every spot is available

ectcetera...

 

[markm0926]

I didn't mean for my post to sound like I felt some people "rushed", and "hung around"
I guess what I really wanted to know was - If I get there at say 10:30 - will we board around 1 anyways ? Or if we get there at 1 will we not board till 3 maybe ?

Thanks!

 

[disneyfan73]

So what time is best to get to terminal??? We will be driving to PC from WDW with a rental car (budget). Plan is to drop-off family and luggage at terminal then drop off rental at budget and shuttle back to port.

What is the earliest time that you can arrive at terminal? I for one want to be there first thing in the morning.


Jeff

 

[TheWog]

Originally posted by markm0926
I didn't mean for my post to sound like I felt some people "rushed", and "hung around"
I guess what I really wanted to know was - If I get there at say 10:30 - will we board around 1 anyways ? Or if we get there at 1 will we not board till 3 maybe ?

Thanks!

They usually open the ship up around 12:00 noon or so for boarding. Your rooms may not be ready until around 1:00 - 1:30, but you can go grab a bite or use the pool until they are. Muster drill is at 4:00 so everyone should be on before 3:30 or so the latest. We got there a little after 11:00 and hung around in the terminal. That is actually a neat place with a scale model of the ship, photo ops with characters a little snack area and movies playing. You can explore the ship to get your bearings if you get there early if that matters to you at all.