boarding questions

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

What time check in starts now?
What time boarding starts?
thanks

 

[aprilgail2]

We got to the port around 1015 or so...were probably in the top 100 to board and they started just before noon.

 

[TraSee]

We arrived for our last cruise, this past March, at around 10:15. We were on the ship and enjoying lunch by 12n.
Tracy

 

[kcashner]

Port opens to incoming traffic at 10:00. Counters open for check in at 10:30. Ship boarding is scheduled to start at 11:45, but in reality can be a few minutes earlier or later depending on when they are ready for you.

We've always gotten to the port about 11 and had no problems getting any desired ressies/tickets on that schedule.

 

[vossjemi]

Is your room ready when you get on board? Or do you have to lug your carryon's around until it is ready? What time is it ready?

 

[lkohawaii]

Can someone please tell me what happens after you check in? Do you just wait around to get on the ship.

 

[paulmc80]

After you check-in you can just browse around inside the terminal. There are some things of interest there, such as a model of the Magic in quite excellent detail. Or, you can stand in the line waiting to board the ship. If you're a concierge passenger you can wait in that lounge area. There are benches to sit on in the terminal.

Of course, you only have to wait around until boarding commences. The line goes quite quickly after that. So, if you're checking in after boarding begins you may very well not have any line at all to stand in. In that case you may be checking in and getting right on the ship.

Personally, I dislike standing in line, but I do like getting there early. I just don't care for standing still. I like walking around and just looking at things or walking and watching people check-in.

 

[eye R.N.]

Which is why I keep our carry on's to the bear essentials. We get to the port early, my kids get in line equiped with the game boy and the laptop. I check in and join them. They then take turns wander the lobby until boarding time.

We have had great luck in meeting nice people in line, and have had a wonderful conversation with the CM who starts the boarding process.

Just remember the folks who ponied up for the high price suites, families with Make a Wish or similiar programs and folks in wheelchairs will board ahead of everyone else. So if you see a crowd not in line, don't let it phase you.

 

[drclaws]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
We have had great luck in meeting nice people in line, and have had a wonderful conversation with the CM who starts the boarding process.

That was definitely part of the fun. We sat on the nice cool marble flooring with a very friendly family behind us and had a great time chatting. We seemed to run into on board every day and at the DVC reception.