Check-in questions, advice and tips

[amcnj]

Hi to all experienced cruisers. I want to know more about check-in and boarding. I have read that it is advisable to get to the check-in early. What time does check-in begin? What time is "early"? Also, once you check-in are you obligated to stay in the terminal until boarding, or are you permitted to leave and return later to board? When do the busses from Disney arrive? We are staying at the Radisson at the port and thus have the ability to go back there between check-in and boarding, if permitted. Any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sandee]

There really isn't a lot of time between check in and boarding. The terminal itself is really neat. There's an observation deck where you can watch the ship being loaded and a huge replica of the ship with one side cut away - kids and adults have fun trying to locate their rooms on the model. There are cartoons for the kids and on our last cruise we had goofy in his sailor suit posing for photos. Even if you're the 1st one in line to sign in, we're still often talking about less then 2 hrs. until boarding.

 

[CarolAnnC]

You will find 10:30 am to be the earliest time to arrive at the Port. They are not allowing entry sooner, plus you may run into those who disembarked the ship and are still finishing customs and rounding up their vehicles.

Once you arrive at the Port and check in you will not be able to leave and return. They collect your tickets at check in, and you must show you are a ticketed passenger to enter through the security checkpoints at the road and parking lots outside. I try to arrive some time between 11 am and 12 noon and find that is plenty of time to line up and be one of the first to board the ship. So exciting, just remembering boarding procedure, LOL!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We are staying at the AKL for a few nights before our April 14 cruise. To check in at approximately 11:30 A.M. what time should we leave our hotel and hit the road? What will happen after check in? Will we wait in the terminal for a while or do we board the ship at that point?

Thanks.

HBC

 

[dbkelly]

We are also from the New England area and we will be on the same cruise. See you in less then 2 weeks.

D. B. Kelly

P.S. We have 3 children (DS 9, DD 7 and DD 4).

 

[DiznyMagic]

Hi we are staying at the Sheraton at the Airport in Orlando the night before our cruise and would like to make a grocery stop (we have a babe with us) before boarding the ship. What time do you suggest we leave the hotel?

 

[DiznyMagic]

CarolAnnK,

We are staying the night before our cruise at the Sheraton at Orlando airport. WE would like to make a grocery stop (we have a little babe with us) and make it to the ship no later than 11am. What time do you suggest we leave the airport? I'm not sure how far the store or the port is from the airport.