Couple questions about Dream and Port Canaveral

[CallieS]

Hi there. I will be on the Dream for the first time in March. Yay! I've been reading threads and noticed some things being mentioned that I have additional questions about.

1. In a very old thread (from 2011), someone mentioned that there is "assigned" seating in Cabanas? Is that still the case? If so, what does that mean and how does it work?

2. In another thread (from 2016), I read that the Port Canaveral terminal doesn't open until 10:30am, and people were waiting in line in the parking garage before they could enter the terminal. Is that true? Sounds unpleasant. I think my port arrival time is either 10:30 or 10:45am, but I'll probably end up being there earlier than that, so I'm just wondering what to expect. We're driving our own car and were planning on parking at the port.

Thanks!

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

There is no assigned seating in Cabanas. On dinner nights, it's table service, meaning they will seat you.

We get there early and line up in the garage. I like to be early. It's not a big deal at all!

 

[mmouse37]

I have never seen Cabanas with assigned seating, ever, so not sure what that person's post was about. I have seen where they open one side of Cabanas and not the other until needed but never assigned seating.

I am not sure what time the port officially opens but we usually get there around 10:15 or so and didn't have to wait outside. Earlier than that we have waited outside. We have also waited in our car if we got there too early and they were not letting cars into the port yet.

Parking is very easy at the port. You pull up, drop your bags at the curb, find a porter to hand them off to, tip them, then drive into the parking garage to park (or the surface lot). Then you just walk over the raised walkway if you park on the second floor of the garage or cross the street on street level to get into the terminal.

MJ

 

[CallieS]

Here is the link to the thread regarding assigned seating, if you're curious. See posts 10, 16 and 17. But like I said, it's from 2011, so they probably did away with it. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dream-aft-elevator-comes-out-in-cabanas.2642659/

Okay, now back to the lines in the parking garage. haha. At other ports, usually the majority of my family is dropped off at the front door, and the driver goes to park the car and walks back to meet the rest of us. Will that work here, or should all of us stay with the car (after we drop the bags off) and walk to the terminal together?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You can definitely drop your family off with your bags. Hey, maybe the porters will take them too! If not, your family can go through security and get in line for check-in and then you can join them once you park.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Cabanas never has assigned seats like the MDRs. At dinner (with the exception of the first & last nights) you can walk up to a podium in Cananas and be seated for a table service meal. Still not assigned per se. I think the greeter people they were talking about in that thread were stationed near where the elevator lobby spills into the restaurant so they can herd the people. Eating? This way to the food. Passing through? This way to the exit doors.

You can drop your family & luggage curbside at the port while 1 person parks the car. Or, drop luggage with the porters curbside, park the car, & the whole family line up in the garage. People line up both up in the garage & outside by the gate curbside. It's 2 different entrance points to the terminal. If you get there just before 10:30 you won't have long to wait.

 

[NAB]

Yep we have been in the line up on the cross over of the garage a few times. When you go check in with the security people they will tell you to go up there or around the the ground doors . Each leads to the x ray scans for your carry on luggage. This line usually doesn't take that long. Then you go into the terminal to stand in another line. If it is your first trip make sure your whole party is with you . They take one picture of all of you for the records.

I too have never seen Assigned seating in Cabanas. You just go up and find a table and do the buffet. If you chose the seat down restraunt they will seat you at a table and others may come and join you at the same table. Then you go up and get the buffet. This one they will bring you your drinks.

 

[Quellman]

Here is the link to the thread regarding assigned seating, if you're curious. See posts 10, 16 and 17. But like I said, it's from 2011, so they probably did away with it. http://www.disboards.com/threads/dream-aft-elevator-comes-out-in-cabanas.2642659/

Okay, now back to the lines in the parking garage. haha. At other ports, usually the majority of my family is dropped off at the front door, and the driver goes to park the car and walks back to meet the rest of us. Will that work here, or should all of us stay with the car (after we drop the bags off) and walk to the terminal together?

I can see the confusion. There are people who will help find a seat if you need one. The greeters are just trying to get people to where you are going. The hard part about the stairs/elevators in the middle of the restaurant is telling the greeter there that you do not need a wipe since you are just passing through!

Yes, what you described will work, as long as everyone has their identification, and their confirmation number would be handy as well. You can meet back up inside the terminal if you choose before you get in line to check in!

 

[RedSox68]

I've never seen assigned seating at Cabanas -- or any other ship in the old Topsiders, etc. for dinner.

 

[CallieS]

Thanks, everyone, for the help! I'm not new to cruising, but new to this ship and port, so I feel like a total newbie!