Cruise Arrival Time question

[sharon1973]

We are going on our first disney cruise next week. I did not understand the importance of early online check in and now I have a 2:30pm arrival time. However, I will have arrived in Florida the day before. How much does Disney stick to the arrival time? Will they make us wait till 2:30? Thanks

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We are going on our first disney cruise next week. I did not understand the importance of early online check in and now I have a 2:30pm arrival time. However, I will have arrived in Florida the day before. How much does Disney stick to the arrival time? Will they make us wait till 2:30? Thanks

They do stick to it up to open boarding that normally occurs around 12.30.

Your PAT is linked to your boarding card so people with later PATS have higher boarding card numbers.

So if cruisers turn up at 10.30 the one with an earlier PAT will get a lower boarding card number than a person whose PAT is later in the day,

Now if boarding goes to plan around 12.30 ish they will have cleared the queues and be on open boarding so whatever your number you should get on quickly, however the risk is it doesn't go to plan the terminal is full and they do not let you in.

 

[sharon1973]

Thanks. So basically I can get there around 12:30 and hope for the best

 

[Donna M]

Yes, arrive around 12:30. We arrived around that time for our first cruise and it was a great start to the cruise. The terminal wasn't crowded and we walked on after we checked in. When people arrive around 11, the place is packed and you have to wait to board the ship.