DCL Ground Transportation & PAT/Boarding

[Jenn Thompson]

We booked our upcoming cruise very last minute (about 2 weeks before sailing), and therefore our dining time is late, as is our Port Arrival Time (1:30). I'm hoping to move the dining earlier (currently on waitlist), but trying to get onboard ASAP to get on the waitlist there. Is it worth it to do the DCL ground transportation so we can arrive at the port (Miami) early, or is our boarding still going to be late? I know with DCL ground transportation they don't worry about Port Arrival Times, but didn't know if that transferred over to boarding.

 

[Dug720]

Regardless of how you arrive, your Boarding Group is tied to your PAT. So even if you are on the first bus, your Boarding Group will likely be exactly what it would have been if you arrive at 1:30. And yes, I've seen it happen. 2 years ago on the Fantasy, I DID have the first PAT slot and was on the first bus from MCO - and checking in next to me was a family who got on that first bus clearly with the "We're on DCL transportation so it doesn't matter that our PAT is 1:00pm" mindset. They were given a really high Boarding Group number, and when the guy asked, the CM politely explained that the number was pre-assigned based on the Port Arrival Time that had been selected. And so that family got to sit/stand and watch while people who arrived after them but at their correct PAT boarded. Do some CMs occasionally override the assigned Boarding Group? I've heard it happens. But I would not count on it.

 

[Shanti]

We booked our upcoming cruise very last minute (about 2 weeks before sailing), and therefore our dining time is late, as is our Port Arrival Time (1:30). I'm hoping to move the dining earlier (currently on waitlist), but trying to get onboard ASAP to get on the waitlist there. Is it worth it to do the DCL ground transportation so we can arrive at the port (Miami) early, or is our boarding still going to be late? I know with DCL ground transportation they don't worry about Port Arrival Times, but didn't know if that transferred over to boarding.

The only way to completely bypass the PAT/boarding number issue is to use DCL transfers and spend the night prior to the cruise at MCO Hyatt booked via DCL (not independently).

I did this in December and had a 12:30pm PAT (I added on the hotel night after I'd already done online check-in), and arrived earlier than that to a bustling port already filled with people, and was given boarding number 2.

However, even without doing that, if you arrive early you still won't be waiting until 1:30, as open boarding begins way before then.

 

[brentag04]

Does anyone know what time the first bus arrives from Disney resorts. We are usually 1st group for PAT and wondering if we wait for the disney bus if it will be later with a mass of people vs getting private transportation?

also another part of our family booked later so our check in is June 18 and theirs is July 3rd. So we will probably get better PAT will they be able to board with us?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone know what time the first bus arrives from Disney resorts. We are usually 1st group for PAT and wondering if we wait for the disney bus if it will be later with a mass of people vs getting private transportation?

also another part of our family booked later so our check in is June 18 and theirs is July 3rd. So we will probably get better PAT will they be able to board with us?

The first buses from the resorts tend to start arriving around 12:15-12:30.

If the other party with you are the same Castaway Club level as you, their checkin window will open at the same time. It doesn't have anything to do with when you booked.

 

[brentag04]

Thanks!

 

[lanejudy]

We booked our upcoming cruise very last minute (about 2 weeks before sailing), and therefore our dining time is late, as is our Port Arrival Time (1:30). I'm hoping to move the dining earlier (currently on waitlist), but trying to get onboard ASAP to get on the waitlist there. Is it worth it to do the DCL ground transportation so we can arrive at the port (Miami) early, or is our boarding still going to be late? I know with DCL ground transportation they don't worry about Port Arrival Times, but didn't know if that transferred over to boarding.

OP, you are cruising from Miami? I haven't cruised out of there but I have read reports that the terminal can get quite crowded, and that boarding sometimes doesn't start as early as hoped. I know at Port Canaveral boarding typically starts around 11:15 or 11:30, and has "open boarding" called around 12:30pm -- which means anyone can board regardless of PAT or boarding number assigned. I'd suggest you plan to arrive around 12:15/12:30pm.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

OP, you are cruising from Miami? I haven't cruised out of there but I have read reports that the terminal can get quite crowded, and that boarding sometimes doesn't start as early as hoped. I know at Port Canaveral boarding typically starts around 11:15 or 11:30, and has "open boarding" called around 12:30pm -- which means anyone can board regardless of PAT or boarding number assigned. I'd suggest you plan to arrive around 12:15/12:30pm.

Enjoy your cruise!

Also to note - Because Miami is a smaller terminal, they are much more likely to enforce the PAT than they are at Port Canaveral. Across the board - I have friends who have sailed on 3-4 other lines out of Miami and have had the arrival time enforced due to a crowded terminal.