Do earlier PAT times ever come available?

[FigmentSpark]

First, is a PAT of 11:15 decent? It seems like we'll be in the thick of people at that time.

Second, do earlier PATs ever come available? Is it worth checking on a regular basis?

Maybe this should have been second... can you change your PAT?

 

[phinz]

If you're worried that 11:15 will be crowded, just show up at 12:30. Things will have calmed down a lot by then.

You can show up whenever you want to when it comes down to it. I've not really heard of anybody being made to wait because their PAT was later.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with @phinz above that if you're concerned about being in the thick of people you should get there later. A lot of folks are in a hurry to start their vacation and the terminal gets really crowded until actual boarding starts closer to noon. Once people have started to board the crowd in the terminal disappear. By arriving at 12:30 or so you'll most likely be able to just walk up to the check-in desk and then right on board.

 

[FigmentSpark]

That may be what we do, but as first-timers, we were hoping to get there earlier. There is something to be said for not lugging our carry-ons around for 2 hours, too.

So you think I'm right and it will be packed by then?

Should I bother checking the PATs to see if anything earlier comes up or is that a rarity that's not worth the time?

 

[adamki]

It's worth checking for earlier times. I had an earlier PAT appear for our last cruise. It happened within a week of my original check in.

 

[lanejudy]

I think 11:15 isn't too bad, actually. It won't be as "quiet" as a 12:30pm arrival, but an earlier arrival will definitely be dealing with crowds -- lines at security, lines at check-in, crowds waiting to board, etc. By 11:15 boarding should be just starting, so those crowds will begin thinning out just as you get there and your wait in the terminal will likely be shorter than an earlier arrival. Those with an earlier PAT simply spend more time waiting in the terminal just to board a few minutes earlier.

But to answer your first question -- yes, it's possible for an earlier PAT to open. The closer you are to the cruise date, probably the lower the possibility, but it is possible.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[anricat]

What ship are you sailing? The earliest PAT for the classics is 11 and the earliest for the Dream/Fantasy are 10:30.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Sorry, Fantasy

 

[Sytrace]

We have had PAT's at 10:30 and a couple at 11:15. They start calling Boarding groups at about 11:15 to 11:30 (at least that is our experience in 10/11 cruises out of PC) Now that we are platinum...we don't have a PAT but still get there by 10:30.
The 11:15 PAT had us on th ship by around 11:45. We also had a PAT of 11:45 and were on the ship by noon. It moves quickly once they start calling boarding numbers, which are tied to your PAT.
I would suggest keeping the carryon's to a minimum if at all possible to avoid getting bogged down while you wait for the cabin to be available.

As for your PAT, I think you will be quite pleased the way that it is. The terminal really does thin out once they start calling boarding groups. A bit of advice that I am sure others will agree with, go to the aft of the ship and take those elevators to Deck 11 once you get onboard. The forward and midship elevators are insane. And aft will land you right there at Cabanas for the buffet. Or if you want to go to Enchanted Garden for lunch (which is still a buffet, but they bring you drinks and it is a bit calmer) go down the Deck 2 midship (stairs are right there in the Atrium as you walk in)

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks, Sytrace. Glad to hear similar good experiences. And thanks for the elevator tip.