Do I have this right?

[cyndiella]

Our first cruise is coming up in Feb. so... I can do on line check in 75 prior and pick my PAT time.
1) Say I choose 12 noon. Since the Disney buses start arriving about 12:30 I should be good at my chosen time, right?
2) I arrive about 12 noon on a shuttle from the car rental place where I just returned my rental car.
I can drop off my luggage with the porters at the curb, right? (tip them, of course)
3) enter the Terminal, get a boarding number and wait for that to be called, right?
4) during check in, my Florida distilled craft Rum that I just purchased to take home with me will be confiscated. (no problem. I understand and comply with the promise that I can retrieve it at end of cruise) right?
5) Then I can board and seek out some lunch or sign up for tours or M&G's, etc. Room will be ready about 1:30 and my luggage will arrive after that, right?

On debarkation day:
We have Disney Ground Transportation to our Disney Resort reserved and paid for.
6) We have to clear the room by 8 am, right?
7) Do I put my luggage in the hallway the night before to be picked up and taken to the resort? Do I get luggage tags to direct the luggage handlers?
8) When can I pick up my confiscated Rum?? how early or late before the bus loading time? Unsure of that whole procedure... Is it before or after customs?
9) Will I have a bus meet and pick up time scheduled? How does that work?

ANY questions you could answer would be very much appreciated!!

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

Our first cruise is coming up in Feb. so... I can do on line check in 75 prior and pick my PAT time.
1) Say I choose 12 noon. Since the Disney buses start arriving about 12:30 I should be good at my chosen time, right?
Ok, going by question 2, I am assuming you are not taking the Disney Buses you refer to in question 1, if that is the case, my answer would be....take an earlier port arrival time. The sooner that your PAT is, the sooner you will be onboard. Your boarding number is determined in order by PAT (After concierge). I prefer a port arrival time around 10:45 am. By noon, they are already boarding.
2) I arrive about 12 noon on a shuttle from the car rental place where I just returned my rental car.
I can drop off my luggage with the porters at the curb, right? (tip them, of course)
Yes. you can drop your luggage off with the porter.
3) enter the Terminal, get a boarding number and wait for that to be called, right?
Yes, you will enter the terminal, go through security, check in with an agent and you will be given your boarding number. You then can go meet Mickey and/or Minnie for pictures, get your kids their kids club magic bands (if applicable) and take a seat to wait for your number to be called. The numbers are called quite quickly in sequential order.
4) during check in, my Florida distilled craft Rum that I just purchased to take home with me will be confiscated. (no problem. I understand and comply with the promise that I can retrieve it at end of cruise) right?
I know that they will take your rum from you, and I know that you can get it back at the end, but I am not sure the ins and outs of that. My last DCL cruise was back when you could still bring any liquor on board.
5) Then I can board and seek out some lunch or sign up for tours or M&G's, etc. Room will be ready about 1:30 and my luggage will arrive after that, right?
Yes, this is correct.

On debarkation day:
We have Disney Ground Transportation to our Disney Resort reserved and paid for.
6) We have to clear the room by 8 am, right?
I believe this depends on if you had early or late seating. Someone else may be able to clarify.
7) Do I put my luggage in the hallway the night before to be picked up and taken to the resort? Do I get luggage tags to direct the luggage handlers?
Florida local so I am not sure of the answer to this, other than yes, you will leave your luggage outside of your room the night before to be picked up. Don't forget to keep clothes for the next day. Sounds like a duh, but people have been seen debarking in PJs
8) When can I pick up my confiscated Rum?? how early or late before the bus loading time? Unsure of that whole procedure... Is it before or after customs?
Can't answer this one.
9) Will I have a bus meet and pick up time scheduled? How does that work?
Or this one. LOL

ANY questions you could answer would be very much appreciated!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our first cruise is coming up in Feb. so... I can do on line check in 75 prior and pick my PAT time.
1) Say I choose 12 noon. Since the Disney buses start arriving about 12:30 I should be good at my chosen time, right?
2) I arrive about 12 noon on a shuttle from the car rental place where I just returned my rental car.
I can drop off my luggage with the porters at the curb, right? (tip them, of course)
3) enter the Terminal, get a boarding number and wait for that to be called, right?
4) during check in, my Florida distilled craft Rum that I just purchased to take home with me will be confiscated. (no problem. I understand and comply with the promise that I can retrieve it at end of cruise) right?
5) Then I can board and seek out some lunch or sign up for tours or M&G's, etc. Room will be ready about 1:30 and my luggage will arrive after that, right?

On debarkation day:
We have Disney Ground Transportation to our Disney Resort reserved and paid for.
6) We have to clear the room by 8 am, right?
7) Do I put my luggage in the hallway the night before to be picked up and taken to the resort? Do I get luggage tags to direct the luggage handlers?
8) When can I pick up my confiscated Rum?? how early or late before the bus loading time? Unsure of that whole procedure... Is it before or after customs?
9) Will I have a bus meet and pick up time scheduled? How does that work?

ANY questions you could answer would be very much appreciated!!

2) I'd suggest you drop off luggage and any extra passengers before turning in the car. It's much easier for one person without luggage to catch the shuttle back to the port. Tips for baggage handling is nice.
4) Correct
5) Correct
6) Yes - out of room by 8:00, and off the ship by 9:00. Unless you are concierge.
7) Yes, you put your bags outside the door the night before (if you wish). You will retrieve the bags in the terminal once off the ship, take them through customs/immigration and then hand them off to the bus driver for your DCL transfers.
8) There's a spot onboard the ship (usually in the atrium - a table or at Port Adventures) where you pick up the held alcohol. Pick up is debarkation morning.
9) No. Once off the ship and through customs you go to the bus loading area. Check in with a CM there and they will direct you to the bus that's going to your resort. One note - buses to the resorts don't start leaving until 9:00. Each bus may stop at up to 3 resorts, so you might not be the only stop for it.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

2) I arrive about 12 noon on a shuttle from the car rental place where I just returned my rental car.
I can drop off my luggage with the porters at the curb, right? (tip them, of course)


On debarkation day:
We have Disney Ground Transportation to our Disney Resort reserved and paid for.
6) We have to clear the room by 8 am, right?
7) Do I put my luggage in the hallway the night before to be picked up and taken to the resort? Do I get luggage tags to direct the luggage handlers?
8) When can I pick up my confiscated Rum?? how early or late before the bus loading time? Unsure of that whole procedure... Is it before or after customs?
9) Will I have a bus meet and pick up time scheduled? How does that work?

I just wanted to add a few things to what DisneySunPrincess already posted.

2) You might want to drive your rental car to the port and drop off your luggage, then return the car. That way you don't have to deal with all your luggage on the rental car shuttle. You'll just have your carry on bag.

6) Yes, you are supposed to be out of your stateroom by 8:00am. They want people off the ship by around 9:00am.
7) You will be given luggage tags with a character on them. That helps you find your luggage at customs. You still need to pick up your luggage in the terminal, go through customs with it, then take it to the bus which will transport you to the resort. The only people who get to bypass getting their luggage in the terminal are those going to MCO and using the onboard airline checkin process.
8) Not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but I believe I read the desk to pick up the confiscated alcohol opens around 7:00am. The pick up is on the ship. Don't get off the ship without picking up your rum!
9) Again not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but my understanding is the buses to the resorts leave around 9:00am.

 

[PlanoNana]

Then I can board and seek out some lunch or sign up for tours or M&G's,

If by tours you mean port adventures you can book those and some meet and greets when your booking window opens at 75 days. Some shipboard stuff you have to sign up for on board.

 

[cyndiella]

Wow! Thanks for all the great answers and info!

Our first cruise is coming up in Feb. so... I can do on line check in 75 prior and pick my PAT time.
1) Say I choose 12 noon. Since the Disney buses start arriving about 12:30 I should be good at my chosen time, right?
Ok, going by question 2, I am assuming you are not taking the Disney Buses you refer to in question 1, if that is the case, my answer would be....take an earlier port arrival time. The sooner that your PAT is, the sooner you will be onboard. Your boarding number is determined in order by PAT (After concierge). I prefer a port arrival time around 10:45 am. By noon, they are already boarding.
2) I arrive about 12 noon on a shuttle from the car rental place where I just returned my rental car.
I can drop off my luggage with the porters at the curb, right? (tip them, of course)
Yes. you can drop your luggage off with the porter.
3) enter the Terminal, get a boarding number and wait for that to be called, right?
Yes, you will enter the terminal, go through security, check in with an agent and you will be given your boarding number. You then can go meet Mickey and/or Minnie for pictures, get your kids their kids club magic bands (if applicable) and take a seat to wait for your number to be called. The numbers are called quite quickly in sequential order.
4) during check in, my Florida distilled craft Rum that I just purchased to take home with me will be confiscated. (no problem. I understand and comply with the promise that I can retrieve it at end of cruise) right?
I know that they will take your rum from you, and I know that you can get it back at the end, but I am not sure the ins and outs of that. My last DCL cruise was back when you could still bring any liquor on board.
5) Then I can board and seek out some lunch or sign up for tours or M&G's, etc. Room will be ready about 1:30 and my luggage will arrive after that, right?
Yes, this is correct.

On debarkation day:
We have Disney Ground Transportation to our Disney Resort reserved and paid for.
6) We have to clear the room by 8 am, right?
I believe this depends on if you had early or late seating. Someone else may be able to clarify.
7) Do I put my luggage in the hallway the night before to be picked up and taken to the resort? Do I get luggage tags to direct the luggage handlers?
Florida local so I am not sure of the answer to this, other than yes, you will leave your luggage outside of your room the night before to be picked up. Don't forget to keep clothes for the next day. Sounds like a duh, but people have been seen debarking in PJs
8) When can I pick up my confiscated Rum?? how early or late before the bus loading time? Unsure of that whole procedure... Is it before or after customs?
Can't answer this one.
9) Will I have a bus meet and pick up time scheduled? How does that work?
Or this one. LOL

ANY questions you could answer would be very much appreciated!!

2) I'd suggest you drop off luggage and any extra passengers before turning in the car. It's much easier for one person without luggage to catch the shuttle back to the port. Tips for baggage handling is nice.
4) Correct
5) Correct
6) Yes - out of room by 8:00, and off the ship by 9:00. Unless you are concierge.
7) Yes, you put your bags outside the door the night before (if you wish). You will retrieve the bags in the terminal once off the ship, take them through customs/immigration and then hand them off to the bus driver for your DCL transfers.
8) There's a spot onboard the ship (usually in the atrium - a table or at Port Adventures) where you pick up the held alcohol. Pick up is debarkation morning.
9) No. Once off the ship and through customs you go to the bus loading area. Check in with a CM there and they will direct you to the bus that's going to your resort. One note - buses to the resorts don't start leaving until 9:00. Each bus may stop at up to 3 resorts, so you might not be the only stop for it.

I just wanted to add a few things to what DisneySunPrincess already posted.

2) You might want to drive your rental car to the port and drop off your luggage, then return the car. That way you don't have to deal with all your luggage on the rental car shuttle. You'll just have your carry on bag.

6) Yes, you are supposed to be out of your stateroom by 8:00am. They want people off the ship by around 9:00am.
7) You will be given luggage tags with a character on them. That helps you find your luggage at customs. You still need to pick up your luggage in the terminal, go through customs with it, then take it to the bus which will transport you to the resort. The only people who get to bypass getting their luggage in the terminal are those going to MCO and using the onboard airline checkin process.
8) Not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but I believe I read the desk to pick up the confiscated alcohol opens around 7:00am. The pick up is on the ship. Don't get off the ship without picking up your rum!
9) Again not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but my understanding is the buses to the resorts leave around 9:00am.

 

[cyndiella]

I just wanted to add a few things to what DisneySunPrincess already posted.

2) You might want to drive your rental car to the port and drop off your luggage, then return the car. That way you don't have to deal with all your luggage on the rental car shuttle. You'll just have your carry on bag.
There is just the two of us, DH and me... we'll have 1 med/large luggage and maybe 2 carry on size.. so manageable for us. Do the car rental shuttles let us drop off the luggage and then take us to the terminal? Is is far between the two? I have never been to Port Canaveral so I cannot picture how this works...


7) You will be given luggage tags with a character on them. That helps you find your luggage at customs. You still need to pick up your luggage in the terminal, go through customs with it, Why bother putting it outside our room the night before if we just have to retrieve it in the terminal?? then take it to the bus which will transport you to the resort.
8) Not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but I believe I read the desk to pick up the confiscated alcohol opens around 7:00am. The pick up is on the ship. Don't get off the ship without picking up your rum! Will do!!
9) Again not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but my understanding is the buses to the resorts leave around 9:00am. Are there latter times for other buses in case we miss the 9 am? Is debarking that quick and easy??

Thanks again for helping me understand the process!

 

[lanejudy]

There is just the two of us, DH and me... we'll have 1 med/large luggage and maybe 2 carry on size.. so manageable for us. Do the car rental shuttles let us drop off the luggage and then take us to the terminal? Is is far between the two? I have never been to Port Canaveral so I cannot picture how this works...

There isn't a lot of space for luggage on the car rental shuttles. It's simply easier to get 1 or 2 passengers on a shuttle with no luggage; otherwise you may need to wait for the next shuttle. Yes, you can drop your luggage at the terminal and then return the rental. Most of the car rental agencies are only about 5 minutes shuttle ride from the port.

Why bother putting it outside our room the night before if we just have to retrieve it in the terminal??

Because there are no luggage carts and relatively small elevators with crowds of people all trying to exit the same morning. You are welcome to keep your luggage with you in the room and carry it off in the morning, but DCL offers to get it off the ship into the terminal for you as a convenience.

Are there latter times for other buses in case we miss the 9 am? Is debarking that quick and easy??

All passengers are asked to be out of their staterooms by 8:00am and off the ship by 9:00am. Debarkation typically starts around 7:15 or 7:30am, as soon as the ship is cleared by Customs. Breakfast is assigned in the MDRs the last morning, with those having early dinner assigned to early (6:45am?) breakfast and those with late dinner given an 8:00am breakfast. Cabanas is also open the last morning until 8:00am. There is nothing to do onboard, I'm sure you won't have trouble being off the ship to meet the buses, however as long as you have purchased DCL transfers they won't leave you stranded.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[cyndiella]

Thanks for all the help... I'm rather OCD on planning.. lol. I have all your suggestions written down in my cruise file now so everything will run smooth for our vacation!
Love the Disboards!!

 

[Quellman]

I just wanted to add a few things to what DisneySunPrincess already posted.
8) Not 100% on this since I haven't done it, but I believe I read the desk to pick up the confiscated alcohol opens around 7:00am. The pick up is on the ship. Don't get off the ship without picking up your rum!

This is essential. They will not let you back on the boat to get it. On our two cruises on the dream, the pick up location was on the right hand side of the exit doors, back into the corner a little bit. So you HAVE to make sure you seek them out. Also, not just confiscated alcohol, but duty free as well!

 

[MickeyD]

With the amount of luggage you will be carrying, I want to assure you that you will be fine on the rental car shuttle. We have never had a problem getting on with our luggage and then being dropped at the port. Keeping it with you on debarking is also relatively painless despite crowded elevators etc. We travel like this and have never had a problem moving ourselves and our luggage through the crowd. That said, it is also easy to allow Disney to grab your luggage the night before debarking and pick it up in the marked area prior to customs. Either way is pretty painless.

 

[kiford]

Thanks for all the help... I'm rather OCD on planning.. lol. I have all your suggestions written down in my cruise file now so everything will run smooth for our vacation!
Love the Disboards!!

Just for your peace of mind - DCL will tell you everything you need to know. Several times over, at different times, and in different ways. They will take you by the hand and walk you through everything and anyone can answer your questions. We didn't even know what questions to ask on our first cruise, debarkation procedures never even occurred to me, never even thought about tips and how that was handled, and was worried about the lifeboat drill. Pretty much every question we had - and ones we didn't know we had - were answered before we even asked.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

1) Say I choose 12 noon. Since the Disney buses start arriving about 12:30 I should be good at my chosen time, right?

I assume you were saying this to find the "sweet spot" to avoid the lines of people who arrive first thing, but also avoid the lines of people who will come on the Disney buses. If this is your desire, to minimize waits in line, then your plan is excellent. The initial flood will have cleared out, and the later flood won't have started yet. You'll have less lines at security, at check in, and they might even be calling open boarding by the time you check in so that you won't have to wait to get on either. Plus, you'll have less time to wait for your room to be ready, or if you don't have a lot of carry on's, you can skip the lines again: When they announce the rooms are ready, don't queue up in hallway to get to your room, go to cabanas for lunch at that time. Cabanas will empty at that time as everybody who has already eaten will flood to the rooms. Of course, I wanted to get on the ship ASAP, so what do I know?

This is essential. They will not let you back on the boat to get it. On our two cruises on the dream, the pick up location was on the right hand side of the exit doors, back into the corner a little bit. So you HAVE to make sure you seek them out. Also, not just confiscated alcohol, but duty free as well!

I also want to emphasize this, since you know you will have alcohol to pick up. (who knows? you might buy more during the trip at the various ports!)
The table Quellman speaks of is to the right side of the exit doors in the main lobby of the ship, but it is out of the way, and NOT Labeled IN ANY WAY. I saw more than one person get off the ship and say "OK, where is my alcohol" only to find out that they had missed it.

Another thing, if you are putting your luggage in the hallway (which I recommend), be advised that you have to have it out there by 10:00 PM. This may or may not be a problem for you. We were still in full vacation mode that night (seeing shows, going places, hanging out) and so packing by 10 was a challenge. Somehow, I was under the (wrong) impression that they picked up the luggage much later in the night.

So to recap, the debarkation process is like this:

Luggage out in the hall by 10:00 PM the night before (optional, Disney character tags on each bag.)
Out of the room by 8:00.
Get your alcohol BEFORE you get off the ship.
Off the ship by 9:00.
Pick up your luggage according the the character tag you were given.
Go through customs.
Go outside the terminal and go to your bus. (The CMs will tell you where to go.)

Oh, one more thing. I don't know if you are doing Shutters picture package. We were told by a Shutters person, that the USB would be delivered to our stateroom that last night, but that was not correct. We had to go pick it up that last morning. No big deal, but we thought we were going to get to avoid that line.

 

[cyndiella]

Fantastic suggestions and info!!!! I'm adding to my notes in my Cruise file! Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Dug720]

Make sure NOT to pack what you plan to wear home or you'll be leaving the ship in pajamas.

 

[cyndiella]

I also want to emphasize this, since you know you will have alcohol to pick up. (who knows? you might buy more during the trip at the various ports!)
The table Quellman speaks of is to the right side of the exit doors in the main lobby of the ship, but it is out of the way, and NOT Labeled IN ANY WAY. I saw more than one person get off the ship and say "OK, where is my alcohol" only to find out that they had missed it.

Thanks! The only time DCL will not tell you what you need to know!

Where would I be without you wonderful people!!!