Early Port Arrival with Transportation

[tpettie]

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do about transportation for our group.

We want to get to port early so we can get onto the boar ASAP as its just a 3 day cruse we want max time onboard.

We are a group of 9 leaving WDW to cruise for 3 days and then return to WDW.

I read that Happy Limo does pick up between 11-12pm I was hoping to be at the terminal before 11am...

Also I'm curious about the # of bags thing we are in orlando for 16 days so we will have large suitcases and carryon luggage can the vans accommodate this...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do about transportation for our group.

We want to get to port early so we can get onto the boar ASAP as its just a 3 day cruse we want max time onboard.

We are a group of 9 leaving WDW to cruise for 3 days and then return to WDW.

I read that Happy Limo does pick up between 11-12pm I was hoping to be at the terminal before 11am...

Also I'm curious about the # of bags thing we are in orlando for 16 days so we will have large suitcases and carryon luggage can the vans accommodate this...

Have you selected a Port Arrival Time? Private transportation typically will not schedule pickups that will put you at the port earlier than 11:00. Sometimes 12:00.

 

[tpettie]

Have you selected a Port Arrival Time? Private transportation typically will not schedule pickups that will put you at the port earlier than 11:00. Sometimes 12:00.

Our check in time is the 11 -11:15 time slot

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our check in time is the 11 -11:15 time slot

The port opens around 10:30 (sometimes a little earlier), with the terminal opening at 10:30, also. If you arrive earlier than your selected PAT, and the terminal is busy (as it well may be at that time) you may be asked to wait until either your selected PAT or the terminal is less busy, whichever is earlier. At 11:00 there will be a line for check in.

Your actual boarding number that you get at check in at the terminal is tied to your PAT. Earlier PATs have lower boarding numbers. Boarding doesn't begin until 11:15-11:30 with Concierge and Platinum Castaway Club members, followed by the announcement of the boarding numbers. With an 11:00 PAT, I'd hazard a guess that your boarding number will be somewhere around #8-12. And you'll, most likely be onboard by 12:00-12:15. Byt 12:30-12:45 Open Boarding is announced and anyone holding any boarding number may board.

 

[nancyjo1998]

We used FL tours for our last cruise. We scheduled an 10 AM pick up time, we had an 11 AM PAT. Their website does not allow earlier pick ups due to port regulations. The afternoon prior to our pick up the dispatcher contacted us to confirm and asked if it would be ok to pick us up at 945AM. I was ok with that, like you we wanted to get to the port and board as early as we could to maximize our time on the ship. Then I received a text and voicemail from our driver and he let us know he would pick us up at 930AM. FL tours had great communication and were very professional. We will be using them again for our upcoming cruise. Maybe give them a call and see if they can also pick you up a bit earlier then 10AM.
Enjoy your cruise!