Embarkation w/transfers question

[liffey]

This is my first Disney cruise...and just second cruise ever.

We are staying at the Four Seasons in Miami and have Disney transfers. How does that work?
Can we request an early time for transfer or is it assigned?

On our only cruise with HAL to Alaska we stayed at the Pan Pacific and just had to put our bags out in the morning (they took it from there), then we just went to the ground floor to check in and board. It was so easy and convenient. We were on board and enjoying lunch by 11:30am.

Was hoping for similar experience in Miami, but TA didn't know of other option but got us Disney Tranfers.

Thanks for advice

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is my first Disney cruise...and just second cruise ever.

We are staying at the Four Seasons in Miami and have Disney transfers. How does that work?
Can we request an early time for transfer or is it assigned?

On our only cruise with HAL to Alaska we stayed at the Pan Pacific and just had to put our bags out in the morning (they took it from there), then we just went to the ground floor to check in and board. It was so easy and convenient. We were on board and enjoying lunch by 11:30am.

Was hoping for similar experience in Miami, but TA didn't know of other option but got us Disney Tranfers.

Thanks for advice

Typically there's only one transfer time from a hotel to the port (at least that's the way it works for Orlando/Port Canaveral).

 

[Shanti]

Typically there's only one transfer time from a hotel to the port (at least that's the way it works for Orlando/Port Canaveral).

Unless you're going from the MCO Hyatt, in which case you can leave at any time the transfer buses are running from the airport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Unless you're going from the MCO Hyatt, in which case you can leave at any time the transfer buses are running from the airport.

Well, yes.....

 

[dcassetta]

This is my first Disney cruise...and just second cruise ever.

We are staying at the Four Seasons in Miami and have Disney transfers. How does that work?
Can we request an early time for transfer or is it assigned?

On our only cruise with HAL to Alaska we stayed at the Pan Pacific and just had to put our bags out in the morning (they took it from there), then we just went to the ground floor to check in and board. It was so easy and convenient. We were on board and enjoying lunch by 11:30am.

Was hoping for similar experience in Miami, but TA didn't know of other option but got us Disney Tranfers.

Thanks for advice

If it doesn't come with your cruise documents, I would guess you'll get information about your transfer pick up time upon arriving at the hotel. That being said, you might want to think about just taking a taxi. From the Four Seasons it would be a flat rate of $27 to the port of Miami. Then, you could leave whatever time you wanted to.

 

[liffey]

Do they pick up luggage from room if you have transfer?
If so, would they still do luggage if I took taxi?

Has anyone actually taken Disney transfers from hotel and remember time they left?

 

[BCV23]

We've used DCL transfers from a hotel twice in Miami. I received info at the hotel after i told them we had DCL transfers. You will receive luggage tags before you leave home inside your cruise booklet. Attach those to the luggage you want them to transfer, leave them just inside your room and the bags will be picked up and transferred for you. Next time you see them will be outside your cabin on the ship. I always leave a tip on top of the luggage. As I recall pickup of the bags began at 8am but the letter will advise you of the particulars for your cruise. Our pickup times were maybe in the 10:30-11:00ish range? The port is quite close. In our experience, boarding at Miami tends to be a it later than at Port Canaveral but you will be on the shipping with plenty of time for lunch.

We were platinum by the time we used transfers to the ship in POM (therefore we can board right after concierge) so can't help you there. When you do on line checkin, pick the earliest time you can but try not to stress about that. You will enjoy a nice lunch on the ship.

 

[BCV23]

Just saw your last post. It's worth a call but I don't think they will transfer your bags if you take a taxi.

 

[liffey]

Thanks...I did call and no they will not take bags if no transfer and they said pick up is late morning or early afternoon.
So thinking I’ll keep all transfers but from hotel to port and just take a cab.
Do you check in your bags at same place as check in to ship? Is this easy (the main reason I thought transfer was good).
Three concerns...first, since this is my first Disney Cruise I have heard I may get shut out of character tickets and other pre cruise sign ups and if you get to ship early enough there may be some opportunities on board...2nd, on my cruise to Alaska it was great to get on board and have time to tour the ship, unpack, and relax before sail away...3rd, I don’t want to miss a minute of magic

 

[BCV23]

Thanks...I did call and no they will not take bags if no transfer and they said pick up is late morning or early afternoon.
So thinking I’ll keep all transfers but from hotel to port and just take a cab.
Do you check in your bags at same place as check in to ship? Is this easy (the main reason I thought transfer was good).
Three concerns...first, since this is my first Disney Cruise I have heard I may get shut out of character tickets and other pre cruise sign ups and if you get to ship early enough there may be some opportunities on board...2nd, on my cruise to Alaska it was great to get on board and have time to tour the ship, unpack, and relax before sail away...3rd, I don’t want to miss a minute of magic

I suspect the agent with whom you spoke was giving a generic answer about pickup time. The response would be accurate if you were being picked up at a WDW hotel. Those buses do arrive later as they first bring passengers from the last cruise to WDW or the airport. But in Miami our experience was that the bus was notably earlier. Not late morning or afternoon.

As for the bags if you choose to take a cab, you will drop them with porters at the curb and then proceed into the terminal to checkin. The bags will be delivered to your cabin just as they would be if you take DCL transfers.

Once you checkin, you will need to wait for your boarding number to be called so being there very early probably won't help with character tickets etc..

Whether you decide on a cab or DCL transfer, you should have plenty of time to have lunch and relax before sailaway. As for unpacking before sail away, that is unrelated to how you get to the ship. The bags are delivered throughout the afternoon. In all of our cruises, only once did a bag arrive so late that I had to wait until after muster to unpack it. Still was totally unpacked before early dinner.

Happy planning.

 

[liffey]

I suspect the agent with whom you spoke was giving a generic answer about pickup time. The response would be accurate if you were being picked up at a WDW hotel. Those buses do arrive later as they first bring passengers from the last cruise to WDW or the airport. But in Miami our experience was that the bus was notably earlier. Not late morning or afternoon.

As for the bags if you choose to take a cab, you will drop them with porters at the curb and then proceed into the terminal to checkin. The bags will be delivered to your cabin just as they would be if you take DCL transfers.

Once you checkin, you will need to wait for your boarding number to be called so being there very early probably won't help with character tickets etc..

Whether you decide on a cab or DCL transfer, you should have plenty of time to have lunch and relax before sailaway. As for unpacking before sail away, that is unrelated to how you get to the ship. The bags are delivered throughout the afternoon. In all of our cruises, only once did a bag arrive so late that I had to wait until after muster to unpack it. Still was totally unpacked before early dinner.

Happy planning.

Thank you