Embarking before slotted time?

[dishsoap]

Our embarking time for the Fantasy is 1:15. But our plan had been to arrive earlier than that and have a nice lunch and hopefully a slide down the aqua duck. What happens if we show up at 11 instead?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our embarking time for the Fantasy is 1:15. But our plan had been to arrive earlier than that and have a nice lunch and hopefully a slide down the aqua duck. What happens if we show up at 11 instead?

The terminal opens around 10:30. With boarding commencing around 11:15-11:30. The Port Arrival Time you selected during the online check in process is tied to the actual boarding number you get at check in at the terminal. The first to board are Concierge followed by Platinum Castaway Club members. Then they start announcing boarding numbers. You will receive the same boarding number whether you check in early or late. So arriving early won't get you a lower boarding number (and, if the terminal is busy, you may be asked to wait until it's less busy, or your actual PAT, whichever occurs first).

Once the boarding number being issued at check in catches up with the boarding number being announced Open Boarding is called. Anyone holding any boarding number may board. This typically happens around 12:30-12:45.

I'd suggest you plan to arrive around 12:15-12:30 for the shortest wait to board after you check in.

 

[ktb2002]

What you're referring to is actually called Port Arrival Time. If you arrive before your time if the terminal is too full you will not be allowed in until a later time. Generally open boarding begins around 12:30 so I would not show up until closer to that time.

 

[Bishoparc]

You probably won't get to board at 11. They board by a boarding group based on your PAT. Depending on how busy the terminal will dictate how soon they start open boarding. Typically by 12:30 they are in open boarding and have heard sometimes as early as noon but doubtful at 11.

We boarded at 1:30 last time on the Dream and honestly felt it was great. Went straight to the room to drop off our carryon's and went straight to Cabannas for lunch. Had plenty of time before the drill at 4:00.

 

[JW9DVC]

Was an earlier time not available? If it wasn't. The directions above that were posted is what's recommended, as your boarding number won't likely be called until about the open boarding time.

JW

 

[dishsoap]

Thanks so much for clearing that up for me. Obviously this is my first cruise

 

[scootch]

Actually friends of mine went last month and had a 1:30pm PAT.... they went at 11 and were on the ship at 11:45am. They were first timers too. Don't think it is enforced very much.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

It all depends on how crowded it is, you could have luck or you could be asked to wait and they don't let you in. We arrive around noon, but mainly because we take it easy on the drive from WDW and it's always been plenty easy for us to board. We've never tried any earlier and really didn't find any need to, since we are never in a hurry to check out from WDW! LOL