Families with different PATs

[ascherm]

My family is cruising on the Magic out of Miami on Friday. We have 3 rooms and linked reservations. I selected the PAT for 11:30 for my family and for my parents. My brother's family forgot to go online to select their PAT until several weeks after us. Their PAT is 1:00. My brother's family is considering staying at the hotel for longer that morning until it's closer to their PAT. Is there any chance at all that they would be able to board with the rest of us around 11:30? Or is it better for them to wait at the hotel? Thank you for any information that anyone can share!

 

[Dug720]

First, your PAT is not your boarding time. When you check in at the terminal, you will be given a Boarding Group number. That is tied to the PAT.

Parties with different Boarding Groups (again, your Boarding Group is tied to your PAT, so it is highly unlikely you'd be assigned the same one) who want to board together are asked to board with the party with the highest Boarding Group number. So you'd have to wait for their number or Open Boarding, whichever comes first.

Also, the Miami terminal is a lot smaller than the one in PC, so there is a chance they would not be allowed in until their PAT or when the terminal cleared more.

 

[anricat]

We're also cruising on Friday on the Magic.

You should all be able to go together, but if the terminal is full, those with a later PAT may need to wait, however, it's not usually a problem. Your boarding number is tied to your PAT so they will get a higher boarding number. That said, once they start calling numbers, it goes really fast and they'll open it up to everyone probably by 12:30. So I probably wouldn't wait until 1, but 11:30-12 is probably a safe bet.

 

[ascherm]

Thank you for the responses. I think I knew that PATs are tied with boarding times, but you both explained it more clearly. Could my family and my parents go ahead and board if we're assigned to earlier groups? Or are we required to wait until my brother's higher number is called?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you for the responses. I think I knew that PATs are tied with boarding times, but you both explained it more clearly. Could my family and my parents go ahead and board if we're assigned to earlier groups? Or are we required to wait until my brother's higher number is called?

Each room may board when their particular boarding number is called, if you wish.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thank you for the responses. I think I knew that PATs are tied with boarding times, but you both explained it more clearly. Could my family and my parents go ahead and board if we're assigned to earlier groups? Or are we required to wait until my brother's higher number is called?

You are welcome to board together when the higher boarding number is called. Those with lower boarding numbers can either board earlier or wait until the higher number is called.

 

[ascherm]

What time does boarding usually begin? Thanks again for all of this helpful information!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What time does boarding usually begin? Thanks again for all of this helpful information!

Boarding typically begins around 11:15 with B2B cruisers first, followed by Concierge guests, then Platinum Castaway Club members. Then they start calling boarding numbers.

That can vary, depending on a lot of factors, our EBTA didn't start boarding until after noon.

 

[Dug720]

Boarding typically begins around 11:15 with B2B cruisers first, followed by Concierge guests, then Platinum Castaway Club members. Then they start calling boarding numbers.

That can vary, depending on a lot of factors, our EBTA didn't start boarding until after noon.

Miami usually starts 11:30-11:45 - the terminal technically doesn't open until 11.