Fastest way on the boat in the morning - Tips?

[ethanwa]

I just did online check-in and the earliest I could get was 11:15-11:30 check-in (the three time slots before that are gray).

How early should I get in line for check-in before 11:15 to get the best chance of earlier boarding? Or does it matter?

Are there any other tips to ensure that I get on the boat ASAP? We want to swim, eat, and have a good couple of extra hours if possible.

It's been almost 4 years since my last cruise, so I need a refresher course.

 

[antlawn]

Concierge. Otherwise, your boarding number is based on your Check-in time.

 

[Shanti]

I just did online check-in and the earliest I could get was 11:15-11:30 check-in (the three time slots before that are gray).

How early should I get in line for check-in before 11:15 to get the best chance of earlier boarding? Or does it matter?

Are there any other tips to ensure that I get on the boat ASAP? We want to swim, eat, and have a good couple of extra hours if possible.

It's been almost 4 years since my last cruise, so I need a refresher course.

In 2016 we spent the night before at the MCO Hyatt booked via DCL, then took the DCL transfer bus there in the morning. No PAT required. We were in boarding group 2, right after concierge & platinum.

In 2017, we flew in morning of, and took a DCL bus to the port, arriving after open boarding had started. Still had no problem swimming and riding the Aqua Duck with no long lines upon arrival.

You can show up at 10:30 (port opening), even if your PAT is for a later time. They won't turn you away, you'll just get a higher boarding number, and therefore have to wait a bit longer to board. But they go through the boarding numbers quickly, and open boarding is still well before noon, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the ship before it gets packed with people.

Concierge. Otherwise, your boarding number is based on your Check-in time.

Not true. If you stay pre-cruise at the Hyatt booked via DCL & also take the DCL bus to port, you will not need a PAT and might get a low boarding number. We got boarding number 2 this way, even though we were not on one of the first buses to the port, and arrived to a port already filled with people. And we sailed in a standard inside stateroom.

And even with a high boarding number, as long as you board around noon or earlier, you'll still get a jump on pool deck crowds and have plenty of time for lunch.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We had 11:15 last year. It was fine. I understand the excitement of it all, though. We got to the port around 10:30, got boarding group 9 (whatever that means, because it's not in order, I don't think). We walked right up to check in and then found a place to wait until boarding started. There was a line to board, but then, we were boarding group 9 and others were in front of us, as well. When we got on the ship, Cabanas was busy, but we were able to find a table, so it wasn't so bad.

So, if you don't find another way to get an earlier time, just know that it's not that bad a time.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Last dcl cruise we were on they did not even start boarding until almost 12. And we had the first boarding time slot. My kids were spread out on the floor saying whheenn's it gonnna ooopen. Never again.. never arriving at the port before 12:30.

 

[Lori74]

we are taking dcl transfer from resort, should we expect to get there later than most?

 

[Winston Wolf]

Stay overnight local to port canaveral. Minimizes delays on getting to the port.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

They don't start actually boarding until around 11:20-11:30 at the earliest. Once they start calling boarding numbers, it seems to go really fast. With an 11:15 PAT, you will be onboard before noon as long as they start boarding by 11:30. You won't get "a good couple extra hours" even with a 10:30 PAT.

 

[Winston Wolf]

we are taking dcl transfer from resort, should we expect to get there later than most?

Yes

 

[Lori74]

ive thought of going back to the airport and taking dcl from there to get there earlier, but im not sure its worth the hassle

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You won't get "a good couple extra hours" even with a 10:30 PAT.

It depends on what the OP means by extra hours. If he means extra beyond what he will currently get with his 11:15 PAT, then you are right. If he means extra couple hours compared to someone who shows up at the port at 2 or 3 PM, then he is definitely going to succeed.

The only thing you can do is to make sure you get there by your PAT time. Getting there before that won't get you on any earlier, but getting there after that may delay you a bit. So since you are gung ho I suggest you do try to get there a little early, just so you won't be delayed if things come up. But I would also encourage you to enjoy the whole process. Because it isn't an early morning, you can relax, eat a nice breakfast, head to the port, and not be in a rush when you get there.

Enjoy!

 

[NAB]

we are taking dcl transfer from resort, should we expect to get there later than most?

We used transportation from POR and got to the port around 1-1:30. It was actually nice since we pretty well just walked on to the ship , the terminal was empty. You might even be able to go straight to your room and drop off your carry on too.

We have had first boarding and had to wait 15 minutes for Enchanted Garden to even open for lunch...lol

Vacation has already started before that to us....just the excitement of seeing the ship when we were on the highway does it for us.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

we had an 1100-1130 check in got to port at 1050 got in line right away, were given a #4 for boarding number and then sat for 2 hours til ship was ready. Once ready it was 10 minutes before #4 was called. We still had an entire day on the ship and the pools were not busy as I expected. We had a nice lunch then proceeded to our room which was ready at 130.

 

[T & R]

My question is the following: What does it matter when your PAT is when you have no idea how long it will take to get through security?
For example, we had a 10:45am PAT, so we arrived at 10:00am. We didn't get through the lines for the metal detectors and security screenings until well after 11:00a. I understand with DCL bus you go through the side security and not the main one but our family is so large, it's actually cheaper to do a limo than to take the bus. We pick the earliest PAT but security always makes us later than our actually PAT. Another question, does concierge have to wait in the hour long security line as well or do they get a side line like the DCL buses do? Thanks in advance for replies

 

[Marc D]

Another question, does concierge have to wait in the hour long security line as well or do they get a side line like the DCL buses do? Thanks in advance for replies

We've never been shown a side entrance sailing Concierge and arriving on our own. There was not a long line at security when we showed up but I never heard of such a perk. I've read reports that you now get priority boarding on the MCO-PC bus. I will be able to test that theory in a couple of weeks.

 

[bumbershoot]

But I would also encourage you to enjoy the whole process. Because it isn't an early morning, you can relax, eat a nice breakfast, head to the port, and not be in a rush when you get there.

Yep. Don’t starve yourself and be stressed. Just enjoy it. (Advice from someone who can easily get quite stressed and has learned that it never ever enhances an experience)

We used transportation from POR and got to the port around 1-1:30. It was actually nice since we pretty well just walked on to the ship , the terminal was empty. You might even be able to go straight to your room and drop off your carry on too.

Also a good option. To be able to drop your bags quickly and be free and u encumbered is lovely.

And I’ve never been in a Disney Cruise ship pool. They are tiny and just crammed with people. Swim at the resort or at castaway. Don’t do it on the ship imo. Or at least don’t stress about doing it.

My question is the following: What does it matter when your PAT is when you have no idea how long it will take to get through security?
For example, we had a 10:45am PAT, so we arrived at 10:00am. We didn't get through the lines for the metal detectors and security screenings until well after 11:00a. I understand with DCL bus you go through the side security and not the main one but our family is so large, it's actually cheaper to do a limo than to take the bus. We pick the earliest PAT but security always makes us later than our actually PAT. Another question, does concierge have to wait in the hour long security line as well or do they get a side line like the DCL buses do? Thanks in advance for replies

I’ve never had to wait in an hour long line.

Concierge plus bus from resort still involved what seemed to be normal security lines but not that long. No concierge and bus from hyatt was a side entrance by seemed to be the normal security lines but not that long. Driving up from fort kaudwrdale and concierge we didn’t go to a separate line and it wasn’t that long. And...I can’t remember exactly how we got there for the fourth cruise (I’m not going chronologically), but it wasn’t by bus and we weren’t concierge, but I still have never had an hour long security line.

Might be some fluke for one of us.

 

[lanejudy]

My question is the following: What does it matter when your PAT is when you have no idea how long it will take to get through security?
For example, we had a 10:45am PAT, so we arrived at 10:00am. We didn't get through the lines for the metal detectors and security screenings until well after 11:00a. I understand with DCL bus you go through the side security and not the main one but our family is so large, it's actually cheaper to do a limo than to take the bus. We pick the earliest PAT but security always makes us later than our actually PAT. Another question, does concierge have to wait in the hour long security line as well or do they get a side line like the DCL buses do? Thanks in advance for replies

Well... you waited over an hour but about half of your wait was before security even opened. They don't open the doors until 10:30am, so those who arrive earlier just end up in a great big line waiting for the doors to open. And that big line then creates a bit of a back-up getting everyone through security once the doors are opened. PAT means "port arrival time" and not check-in time or boarding time. So, no, security can't make you late for your PAT; you seem to have the wrong impression of what PAT means. Port arrival time means the time you will arrive at the terminal -- be that by your own vehicle, DCL bus, private transfers, taxi, etc.

I don't believe there is any separate security screening location for concierge, those passengers go through the same lines and security to enter the terminal as everyone else. There is a separate check-in for concierge once inside.

Enjoy your cruise!