First time cruiser - lots of questions! TIA!

[PRmamiDEdos]

Hi!!

We are embarking on our first ever cruise on 8/28 and I have a question about boarding time.

When I checked in, I listed that we would be arriving at 10:30 AM. I know they don't start boarding until 1 PM, but since I've arrived so early, will I be one of the first on board? How do they determine who gets on the boat first?

Is there a place to eat at the port since we'll be there so early? We're driving from WDW and I have teens. Getting them up early enough to start driving at 8:00 AM will be a chore in itself, I don't want to risk stopping for food along the way.

Once we get there and park, what's next?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, thanks for helping!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Boarding normally starts at 11.15 am. Loads of people get there early you will get a boarding card number and will be called out after concierge and platinum and special needs.

There is a small shop / snack bar but you shouldn't need it you will be eating by Noon.

If driving do not leave before 9 am from WDW you will be too early lots of cruisers have the first slot of 10.30 your boarding card is pre allocated so getting there at 10.30 or 10.45 has no effect. You may be turned back if you get to the terminal before 10am.

So drive, arrive, drop bags off to porters, park, go through security, check in. Wait.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

So what is the process? I like to be prepared. Once we park our car and unload, what happens?

If we get to the port too early, I'll probably find something for the brats to eat. LOL

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So what is the process? I like to be prepared. Once we park our car and unload, what happens?

If we get to the port too early, I'll probably find something for the brats to eat. LOL

Well, the only food available at the port is from the vending machines, will that work?


Once you arrive at the port, it's usually best to drop off the (checked) bags curbside with the porter before circling back around to park the car. Once inside the terminal, you go through check in. Your boarding number which you receive during the check in process is tied to your Port Arrival Time. Boarding generally begins around 11:15-11:30 (but can be later) with Concierge first and Platinum Castaway Club members before the boarding numbers are called. With a 10:20 PAT, I'd speculate that you will most likely be onboard by 11:45-12:00. Once onboard, you can get lunch, swim, explore the ship. The rooms aren't ready until around 1:30, so you will be carrying your carryon bags with you until then.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

So what is the process? I like to be prepared. Once we park our car and unload, what happens?

If we get to the port too early, I'll probably find something for the brats to eat. LOL

To be honest you will not be there long enough you will be going on around 11.15 > 11.30 am, and have a hearty lunch and snacks available. We have a character breakfast in WDW first to fill us up then your all set.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you'll have a refrigerator in your WDW hotel room the day before your cruise maybe you could get some rolls/milk/juice for the morning you leave. If you plan to be at EPCOT the day before your cruise you could get some pastries from the French pastry shop there.

 

[lanejudy]

To be honest you will not be there long enough you will be going on around 11.15 > 11.30 am

I agree with this. With a 10:30 PAT, you'll receive one of the earliest boarding numbers possible. With boarding beginning around 11:15am, you are likely to be on the ship shortly after that. So less than an hour in the terminal -- you'll go through security, then do check-in at which time each passenger gets a photo taken and KTTW card issued. The terminal doesn't open until 10:30am, so you could be in some crowds making a little wait for security and check-in. But then it will be a fairly short time before you are called for boarding.

I suggest grabbing some breakfast foods the kids can eat in the car on the way to port. Muffins, donuts, cereal bars or such. Either pack them with you from home, grab something at the resort food court, or a quick convenience store stop enroute. There will be plenty of food for lunch once onboard.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[tltay2005]

Just got off the Dream today. We had a PAT of 10:45 and were on the ship within the hour and eating lunch right at noon.

 

[Weedy]

When you arrive at the port you will be directed to an area that you can pull up to and drop off your luggage. Make sure you have your luggage tags on your bags the porters will take your bags. Also make sure you have small bag packed with things you may need during the day (paperwork, passports/ birth certificates, RX, sunscreen). Your bags may not be to your cabin until 5pm. Also you can't get into your cabin until 1:30.
When you check in you will be given a boarding#. Your boarding # is tied to your PAT that you were assigned. Concierge and Platium guest get # 1 and sometimes # 2.
They usually start boarding 11:15-11:30. Once boarding starts it goes very fast. New numbers are called ever 5 minutes or so.

I suggest not leaving your WDW hotel 9 at the earliest. It's about a 1 hour drive to the port and they don't let people into the terminal until 10:30.

 

[anricat]

When we sailed out of PC last year, we arrived at the cruise terminal around 10:30 and by the time we checked in, posed for a character photo and used the bathroom, it was time to board around 11:15. We were on the ship, poolside and ready for fun by 11:30. It moves quickly.

I would get breakfast at your WDW resort or pick up something along the way. I think we had McDonalds around 9 and I packed a package of snacks for my daughter which she ate in the cruise terminal while we were waiting in line for check in. She was fine until lunch which we had after swimming at around 12:30 (and she was 5 at the time).