First time cruising questions

[melvin1970]

We are first time cruisers. The earliest boarding time we could get was 12:30-1. If we arrive earlier will they let us board? We have a large group. If we cannot board early do they have any food stands at the the Port to grab a sandwich. My son is a type one diabetic and he wil need something by then. I had wanted to be on the ship early to eat lunch but that isn't working out. Also what time are you usually off the ship on departure day? We have to schedule a shuttle and not sure what time. We are going through Happy Limos and not sure what time to have them pick us up. We don't need first thing since our flight doesn't leave till 2pm out of the Sanford Airport.

 

[kiford]

If we arrive earlier will they let us board? We have a large group.

What you have booked is a port arrival time. Your boarding time is linked to your PAT. You will be given a boarding number and they will call those numbers. Boarding #1 is usually about 11:30-45 or so. The first to board is Concierge (after the first family) and then Platinum. Then they will call boarding numbers. Open boarding typically occurs about 12:30-45 or so. If you arrive earlier, you can check in but they'll give you a card with the boarding number and you have to wait until they call that number or open boarding occurs.

There are no food stands in the terminal. I suggest you pick something up on the way or bring something packaged that he can eat. Note that you cannot bring any food on board unless it is prepackaged and still unopened (I think it has to be unopened).

Once you board (which will probably be about 12:30 or so) you can head straight to lunch so maybe you just need a snack he can have between arriving and boarding. Your room won't be ready until 1:30 in any event.

The ship typically docks about 6:30 am and people who are leaving early and taking their own luggage off can get off at about 7 am. That's if the ship comes in on time. If you want a sit-down breakfast, it's tied to your dining time. If you have the early dining time, you'll have the early breakfast on the last day (6:45 am or something like that) and you're free to leave afterwards or sit around but you can't go back to your stateroom. If you have late dining you'll have the later breakfast which is usually 8 am. Everyone has to be off by about 9-9:30 am. You'll need to pick up your luggage if you're not taking it off yourself and then clear customs. Depending on which ship (e.g., Magic/Wonder versus Fantasy/Dream) and what time you're getting off it can take about 1/2 hour.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Getting to the terminal before 12:30 is likely to be fine. Occasionally, the terminal is too full or the previous ship is delayed, but for the most part by 12:00 or so, they are ahead of schedule. Getting there between 12 and 12:30 also helps you beat the buses coming from the Disney resorts, which usually arrive around 1:00 or so. You could try coming before 12, but it probably won't get you on the ship sooner. 12:00 is something of a sweet spot where the early arrivers are mostly checked in, and the late arrivers haven't come, and by the time you get checked in, it will be almost time to board.

Enjoy your morning. Have a big leisurely breakfast somewhere. Take your time. That way, most of your group won't be to hungry until later anyway. Do bring stuff for your son, though. I'm sure you are used to that.

Have a great trip!

 

[melvin1970]

Thanks for the information. My goal is to have us there by 11:45am.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There are no food stands in the terminal.

While there are no food stands, there are some vending machines with "food" options

 

[msb578]

One thing I learned about that final breakfast, after it was too late and we were long gone: Cabanas was open too.

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks for the information. My goal is to have us there by 11:45am.

The first passengers to board don't typically start until 11:15-11:30am. To be honest, arriving at 11:45am isn't going to get you onboard particularly quicker than a 12:30 arrival -- quite literally maybe 10 or 15 minutes earlier at most. You will likely be onboard around 12:45pm regardless of an earlier arrival since your boarding number is directly tied to your PAT, and you may well see people who arrived after you but boarding before you. You mention you are part of a large group -- if possible, can you split from the group and look for an earlier PAT? You and your son could then board a little before the others to get to lunch; again, recognize that it won't be significantly earlier. 12:30 is actually a terrific time to arrive as it is likely to be "open boarding" about then and after a quick check-in to receive your KTTW cards you can walk onboard. Arriving anytime before noon will be crowded and involve waiting.

I understand your concerns for your son and sticking to regular mealtimes. From where will you be coming that morning? Will you have an extra-early morning (breakfast) and a long drive, or staying nearby and can grab a mid- or late-morning snack with a short drive? I'm not sure what time you had hoped to be onboard for lunch or what is his typical lunch time. As recommended, be sure to carry snacks for him as I'm sure you usually do.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[FigmentSpark]

It also can't hurt to keep checking for an earlier PAT. Who knows what miracles could happen.