First time DCL cruiser... a few questions

[Lynzer4]

I am taking my first DCL Cruise in April. Its a Christmas/birthday gift for my nephew who will be 10.

I've cruised before on Carnival so I am not a new Cruiser.

I have a few questions I hope you can help me with regarding transferrs to port...

1. Transferring to Port - I want to book a night at MCO Hyatt - should I book it when I book excursions.
2. Does it cost me to get on a bus at MCO to port... or is that free. I've seen conflicting reports so I am unsure
3. If anyone has done a car service... its is better then using the Bus???

thanks

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am taking my first DCL Cruise in April. Its a Christmas/birthday gift for my nephew who will be 10.

I've cruised before on Carnival so I am not a new Cruiser.

I have a few questions I hope you can help me with regarding transferrs to port...

1. Transferring to Port - I want to book a night at MCO Hyatt - should I book it when I book excursions.
2. Does it cost me to get on a bus at MCO to port... or is that free. I've seen conflicting reports so I am unsure
3. If anyone has done a car service... its is better then using the Bus???

thanks

1. You can book the MCO Hyatt yourself at any time. Or you can book it through DCL. But I'd book it as soon as you know that's what you're doing. It can book up.
2. DCL transfers (MCO to port on a bus) cost $35.00 per person. Magical Express (MCO to WDW resorts) is free.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I am taking my first DCL Cruise in April. Its a Christmas/birthday gift for my nephew who will be 10.

I've cruised before on Carnival so I am not a new Cruiser.

I have a few questions I hope you can help me with regarding transferrs to port...

1. Transferring to Port - I want to book a night at MCO Hyatt - should I book it when I book excursions.
2. Does it cost me to get on a bus at MCO to port... or is that free. I've seen conflicting reports so I am unsure
3. If anyone has done a car service... its is better then using the Bus???

thanks

3. How many people are in your party? If you have a large group it's cheaper to use a car service (and even cheaper to rent a car.)

 

[Lynzer4]

Its just 2 people. If we do a bus what is the earliest we can be there? I want as much time on the boat as possible.... lol

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Its just 2 people. If we do a bus what is the earliest we can be there? I want as much time on the boat as possible.... lol

If you take the bus from the airport, the first one typically leaves around 9:10-9:15, arriving at the port around 10:15-10:30. Boarding doesn't begin until around 11:15-11:30, so taking the first bus won't get you on any earlier than that. And your Port Arrival Time (which you select during your online check in process) is tied to the actual boarding number you get at check in at the port. So, depending on what PATs are available when you do your online check in, you might get a low number or not. Open boarding is called around 12:30-12:45, and most people will be onboard by then.