Galveston departure loading times

[amejiajr8]

I was curious what time the boat begins to board passengers. Our depature time is showing 330pm

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was curious what time the boat begins to board passengers. Our depature time is showing 330pm

Boarding usually begins around 11:45 at most embarkation ports.

 

[cruisecrasher]

3:30 is more accurately the last possible second to get on board if you're going to cruise.

 

[amejiajr8]

On previous cruises (non disney) on boarding started at noon. Since I plan on driving in from San Antonio I wanted to plan my arrival right around when onboarding begins. Thanks for the information

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On previous cruises (non disney) on boarding started at noon. Since I plan on driving in from San Antonio I wanted to plan my arrival right around when onboarding begins. Thanks for the information

What's your PAT?

 

[amejiajr8]

PAT?? Going on a hunch that is planned arrival time. I will be shooting for 11am.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

PAT?? Going on a hunch that is planned arrival time. I will be shooting for 11am.

When you do your online checkin, you will select a Port Arrival Time (PAT). These are 1/2 hour windows for when to arrive at the port. Your PAT is tied to the actual boarding number you get when you checkin at the port. Earlier PAT, lower boarding number; later PAT, higher boarding number. The PAT system is used to spread out the passenger load in the terminal.

When boarding begins they announce boarding number 1 (Concierge), then #2 (Platinum Castaway Club members), the #3, #4, and so on.

When the boarding number being announced for boarding catches up with the number being issued at checkin (generally around 12:30-12:45) Open Boarding is announced. Anyone holding any boarding number can board at that time. If you arrive earlier than your selected PAT (especially if you have a later one), you may still be able to checkin, but your boarding number will be the same as if you arrived at the correct PAT. You may see others arriving after you (at their correct time) board before you do.

 

[amejiajr8]

Gotcha...since we are 179 days away from sailing this might not be available yet. But this is great info. Being over 4-5years since I last went on a cruise I am a little rusty on how on boarding works. Thanks again for the information!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Gotcha...since we are 179 days away from sailing this might not be available yet. But this is great info. Being over 4-5years since I last went on a cruise I am a little rusty on how on boarding works. Thanks again for the information!

Depending on you Castaway Club status your checkin/excursion booking window opens:

Platinum CC/Concierge guests - 120 days out
Gold CC - 105 days out
Silver CC - 90 days out
First time cruiser - 75 days out.

 

[woody73]

Boarding usually begins around 11:45 at most embarkation ports.

Does that include Galveston?

I'm sailing from there in a few days.

Woody

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does that include Galveston?

I'm sailing from there in a few days.

Woody

I believe that's what I've read here. But I have no experience with Galveston.

 

[m&m's mom]

Last month everyone in the waiting area was called to board before noon. It was a full cruise but they got people on fast. I was very surprised since it was much faster than PC. I am sure this differs per cruise.

 

[Beermam42]

I was curious what time the boat begins to board passengers. Our depature time is showing 330pm

We were 1st in Feb and they start at 11:30. Have fun crossing Atlantic. Like to have the sign "Now Boarding the Magic" if you can swing it. Wonder will work from Galveston in the fall last Cruise out of Galveston for any DCL Ship Jan 2014.

Praying for NOLA 2015.