Give me reasons why it's not so important to be first for boarding.

[ennazus]

There is always mention on this board about being at the port at 10:30 to check in and then waiting around until noon to board. Part of me wants to be there ASAP to start our cruise, but then the common sense side of me says, "but you'll be waiting around with a 7 year old little boy for a couple hours!! Are you out of your head?!!"

Are there any CONS if we decide not to be at the port at 10:30 ish? What do you do with all your time there?
I understand there is NOT a broadway-type musical to entertain us.

 

[MarkRG]

The big pro for getting on early is for getting good choices for reservations for the Spa ad Palo's.

If neither of the above are that big a priority, then there really isn't any downside to not being on early. You'll be a bit pressed to keep him occupied, they do bring characters out for a bit to take pictures with, there are some tv's showing cartoons, but that's about it.

 

[TnRobin]

You have mentioned the main reason I am not at port at 10:30 - I have a 7 year old boy.

I think arriving at aroung noon or 1:00 is a good time to arrive. The crowds have dispersed and you are still in time to make all your necessary reservations, have lunch and explore the ship before the Safety Drill.

 

[ennazus]

We don't plan to make Palo reservations, but I did want to surprise dh by making reservations for the "Surial"....

Anyone else have ideas?

 

[quidam]

We got in around noon, went to the Spa to make reservations for the surial too, and then went to the excursion desk to make reservations for the banana ride at Castaway Cay, only to find out that it was sold out. What a bummer! HOWEVER, when we actually got to Castaway Cay, we went to the booth on the beach, asked again and got in )

All of this to say that it's a good idea to get on the boat early. However, you can always make reservations for the excursions online before cruising.

As far as Palo goes, we called directly to the restaurant at the end of the third day (4-day cruise) and got a reservation for 6 o'clock. So Palo was not a problem for us, and it was very enjoyable! But I guess we were lucky!

 

[hazmat1212]

for 8/31 MAGIC western we had a 7:05 a.m. flight, arrived in MCO @ 9:30, were on the bus before 10, at the pier by 10:40, turned in our Docs and stood on line and stood on line and stood on line and stood on line til 12:30, everyone poured on board within MINUTES and still got the exact PALO ressie we wanted (sea day @ 7:30) ...

if you wanna be "first" knock yourself out --- but i'm not so sure it will make a "shipload" of difference --- it's a big ship, and everyone on line is not after the same thing you are ---
people are spa-scheduling, 'flounder' arranging, excursion hunting, feeding @ topsider, snooping the ship and checking out their rooms.

cin in NJ

 

[CamColt]

We got to the port at 10:00 because I was very concerned about Palo and getting our specific date and time. We checked in within minutes and found Disers to talk to. By the time we finished witht hem and went to callhome one last time, the line was huge(so much for getting there early). But, we got in line around 12:00, the line started moving at 12:15 and we were on the ship by 12:25(if I remember correctly). Since we had had a big breakfast(Kona Cafe) we skipped the buffet and went right to our room. then it was off to Palo at 1:00, to become the first in line for 1:30 reservations.
So, while we definitely werent the first on the ship, it had no effect on us getting Palo. No problem!

 

[Michelle]

I used to be an early person too, but on my last cruise we arrived at 12:30 and WALKED right on the ship. No lines for check in or embarkation, they had already started. We still had PLENTY of time to get spa and Palo reservations too, those didn't start until 1:30.

It IS fun to be there early if you have not sailed before, and to experience the countdown before you enter the ship. But there really is no need to be there that early, you definitely can still get all the reservations you need if you arrive after most people have embarked.

 

[markey]

I think there is a line between too early and too late. Our first cruise we arrived around 10:30-11. We checked in, got something to drink while one stood in line. I think maybe we were about 20th to board. Last year we were perfect, arrived around 12, check-in was empty and the line just started to move. We got at the end of the line and were aboard by 12:30. This year we only arrived at 12:40 and the checkin had lines so we didn't board until 1:15. Just that 45 minutes made everything seem later. 2 till we were finished with lunch, luggage arrived later, then lifeboat drill, sail away party and dinner (lucky us)at 5:30. The entire afternoon seemed rushed, and we don't do the spa or Palo's thing. There is no way I would miss the lunch, best shrimp while on board, so I think around 12 is a good time.

 

[mcnuss]

Here's the best reason I can think of:

WE'RE ON VACATION!!!!

 

[ennazus]

Here's the best reason I can think of:

WE'RE ON VACATION!!!!

LOL!! This vacation is supposed to be a bit more relaxing that my usual WDW treks (dh feels I'm in Commando form and that he doesn't get a break when we go to WDW... wonder why? ) I'll see it in mind that he wants to relax. LOL

 

[disvaclub92]

I would like to say Thank you. Just by reading this I know I do not have to be first - I can relax and take my time getting on the ship.

 

[DROCKS]

Until I read this thread, I was just like others, wanting to be first in line. But, we have no reservations to make so the only thing I want to be there early for is the countdown. I've never been on the cruise before, and I'm picturing the terminal to be total craziness. Can someone describe for me what it's like in the terminal prior to boarding? Also, how is it once on the ship getting onto the elevators?


Thanks
Donna

 

[markey]

If you go to lunch at PC you do not have to get on an elevator. You enter on deck 3 and the restaurant is there. That's where we always eat. If they try to direct us up to topsiders, I just very nicley say I wanted to eat at PC, so far we have eaten there all 3 times.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

If we choose to go to Parrot Cay for lunch is there someplace nearby to get that first drink?

I may not be needing to do the ressie shuffle if no Palos or spa is necessary.

 

[markey]

You can get any drinks you want at PC, they are only too glad to take your orders.

 

[MickeyB426]

I read somewhere that the Category 1's (and maybe 2 and 3) get to board first (along with the handicapped cruisers). Is this true?

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

I understand that there will not be a Broadway-type musical to entertain us.

Haha.

Glad to know that my own posting was of some use to somebody.

 

[snowmouse]

We love the whole experience of boarding early (we've done it both ways). The wait seems to pass pretty quickly. Our kids love to spend time with the characters and watch the cartoons while we're waiting. When we board we LOVE to head for Topsiders. Eating lunch on the deck with the breeze blowing really puts us in that cruising mood!! We sit down with our navigators and make our plans and take turns getting reservations while the kids play a little ping pong and check out the pools. Being on board early gives us a sense of being unhurried and more relaxed.

 

[DISNEYGATOR]

Personally, I like all the excitement that is there when you arrive early... its fun to see all the families you will be spending the trip with, and to see the model of the ship and find your cabin, and watch the characters, and go out on the outside deck and see the ship close-up and watch them load things on the ship... and then there is the whole countdown to when they let you board and everyone is cheering and having a good time. I didn't mind the wait at all, but then again I don't have any kids, and I travel with my friends so we just talk about what we are going to do and people-watch... but I think there is enough going on to keep a young one occupied for a decent amount of time.

I say, if it's your first cruise, arrive early for the experience!