How Early to Arrive for Int'l Flight Out of Newark (EWR)?

[PSUGuy]

Please indulge this OT question, DIS is the best source for answers I have available to me. We've got a 9 AM flight from Newark to Cancun on Continental. This is our first international flight and I want to be prepared. How early should we enter the terminal and other than no liquids and all those other restrictions, are there any other 'surprises' in store? We fly yearly from PHL to MCO but I'm approaching this with some anxiety. The flight is on a Thurs if that matters.

Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[Lewisc]

Continental suggests arriving at EWR 2 1/2 to 3 hours before an International flights out of EWR.