How many parties to a boarding group?

[Snurk71]

I think I understand the arrival time windows and the boarding group assignment once you check in at the port. But how many parties are included in each boarding group? For example, if you're in boarding group 5 - how many parties were likely awarded groups 1-4?

Maybe throw out group 1, maybe 2, - I think those are reserved for club members and not limited?

 

[Disney Cajun Man]

From what I have gathered, Group 1 is all concierge and all platinum cruisers - this number wil vary by ship and by cruise and then the rest of the boarding groups 2-25 on up are about 100 people per group.

 

[kcashner]

It varies a bit because there are 5 person families who get one boarding card and 2 person families--also one card. I think the above about 100 people is a good average.

It goes very quickly. I actually clocked it on one cruise (Take that, whiny child!) It was 18 minutes from family of the day until we were ON the ship with a number 8 boarding card. I had told DD it would take about 20 minutes and as a whiny teen she was like "In your dreams!"

 

[trimix]

On my last cruise we were in line well before the port opened for check-ins. Reviewing the pictures I don't think there were more than 400 people in front of us to check in, and we had boarding number six when we finally got in the door.

 

[Snurk71]

Good to know. For whatever reason I thought the whole announcing of the family would take some time and slow things down quite a bit. I guess that announcement isn't quite as majestic as I'm picturing.

 

[kimberlyelayne]

Good to know. For whatever reason I thought the whole announcing of the family would take some time and slow things down quite a bit. I guess that announcement isn't quite as majestic as I'm picturing.

It's a quick welcome. But really nice to let one family in at a time so you really take in the experience of the entering the ship without being crowed or feeling rushed. But the line moves very quickly.

Also they do take a picture as your in line so look good on boarding day if you want that picture

 

[kcashner]

Just to be very clear--security photos are mandatory and are taken as part of the check in process (they may not be re-taken if you have one on file from a previous cruise and the CM decides it is OK).

Shutters embarkation photos are available along the boarding route. It is easy to skip this if desired. It does slow the line. However, there are at least a couple of photogs set up, so the line splits into 2 or 3 for photos. The announcement is very quick. There are multiple CMs doing it. One will get your name in advance, then announce "The Disney Magic welcomes the Mouse family." He/she will walk you in and hand you off to another CM who will give you a bit of ship orientation and tell you where to get lunch as well as answering any questions you might have at that moment. The announcement is very quick and you will step out of the crowd to get questions answered,e tc.