I want to be the first to board

[Aisling]

Don't take it too seriously. It's fine to get on early, but you do end up standing in line for over an hour, and you have to actually talk to your DH for all that time.

 

[Aisling]

I don't want to sound obsessed LOL, but MJ, what time did you get to the port? And you mean your whole group didn't have to be present at the check-in counter?

 

[LoveMyBaby]

If you are wearing your matching shirts, it will be easier for you to stay together with your group. Hope that helps.

 

[inkkognito]

I miss the countdown too...that used to be so cool! It really brought the excitement to a peak.
Barb

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Second cruise we stayed at the YC the night before and were having such a nice morning there we really took our time - walked the loop to the Boardwalk, went swimming, had a light breakfast, etc...and then drove over. It was about 12:30 when we boarded, a little later than we like to (in part thanks to the drawbridge going up ), but no regrets here. (We were supposed to go back to the YC for 3 nights post cruise but never made it due to Hurricane Frances ) Walked on nicely and had a quiet lunch, still had no problem making all our ressies, then our room was ready, etc...

LOL!!! We were sitting there with you waiting for the drawbridge to close!

We stayed at WL pre-cruise and had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare w/Mary Poppins & Friends before heading to Port Canaveral ... even though it was our first cruise I wasn't in a huge rush to leave WDW and board the ship.

And thanks to Frances our 3 day cruise turned into a 5 day cruise

 

[mmouse37]

I don't want to sound obsessed LOL, but MJ, what time did you get to the port? And you mean your whole group didn't have to be present at the check-in counter?

Don't feel obsessed...I am the same way!! This was for a Wonder cruise and we had a rental car that we were parking at the terminal. We got to the parking lot at 10:00 am and a CM directed the cars to the outside parking lot where we lined up and waited for the termial to open for checkin. At about 10:20 or so they told us to pull across the street and unload our luggage and then hubby went to park the car in the lot. We got into the terminal about 10:30 am.

I checked in with the rest of the family and as soon as they saw my teens I.D's., they were free to leave the check in line and went to stand in the boarding line. When hubby came back into the terminal (with his photo i.d.) he went up to the CM that checked us in and showed her his id. The terminal was not crowded at all at this point. Hubby and I joined the kids on the boarding line and we spent the time chatting with others. We did get off the line and walk around but always made sure at least one or two members of the family held our place. No one on line had any problem with that as that is what pretty much everyone was doing!

I know on our Magic cruises the terminal is much more crowded that early.

MJ

 

[CarolAnnC]

During the line waiting period for one of my cruises, we took turns running to the restrooms which are close by. Well, didn't I get back and realize I had left my KTTW card in there! EEK! So I ran back, and there it was sitting in the same spot where I had placed it! I quickly located my old cruise lanyard with the key pouch, and safely tucked it away! Would have been awful had the line started boarding, and I had no KTTW card to enter with!

 

[mmouse37]

I miss the countdown too...that used to be so cool! It really brought the excitement to a peak.
Barb

Barb...last time we sailed (first week of January) I noticed that Art who we have always seen in the Terminal and who did the countdown was not there...any word if he left DCL or anything??? Just curious.

MJ

 

[Aisling]

If you are wearing your matching shirts, it will be easier for you to stay together with your group. Hope that helps.

 

[inkkognito]

MJ, Art was still there on our last trip. He is such a nice guy! We're sailing tomorrow so hopefully we will see him then.

Barb

 

[Michelle2]

Here are some more first time too-excited-to-wait cruiser questions.
1. Will you have all the paperwork to fill out in advance so it will be all good to go when you arrive first thing? I dont want to be filling out paperwork watching the lines get longer and longer?
2. If you are not parking in the parking lot, but aren't taking the DCL transfers or a service, do you still get dropped off at the same spot they do? My DH was going to be dropping us off in the rental car...where would he go to do that?? Would we wait in a dropoff line if it was earlier than 10:30?
3. What sort of ID is required of kids 12 and younger at checkin?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

1. yes, it comes a couple of weeks before you cruise in a nice little package, very exciting!
2. yes, there is a car drop off area, then you just move over to the line.
3. birth certificate with seal

Have a great cruise!!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Last year, there was a lady in a wheelchair waiting to be boarded first, which she was. That night I saw her at dinner, walking. Okay, so she had a good day and was able to walk since she didn't have to stand in line, waiting to board, etc. I can understand that. I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. However, as the week wore on, the same lady was dancing, walking all over the ship, having a high old time! Looking nothing like she did while waiting to board.

I could be wrong, and I honestly hope I am, but I wondered if she faked being disabled just to be one of the first on the ship or if she had a big turn around in her medical condition. I hope she experienced a miracle.

 

[lbgraves]

That is someone who will find out the hard way what they were abusing was nothing they should have been playing with. If they did that, who knows what other ways they have cheated. They will answer for it in the long run.