Is there food in the Port C terminal?

Dusterella

Earning My Ears
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Messages
2
Hi! I’m brand new here, and our very first cruise will be from March 7-14 on the Fantasy, sailing from Port Canaveral (Eastern Caribbean).

For my first question, as I am planning the night before hotel stay...are there any food options at the terminal that we can partake in while waiting for our embarkation to begin? Or should we plan on eating before we arrive? If so, how quickly will we be able to eat once on board?
 
Boarding starts about 11:30-11:45. Depending on how it flows and what boarding number you get, you could be eating by 12:30-1:00. You can eat something before arriving at the port if you don't think you can make it that long or need to eat for medical reasons or you can graze from the vending machines.
We normally just run through the McDonald's across the street from The Radisson Resort at the Port and eat on our way to the terminal.
 
Boarding starts about 11:30-11:45. Depending on how it flows and what boarding number you get, you could be eating by 12:30-1:00. You can eat something before arriving at the port if you don't think you can make it that long or need to eat for medical reasons or you can graze from the vending machines.
We normally just run through the McDonald's across the street from The Radisson Resort at the Port and eat on our way to the terminal.

Thanks, good to know! I was able to sign up for the 11:30-11:45 boarding time, so it’s good to know that there will be food available as soon as we get on the ship! I’m so excited!!
 

Thanks, good to know! I was able to sign up for the 11:30-11:45 boarding time, so it’s good to know that there will be food available as soon as we get on the ship! I’m so excited!!

What you actually signed up for was a Port Arrival Time (PAT) which tells DCL when to expect you at the port. You are free to arrive earlier. Your boarding group is tied to your PAT so it may be a little after your PAT before you are actually boarding.
 
and when you board 'at the beginning'

EVERYONE runs straight to the food ... well some stop for a beer or drink and THEN the food ...... and the food lines get crazy ... which can impart a bad first impression of what's to come.

I will be ignored and/or chastised BUT if you wait a bit and arrive around 12 ... the crowd is usually gone and boarding is much less hectic. Rather than queuing up to see a person ... there will be open spots and you can walk right up . . .

and the bulk of the mass has passed thru the food lines for their first pass anyway ... they'll still be serving . . .

AND your room will probably be ready so you can drop bags rather than keep underfoot thru lunch .... (rooms typically not open 'til after 1)

but don't mind me ..... I've not cruised that much :rolleyes1
 
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There are a few options for lunch. Cabanas has an extensive buffet. One of the main dining rooms will be open for a sit down, order off of the menu lunch. Also there are hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc. by the pool. You can also order from room service.
 
There are a few options for lunch. Cabanas has an extensive buffet. One of the main dining rooms will be open for a sit down, order off of the menu lunch. Also there are hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc. by the pool. You can also order from room service.
 
and when you board 'at the beginning'

EVERYONE runs straight to the food ... well some stop for a beer or drink and THEN the food ...... and the food lines get crazy ... which can impart a bad first impression of what's to come.

I will be ignored and/or chastised BUT if you wait a bit and arrive around 12 ... the crowd is usually gone and boarding is much less hectic.

and the bulk of the mass has passed thru the food lines for their first pass anyway ...

AND your room will probably be ready so you can drop bags rather than keep underfoot thru lunch .... (rooms typically not open 'til after 1)

but don't mind me ..... I've not cruised that much :rolleyes1

I’ll echo this. we’ve always done Disney transport for our cruises. A couple years ago we arrived fairly early (around 1130-12). Had to wait in line for security and had to wait in line to board And lines were long.

last cruise the bus didn’t get us there until about 2. No line at security, no line to board, and we could go straight to our room. It was a lot less hectic as we pretty much arrived and walked straight on the to the ship. We maybe lost about an hour or so of ship time but was a much less stressful.
 
Hi! I’m brand new here, and our very first cruise will be from March 7-14 on the Fantasy, sailing from Port Canaveral (Eastern Caribbean).

For my first question, as I am planning the night before hotel stay...are there any food options at the terminal that we can partake in while waiting for our embarkation to begin? Or should we plan on eating before we arrive? If so, how quickly will we be able to eat once on board?
461398
 
This is a picture from the Navigator. These are the restaurants available the first day on the Dream.
Plenty of food available.
Once onboard let the eating begin😂
The other ships times and restaurants will be similar.
All will have a table service, Cabanas will be a buffet. All qui
E9DF2DBD-F643-4625-808E-077E463C557B.png
 
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Another vote for the Radisson Resort and the McDonald's across the street. We visit Fishlips for an early dinner the day before the cruise, and to watch the ships depart the port. The next morning we go through the McDonald's drive through and head back the the area near Fishlips to find a parking spot with a view of the port, cruise ships, and SpaceX fleet. There are quite a few empty parking lots along the water that early in the morning.
 
We are platinum and always get on early. Grab a table by the pool and just dump our carryons, if it’s warm we change into suits. Then we usually grab lunch at the grill. Rarely go to cabanas. For me, I’ve never seen a reason to drag our carryon bags around once we are onboard, we just leave them at the table while we get lunch and lay in the sun. Maybe I’m overly trusting but our bags have always been fine. I just like getting on and relaxing,
 
Since the OP is a first timer, just pointing out most port terminals are working, secured areas and there are minimal services once you enter the actual area. Some cruise lines, not DCL, will have food and drinks in the terminal for those guests in suites or at the highest levels of their loyalty programs.

There are degrees of services in the actual terminals and port areas. At embarkation/disembarkation ports, typically there are only the check-in services, security and customs. Even at the ports you visit there are pretty minimal things once inside the secure area. Usually at the touristy port stops there are plenty of shops and restaurants right outside the gates. That is pretty typical for the tropical/Caribbean ports. A few ports - Falmouth, Costa Maya and Icy Straight Point, are really just mall areas made by the cruise industry. Some ports are more mixed use and even others can be highly industrial, those are more common further north and in Europe. Just saying once you have been to one port, you will know what to expect as no two are alike.

But that is half the fun of cruising!
 
for the record, at one time DCL in Canaveral DID have a coffee bar in the terminal, which sold some pastries and the like. Been a while since I sailed Disney but from comments a guess that's gone. Of all our cruising this was the ONLY terminal I saw such a thing.
 
for the record, at one time DCL in Canaveral DID have a coffee bar in the terminal, which sold some pastries and the like. Been a while since I sailed Disney but from comments a guess that's gone. Of all our cruising this was the ONLY terminal I saw such a thing.

That little shop/coffee bar has been gone a while now. If I recall correctly, they removed it before they did the big reno for the Dream & Fantasy.
 

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