Latest boarding time

[denapoli]

What would be the latest and safest time to arrive at Port Canaveral. I'm trying to figure out if we would have any time to do anything the morning of the cruise. We will be on Disney property. How long is the driving time from Disney to the Port?

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by denapoli
What would be the latest and safest time to arrive at Port Canaveral. I'm trying to figure out if we would have any time to do anything the morning of the cruise. We will be on Disney property. How long is the driving time from Disney to the Port?

It will take about one hour to get to the port from WDW. If I were you, I would plan on getting to the DCL Terminal no later than 3pm. This will give you time to get to your cabin and find out where you will need to be for the safety drill. The safety drill is at 4pm and that is a mandatory drill, that you must attend.

 

[AnnMorin]

also I would always alot time for accidents etc...
No I don't mean for you to get in one.. I mean in case there was one on the way there that held up traffic. It always seems that when I am in a rush to get somewhere there is an accident or construction etc. It would be super stressful to be stuck in traffic and be worried about making the ship before it embarks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Driving time is a good hour from Disney to the Port. On the May 27th cruise, my cousin didn't arrive until around 3pm. By that time, they had closed up the luggage area and she had to carry everything on board herself. Someone here may know what the official closing time is, but I probably wouldn't chance leaving any later than noon time.

 

[jrabbit]

The "All Aboard" time is 3:45pm. Everyone should be on board by then. The only folks that won't be are those that are coming in on cruise day and their flights have been delayed. DCL will "hold the boat" for those folks that purchased air with their cruise.

As far as doing something at WDW on embarkation day, you can. It's a short day. If you are at EPCOT or MGM you can have a little more time in the park because the parking lot is fairly convenient (never have parked at Animal Kingdom - it may be the same). If you choose to spend the morning in the Magic Kingdom, you will have less time because of the monorail or ferry to the parking lot and then getting to your vehicle in that huge parking lot. Regardless, I would want to be in your car by 1pm at the latest. It will take you a good 1hr 15min to get to the port from WDW.

For what it's worth, on our first cruise we were in the parks until noon, grabbed a quick lunch then jetted over to the port (arriving around 2:30). We made it in plenty of time, but we never felt like we got settled in until sometime on the second day (and we were on a 4 nighter).

We now arrive at the port around 11am, get checked in, get in line, are in the first couple of hundred people on board, toss our carryon luggage (may not be able to do this now) in the room, make Palo brunch ressies, check the kid into the club, and then enjoy our lunch. We then wander around the ship or go swimming until just before the safety drill. We start unpacking and getting organized in the 1/2 hour before the safety drill and for a while afterwards. We then head up to the sail away party and we are ready for the next week of fun onboard and on shore!!

 

[denapoli]

thanks for the info.