MR: what time does boarding begin?

[JJsmama]

I have looked all through my cruise docs and cannot find anywhere that it says what time boarding begins. It just says before 4:00. We should have boarding #1. What time should we be there?

 

[Donathius]

I have looked all through my cruise docs and cannot find anywhere that it says what time boarding begins. It just says before 4:00. We should have boarding #1. What time should we be there?

I believe that the earliest arrival you can select is 11:00. Beyond that it's just whenever the ship is ready. From TRs I've read 12:00-12:30 seems to be pretty typical for first boarding.

 

[Hokeysmoke]

Boarding started at about 1pm on our 12/4 cruise. I asked a security guard, and he told me that's a typical time. We got to the port at 11am and had plenty of time.

 

[Michelle2]

I was just on the holiday Mexican Riviera cruise and it seems they started boarding concierge at about 11:45. We were on the boat by noon.

 

[Billinaz]

There really is no boarding card #1.

They just board Concierge prior to boarding card #2.......

 

[disney 2010]

There really is no boarding card #1.

They just board Concierge prior to boarding card #2.......

I had a boarding card with a #1 on it

 

[lmb]

so even thought we got a 11-11:30 slot when we did online check in the MR cruises board later than those in Pc?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

so even thought we got a 11-11:30 slot when we did online check in the MR cruises board later than those in Pc?

I don't really understand the question, but I'll tell you our experience.

First, your port arrival time is not the time you board the ship. That said, your boarding number is determined by your port arrival time. So, it's possible to arrive earlier than your selected port arrival time and be allowed into the terminal. However, you will not actually board the ship until your boarding number is called.

On our 2 MR cruises we had the 12-12:30 port arrival time. The first time we arrived at the terminal (after parking and getting our bags taken care of) about 11:50. On our 2d cruise we arrived at the terminal right at 12:00.

Both times we went directly to check-in (after completing the health questionaire).

Then we went through the security scanning, at this point we received our boarding number cards (both times we had #13).

When we entered the boarding area, they were calling #10 (1st cruise) and #8 (2d cruise) for boarding. Both times we waited about 5 minutes before our boarding number was called.

We were onboard and heading for lunch by 12:15 both times.

 

[Cruisin Castaway]

Do they open the terminal at 11am like in PC?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do they open the terminal at 11am like in PC?

Well, the first port arrival time available for picking on the online check-in is 11-11:30, so I'm thinking that the terminal opens at that time.

 

[JJsmama]

There really is no boarding card #1.

They just board Concierge prior to boarding card #2.......

We are concierge and I am fairly certain there is a Boarding Card with a 1. I've seen it.

Nonetheless, I am really just wondering what time the actual boarding for Concierge begins. I don't want to get there too early and sit for hours. We do not need to stand in line for upgrade, etc. Sounds like there are big differences in boarding times for different cruises.

 

[narsibvl]

I have looked all through my cruise docs and cannot find anywhere that it says what time boarding begins. It just says before 4:00. We should have boarding #1. What time should we be there?

The earliest port arrival time you can choose is 11:00, but check in starts earlier then that, we had done our check in and security by 10:30. They started boarding only by 12:45-1:00.

 

[mmouse37]

I had a boarding card with a #1 on it

Me too!!!

MJ

 

[lmb]

The earliest port arrival time you can choose is 11:00, but check in starts earlier then that, we had done our check in and security by 10:30. They started boarding only by 12:45-1:00.

this is what I meant by boarding much later than in pc. We usually get to the port there by 9:30 when it opens and get an early card and are on well before noon.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We've cruised the MR twice since this port arrival policy has been in place. When we were boarding card #1, we boarded around 11:35. On the holiday cruise we were boarding card #3 and boarded around 11:45. Both times we were in Parrot Cay before noon. HTH!

 

[PizzieDuster]

How do they check your arrival time? They really won't let you in the terminal if you have an arrival time at 12:30 pm but arrive at 11:30 am? TIA

 

[mousetrip]

Thanks for this thread, this is where I'm confused! I was advised by a DCL agent on the phone not to do online check in, to just come to the port early (10 or 11ish) and since we would not have been assigned a time that we would get on the ship as they could. Do you agree? If I do online check in now I'm guessing that only later times will be availalbe... for a Feb 5 sail date...
THanks in advance for any advice!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

this is what I meant by boarding much later than in pc. We usually get to the port there by 9:30 when it opens and get an early card and are on well before noon.

Was this since the new port arrival time was implemented? It's my understanding that they don't even open the parking/drop-off until (at the earliest) 10:30 now.

How do they check your arrival time? They really won't let you in the terminal if you have an arrival time at 12:30 pm but arrive at 11:30 am? TIA

When we arrived at the terminal, they checked our reservation book before letting us in.

Thanks for this thread, this is where I'm confused! I was advised by a DCL agent on the phone not to do online check in, to just come to the port early (10 or 11ish) and since we would not have been assigned a time that we would get on the ship as they could. Do you agree? If I do online check in now I'm guessing that only later times will be availalbe... for a Feb 5 sail date...
THanks in advance for any advice!

The terminal doesn't open until 11:00 (sometimes 10:45) now. If you don't have a port arrival time, and the terminal is busy, you may be asked to wait until the terminal is less busy before you are allowed to enter.

Just a note here, your boarding number is issued based on port arrival time, so I would go ahead a get a port arrival time. Even if you're planning on giving the arriving early thing a try.

 

[narsibvl]

We've cruised the MR twice since this port arrival policy has been in place. When we were boarding card #1, we boarded around 11:35. On the holiday cruise we were boarding card #3 and boarded around 11:45. Both times we were in Parrot Cay before noon. HTH!

I think it depends on the day. We had boarding card #1 too and they started boarding only post noon.

 

[disney 2010]

I think it depends on the day. We had boarding card #1 too and they started boarding only post noon.

I believe it depends if the wonder is on time returning. I know our MR cruise was really late into port.....Im sure those on the cruise after us were late to board