Opening of port terminal/boarding of ship

[TiggerPU88]

Hi all!

I just called the Courtyard at Cocoa Beach and they said that the earliest Disney is letting people into the TERMINAL is 12:30. This certainly is not what I experienced, nor what I have heard. I think they were confused between boarding the ship & entering the terminal. What do you think?

Anyway, we will be going on a 12:15 shuttle, so we should be able to check in & board really quickly (I hope). Is it possible for me to go at 11:00 and check us in and then come back with my mom & son? Any other experiences out there?

Thanks!

-- Adrienne : )

 

[Jestocost]

The DCL CMs we talked with all told us they are trying to start boarding as early as 11:45 a.m. now, and that is when we were able to board in November. The port facility was open when we arrived at about 10:45 a.m. and we were not the first ones there.

You will not be able to check in completely without all of the adults in the party present. Only one of you needs to stay at the counter and go through the process, but they need to see picture IDs for all adults and confirm that the adult is there at the port.

 

[kcashner]

Entering the port area has NEVER been 12:30, although DCL or the port authority (I don't know for sure who does it) does stagger times for some bus and shuttle transport. They don't want everyone arriving at the same time. Private cars officially can get into the port at 10:30, but are sometimes allowed in a little earlier. THe counters open at 10:30 for check in.

The ears open about 11:45 or a little earlier for boarding. THe stated time used to be 12:00, and has now moved to 11:45. In reality, it can sometimes be a little earlier depending on when the ship is ready for us. Not all staterooms will be ready at boarding time, but you can drop your carryon bag in your room and go to lunch. Our steward did ask that we not leave any valuables as he wanted to be able to prop the door open to finish his work.

 

[Caballero]

On our 4 day cruise that departed DEC 7th, we entered the terminal at 10:00am and were the first ones in line for registration. Anyone over 18 will need to be there for registration to present an ID. Shortly before 12:00pm we were allowed to board the ship.

 

[awatt]

We will be arriving at the terminal between 10:30 and 11 AM. After checking in,what do people do while waiting for th eship tp open? We'll be with two small kids.

 

[inkkognito]

There are places to sit and tvs with cartoons. There is also a large model of the ship, and the characters often make appearances. There is even a little coffee shop. I recommend that you stake out a place in line, and then one person can hold it while the others explore. No one will mind because practically everyone does that...it's just the easiest way for families.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mmouse37]

I agree with Barb...we always get there early then claim our place in line. We are usually a large group so some of us stay in line and some go wander and vice versa. We always tell the people behind us this is what we are doing so they don't think we are trying to slip people in front of them. We have never had a problem in 9 DCL cruises. Everyone on line is usually hyped and full of excitement and there is a cameraderie among passengers.

MJ