Parking Spaces and PAT logistics at PC

[tee11]

We've never parked inside the terminal before - can we enter the parking garage before our PAT, and stay in our car until our PAT before we head to security? Can we hand off our suitcases before we head into the garage and before our PAT? Do you have a (limited?) choice WHICH spot to park your car in when you arrive? Are there different sizes of the spaces, for example larger ones for trucks/vans or similar? TIA!

 

[dcassetta]

1. It depends on how long you arrive before your PAT, and if you are very early you may be turned away. This is more true since Covid testing began as they need to control the flow of people.
2. Yes, you can drop suitcases before you park
3. The garage has plenty of parking and a surface lot if your vehicle is too tall to fit.

 

[dreamer17555]

They have been turning people away arriving more than 20 minutes before PAT at the cruises I went on. Because of how it’s working now where you test before you park I would advise getting there pretty close to port arrival time

 

[princesscinderella]

You need to arrive close to your PAT. We got to the port an hour early since we were driving up from soFL and traffic can be unpredictable. We were told to come back in an hour and when I asked where we should go they recommended going to A1A cocoa beach. It worked out that we filled up the car a racetrack so that way when we got off the ship we were ready to head home. We drove down the beach strip and got to the Ron Jon surf shop where we turned around and headed back to the port. You can park anywhere in the garage you want once you do your covid test. We had a hard time getting a cell signal to load up our email test results (took about 20 minutes). We kept our suitcases with us but they did want them dropped off at the curb before testing and parking in the garage.

 

[tee11]

Covid testing is BEFORE you park?! I thought it was inside the passenger terminal. Is there part of the garage blocked off for that? And some respond you drop your suitcases off beforehand, others say you can keep them? We've previously arrived via the DCL bus and once with a rental car we returned at the port. The time with the rental car the traffic was INSANE and it took us one hour just to make it from where you first can see the ship on the bridge to the luggage drop off point (wish I was kidding, I'm not), I certainly would not want to sit in that kind of traffic twice for being send away (by the parking garage entry staff?!). I appreciate everyone's input a lot!

 

[OURHOUSE610]

Another question if you are arrrivinf by private transportation (14 of us in a mini bus) how would that work? TIA

 

[FLPrincessMom]

So when you are parking - you go to the area where the porters are first. That is where you are supposed to leave your luggage with the porter. Some people have been keeping it with them until after they are cleared just in case they test positive. From there you drive around, pay for parking and then go to the testing area. All that is done while you are in the car. After they have your sample, they will tell you to go park and wait for the results. The testing is all on the ground floor of the garage - so parking is from level 2 up. As far as traffic - it hasn't been bad and I think a lot of that has to do with the strict port arrival times.

As far as private transportation - you will be dropped off, leave your luggage with the porter and head to the testing tent.

No one enters the terminal until they have been cleared. that is where you will check in and go thru security

 

[dreamer17555]

Covid testing is BEFORE you park?! I thought it was inside the passenger terminal. Is there part of the garage blocked off for that? And some respond you drop your suitcases off beforehand, others say you can keep them? We've previously arrived via the DCL bus and once with a rental car we returned at the port. The time with the rental car the traffic was INSANE and it took us one hour just to make it from where you first can see the ship on the bridge to the luggage drop off point (wish I was kidding, I'm not), I certainly would not want to sit in that kind of traffic twice for being send away (by the parking garage entry staff?!). I appreciate everyone's input a lot!

Traffic normally isn't anywhere close to that bad. In fact most of the time from the time I am on the bridge and can see the ship to actual port is a 15 minute drive. An hour is very unusual.

You test in your car on the first floor of the parking garage after dropping luggage off with porters. From there they will direct you where to park and await your result email to head to the terminal. Showing up too early will have you being told to come back at your arrival window so best to come as close to it as possible.

 

[tee11]

So when you are parking - you go to the area where the porters are first. That is where you are supposed to leave your luggage with the porter. Some people have been keeping it with them until after they are cleared just in case they test positive. From there you drive around, pay for parking and then go to the testing area. All that is done while you are in the car. After they have your sample, they will tell you to go park and wait for the results. The testing is all on the ground floor of the garage - so parking is from level 2 up. As far as traffic - it hasn't been bad and I think a lot of that has to do with the strict port arrival times.

As far as private transportation - you will be dropped off, leave your luggage with the porter and head to the testing tent.

No one enters the terminal until they have been cleared. that is where you will check in and go thru security

Thank you so much for this detailed step by step explanation, so helpful.

 

[TheLoaps]

Are test results messaged to our cell phones, or are they emailed? (Or both?). Our travel partners do not have a data plan, and are wondering how they will be able to access their results from their vehicle.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Are test results messaged to our cell phones, or are they emailed? (Or both?). Our travel partners do not have a data plan, and are wondering how they will be able to access their results from their vehicle.

they are emailed but results can also be seen on screens (clear to board, see inspire) in the garage

 

[dreamer17555]

they are emailed but results can also be seen on screens (clear to board, see inspire) in the garage

Where are the screens in the garage because I’ve cruised a couple times out of PC and I have not seen them.

 

[nancipants]

Related question: are there bathrooms in the parking garage? After a 1.5 hour drive, I will probably need to pee while we wait for test results. (And the anxiety from waiting will not help.) Also, my toddler may be potty trained by then and while we’ll probably use a pull up for driving, I’d like to be able to take him to a bathroom ASAP.

 

[Weedy]

Related question: are there bathrooms in the parking garage? After a 1.5 hour drive, I will probably need to pee while we wait for test results. (And the anxiety from waiting will not help.) Also, my toddler may be potty trained by then and while we’ll probably use a pull up for driving, I’d like to be able to take him to a bathroom ASAP.

Restrooms are available on the first floor of the parking garage.

 

[TheLoaps]

Are test results messaged to our cell phones, or are they emailed? (Or both?). Our travel partners do not have a data plan, and are wondering how they will be able to access their results from their vehicle.

they are emailed but results can also be seen on screens (clear to board, see inspire) in the garage

Where are the screens in the garage because I’ve cruised a couple times out of PC and I have not seen them.

Any further insight in this?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Any further insight in this?

Maybe I was mistaken and the screens are only in the tents where you test if you arrive by transfer.

 

[princesscinderella]

Are test results messaged to our cell phones, or are they emailed? (Or both?). Our travel partners do not have a data plan, and are wondering how they will be able to access their results from their vehicle.

They will email the results, but we had a hard time getting a good enough signal for the emails to refresh it was frustrating, my husband’s cell phone got the email 15 minutes before I could get mine to show up. I was told by the testing person that on the 3rd floor of the garage by the there’s a inspire employee that can help let you know if you are cleared too by the pedestrian bridge to the terminal.

 

[randumb0]

They will email the results, but we had a hard time getting a good enough signal for the emails to refresh it was frustrating, my husband’s cell phone got the email 15 minutes before I could get mine to show up. I was told by the testing person that on the 3rd floor of the garage by the there’s a inspire employee that can help let you know if you are cleared too by the pedestrian bridge to the terminal.

Who is your phone carrier and which floor were you on?

 

[princesscinderella]

Who is your phone carrier and which floor were you on?

We are AT&T and on the 2nd floor

 

[holula]

Who is your phone carrier and which floor were you on?

I had the same issue! AT&T and I think I was floor 4.