PAT and port opening

[cypressmom]

This will be our first cruise out of PC and we will be sailing concierge. I understand the earliest PAT is 10:30, but is that when the port opens? We have arranged a private transfer and they said they will have us to port no earlier than 10:30. Will the port be crazy? Specifically, will we be sitting in a long line of cars waiting to get to our drop off point? Are the security lines typically long? I understand that once we get through security we will check in with concierge, but I am trying to figure out the logistics before that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HLAuburn]

I'd like to know too. We leave Thursday and our PAT is 10:30. We don't live too far from the port, so I planned to leave early that morning, but I don't want to get there so early that the port's not open but I'd like the beat the crowds too. I emailed the port to see what time they officially open and never got a response...I might try calling tomorrow.

 

[shburks]

I toured the Dream a few weeks back when they had just started the earlier PAT times. We were inside before 1030 but no one else was, so it looked like it def didn't open prior to 1030

 

[lanejudy]

Passengers arriving by DCL transfers will be allowed into the terminal no matter what time they arrive. Most likely, anyone else arriving will be held outside until 10:30am -- it could be a few minutes earlier or later when the doors are opened. I haven't seen DCL "officially" indicate the port opens prior to 11am, but as we know the new PATs are for 10:30 and reports are the terminal is opening at that time.

As for drop-off...if the car service brings you at 10:30am you should be fine. Many people are reporting being allowed into the drop-off/parking area as early as 10am. There may or may not be a few cars arriving about the same time and therefore a short line, but the drop-off line keeps moving fairly well. It shouldn't be long.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[DJSMOM]

A slightly different take not the same topic....we currently have a PAT of 10:30. I am flying the night before and staying at the Hyatt. With the earlier PAT, has the first DCL transfer started to depart the airport earlier too? My TA told me it won't be until 10 am. If you get there after say 11 am, will we have to wait or will our boarding number allow us to get immediate boarding or does it depend on when you actually get there?

 

[lbgraves]

Reports here have been that the first DCL transfer has always left MCO before 10:00. Sounds like your TA has no actual experience with DCL transfers. I have seen some say the first transfers start leaving MCO around 9:00 or earlier.

Regarding the boarding number, you will get the same boarding number no matter when you actually arrive at the terminal. With DCL transfers, you will be allowed into the terminal whenever you arrive, but your boarding number will determine when you board the ship. Since you have the earliest PAT, you will have a low boarding number and if they have already called it when you finish checking in, you will be allowed to board at that time.

 

[cypressmom]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[su_A_ve]

A slightly different take not the same topic....we currently have a PAT of 10:30. I am flying the night before and staying at the Hyatt. With the earlier PAT, has the first DCL transfer started to depart the airport earlier too? My TA told me it won't be until 10 am. If you get there after say 11 am, will we have to wait or will our boarding number allow us to get immediate boarding or does it depend on when you actually get there?

Boarding is tied to your PAT. So if you get there after they started boarding and you have the first PAT you'll board pretty quickly...