PAT & Boarding Group Tracking Thread

[Girl of the South]

Absolutely agree. I don’t get it or enjoy the big rush.

 

[Dug720]

The having to lug your carry-on with you is my biggest turn-off. As a solo cruiser I can't park it with someone else in my party...I'm stuck with it. I didn't realize how nice it is to be allowed to drop it off on Celebrity until I did a totally sold out RCCL cruise out of NJ in February and everyone was trying to find places to wait inside with their carry-on until the cabins are open.

My guess is the more family-centered lines figure there would be less compliance of "drop your bags, get your key card, and go" than on a more adult-centered line like Celebrity and that's why they don't offer it.

 

[dreamer17555]

Absolutely agree. I don’t get it enjoy the big rush.

Aqua mouse with no wait is nice, and if you are hoping for Palo brunch and have not gotten it ahead of time (or switching to early dining) early is a great way to do that. I put my bags on a single lounge chair and hit the aqua mouse until rooms are open- then a quick shower and I'm ready for muster drill

 

[dreamer17555]

The having to lug your carry-on with you is my biggest turn-off. As a solo cruiser I can't park it with someone else in my party...I'm stuck with it. I didn't realize how nice it is to be allowed to drop it off on Celebrity until I did a totally sold out RCCL cruise out of NJ in February and everyone was trying to find places to wait inside with their carry-on until the cabins are open.

My guess is the more family-centered lines figure there would be less compliance of "drop your bags, get your key card, and go" than on a more adult-centered line like Celebrity and that's why they don't offer it.

We put our bag on a lounge chair by the pool and so far no one has ever messed with it while we swim and hit the slide.

 

[n2mm]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Wish
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Terminal #10
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:00-11:15, BG #2
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Pearl
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? No
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port?
What time did they let you into the terminal?
What time did you board the ship?
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

I’m guessing being a Pearl doesn’t really help. Btw, I usually get PAT 10:45 out of #8, but later this time out of #10

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Magic August 2025
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral/Terminal 8
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:30-11:45 BG 8
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port?
What time did they let you into the terminal?
What time did you board the ship?
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

 

[princesscinderella]

We have already sailed but I figured I'd add our data.

What ship are you sailing on? - Fantasy - June 30 2025
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Civitavecchia - Italy
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? - 7 - arrival time 11:15-11:30am
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? - No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation: Took the Train from Roma Termini into Civitavecchia station and took the shuttle bus to the port from the station for 6Euros per person
What Castaway Club level are you? - Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes at midnight
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 10:50am
What time did they let you into the terminal? 10:50 am
What time did you board the ship? 12:30 am
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience? They were extremely slow calling out boarding groups with long waits in between the groups. However, they were doing the check in on the ship instead of in the port as you entered where they normally would ask your name so it was a slower process. The asked your family name once you were past the check in and in the atrium.
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know? It was extremely easy to take the train from Rome into Civitavecchia to board the ship and a very economical option as compared to a private transfer. We also disembarked in Barcelona early with express walk off and quickly grabbed a taxi to our hotel in the city from the line of them waiting and it was 30 euros for the ride. DCL wanted $40 per person for bus transfers to the airport or DCL hotels (which we were staying at), so the taxi was a much cheaper option.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Dream
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Everglades and 4
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 1115& 5
Are you taking Disney Cruise Linetransportation? Nope
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 1045
What time did they let you into the terminal? 1045
What time did you board the ship? 1140ish
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience? 2nd time cruising out of here and both were super smooth
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know? Don’t follow GPS when you see the port signs.. it lies..

 

[DCL58]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Magic
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Terminal #8
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:45 PAT BG 9
Are you taking Disney Cruise Linetransportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 11:00
What time did they let you into the terminal?11:00
What time did you board the ship? 12:15
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

 

[Disneycouple99]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Wish
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral/ #10
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:00 PAT BG 3
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? Yes
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?) MCO Hyatt
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 11:00
What time did they let you into the terminal? 11:00
What time did you board the ship? 11:45
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

 

[Chrissie & Kids]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Wish
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral/ #10
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:00 PAT BG 3
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? Yes
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?) MCO
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Gold
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

 

[dreamer17555]

Any more reports or follow ups? Thank you to everyone who has shared so far!

 

[katellynne]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Disney Fantasy
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Civitavecchia/Rome
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:15-11:30am BG 6
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? no
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? no

And then some questions to be answered (or edited) after the sailing like:

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 11:30am
What time did they let you into the terminal? As soon as we made it through the queues and security
What time did you board the ship? noon
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?
If you are doing a private transfer, make sure you book a company that has access to the actual terminals. Our driver delivered us right to the ship and we just had a short walk to the DCL terminal. We booked with Civitavecchia Cab Service for hotel to port and airport to hotel and would absolutely book them again. Nice new BMW's and wonderful drivers. We arrived a bit late due to unexpected traffic and a stop at my request to get a pastry before leaving Rome. It was worth it The queues outside are horrible. People everywhere and it is not easy to see where to go. They are marked by PAT time and they do have multiple of them, it's just that there are so many bodies! Since we were past our PAT time by a couple minute I just approached a DCL attendant who directed us through a rope and directly into the terminal. There is a a mass of people and then a luggage drop off. We left our bags but were nervous since we didn't speak to the attendant. All was fine they were delivered later. Then we checked in (massive amounts of people in there, Platinum line wasn't terrible but there was a wait) and went through security and up the elevator to boarding. They were just calling our BG so we went on board.

 

[AJP]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Disney Magic
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral, Terminal 8
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:45, BG 11
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Silver
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No, but it took 11 days to have photos/docs confirmed.

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port? 11:15
What time did they let you into the terminal? 11:30. Right as we walked up to the terminal they started letting in the 11:45-12:00 line.
What time did you board the ship? Noon. Boarding Groups 1-6 were being called when we cleared security but it was only 5-10 minutes until our group was called.
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience? First time driving to PC (used DCL transport on prior trips) and everything was smooth. We went from the parking garage to seated at Royal Table for lunch in about an hour.
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know? There's a decent amount of road construction near the Terminal 8 entrance. It wasn't causing any traffic backups but this was for a Wednesday departure. The directions from Apple Maps got us in without issue.

 

[Minnie352]

What ship are you sailing on? Wish
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral - Term 10
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:30am, BG 9
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Platinum
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

p.s. every time I check in I get ticked off because it reminds me that a perk for Platinum used to be you got the first BG after concierge. Now, since the CC changed, and I drive to port, I'm relegated to BG 9, or after the resort and MCO arrivals. It should be by CC Level. The difference in timing impacts the line for dining changes/requests, guest services req, etc.

 

[dreamer17555]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on?
Wish Sept

What port (and terminal) are you departing from?
PC Terminal 10

What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get?
11:00-11:15 AM, BG 3

Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation?
Yes

If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
MCO

If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you?
Platinum

Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)?
Yes (didn't need to and did it anyway)

Did you have any issues during check-in?
Nope, Surprisingly smooth on the website tonight


Will Report Back After the Cruise in Sept
After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port?
What time did they let you into the terminal?
What time did you board the ship?
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

 

[OhhBother]

What ship are you sailing on?
Disney Treasure, Sept HOHS

What port are you departing from?
Port Canaveral

What PAT and boarding group did you get?
11:15 am, BG 3

Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation?
Yes

If yes, where are you taking it from?
Hyatt MCO

What Castaway Club level are you?
Gold

Did you have any issues during check-in?
No. Checked in around 8 am the morning after window opened

After Sailing Report:
What time did you arrive at the port?
What time did they let you into the terminal?
What time did you board the ship?
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
Anything you think new cruisers, or cruisers new to that port or terminal, should know?

 

[semiswtkindalife]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Fantasy
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Southampton, Horizon Terminal
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 10:45-11:00 am, BG 3
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No (but Disney had us down for yes)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Gold
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No

Notes: I thought BG 3 was a tad early since we weren't taking Disney transportation to the port. I called and it turns out Disney had us down for transportation to the port, which was a mistake since I had only booked transportation to the airport. Once that was changed, I had to select a new PAT. So some new info...

What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:45 am-12 pm, BG 10
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes but had to select a new PAT about 36 hours later after fixing the ground transportation situation

After Sailing:
What time did you arrive at the port? 10:50 am
What time did they let you into the terminal? 11:35 am
What time did you board the ship? Noon-ish
Anything you'd like to share (positive or negative) about your embarkation experience?
The Horizon Terminal is very organized. There are queues outside the terminal with various PAT times. If you arrive early, expect to wait in a general area before the queue for your PAT opens. It can be very windy so dress accordingly. Once inside the terminal, security and check in are pretty fast. By the time we were done, they were boarding group 5 and we only waited about 10-15 min before our boarding group was called.

 

[GollyGadget]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Magic
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 11:45 am-noon BG 6
Are you taking Disney Cruise Linetransportation? Yes
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?) Pop (half) Century
What Castaway Club level are you? Silver
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? No, finished check in the day after opening
Did you have any issues during check-in? None

 

[My2Kidzmom]

Before Sailing:
What ship are you sailing on? Magic
What port (and terminal) are you departing from? Port Canaveral
What PAT and boarding group (BG) did you get? 12:15-12:30, BG 11
Are you taking Disney Cruise Line transportation? No
If yes, where are you taking it from? (If it’s a Resort\Hotel, which one?)
If you're not taking DCL transportation:
What Castaway Club level are you? Silver
Did you check in right when your window opened (midnight EST)? Yes
Did you have any issues during check-in? No