Port Arrival Time and Boarding Number

[LCoulter]

Port Arrival Time and Boarding Number

I’m not sure where to post this.

This is our third Disney cruise coming up and I am trying to understand the logistics before I do on-line check in. Our prior cruises were before the boarding number procedure started so it’s been a while and this is all new to us.

Thursday and Friday night we are staying overnight at Radisson on the Port and going to Kennedy Space Center on Friday. We will have an Avis car that we will pick up at the airport on Thursday and plan to return it by 9am Saturday morning at the Cape Canaveral Avis location.

First, does anyone know when the Avis shuttles to the port start running? Does anyone have experience with the Avis shuttles?

When I do the on-line check in for the cruise, I was planning to select a noonish time slot. I don’t really understand this whole process so maybe I won’t be able to get port arrival that early?

I am confused how the port arrival time is connected to the boarding number. If we arrive there around the time we say and the ship is boarding on time, are we going to have to waiting around for an hour or two before we can board? That is assuming the ship is boarding on time….I know that if they are late to start boarding, then we will need to wait a long time.

From one of the reviews I read, sorry can’t remember which one, the family arrived about when they were supposed to…I think around noon, the ship started boarding on time as expected but they were given a really high boarding number and were frustrated as they spent the next hour and a half watching everyone else board and they had been there on time for their port arrival time. They didn’t board until after 1:30. I am trying to avoid whatever mistake this family made.

 

[Dug720]

Boarding groups are assigned based on your selected Port Arrival Time (PAT). So if you arrive earlier than your PAT you will most likely get the one of the Boarding Groups for that PAT. Meaning if you arrive well ahead of your PAT, you may be at the counter next to someone checking in at their selected time and get a much later Boarding Group.

The boarding process usually starts around 11:30 with Concierge, Family of the Day, and Platinum cruisers, then starting with Boarding Group 1 and continuing from there with a new group every few minutes.

Once the Boarding Group being given out meets the Boarding Group being called, it goes to Open Boarding. Usually 12 or 12:30 as I understand it. At that point anyone may board regardless of their Boarding Group number.

Sometimes boarding is delayed - inspections, a deep clean of the ship, a previous cruiser having to be hunted down and escorted off, etc. In those events EVERYONE is delayed - and they are usually not predictable.

It is likely that family did not make any mistakes. But though the first PAT is 10 or 10:30, Boarding does not start until at least 11:30. And with multiple boarding groups per slot and 2 hours worth of slots a noon PAT will have a higher number. My guess is something happened to cause them to hold the process at some point because Open Boarding usually starts by 12:30 or so.

 

[LCoulter]

That family I was talking about said they already got through Concierge, Family of the Day, and Platinum cruisers and were starting the boarding numbers around noonish which was their port arrival time, so why would they be given a number and made to wait until 1:30 to board? They continued boarding other guests and calling numbers while they sat and watched for the next hour and a half for their number to be called. They did, supposedly nicely, questioned their high number when their port arrival time was noon.

 

[Dug720]

That family I was talking about said they already got through Concierge, Family of the Day, and Platinum cruisers and were starting the boarding numbers around noonish which was their port arrival time, so why would they be given a number and made to wait until 1:30 to board? They continued boarding other guests and calling numbers while they sat and watched for the next hour and a half for their number to be called. They did, supposedly nicely, questioned their high number when their port arrival time was noon.

Boarding does NOT begin when the terminal opens. It begins about 11:30 usually. Again, it can be delayed. And PAT does NOT mean that is the time you're going to be getting on the ship.

The first PATs are usually given Boarding Group 2+ - there are usually multiple Boarding Groups per PAT 15-minute slot. Let's just start with 1 and say 5 because that makes math easier (I have no clue how many other than more than 1). So 10-10:15 has 1-5; 10:15-10:30 has 6-10; 10:30-10:45 has 11-15; 10:45-11:00 has 15-20; 11:00-11:15 has 21-25; 11:15-11:30 has 26-30; 11:30-11:45 has 31-35; 11:45-12:00 has 36-40; 12:00-12:15 has 41-45; 12:15-12:30 has 46-50; 12:30-12:45 has 51-55, etc.

If they did not start boarding until noon, that indicates there was some kind of delay as I mentioned since boarding usually starts around 11:30. They work through the numbers in such a manner that there is not a huge back-up.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

That family I was talking about said they already got through Concierge, Family of the Day, and Platinum cruisers and were starting the boarding numbers around noonish which was their port arrival time, so why would they be given a number and made to wait until 1:30 to board? They continued boarding other guests and calling numbers while they sat and watched for the next hour and a half for their number to be called. They did, supposedly nicely, questioned their high number when their port arrival time was noon.

Because your PAT is just that, a Port Arrival Time, not a boarding time. If they had a noon PAT and arrived at noon, they were given a boarding number corresponding with the noon PAT. The people boarding at noon were those with 10:30-11:30 PATs. For our cruise last week, we had a 10:30 PAT but were delayed in getting to the port. We arrived around 11:15 and by the time we got through security and check-in, it was around 11:45. We were given boarding number 2, but they were already calling boarding number 8.

 

[hcox31]

Earlier the PAT, the lower the boarding number.

Last cruise (from Miami) we had an early PAT. (10:45 I think?) Didn't arrive until 45 minutes or so after that PAT and because our boarding number was tied to our PAT (boarding group 5) we were able to walk right on because they had started boarding before we got there.

 

[lanejudy]

They continued boarding other guests and calling numbers while they sat and watched for the next hour and a half for their number to be called. They did, supposedly nicely, questioned their high number when their port arrival time was noon.

That family was given a boarding number associated with the Noon PAT. The lower boarding numbers went to people with PATs starting at 10:30am, so 90 minutes worth of guests had arrived prior to that family and therefore were boarding ahead of them. As PP mentions, there must have been some delay because boarding usually starts around 11:15/11:30 and runs through fairly quickly, with “open boarding” called around 12:30 or so.

The car rental shuttles are not likely to start running until very close to 10:30. They aren’t allowed to drop off passengers earlier. I’d recommend not returning your rental until about 10am or you’ll end up hanging out at the rental agency waiting for the shuttles to start.

I’m confused by your plan for a Noon PAT if you are returning your rental at 9am (see above - don’t go that early) and taking rental shuttle to the port? PAT = Port Arrival Time. It is literally that, the time you expect to arrive at the port terminal. If returning a rental in the morning and taking the shuttle, I suggest trying to get an early (10:30 is earliest) PAT. The shuttle is a 5 minute ride. You’ll just be sitting in the terminal watching others board if you get a noon PAT.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[LCoulter]

I’m confused by your plan for a Noon PAT if you are returning your rental at 9am (see above - don’t go that early) and taking rental shuttle to the port? PAT = Port Arrival Time. It is literally that, the time you expect to arrive at the port terminal. If returning a rental in the morning and taking the shuttle, I suggest trying to get an early (10:30 is earliest) PAT. The shuttle is a 5 minute ride. You’ll just be sitting in the terminal watching others board if you get a noon PAT.

I picked noon because I assumed the experienced cruisers would beat me to the earlier PAT’s but I will take earliest I can get. DH gave Avis the 9am time but maybe I will have him change it to 10.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I would just pick the earliest PAT that you can get that won't force you to rush in some sort of crazy way. We were first time cruisers and still got an 11am PAT - we were actually running late and didn't actually arrive until around 11:40am, had boarding group 8, they were already calling 1-12, I believe.

In terms of Avis, I am not sure if you really need to alert them ahead of time that you will be arriving at 10 instead because they just charge what they charge and if you aren't past another full day then it won't matter too much to them.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

In terms of Avis, I am not sure if you really need to alert them ahead of time that you will be arriving at 10 instead because they just charge what they charge and if you aren't past another full day then it won't matter too much to them.

That's not exactly true. They can charge a late fee if you return the car past the time you said you would. I think they allow a 1/2 hour grace period then charge an additional hourly charge. Plus, Avis may be counting on having that car back to provide it to someone else. If you don't get the car back on time, someone else showing up to pick up a car may find they don't have a car.

 

[Weedy]

FYI: ( usually) at Port Canaveral
10:30 Terminal opens
When you arrive and check in you will be given a boarding number. The earlier your PAT the lower your boarding number. Concierge and Platinum get #1. Once they start calling numbers they call the next about every 5 minuets.
11:30 boarding starts.
12:00 Pools, slides, restaurants and bars open.
1:30 cabins ready
3:30 restaurants and pools close to get ready for the lifeboat drill.
So... if you want to board ASAP I would pick the earliest PAT you can get.
If you want to avoid the crazy busy terminal pick 12:30 by this time they go to open boarding meaning no more lines. You check in and walk on.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

FYI: ( usually) at Port Canaveral
10:30 Terminal opens
When you arrive and check in you will be given a boarding number. The earlier your Port Arrival Time the lower your boarding number. Concierge and Platinum get #1. Once they start calling numbers they call the next about every 5 minuets.
11:30 boarding starts.
12:00 Pools, slides, restaurants and bars open.
1:30 cabins ready
3:30 restaurants and pools close to get ready for the lifeboat drill.
So... if you want to board ASAP I would pick the earliest PAT you can get.
If you want to avoid the crazy busy terminal pick 12:30 by this time they go to open boarding meaning no more lines. You check in and walk on.

Fixed it.

 

[Weedy]

Fixed it.

Thanks I was trying but the page keeps reloading.

 

[lilsonicfan]

That's not exactly true. They can charge a late fee if you return the car past the time you said you would. I think they allow a 1/2 hour grace period then charge an additional hourly charge. Plus, Avis may be counting on having that car back to provide it to someone else. If you don't get the car back on time, someone else showing up to pick up a car may find they don't have a car.

Perhaps. I am not sure that in practice it really works that way because usually the charge is based on 24 hour rentals, and so Avis knows how many cars it will receive back that day, but only generally what time to expect those cars.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

what I don't understand is the Disney Transfers and the boarding number. I did a Disney Transfer from MCO and I was on the 1st bus, and when we arrived to the empty terminal, I got a boarding #15??? We were on before noon, but not sure why I had to wait and watch the other numbers board.

 

[Dug720]

what I don't understand is the Disney Transfers and the boarding number. I did a Disney Transfer from MCO and I was on the 1st bus, and when we arrived to the empty terminal, I got a boarding #15??? We were on before noon, but not sure why I had to wait and watch the other numbers board.

Did you select a Port Arrival Time?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

what I don't understand is the Disney Transfers and the boarding number. I did a Disney Transfer from MCO and I was on the 1st bus, and when we arrived to the empty terminal, I got a boarding #15??? We were on before noon, but not sure why I had to wait and watch the other numbers board.

When was this? At one time, it mattered not what time you got to the port, the boarding number was based on your Port Arrival Time. If you'd selected a PAT later than you actually arrived, you still get the higher number.

In recent times, using DCL transfers, you're not prompted to select a PAT. On the theory that you'll get the next available boarding number based on when you actually arrive.

For example, let's say each boarding window (10:30-10:45; 10:45-11:00; etc) has 5 boarding numbers assigned to it. And each boarding number will have 20 reservations assigned to that number. If the number of already assigned numbers hasn't been filled, those arriving via DCL transfers will be assigned a number that hasn't had all of it openings given out yet. If you arrive via DCL transfers at 10:30, and all the numbers for that window have been given out, then you would get the next available number. It could be for a time, say 11:30 (boarding numbers 25-30), you get one of those numbers.

I hope that makes sense.

Now, some people have reported getting whatever number is currently being boarded when arriving via DCL transfers. Others have reported getting a higher number than then one being called.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Did you select a Port Arrival Time?

When was this? At one time, it mattered not what time you got to the port, the boarding number was based on your Port Arrival Time. If you'd selected a PAT later than you actually arrived, you still get the higher number.

In recent times, using DCL transfers, you're not prompted to select a PAT. On the theory that you'll get the next available boarding number based on when you actually arrive.

For example, let's say each boarding window (10:30-10:45; 10:45-11:00; etc) has 5 boarding numbers assigned to it. And each boarding number will have 20 reservations assigned to that number. If the number of already assigned numbers hasn't been filled, those arriving via DCL transfers will be assigned a number that hasn't had all of it openings given out yet. If you arrive via DCL transfers at 10:30, and all the numbers for that window have been given out, then you would get the next available number. It could be for a time, say 11:30 (boarding numbers 25-30), you get one of those numbers.

I hope that makes sense.

Now, some people have reported getting whatever number is currently being boarded when arriving via DCL transfers. Others have reported getting a higher number than then one being called.

Did not select PAT because I signed up for Disney transfers right off the bat. This was 12 days ago (5/25 Disney Dream) sailing. When she handed me the #15 I said, oh, no and she said, yeah, that is strange. I was going to see if others on our bus boarded earlier, but by the time they were boarding the terminal was packed so I couldn't tell.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Did not select PAT because I signed up for Disney transfers right off the bat. This was 12 days ago (5/25 Disney Dream) sailing. When she handed me the #15 I said, oh, no and she said, yeah, that is strange. I was going to see if others on our bus boarded earlier, but by the time they were boarding the terminal was packed so I couldn't tell.

So you made the reservation only 12 days out from the cruise? Maybe they're assigning the boarding numbers by when you sign up for the transfers, based on what's still available. Maybe.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I think she means the cruise was 12 days ago. And that she signed up for transfers much earlier.