Port arrival time question.

[CKC23]

Hello,


During our check-in we selected the earliest port arrival time, that being 12:30pm. We will be driving to the port. How strict are they with enforcing these port arrival times?If we were to arrive at 11am and boarding had started, will they make us wait in the terminal until our boarding time of 12:30pm or will we be able to board at 11?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello,


During our check-in we selected the earliest port arrival time, that being 12:30pm. We will be driving to the port. How strict are they with enforcing these port arrival times?If we were to arrive at 11am and boarding had started, will they make us wait in the terminal until our boarding time of 12:30pm or will we be able to board at 11?

If you arrive earlier than your selected PAT, and the terminal is too full/busy, you will be asked to wait until either your correct PAT, or the terminal to be less full, whichever is first.

Boarding generally doesn't start until around 11:45 (sometimes earlier), with Concierge and Platinum CC member, then boarding numbers are called. Your PAT is tied to the boarding number you will get when you check in at the port. Even if you are allowed to enter the terminal earlier than your PAT, you will still receive the same number and will have to wait until that number is called to board, or Open Boarding, whichever is first. Open Boarding is generally called around 12:30-12:45.

 

[lanejudy]

Hello,


During our check-in we selected the earliest port arrival time, that being 12:30pm. We will be driving to the port. How strict are they with enforcing these port arrival times?If we were to arrive at 11am and boarding had started, will they make us wait in the terminal until our boarding time of 12:30pm or will we be able to board at 11?

If you are cruising on one of the classic ships, the PAT doesn't make much difference other than your actual boarding number will be tied to the PAT. So if you have a PAT of 12:30 and arrive at 11:00am, you likely will wait while a lot of other passengers board before you even if they arrived later.

On the Dream class ships, it's possible that if you arrive prior to your PAT you may be asked to wait outside the terminal until the crowds thin out a bit or your PAT time arrives, whichever is first. As Princess Shmoo indicates, boarding doesn't actually start until 11:45am or so, and it does move fairly quickly. But honestly, with a PAT of 12:30-1:00pm I wouldn't show up earlier than noon. Boarding will have started by then and the big early rush will start moving out of the terminal, and you shouldn't have too long a wait. But your boarding number is still tied to your PAT even if you are allowed into the terminal early, so you'll still wait.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[CKC23]

Great! Thank you both, very much for your responses. You have certainly helped us with our planning. I appreciate it, thanks again!