Port Arrival Time questions

[NurseRunner79]

Our Port Arrival time is 11-11:15am
We are staying at a hotel that offers a free shuttle to the port. The earliest time we could schedule the shuttle was for 11:15. They said they offer “unscheduled” port runs between 9am and 10am so we have the option to do that instead

I have 2 questions about this:

1) If we arrive at the port early what happens? I understand we won’t be able to check in early and we will have to wait around, but where do we have to wait? Can we go inside to wait? Will we be stuck outside? What are the logistics in this circumstance? We have 2 young kids and 2 people in their 70s so don’t want to get stuck standing on the sidewalk for 2 hours

2) what happens if we arrive after our scheduled port arrival time?

Thanks!

 

[apathetic]

1) You can arrive early, but you will still get a boarding group based on your PAT. I believe you can still do all of the check-in stuff, you just have to wait in the terminal after that. If this is for Port Canaveral, the terminal itself doesn't usually open until 1030. Getting there before that means you will be standing out on the curb. Then after checking in, you could have another hour or longer wait to board.

2) If you arrive late, the opposite happens. Depending on how late, you probably will walk right on the ship after check-in. If they aren't in general boarding, you will still get a boarding group based on your PAT and possibly will just walk on still.

 

[lanejudy]

I’d go with the 11:15 shuttle. PAT is really “not earlier than...” as opposed to a hard line. Arriving earlier means waiting around longer because your boarding number is tied to the PAT. Arriving before 10:30 means standing outside because the terminal won’t be open yet. Arriving later than your PAT likely means little or no wait to board after you check-in.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

1. There is a line that queues up on the 3rd level of the parking garage waiting to get into the terminal. Between 10-10:30 they open up security to the terminal and the xray machine line begins. You are under cover, though. When the kids were younger, DW usually would take the kids on a runaround to keep them busy.

2. If you arrive after, well no harm. The terminal is very congested so you'll just have wade through the masses so as to check in and shortly after board.

 

[NurseRunner79]

1) You can arrive early, but you will still get a boarding group based on your PAT. I believe you can still do all of the check-in stuff, you just have to wait in the terminal after that. If this is for Port Canaveral, the terminal itself doesn't usually open until 1030. Getting there before that means you will be standing out on the curb. Then after checking in, you could have another hour or longer wait to board.

2) If you arrive late, the opposite happens. Depending on how late, you probably will walk right on the ship after check-in. If they aren't in general boarding, you will still get a boarding group based on your PAT and possibly will just walk on still.

Thank you!! Based on your answer and some other reading online I have done we have decided to stick with the 11:15 shuttle. I would rather get on the ship a bit later than have a stressful 2 hours waiting to check in

 

[NurseRunner79]

I’d go with the 11:15 shuttle. PAT is really “not earlier than...” as opposed to a hard line. Arriving earlier means waiting around longer because your boarding number is tied to the PAT. Arriving before 10:30 means standing outside because the terminal won’t be open yet. Arriving later than your PAT likely means little or no wait to board after you check-in.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you!! 11:15 shuttle it is!

 

[dvcdisney]

Thank you!! Based on your answer and some other reading online I have done we have decided to stick with the 11:15 shuttle. I would rather get on the ship a bit later than have a stressful 2 hours waiting to check in

We've never been early for any embarkation. If it's Port Canaveral, we always take the DCL transfer from the resort and we always arrive later. I know a lot of people want to get in early, but there really is minimal wait when you arrive after boarding has started.

I've seen some photos posted of line ups in the terminal with guests waiting to board before their boarding number is called.

I really like the fact that once we finish check in, we are invited to board immediately.