Port Arrival Time vs Boarding Time question

[stkgator]

For the Sep 17 Dream cruise, PATs are offered in 15-minute increments starting at 11:15 through 2:45.

Under the Covid-procedures, is the boarding tIme linked to the PAT (being able to board soon after check-in)? I was given a boarding group 5 so I would not want to check in early if we ended up just waiting in the terminal for hours waiting for our group to board.

 

[CamColt]

From the 8/9 cruise they called Boarding Groups very quickly. Looking at my videos, Group 1 was called at 1:44. I was in 3 and entered the queue to go through the ears at 1:48. It was a constant flow of walking through the queue, not a stop and go line.

 

[stkgator]

From the 8/9 cruise they called Boarding Groups very quickly. Looking at my videos, Group 1 was called at 1:44. I was in 3 and entered the queue to go through the ears at 1:48. It was a constant flow of walking through the queue, not a stop and go line.

So, it appears that they go through the boarding sequence for each of the 15-minute PAT windows - thus early PAT, early boarding! Thanks.

 

[CamColt]

So, it appears that they go through the boarding sequence for each of the 15-minute PAT windows - thus early PAT, early boarding! Thanks.

I believe Group 1 is concierge, Group 2 seemed to be a lot of DCL transfer guests (at least the ones I talked to, I cant say for sure if that's set in stone) and then Group 3 seemed to corresponded with 1:00 PAT.

 

[stkgator]

I believe Group 1 is concierge, Group 2 seemed to be a lot of DCL transfer guests (at least the ones I talked to, I cant say for sure if that's set in stone) and then Group 3 seemed to corresponded with 1:00 PAT.

With a Group 5, I was able to schedule an 11:15 am PAT (All the PATs between 11:15 and 2:45 were available and there were no non-selectable timeslots) - which was the reason for my original question if the PAT and Group are linked.

 

[HiStitch626]

With a Group 5, I was able to schedule an 11:15 am PAT (All the PATs between 11:15 and 2:45 were available and there were no non-selectable timeslots) - which was the reason for my original question if the PAT and Group are linked.

that is a good question. The first cruiser's PATs were much later and so the ship was already for boarding. With an 11 o’clock PAT there may be some time spent waiting. Prior to Covid ship boarding didn’t start as early as that.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

From the 8/9 cruise they called Boarding Groups very quickly. Looking at my videos, Group 1 was called at 1:44. I was in 3 and entered the queue to go through the ears at 1:48. It was a constant flow of walking through the queue, not a stop and go line.

Were your Groups the same size herd as pre-covid?

 

[CamColt]

that is a good question. The first cruiser's PATs were much later and so the ship was already for boarding. With an 11 o’clock PAT there may be some time spent waiting. Prior to Covid ship boarding didn’t start as early as that.

That is a good point. Since we had the later time my answers may be irrelevant.

Were your Groups the same size herd as pre-covid?

Not at all. The terminal was very empty compared to usual. Very few people in 1 and 2 at least. 3 didn't seem crowded either but I was focused on getting on the ship.

 

[mmouse09]

Just curious, how did you get a boarding and PAT already if your cruise doesn't sail until late September? Can we select this before the 30 day window?

 

[stkgator]

Just curious, how did you get a boarding and PAT already if your cruise doesn't sail until late September? Can we select this before the 30 day window?

The Sep 17 cruise is 29 days away!

 

[mmouse09]

Thanks! Your original post said September 27th, so I was confused!

 

[n2mm]

We are excited our PAT got lowered to 11:00. We are boarding group 3.

 

[jmclester]

That is a good point. Since we had the later time my answers may be irrelevant.


Not at all. The terminal was very empty compared to usual. Very few people in 1 and 2 at least. 3 didn't seem crowded either but I was focused on getting on the ship.

I too am interested to see if the ship will start boarding as early as 11am. Also hoping for two stops at CC on our 9/13 cruise!!

 

[TheBigErn]

Thanks! Your original post said September 27th, so I was confused!

nope

 

[castmbr]

From the 8/9 cruise they called Boarding Groups very quickly. Looking at my videos, Group 1 was called at 1:44. I was in 3 and entered the queue to go through the ears at 1:48. It was a constant flow of walking through the queue, not a stop and go line.

That sounds like appx the timing for 8/16 as well.

 

[stkgator]

I sent a message to DCL, and they stated that the boarding time is still scheduled for 1:00 pm - unless cleared to board earlier.

I changed my PAT via the online check-in portal to a later time (from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm), but noticed that the boarding group changed from "Group 5" to "Group 18", which would indicate that they will try to spread the boarding times over a longer period of time?

 

[CamColt]

I sent a message to DCL, and they stated that the boarding time is still scheduled for 1:00 pm - unless cleared to board earlier.

I changed my PAT via the online check-in portal to a later time (from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm), but noticed that the boarding group changed from "Group 5" to "Group 18", which would indicate that they will try to spread the boarding times over a longer period of time?

That's interesting. Thanks for the report.

 

[Dug720]

I sent a message to DCL, and they stated that the boarding time is still scheduled for 1:00 pm - unless cleared to board earlier.

I changed my PAT via the online check-in portal to a later time (from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm), but noticed that the boarding group changed from "Group 5" to "Group 18", which would indicate that they will try to spread the boarding times over a longer period of time?

Boarding Group has ALWAYS been tied to your PAT. So it makes perfect sense that moving your PAT back would put you in a later boarding group.