PORT ARRIVAL TIME WINDOWS ... ? enforced

[mmouse37]

Is this only the Dream that the port arrival times are being enforced or all ships?

I would assume since the Port Authority changed the opening time to 11:00 am that it would be for all the Disney ships sailing out of PC.

Curious....has anyone read anything about the other cruise terminals for the other cruise lines being changed or did they have different terminal opening times from the start?

MJ

 

[DVC4US]

Did Concierges tell you that you still had that arriaval time? They are telling me the earliest time we can arrive is still 11:00!!

No, every time I talk to her she says, "your port arrival time shows 10:30-11, which will change to 11." But I have paper work printed out showing a port arrival time of 10:30-11 so that's what I'm going with. We will probably be early and have to wait, but since this is the first day for this change I don't have a lot of confidence in DCL to enforce the rules. I am usually really good about following rules but I am concerned about DCL enforcing the rules. I am just concerned that if I wait until 11am to show up and DCL allows people who show up early get in line then how far back in line will I be?

 

[DVC4US]

For those of you who have DH drop you, then return a rental car and take the shuttle back, do you have him drop you at the time you think you can get in (say 11) - then what does he do when he returns - can you check in without him? Can he get inside and join you? Does he need to keep some kind of documentation with him to show that he is legitimately able to cut the line and come in and join you?

From what I understand, he will need to drop you off at the time you can enter the port. As long as you have his passport or BC then you can check him in. He will need to have his DL to get back in through security at the port and then he can meet you in the terminal. Again, from what I understand, your port arrival time will be on the manifest they use to make sure you are on the cruise, but it wouldn't hurt to give him a copy of the paperwork that has your port arrival time on it. He will have to line up with the group that is currently entering the terminal. He will not be able to cut the line.

 

[kritter]

No, every time I talk to her she says, "your port arrival time shows 10:30-11, which will change to 11." But I have paper work printed out showing a port arrival time of 10:30-11 so that's what I'm going with. We will probably be early and have to wait, but since this is the first day for this change I don't have a lot of confidence in DCL to enforce the rules. I am usually really good about following rules but I am concerned about DCL enforcing the rules. I am just concerned that if I wait until 11am to show up and DCL allows people who show up early get in line then how far back in line will I be?

My paperwork says that too. But I also do not want to have to wait until 11:00 in a holding area!!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Below is a reply I received from DCL re: port arrival times & the parking garage.

7/15/11

Thank you for your e-mail.

Please also accept our genuine regret for any confusion or
disappointment. It is not our intent to upset our loyal Disney Cruise
Line Guests. Your concerns have been shared with the appropriate
management teams.

As you may know, effective August 2, 2011, there is going to be a change
to the operational hours of the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral.

In order to eliminate some of the wait Guests experience, the cruise
terminal and parking facility in Port Canaveral will both open at
11:00am instead of 10:30am.

Please be aware, this is not the time you will embark the ship. It is
only the time to arrive at the cruise terminal. Embarkation still begins
approximately 1:00pm.

Here is some information regarding the Port Arrival Time:

*You will be issued a boarding number for a boarding group at check-in.
*The boarding number is predetermined by the time selected in the Port
Arrival Time form.
*If you have not selected an arrival time online, you may be delayed
entry into the cruise terminal until Guests with assigned times are
accommodated.
*You will board the ship once the boarding number has been called.

We encourage our Guests to arrive as close to their scheduled time as
possible. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait until your
scheduled time to enter the terminal. Guests arriving prior to 11:00am
will be encouraged to visit some of the area attractions in Port
Canaveral prior to opening.

If you are traveling with another party and have chosen two separate
Port Arrival times, it is recommended to arrive at the later time in
order to ensure the entire party can be accommodated.

We regret any disappointment and hope these concerns will not continue
to affect your regard for Disney. There is magic in the Disney name and
we anxiously anticipate sailing with you and your family on August 16th-
in just 32 days!

Sincerely,

JD
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Line

 

[AngelDisney]

"Please be aware, this is not the time you will embark the ship. It is
only the time to arrive at the cruise terminal. Embarkation still begins
approximately 1:00pm."

I thought embarkation started at around 12:00 noon. Is this a typo or have they changed the embarkation time as well? I believe boarding time is now tied to the chosen arrival time online rather than the real arrival time we get to the port terminal.

 

[bzkds]

I'm a first-time cruiser in two weeks. I have an arrival time of 1:00pm. We are taking DCL buses from MCO. And we will be getting off the Dream on Aug 2nd!

I am so confused!
Beth

 

[Makayna]

I would assume since the Port Authority changed the opening time to 11:00 am that it would be for all the Disney ships sailing out of PC.

Curious....has anyone read anything about the other cruise terminals for the other cruise lines being changed or did they have different terminal opening times from the start?

MJ

So as far as we know, this does NOT affect the Wonder in either Vancouver or Los Angeles?

 

[ibouncetoo]

"Please be aware, this is not the time you will embark the ship. It is
only the time to arrive at the cruise terminal. Embarkation still begins
approximately 1:00pm."

I thought embarkation started at around 12:00 noon. Is this a typo or have they changed the embarkation time as well? I believe boarding time is now tied to the chosen arrival time online rather than the real arrival time we get to the port terminal.

I think paperwork has always said 1PM. I't s CYA statement so people can't riot at 12:05 when boarding hasn't started yet.

I'm a first-time cruiser in two weeks. I have an arrival time of 1:00pm. We are taking DCL buses from MCO. And we will be getting off the Dream on Aug 2nd!

I am so confused!
Beth

If you are getting OFF on 8/2 this won't affect you (except that you may be exiting the ship and witnessing the riot)!

So as far as we know, this does NOT affect the Wonder in either Vancouver or Los Angeles?

Vancouver already is an 11AM 'opening' for getting through security/customs, though the terminal is open, so people can get inside to wait. I'm betting since this really isn't an issue on the classic ships that things will keep running just as they have. However, IF the computer is assigning boarding numbers instead of cast members handing them out, your on line arrival time may impact when you board the ship. I guess we just have to wait and see on this one.

.

 

[kritter]

Below is a reply I received from DCL re: port arrival times & the parking garage.

7/15/11

Thank you for your e-mail.

Please also accept our genuine regret for any confusion or
disappointment. It is not our intent to upset our loyal Disney Cruise
Line Guests. Your concerns have been shared with the appropriate
management teams.

As you may know, effective August 2, 2011, there is going to be a change
to the operational hours of the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral.

In order to eliminate some of the wait Guests experience, the cruise
terminal and parking facility in Port Canaveral will both open at
11:00am instead of 10:30am.

Please be aware, this is not the time you will embark the ship. It is
only the time to arrive at the cruise terminal. Embarkation still begins
approximately 1:00pm.

Here is some information regarding the Port Arrival Time:

*You will be issued a boarding number for a boarding group at check-in.
*The boarding number is predetermined by the time selected in the Port
Arrival Time form.
*If you have not selected an arrival time online, you may be delayed
entry into the cruise terminal until Guests with assigned times are
accommodated.
*You will board the ship once the boarding number has been called.

We encourage our Guests to arrive as close to their scheduled time as
possible. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait until your
scheduled time to enter the terminal. Guests arriving prior to 11:00am
will be encouraged to visit some of the area attractions in Port
Canaveral prior to opening.

If you are traveling with another party and have chosen two separate
Port Arrival times, it is recommended to arrive at the later time in
order to ensure the entire party can be accommodated.

We regret any disappointment and hope these concerns will not continue
to affect your regard for Disney. There is magic in the Disney name and
we anxiously anticipate sailing with you and your family on August 16th-
in just 32 days!

Sincerely,

JD
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Line

This is the same form letter that most are getting back. It is a shame that DCL is not taking the time to answer the specifc questions that families have about this process!!

 

[Mineu]

Will the B2B procedure change with this new policy?

 

[ibouncetoo]

Will the B2B procedure change with this new policy?

Shouldn't...B2Bers were processed through before port opening when it was at 10:30A.

.

 

[LadyDre]

My main question would be. If you're traveling with a group do you all have to board at the same time? I've been our lead person for our Sept 8th Dream trip and only 1 other family besides mine has even begun the check in work. I told everyone about the port changes and to get it done asap but that was almost a week ago....nothing. I really don't want to arrive at my time and have to stand around staring at my friends who "didn't think it was that big of a deal" and listen to them complain about something that could be prevented. Doesn't sound like the best way to start my vacation.

 

[mmouse37]

My main question would be. If you're traveling with a group do you all have to board at the same time? I've been our lead person for our Sept 8th Dream trip and only 1 other family besides mine has even begun the check in work. I told everyone about the port changes and to get it done asap but that was almost a week ago....nothing. I really don't want to arrive at my time and have to stand around staring at my friends who "didn't think it was that big of a deal" and listen to them complain about something that could be prevented. Doesn't sound like the best way to start my vacation.

You can lead a horse to water........

No, you don't HAVE to board at the same time....you can board and then they can board when their time comes up. But...do you want to eat lunch without them....if not then maybe wait and all board together.

I am very lucky as we are traveling with a group of 12 and they all did their online checkin as soon as their window opened.

It does sound like the "latest" time anyone has in your group with be the time you can arrive if you want to stay together. Maybe just tell the ones that didn't want to be speedy about the online check in to meet you onboard.

MJ

 

[SucalT]

My main question would be. If you're traveling with a group do you all have to board at the same time? I've been our lead person for our Sept 8th Dream trip and only 1 other family besides mine has even begun the check in work. I told everyone about the port changes and to get it done asap but that was almost a week ago....nothing. I really don't want to arrive at my time and have to stand around staring at my friends who "didn't think it was that big of a deal" and listen to them complain about something that could be prevented. Doesn't sound like the best way to start my vacation.

The short answer is, no you don't have to wait. You can board and begin your vacation while they stew outside awaiting THEIR arrival time.

 

[LadyDre]

Thanks! Some of the people in this group are next to impossible to get things done with. We booked (finally after people were dragging their feet) in Feb and just two days ago I got a call about a passport. Seriously? I've been stressing the importance of getting the big stuff done quickly so no one would be dissapointed and everyone would have a smooth check-in. I guess this should be interesting. I guess I'll send another FB/E-mail/Text message/smoke signal out!

 

[ibouncetoo]

My main question would be. If you're traveling with a group do you all have to board at the same time? I've been our lead person for our Sept 8th Dream trip and only 1 other family besides mine has even begun the check in work. I told everyone about the port changes and to get it done asap but that was almost a week ago....nothing. I really don't want to arrive at my time and have to stand around staring at my friends who "didn't think it was that big of a deal" and listen to them complain about something that could be prevented. Doesn't sound like the best way to start my vacation.

Only have to board together if you want a group embarkation photo! (which is my issue as we have a platinum cabin, a gold cabin and a silver cabin...I think we should still be OK as they will at least be prompt when their individual windows open).

.

 

[Cerberus9]

Can you image Aug 2? It will be 95 degrees with sunny skies and DCL is going to tell families with small children at 10am sorry you can not go inside because your checkin time is not until 12pm. You must stay outside in the hot sun for the next 2 hours in a special line. Can you even image the pr disaster as all these people start complaining. What a way to start a Disney family vaction.

This unpleasant situation can be avoided by showing up no earlier than your specified port arrival time. It's not rocket science.

 

[Makayna]

This unpleasant situation can be avoided by showing up no earlier than your specified port arrival time. It's not rocket science.

True. But inevitably, people who don't read here on the forum, but have cruised before and showed up whatever the hell time they wanted to and got to check in then, will be standing around in the heat, ticked off that they can't get in, their kids are screaming and crying, they were dropped off by taxi or shuttle and can't go anywhere, and are just plain miserable. I can completely understand how that would be a HORRIBLE beginning to their Disney vacation! And Disney will probably get MANY complaints about this, for at least the next year or so from people who were not aware of the changes.

However, I think Disney is doing a good thing by FINALLY enforcing a policy that THEY put in place (i.e. the arrival times on the online check-in). If they'd just done this from the beginning, they probably wouldn't have NEARLY as many issues with it now.

 

[Cerberus9]

True. But inevitably, people who don't read here on the forum, but have cruised before and showed up whatever the hell time they wanted to and got to check in then, will be standing around in the heat, ticked off that they can't get in, their kids are screaming and crying, they were dropped off by taxi or shuttle and can't go anywhere, and are just plain miserable. I can completely understand how that would be a HORRIBLE beginning to their Disney vacation! And Disney will probably get MANY complaints about this, for at least the next year or so from people who were not aware of the changes.

However, I think Disney is doing a good thing by FINALLY enforcing a policy that THEY put in place (i.e. the arrival times on the online check-in). If they'd just done this from the beginning, they probably wouldn't have NEARLY as many issues with it now.

If people are honestly unaware of this change, than I truly sympathize. However, i'm quite skeptical that people are unaware or do not understand; I think, rather, that the majority who arrive early do so in an attempt to deliberately "jump the queue" because they want to maximize their time on board (because NO ONE ELSE wants to get the most out of their vacation time!) . In this case, perhaps sitting out in the hot sun with a bunch of miserable children will drive home a very important lesson about courtesy, humility, and the importance of following the rules...