Port arrival times

[kaykels]

I am finding conflicting information. Are the port arrival times strictly enforced? Our family all got different times and we are driving together. In the past they were just "suggested". That was the case last year. But I have been told they scan the bar code and enforce your port arrival time. Do they make you wait outside the gates or something?

 

[kaykels]

bump

 

[tiggger1]

From what I read it seems like they are enforcing the arrival times more than they used it. Ive read that some people have no problems getting there early and others have had to wait to get in and then wait longer to board...( I just read that someone got there an hour or so before their time and ended up boarded after a family member who's arrival time was after theirs?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am finding conflicting information. Are the port arrival times strictly enforced? Our family all got different times and we are driving together. In the past they were just "suggested". That was the case last year. But I have been told they scan the bar code and enforce your port arrival time. Do they make you wait outside the gates or something?

Whether they are enforced or not varies. If you arrive early, and the terminal is full, you may be told to wait until either the terminal being less busy or your Port Arrival Time (whichever occurs first).

You will typically be asked to wait outside the door to the terminal, if it occurs. Once boarding begins (generally around 11:30) things inside the terminal get less crowded, so you may be allowed to enter earlier than your actual PAT after then.

As noted, even if you enter early, and check in, your actual boarding number is tied to your PAT. It's quite possible to check in and wait to board, while others who arrive after you do (at their correct time) board before you.

When a group has multiple boarding numbers, and they wish to board together, DCL requests that they all wait until the highest boarding number in the group is called.

 

[wombat_5606]

I think cruisers get the PAT and their boarding number confused. They are 2 different things, but they are related. It takes some thinking about.

 

[kaykels]

I think cruisers get the PAT and their boarding number confused. They are 2 different things, but they are related. It takes some thinking about.

I'm not worried about the boarding time just the pat. I was first to board 2 years ago and I have family and friends deep into the double digits and they were on the ship ten minutes after me. They move fast. I don't need a low number. Just don't want to be stuck outside