Port Canavral, luggage

[Cruise-n-2015]

I was reading a post about tipping the porter taking your luggage.
However not to long ago I had read to never give ...? your bags they are pushy and do not work for disney. I wish I could find the thread.

We will be driving to Port Canavral and parking there. We walk to the Disney terminal I suspect and from there everything is safe to hand over??

Just trying to wrap my head around this. I dont want to hand over my luggage and never see it again on day 1 of our vacation

 

[KristiMc]

We drive to the port. Pull up to the curb and give our luggage to the porters and then go park. If you have bags that are larger than a carry-on, I don't think you can carry them on yourself (they won't fit through the scanner). You will have to give them to the porters.

 

[mmouse37]

You can't take your own bags onboard unless they are carry on size or fit through an airport size x-ray screener. So, unless you only want to pack in bags that fit through the screen you will have to let go of your bigger bags at the port for delivery to your cabin.

We have NEVER had a bad experience using porters at the port. I have read of some rude ones but we have never encountered any.

The process is you pull up to the curb, a porter usually comes over and helps you unload, you let them know which bags are being checked, tip them if you wish (we always do) and be on your way to park or wait for the terminal to open with your carry ons.

The porters do not work for Disney but Disney knows they are working there. It is not like they are a shady business working the curb without permission from the port/Disney. They are a vital part of moving luggage around.

MJ

 

[darkwing818]

We also drive to the port, 15 cruises to date & have never had any kind of issue with the porters taking our luggage (coming or going). In fact we have found them to be both friendly & helpful.

 

[Weedy]

No worries. It's a highly restricted area, no one allow in that should not be there.
When you pull up it all goes kind of fast (they are getting 4000 people on board). Be sure to have all your luggage tags on your bags. Then make sure you have a day bag with you with anything you will want to keep with you passports/birth certificates, bathings suites.
The Staterooms won't be ready until after 1pm and the luggage doesn't arrive to your room sometimes util 5pm.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

That's reassuring thank you, I wish I could find the post with "the warning"

 

[Bettyscruise]

Both boarding and disembarking, the porters are well worth the tip. You are greeted at the curb, very polite and professional. The bags are on their way. Upon leaving the ship and porter will greet you if you want their service, take your luggage tag, and escort you to it's area. You'll pick out your bags, he'll escort you through customs and out to the curb... again, well worth the tip $$. Easy, no hassle.

 

[TinkRose]

The only thing I've seen about a "warning" was about the porters accepting cases of water because that is not allowed by Disney. Disney requires all liquids like alcohol, beer, wine and water to be brought on board in your carry on luggage. If the water (or other liquid) leaks all over other people's luggage it could be a big problem.

 

[bumbershoot]

Disney knows they are working there. It is not like they are a shady business working the curb without permission from the port/Disney. They are a vital part of moving luggage around.

Exactly.

That's reassuring thank you, I wish I could find the post with "the warning"

I wish you could too. I bet they just worded it wrong, or they always go carryon-sized-bags only so they CAN just go through with their bags. Can't do that if your bag won't fit through the scanner, so the ONLY option is the porters.

 

[Weedy]

The "warning" I remember was a lady felt her bags were taken too quickly before she could get her bearings. I think it was more of a personal experience than a problem.

 

[phinz]

The "warning" I remember was a lady felt her bags were taken too quickly before she could get her bearings. I think it was more of a personal experience than a problem.

Your first time *can* feel a bit abrupt, but every porter we've had on embarkation or disembarkation has been great.

 

[Sunshine2U]

It's the same as if you pull up to a busy hotel to drop off your bags. It can be a fast transaction. Porters can earn a nice amount on tips, so the more bags they handle, the more they make. I have no problem with that but I can see people feeling disoriented. When you drive, dropping off your bag is the first step in the process.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

So drive up, hand the luggage over, tip, park and register and cruise!

Ok I think I have it.

With other ships leaving all from Port Canaveral does DCL have a Separate parking area or do I tell the porter what cruise line.

I'm sorry if these are dumb questions, I'm trying to wrap my head around it all now to avoid feeling overwhelmed when we get there.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So drive up, hand the luggage over, tip, park and register and cruise!

Ok I think I have it.

With other ships leaving all from Port Canaveral does DCL have a Separate parking area or do I tell the porter what cruise line.

I'm sorry if these are dumb questions, I'm trying to wrap my head around it all now to avoid feeling overwhelmed when we get there.

This is the terminal area (from aboard the Fantasy) - parking is the big structure directly ahead (with parking lots in front and side).

 

[superrach]

DCL has their own parking garage and own building/port. The only porters you encounter are all unloading just for the Disney Cruise. The buildings are quite spread out at the port and the signs are very handy directing you exactly to the entrance to the Disney cruise unloading and parking. Once you unload and enter the parking garage, park up as there's a pedestrian bridge in the parking garage so you don't have to cross traffic unloading to get into the building.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

 

[superrach]

This is the terminal area (from aboard the Fantasy) - parking is the big structure directly ahead (with parking lots in front and side).
View attachment 83767

great picture! Shows that pedestrian bridge from the parking to the DCL building.

 

[superrach]

My next cruise is out of Miami. I hope it's as organized and nice as Port Canaveral.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

Awesome, thank you!!!

 

[FamilyMan4]

What is the suggested tip for the porters?
Say usual amount per bag?