Questions about concierge boarding at the Miami terminal

[skippybosco]

We are taking our first Disney cruise next year on Magic, sailing out of the Miami port.

I'm trying to understand the time and process of check in and boarding for concierge travelers.

From what I understand of the process from research:

• Porters tag and take checked bags at the curb.
• You then pass through shared security and health screening for all passengers.
• On to check in where there is a designated concierge queue.
• From there you are taken to a private waiting room for concierge travelers till boarding at around ~12

1) I see posts that some arrive as early as 10am to be front of the line for initial check-in that start at 11am. Is this correct?

2) If you arrive early can you go through security / health screening early or does everything start at 11am?

3) Is there additional steps missing from this like Youth Activity check or does that happen via early concierge process or online?

4) Any pros/cons of going early at 10am for concierge vs. arriving at 11:15 or so after the initial rush of the blended passengers has cleared?

 

[TestingH2O]

We are taking our first Disney cruise next year on Magic, sailing out of the Miami port.

I'm trying to understand the time and process of check in and boarding for concierge travelers.

From what I understand of the process from research:

• Porters tag and take checked bags at the curb.
• You then pass through shared security and health screening for all passengers.
• On to check in where there is a designated concierge queue.
• From there you are taken to a private waiting room for concierge travelers till boarding at around ~12

1) I see posts that some arrive as early as 10am to be front of the line for initial check-in that start at 11am. Is this correct?

2) If you arrive early can you go through security / health screening early or does everything start at 11am?

3) Is there additional steps missing from this like Youth Activity check or does that happen via early concierge process or online?

4) Any pros/cons of going early at 10am for concierge vs. arriving at 11:15 or so after the initial rush of the blended passengers has cleared?

When we sailed out of Miami, the port was already open before 11:00. We like to get there early just to reduce lines.

You will get your bands for the kids clubs when you check in and get your KTTW card. You'll won't get your lock and finalize check in until after you've gone to the club for the first time. I did not see any kids club staff in the port in Miami.

It's a toss up and really depends on when other people get there. I will say that security at Miami seemed much more efficient than PC to me. But we also arrived early and they opened early, so not many people were there yet.

If you choose to arrive early, you will have the option of going into the main terminal area to take photos with characters if you'd like. It's a good way to pass the time

 

[skippybosco]

We like to get there early just to reduce lines.

Thanks for the reply.

1. How early did you arrive?
2. As an early board to the ship are water activities like the Aquadunk available for use?

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the reply.

1. How early did you arrive?
2. As an early board to the ship are water activities like the Aquadunk available for use?

Just pointing out that you are only on board “by yourself” (not counting B2B and I think Family Of The Day) for MAYBE 5 minutes before Platinum start boarding.

 

[skippybosco]

Just pointing out that you are only on board “by yourself” (not counting B2B and I think Family Of The Day) for MAYBE 5 minutes before Platinum start boarding.

Fair point.

It was more a question of trying to decide if we're better showing up early and what options are open to enjoy if we do, or to wait to board till after the initial rush is passed.

My kids are specifically excited about trying the Aquadunk which is why I singled it out.

 

[TestingH2O]

Thanks for the reply.

1. How early did you arrive?
2. As an early board to the ship are water activities like the Aquadunk available for use?

We arrived around 10:45. Everything was open and several families were already inside.

All the amenities are available, though we choose to have a leisurely lunch rather than swim.

 

[skippybosco]

We arrived around 10:45. Everything was open and several families were already inside.

All the amenities are available, though we choose to have a leisurely lunch rather than swim.

Perfect. Thanks again.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Thanks for the reply.

1. How early did you arrive?
2. As an early board to the ship are water activities like the Aquadunk available for use?

The Aquadunk and pools won't open until noon so you won't have much of a head start.

 

[TestingH2O]

The Aquadunk and pools won't open until noon so you won't have much of a head start.

In practice, I've always seen them open once boarding begins even if that's at 11:30/11:45.