Recent boarding experiences on the Magic at PC?

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I've been reading a lot about the boarding procedures for the Dream since the new port opening times began. Can someone who boarded the Magic this past Saturday at PC comment on the boarding procedure? I am wondering if it is the same as the Dream, or slightly different because the ship is smaller. Thanks!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I'm hoping that someone who got back today can comment? Thanks.

 

[tomspixie]

My info isn't up to the minute, but when we sailed at the end of July the new Dream procedures were to begin the next sailing. The terminal was very chatty about the changes that would take place. At that time, the plan was to keep the Magic on the same boarding procedure.
My hope is that they have kept it the same!

 

[kcashner]

The procedures apply to all three ships, regardless of embarkation port. Obviously, there are fewer guests on the Magic and Wonder, so the process goes more quickly. But yes, everyone chooses (or is assigned) a port arrival time when you do the on line check in. They enforce it pretty strictly right at the beginning, but as boarding starts and the terminal empties out, people with later times may get in earlier than their time. People on DCL transportation are not held to the assigned times provided that there is room in the terminal without violating the fire marshall's rules. Too many people in the terminal and those guests will be held on the bus until some are boarded.

The only time it "clogs up" is at the beginning. Terminal opens at 11, boarding starts at 11:45 and proceeds very quickly thereafter.

 

[FriendOfFanatic]

We got into the line at the welcome center on Saturday about 11:45. We waited about 15-20 in line and were given boarding group 11. We left on the bus about 12:30 and got to the port about 1:15. The terminal had little to no one in line to check-in, and there was no line for boarding. I asked when they went to general boarding, and was told about 12:30.
The whole experience was so much better than what we had on the dream in April.

 

[mikmouse]

We got into the line at the welcome center on Saturday about 11:45. We waited about 15-20 in line and were given boarding group 11. We left on the bus about 12:30 and got to the port about 1:15. The terminal had little to no one in line to check-in, and there was no line for boarding. I asked when they went to general boarding, and was told about 12:30.
The whole experience was so much better than what we had on the dream in April.

We arrived at the terminal about 10:30. We had a 11-ll:30 am boarding time, group 5. We were in topsiders having lunch about 12:15 pm

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We arrived at the terminal about 10:30. We had a 11-ll:30 am boarding time, group 5. We were in topsiders having lunch about 12:15 pm

So, it seems the terminal is opening before 11 now for all cruises. Do you know what time they actually started boarding the Magic?

 

[mikmouse]

So, it seems the terminal is opening before 11 now for all cruises. Do you know what time they actually started boarding the Magic?

They started boarding one family at a time at 11:30 am.