Silly boarding question

[vcasey]

I've read a lot of you try to board as early as possible but I have a question. I'll be at Disney on my own before my 7 day cruise and will be driving over to port. I'm a single parent travelling just with DD so I'm not sure I want to do Palo on my own and I really don't care about spa appointments (I'll probably make 1 or 2 but if I don't get them I won't be crushed). It seems to me the reason to get there early is to take care of those reservations, so I guess I'm asking is it really necessary to get there so early if all we're going to do is eat lunch and wait to sail?? If not, what is a safe time to arrive? I just figure we'd rather sleep in and take it easy unless its absolutely necessary. I'd love to hear opinions.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

If you are not worried about reservations I wouldn't push it too early, but also wouldn't be there too late. On our previous cruises we were at WDW and used DCL transportation - arrived about 15-30 minutes before embarkation started.
We were fine. So if you aimed at being there around 11:30 or noon - which still lets you sleep in - you should be fine.

Deb

 

[Euphscott]

There is no need to rush, however, you paid for the full day, you might as well get your money's worth!

Plus, there is a real festive atmosphere on the first day that you just don't get if you are not on teh ship!

My wife and I like to grab our clothes as soon as delivered to the stateroom to go iron our clothes in the laundry. That we don't have the bother the rest of the cruise and most everyone else is not using the room then.

Enjoy your cruise no matter how long you wait!

 

[katerkat]

We didn't care about reservations as well. We got to the port around 12:30 and were on board by 1. I felt this was a good amount of time to eat lunch and explore the ship before getting ready for the sailaway party. It's really a lot of fun to wander around the ship and "get used to it" during the first afternoon.

Edited to add: Wow, you're from B'water! That's where I grew up! How's the old hometown?

 

[inkkognito]

Palo and spa ressies are the main reason to board early. Secondary reasons include being able to enjoy a leisurely lunch and having some time to explore or to swim in the amazingly uncrowded pools or just to relax. But if sleeping in and having a laid back day is more important to you, by all means don't feel that you need to rush. Lunch is served until about half an hour before the drill, so you can arrive late and still drop off your luggage and eat beforehand if you prefer.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi vcasey, nice to "see" you again! On our first cruise, we didn't board the Magic until mid-afternoon - along with what appeared to be the majority of our fellow cruisers. We had plenty of time to partake of shrimp et al, secure spa reservations, revel in our room AND be on time for the fire drill.

I am looking forward to sitting on a comfy couch along the top floor of the lobby and watch the arrival of other cruisers.

Now that's what I WANT to do. I am sure my son, however, will convince me how important it is to frolic in the pool! When he is sleeping I sometimes check the dear lad for gills...


Hi Euphscott.

Plus, there is a real festive atmosphere on the first day that you just don't get if you are not on teh ship!

My wife and I like to grab our clothes as soon as delivered to the stateroom to go iron our clothes in the laundry. That we don't have the bother the rest of the cruise and most everyone else is not using the room then.

If you find ironing in solitude FESTIVE, then come over to my house any time you like - you can PARTY like that for a whole year!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Sheesh....Do I have a party for anyone who enjoys ironing....

Deb

 

[mmouse37]

buckaroo....we all know why you want to watch everyone boarding....you are looking for that prospective wife #2!!!! Go on admit it!!!

MJ

 

[jrabbit]

On our first cruise, I decided (stupidly) that we really weren't in a hurry to get to the ship. We ate a leisurly lunch at our WDW hotel, finished packing up the car and then drove to the port. We arrived around 2pm. Didn't realize that they would have lunch for us, that the pools would be open, that the ship would be that interesting (and beautiful) and that we could get the children registered for the kids clubs, and that by arriving "so late" that we would be totally stressed for the first 6 or seven hours of the cruise part of our vacation.

We wised up for the second cruise (and found another board-before finding this one)!! We had DCL transfers from the airport. We arrived at the airport and were on one of the first buses leaving for the port. We arrived between 10:30 and 11am, got checked in, waited in line to board the ship, got on early, had lunch outside at topsiders, made our Palo resie for brunch, signed the in to the kids clubs, decided to try a spa treatment (but were too late for that - but not really a big deal), wandered around the ship getting reaquanted with her (and she is a beauty!). When the time came for the drill, we were ready, then were ready to party on at the sail away party, then a little later was dinner (early seating). What a great day!! And we just barely had left the dock.

Overall the second embarkation process was much more enjoyable, less stressful and set the tone for the next 7 days. Even if you don't need to / want to make any ressies, I would highly recommend arriving early.

Enjoy!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

MJ - absolutely! I was thinking of holding a wife#2 "cast call" on the secret deck 7 verandah, but then I figured why be alone on such a large open-air platform...



A brief story. Before he married Olivia Langdon, Mark Twain was approached by a brazen young actress who was quite beautiful but equally "blonde."

She said to him (I paraphrase) - 'we should have children, Mr. Twain. With my looks and your brains they would surely be blessed.'

Mark Twain replied, 'Perhaps, Miss. But what if they get MY looks and YOUR brains?'

 

[thedisneymom]

You crack me up! Although, I was surprised you didn't comment on the sleeping with the crew thread!! I was waiting.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

That is an amusing anecdote with which to start the day. Have to say I was also surprised that there wasn't a posting from Buckaroo's Dad on the Sleeping with the Crew thread. I had to bite my "tongue" or would that be typing fingers? on that one!

Deb

 

[mmouse37]

It was a very enticing thread title!!!

MJ