So confused! What time can you actually board the ship?

[Tawnya Lin]

I thought my reservation stated that I could board at 10:45. Now that I am reading more carefully, it says Port Arrival time is 10:45. What exactly does that mean?

Thank you!

 

[MelSpees]

That is the time you arrive to check in. You will then get a boarding number. As you have an early PAT you should have a low boarding number. Once they are ready they will call the numbers in order to board. They usually start actual boarding around 11:30 or so. Others can give you more details, I'm sure.

 

[Weedy]

You can arrive at the port at 10:45, get checked in. Then you will receive a boarding #.
They usually start boarding about 11:15- 11:30. Concierge and Platinum will board 1st and then they will start with everyone else.

 

[chefmb]

Here's a question for veteran cruisers. When using the Disney transfers from a Disney resort to get to the ship, what time should I expect to arrive? I'm just starting to plan (Surprise!-DH suggested it for next year)--and I don't know what to expect. I've read to expect pickup times around 10 or 11, and the drive is 90 minutes, so that seems kind of late to me. Anyone with experience????

 

[sambycat]

if you take DCL transfers from a resort, you could arrive at the port anytime usually between probably 12;30 and 2.. just kind of depends on when you get picked up and how many stops you make. typically, when we've arrived more towards 1230/1pm, you can almost just walk on. and your room will be just about ready.

 

[Julylady]

The earliest the ship opened for boarding in our 11 cruises was 11:20am. And, one cruise it was as late as 12:15. If I remember correctly that was during a norovirus outbreak and I think they were doing extra cleaning. Pick up times are different at different resorts. If it's important to you to get on the ship at the earliest possible moment, don't rely on Disney transportation.

 

[chefmb]

The earliest the ship opened for boarding in our 11 cruises was 11:20am. And, one cruise it was as late as 12:15. If I remember correctly that was during a norovirus outbreak and I think they were doing extra cleaning. Pick up times are different at different resorts. If it's important to you to get on the ship at the earliest possible moment, don't rely on Disney transportation.

What would be the importance of getting on the ship earlier? I'm sure we're going to be hungry, but I think we can get lunch when we get on board, right? Thanks!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

What would be the importance of getting on the ship earlier? I'm sure we're going to be hungry, but I think we can get lunch when we get on board, right? Thanks!

Yes, you can get lunch when you get on board. Some people like getting on early so they can take advantage of the pools or Aquaduck before those get too crowded. Others like to get to Cabanas before it gets too busy. Some people are just super anxious to get their vacation started.

 

[xlxo]

Getting there early...

• some ports may need more than an hour to clear security with congestion.
• you avoid potential traffic problems
• some hotels have a much earlier check out time
• you get extra time for those bonus port character pictures
• the welcome lunch trough closes around 2pm..... you paid for it.... will you be happy rushing there for table scraps?
• some want to get to the spa/pools before the main crowds come
• some want to get tickets to special events
• some want to make dining changes or get on the early waitlist

I prefer to get the earliest available PAT time when possible.

 

[bumbershoot]

Here's a question for veteran cruisers. When using the Disney transfers from a Disney resort to get to the ship, what time should I expect to arrive? I'm just starting to plan (Surprise!-DH suggested it for next year)--and I don't know what to expect. I've read to expect pickup times around 10 or 11, and the drive is 90 minutes, so that seems kind of late to me. Anyone with experience????

It IS on the late side. WE have chosen, after our first Disney cruise, to NOT take the transfers from WDW resorts, because they just get there too late for our happiness.

We once took the transfer from the airport, because you can get on a bus starting at around 9. And the other two times we drove a rental car.

What would be the importance of getting on the ship earlier? I'm sure we're going to be hungry, but I think we can get lunch when we get on board, right? Thanks!

If you don't get there until 1 and have to unload and check in and have your picture taken and get onboard and ooh and ahh...you're going to miss lunch.

We want to get onboard as soon as they say we can, because I feel that we've paid for that time. I'm a value person, and want to divide the total cost by as many hours as possible onboard.

I prefer to get the earliest available PAT time when possible.

Same.

 

[Minniesgal]

How does this work for Concierge guests? When can they board?

 

[MelSpees]

They board first.

 

[Dug720]

FYI in February they did have a "no pictures" lane for those of us who don't want the embarkation photo done. I hope they keep that up - I'm not buying a shot of me against the blue background, so I'd rather not waste my time or their energy with it.

 

[tinkmom2]

Our PAT was 11AM. Port of Miami is pretty crowded. You drop off your bags, get in line depending on your level status Silver, gold, platinum. And you are given a number to board the ship. We were in group one an were right after the family of the day. They do have kids club sign up there but do it on the ship. It's less crowded. You can also take pics with some of the characters. I skipped them this time and just waited for the ship. They do take an initial shutters pic for the facial recognition software though. I got to use my photo from pervious cruises for my Id too.
Got on board by 11:30, went to the Port adventures desk to get the meet and greet tickets, went to the buffet, and then got to our rooms at 1:30PM

 

[Bill B.]

We've been onboard as early as 10:30 at Port Canaveral. I always take pictures to track how long it takes from MCO to the port so I take one of the DME backing out, one when we go through the port entrance and then another going through the ears so I have an idea what time it was. On that trip (2012) it was the last year they had the DCL and WDW Magical Express counters at the same location in MCO. The time frame went like this 8:40 we backed out of MCO, 9:35 we went through the port gate, 10:30 we went through the ears.