What is the difference between PAT and boarding group number?

[clh2]

Going on the Wish…how many people are in a PAT vs a boarding group? And how much time difference is their a time difference between the two?

 

[dreamer17555]

Boarding groups are normally called every 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how boarding is going.

Port arrival time is the time to arrive at Port - not necessarily when you will board the ship. Turnover can vary from day-to-day. Chances are good that if you arrive at your port arrival time, you will not be waiting overly long and that keeps the terminal from getting too crowded. Early Port arrival times and boarding groups tend to have to wait the longest until the ship is finally cleared for passengers to start boarding. Later port arrival times and boarding groups tend to have a smoother time at port and are on the ship very quickly.

 

[lanejudy]

how many people are in a PAT vs a boarding group?

There are multiple boarding groups in each PAT, probably 3-4 different boarding groups. Once boarding starts they will call boarding group numbers fairly quickly — like maybe 5-10 minutes apart.

 

[Pixarfans]

The time boarding groups start being called is based on when the ship is cleared to accept new passengers. So it is a little unpredictable, but typically around 11:15-11:30, but can definitely be later. Any passengers who are doing 2 in a row get on first then they start calling one at a time. At some point they will stop calling and it is open boarding.
You won’t be allowed into the terminal before your PAT (although I’ve heard it can happen). You will NOT be allowed to get on the ship before your boarding group is called ( only exception is the family of the day).

 

[Akck]

We usually try for a PAT around 10:45-11:15. That way, you don’t have to sit around as long waiting for BGs to be called. I’ve found they call BGs about every 5 minutes, although, there was one time where the next BG was called just as we got to the line.

 

[RedHead0186]

PAT is the time you should arrive at port. If you arrive early, you will likely be asked to wait. If you arrive late, they will still let you in. Boarding group is the group number that you board the ship. Once boarding starts, they call BGs in order. Boarding groups are usually called about 5-10 minutes apart, though sometimes longer (two weeks ago on the Treasure BG 4 took like 20 minutes for some reason, and of course we were BG 5, lol).

 

[clh2]

So…all these answers are very helpful! Thanks!