What is the earliest we can get on the ship?

[FSU Girl]

We are sailing next Saturday on the Fantasy in concierge. Since we don’t have a port arrival time, what is the earliest we can get to the port to get on board? We are staying at a hotel near the port so I’d like to get there as early as is allowed.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Your title asks about getting on the ship but your message asks about the port. As for the port, it typically opens around 10:30 or so last time I checked. Boarding to get on the ship, which you'll be among the first to do since you are concierge, typically starts around 11:45 or so.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are sailing next Saturday on the Fantasy in concierge. Since we don’t have a port arrival time, what is the earliest we can get to the port to get on board? We are staying at a hotel near the port so I’d like to get there as early as is allowed.

As noted, the terminal itself opens around 10:30, but boarding doesn't typically begin until around 11:30. And it's really crowded during that time (everyone wants to be "first" on).

This is what happens when boarding begins (everyone surges toward the entrance to the queue, basically blocking it).


We usually arrive around 12:15-12:30. By that time Open Boarding has been called (or close to it) and the buses from the resorts haven't started arriving yet, so the terminal is way less busy.

 

[FSU Girl]

So I’d still like to get on relatively early, but don’t want to wait in that crowd. If I show up around 11:30 will it be crazy to just get inside and we’re better off getting there earlier or later? We’ll be taking an Uber there if it makes a difference

 

[bumbershoot]

So I’d still like to get on relatively early, but don’t want to wait in that crowd. If I show up around 11:30 will it be crazy to just get inside and we’re better off getting there earlier or later? We’ll be taking an Uber there if it makes a difference

Boarding with concierge means you just more through that group, go to the concierge desk, and are escorted into the concierge waiting room
Then they take you through the side entrance where you avoid it all. Take your pictures and head onto the ship. Have your concierge meeting and contour on with your day. Don’t be scared bc of that picture. As concierge you won’t be boarding in that group.

 

[FSU Girl]

Boarding with concierge means you just more through that group, go to the concierge desk, and are escorted into the concierge waiting room
Then they take you through the side entrance where you avoid it all. Take your pictures and head onto the ship. Have your concierge meeting and contour on with your day. Don’t be scared bc of that picture. As concierge you won’t be boarding in that group.

Good to know thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Don’t be scared bc of that picture. As concierge you won’t be boarding in that group.

But, arriving anytime between 10:30-12:00, they will be trying to get through that crowd to the Concierge lounge.

 

[mousefan73]

IMO the crowds were not that bad.. I mean we are NOT talking about MK in the hub during the fireworks. Now that is a crowd I would want to avoid. Just think a crowded gate area before boarding and simply push thru to get to the concierge area. Maybe keep right by the bathrooms/windows and walk back. In the middle you get the long long, crowds of people waiting for the Mickey shot.

I would be more concerned getting their too early and being forced to wait outside. This happened to us, and they were late in opening the port.. there were looong lines outside from the park deck and curbside as it took forever for the security line to get moving. Once inside no lines anywhere. Just security was backlogged.

 

[TestingH2O]

Our first cruise we arrived around 11. Much of the crowd was still in line checking in so it was easy to get back to concierge. Then, as pp mentioned, we entered through the side door to board. We weren't the first on board as check in took time.

While the port opens at 10:30, people line up to get in well before that. Unless you take a DCL bus, there's really no way to avoid that line. And if you want to be at the front of it, you probably need to be there by 10. If you want to avoid all the lines, arrive closer to 11:30/12.

Are you driving yourself? Many of the transportation companies won't even offer to drop you off before 10:30/11:00.

 

[Weedy]

The terminal opens at 10:30. I wouldn’t arrive before that because you’ll have to wait outside.
When you walk into the terminal (Port Canaveral) just stay to the right and walk up to the top right to check in at the Concierge desk.
We are Platinum and always get there about 10:30 and have never had trouble reaching the desk or getting in line to board.
The Concierge lounge is right next to the entrance so you won’t have to be in the large crowds.
Concierge should start boarding 11:15-11:30.
I like being in the terminal for awhile before boarding. It’s exciting!!
The only Disney cruise pressed penny machine is there. There are 6 designs. .51 each. Bring change.
Right by the Concierge desk there is a door to a balcony where you can get great pictures of the ship.

 

[lorimay]

I wish DCL could come with plan to stop that crowding at the ship entrance.
Its terrible when your number is called and you have to fight your way thru.
If they could somehow make queues for each group number....... But I dream........

 

[ScooterScott44]

In Schmoo’s pic the concierge waiting area is barely visible back near the window and that is where the concierge guest will wait and board after check in. Check in is to the right in that pic. @fsugirl333, I though you have previously done concierge so that part should not be new to you.

Not sure of your past experience but related to arriving early and newer changes. If you get to the port near the opening time it should not be as crowded as the pic and you should be able to make your way back to that area without too much difficulty. This spring they started having concierge lunch as an option to get away from the crowd in the concierge lounge. If you are in the first wave of folks headed in and up the elevator I would go directly to the lounge and then head down for the lunch. If you are later it would probably be easier just to stop in and get lunch and meet one of your concierge host. The lunch is good and has one of the concierge bartenders to get drinks and you can review your itinerary there also.

 

[PinMan]

Your title asks about getting on the ship but your message asks about the port. As for the port, it typically opens around 10:30 or so last time I checked. Boarding to get on the ship, which you'll be among the first to do since you are concierge, typically starts around 11:45 or so.

I’m confused I got a time of 10:45 online , I thought that was a boarding time ? Yet you say it not till 11:45 ?

 

[dcassetta]

I’m confused I got a time of 10:45 online , I thought that was a boarding time ? Yet you say it not till 11:45 ?

That is your port arrival time. Disney spreads those out so that they don't have too many people all arriving at once. Once you check it and you'll get a boarding card With a number on it. Concierge guests board first usually beginning about 11:30. Then everyone else will board in order of their boarding number. By 12:30 or so they have usually gone to open boarding, so people can go on board as soon as they arrive and check in.

 

[Rob1872]

FSU Girl, enjoy the honeymoon; hopefully you don't get sick like the last time!!!

 

[FSU Girl]

Our first cruise we arrived around 11. Much of the crowd was still in line checking in so it was easy to get back to concierge. Then, as pp mentioned, we entered through the side door to board. We weren't the first on board as check in took time.

While the port opens at 10:30, people line up to get in well before that. Unless you take a DCL bus, there's really no way to avoid that line. And if you want to be at the front of it, you probably need to be there by 10. If you want to avoid all the lines, arrive closer to 11:30/12.

Are you driving yourself? Many of the transportation companies won't even offer to drop you off before 10:30/11:00.

We are staying at a hotel near the port where you can leave your car for the cruise so we were planning to Uber to the port.

In Schmoo’s pic the concierge waiting area is barely visible back near the window and that is where the concierge guest will wait and board after check in. Check in is to the right in that pic. @fsugirl333, I though you have previously done concierge so that part should not be new to you.

Not sure of your past experience but related to arriving early and newer changes. If you get to the port near the opening time it should not be as crowded as the pic and you should be able to make your way back to that area without too much difficulty. This spring they started having concierge lunch as an option to get away from the crowd in the concierge lounge. If you are in the first wave of folks headed in and up the elevator I would go directly to the lounge and then head down for the lunch. If you are later it would probably be easier just to stop in and get lunch and meet one of your concierge host. The lunch is good and has one of the concierge bartenders to get drinks and you can review your itinerary there also.

We've done concierge once before, but drove over from Disney and didn't get there early so didn't really have any issues with crowds or checking in. This time we are staying right next to the port so we could get there earlier without having to wake up crazy early. I read about that lunch on here I'm excited to try it out.

FSU Girl, enjoy the honeymoon; hopefully you don't get sick like the last time!!!

Thank you!! I've been eating those Airborne vitamin c gummies every day trying to stay healthy this time lol.


Thanks everyone! We'll try to get to the port a little after 10:30 so we aren't too early that it isn't open yet, but early enough to be one of the first on the ship. Really excited

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

We'll try to get to the port a little after 10:30 so we aren't too early that it isn't open yet, but early enough to be one of the first on the ship. Really excited

I can’t believe we set sail on Saturday! I’m glad you started this thread; we’re planning on getting to the port around 10:30? Haha. Thanks for the reminder to start taking some airborne!