What is there to do at the port before boarding?

[Milldew]

If we were to take a shuttle to the Port from the Radisson (where we are staying the night before the cruise) around 10:30am what would we do at the port for the approx. 2 hours before we are allowed to board? It's me, my husband and our 6 & 4 year old children.

Also, could someone please do a quick run down for me on how check-in at the port works?

Thx!

 

[Michelle]

There's not much to do at the port, really, so I wouldn't arrive so early with two young kids. There are a few TVs showing Disney cartoons, a model of the ship, and some characters come out for photos (usually Goofy) but that's it. There is a small snack bar with very limited snacks available.

To check in simply go to any open line or the shortest line...it moves FAST. Be sure to have all your paperwork filled out and your proper ID with you, and you'll be checked in within minutes. Then you wait some more in the boarding line.

I would plan on arriving at 11:00 - 11:30 to minimize the waiting. You will still have plenty of time to check in and then get in the boarding line.

Enjoy!

 

[vixenslc]

If you can get to the port a bit later you might be better off. Although the port is beautiful and there is quite alot to take in, eventually standing in line with small children can get tiring. They do have couches and televisions with disney movies running which helps, but my son is usally so amped up that this is only a temporary solution. We have always boarded earlier than DCL says they will allow embarkation of the ship. Oh, they also have two or three characters come out for pictures in the port lobby, always a crowd pleaser. Good luck!!!

 

[inkkognito]

Boarding typically seems to start at 12:15. If you arrive early, one person in your party can stake out a spot in line while the other takes the kids to wander around, see the characters, watch the cartoons, or whatever. There is also a balcony-type area where you can walk outside and look at the ship. It might be boring for little ones, but even if you arrive by 11 or 11:30, you should still get a good place in line (and it moves quickly).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Otisp]

Is the port situation any different if your cruise is the second half of a land/sea package?

 

[Michelle]

Otisp, if you have a land/sea package then you don't check in at the port. Your key for the land portion will be the same for the cruise portion and you check in for the cruise at your resort. When you arrive at the port you simply get in the boarding line, or go ahead and board if boarding has started.

 

[Otisp]

Thank you Michelle! We'll take the extra time to stock up on more liquid provisions at Publix.

 

[Iris]

We arrived very early on our last cruise. It was really great to have no lines at check in. I have two young girls and they watched TV for a while. We went outside on the balcony and took some great shots of the ship, watched the luggage being loaded, etc. We had some snacks at the shop. The characters came out around 11 a.m. Chip, Dale, Goofy and Minnie. We got some great shots of them as well. It was actually rather relaxing rather than rushing at the last moment or being there when the cruise buses started arriving.

We were able to board at 12:15 and had a nice lunch at Parrot Cay.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

If you think about it, arent we at the airport 2 hrs ahead of time? So same thing if we are at the port by 10/10:30 am.

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by Iris
It was actually rather relaxing rather than rushing at the last moment or being there when the cruise buses started arriving.

When do the DCL buses start arriving? We definitely want to beat the crowd!

 

[gnewton]

Michelle: We are staying at the swan for our land portion,
do we still have to check in at port or are we already checked in

thanks greg

 

[pal2pluto]

Peter......I don't know if you can beat the crowd!

I remember planning, and planning and in my mind, we would be sitting along the walls in an empty terminal, the first ones there! LOL was I wrong! We got there early (in my mind) and there were so many people! It was all very organized though. And everything went smoothly. Just accept the crowds and it won't be very aggravating. My advice.....when you go up the escalators, have one in your party go to the left to the registration desks with all your papers, and the rest go to the line that will likely be waiting to get aboard on the right. Then take a big breath, and look all around. You're here! The line will move quickly when it opens. And you won't see this room again when you get back to shore......so soak it all up now.

 

[Iris]

I think we arrived at the parking lot sometime around 10:15 a.m. After getting our luggage dropped off and parking, we got into the terminal just around 10:30 a.m. There was maybe 3 other parties already there. NO lines to check in, we had our choice. One of the staff looked at me and said, "Take your pick!" It was so great.

The year before we arrived on a cruise bus from the Boardwalk. Several other buses had just arrived as well. I believe it was approximately 1:30 p.m. give or take a few. It was CROWDED!!!! Every counter had a line but it did move quickly. We did not get a chance to take many pictures. Once we boarded and tried to go to lunch at Parrot Cay, we found that it was closed because it was full and we had to go to the Top Sider Buffet. also full and very crowded. The whole experience was rather chaotic and having never sailed before, I did not know where to go or what to do, plus we were dragging our carry ons every where.

This April, it was much more relaxed, and yes, our sailing was at capacity since it was spring break. By the time we went back to our room after lunch and changed into our swim suits, we saw the cruise buses just pulling in.

 

[Peter Johnson]

Thanks, Iris! We're driving ourselves from OKW, so we can get there as early as we want. We'll be up and ready to go early anyway

At this time next Saturday, we'll be in Sanford

 

[Michelle]

Greg, are you at the Swan as part of a land/sea package? If so, then yes, you can check in at the hotel and get your key for the ship portion as well.

If you are just staying at the Swan for a night of two before your cruise and have a CRUISE ONLY booked then you must check in at the port as well.

Enjoy!

 

[gnewton]

Thanks Michelle
This is a land sea package. Our TA thought we would have to check in at the ship.

Greg

 

[daltonsdodisney]

Which is the best lunch buffet on embarkation day? I've read where you're told to go to Parrot Cay and if full, to Beach Blanket? What's the difference? I know the food's the same. Anything else?