What is your preferred port arrival time (and why)?

[goofballs]

We will be departing on a 4-day cruise from Port Canaveral. Arriving via rental car and parking at the port. Party of 9 - 3 staterooms.

What should I consider when choosing an arrival time?

 

[Akck]

The earliest you can get. That way you’ll have more time to explore the ship and get lunch.

 

[mernin]

We’ve done early (arrived via rental car) and later (via DCL bus from WDW), both pre covid The lines were longer on the earlier PAT but loved the longer time on the ship for lunch and pool. There were no lines for later PAT but it felt a little more rushed for lunch, getting into the room, etc before sail away. I would choose earlier possible if I were booking again.

 

[squirk]

I usually get the earliest PAT possible, but one year, I tried the late PAT just to see what it was like to breeze into the terminal and walk onto the ship without any crowds.

I didn’t like it. While I enjoyed skipping the cattle call, I missed the anticipatory vibe in the terminal before boarding started. And I felt like I missed out on some time to “soak up” the ship before we hit Cabanas and went to our rooms to unpack and settle in.

So I went back to picking the earliest PAT possible, every time.

 

[goofballs]

What time would they stop serving lunch on embarkation day?

 

[squirk]

What time would they stop serving lunch on embarkation day?

Pre-COVID, it was often as late as 3:15 (at least, on the Fantasy). With COVID, and half-full ships, I don’t know if they’ve moved that time up or not.

 

[iannovich]

When we were on the Wonder in October we had one of the earliest port arrival times. We were up on deck in at the bow of the ship (and in San Diego that's pointing right at the street) and we could see the line of people below that were still waiting to get on. We were surprised that the line was still so crazy long being as late as it was. We found out later that with the testing some people had waited 3 hours in line to board. So while things are still a little nuts, we're going to try to get on board as early as possible to minimize getting caught in any backups that might happen.

 

[dianerroy]

With all that is going on with embarkation testing, I would absolutely get as early as you can get. We leave March 7 on the Dream and I chose an 11am PAT. Hopefully we will be on the ship by 1 and can go right to lunch.

 

[loislane]

I'd always go for the earliest you can manage to maximize time on the ship. Not sure what the current luggage situation is (last time we cruised we shuttled from Hyatt at MCO on the DCL shuttle and they handled our luggage) but make sure you have access to your bathing suits so you can enjoy some pool time before your room is ready, enjoy lunch, explore the ship.
And as others have said, with the testing and all that required now, I'd rather get their early and have adequate time to get that stuff done.

 

[Anthony Vito]

Along these lines, how is it working right now with the arrival times. We're cruising for the first time on DCL in April - does the arrival time dictate when you can get to the parking garage (we're driving), when to test, when to get in line to board? I've read they are enforcing the arrival times more strictly, but when in the process does that time come into play?

 

[DisneyKrayzie2]

Along these lines, how is it working right now with the arrival times. We're cruising for the first time on DCL in April - does the arrival time dictate when you can get to the parking garage (we're driving), when to test, when to get in line to board? I've read they are enforcing the arrival times more strictly, but when in the process does that time come into play?

Last august they wouldn't let you in the garage until your arrival time.

 

[ThinkTink1]

I get as early as possible because you can always show up anytime after that time because if you have a late time you are stuck waiting until then.