What time does cruise terminal open?

[CatLady]

Not that I want to be first person in line or something, but DH did ask me today what time the cruise terminal opened for check-in. I didn't have an answer... does anyone know?

 

[greytlady]

I've heard they will turn you away if you arrive before 10am. I'm not sure though. We got there about 10:30a and got through the lines pretty quickly. I'm thinking they started boarding around 12:45p. We sailed back in May on the Wonder so they may board earlier than that. I don't know if I'd show up any earlier than 10:00a. They do have characters come along at some point to help keep the kids from getting too antsy. We spent some time at Ron Jon's shop to pass away some time before arriving at the terminal.

 

[JJsmama]

We're booked on the 10 am shuttle from the Radisson. Is that TOOO early? I was thinking boarding started about noon.

 

[greytlady]

It may have been 11:45p when we boarded now that I think about it. We were early in line so were able to eat the buffett at Parrot Cay and I remember wandering around until our room was ready at 1:30p. The kids were swimming in the pool about the time the room was ready. So forgive my memory. The other time did sound a little late. It just seemed like I waited a long time in the line to board with 2 kids who didn't want to really sit still.

 

[westjones]

They start letting people into port somewhere between 10-10:30.

They start boarding around 11:45-12:00 noon.

Is it too early to show up at 10:30? That depends on what you 'want'. My kids like standing in line and being one of the first onboard. We then 'shock' the CMs onboard by telling them we don't want to go to the buffet and we want to head up to the pool. THEN my girls declare victory when they get to be the first ones in the Goofy Pool. DH and I get pizza and sit near the pool and watch the girls.

Personally, if it were just DH and I, I would get there around 12:00 to check in so I can just get into a moving line or walk right on to the ship. BUT our kids get a kick out of thier quest to be the first in the pool.

DJ

 

[inkkognito]

10:30 is the earliest we've arrived and the terminal has always been open and uncrowded. We like to get there early, just to start our vacation as soon as possible. It doesn't feel like it starts until we walk into that Art Deco building! Even when we arrive early, the time till boarding seems to fly by.
Barb

 

[profdsny]

This is good to know, because we were going to put the older kids on the shuttle to the airport then head to the dock. This way we can take them to the airport first. Btw, how far is it from Orlando international? Thanks,

 

[westjones]

From the airport to the port it seems to be about 1 hour. It could vary due to traffic though.

DJ

 

[bengals01]

IT IS USUALLY AROUND 10:00 AM, WHEN WE WENT IN AUGUST WE ARRIVED ABOUT 9:50 AM, THEY PARKED US IN THE PARKING LOT AND WHEN IT WAS OPEN THEY LET EVERYONE GO FROM THE PARKING LOT FIRST IN ORDER AS THEY CAME, THAT WAS GREAT, THEY START PROCESSING ABOUT 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM,