If we get there at 10am (or earlier) where do they have you wait to get in?
Would I be able to take pics of the ship & the actual cruise terminal from where we wait or would we be a little bit of a distance away from the terminal & ship??
This time we will be driving in, so we want to get there early.
Thanks.
We went on a 7-night back in November and got there super early, and they had us wait in a parking lot directly across the street from the terminal. We drove out of the gate and directly into the check in area. They made us wait there until around 9:30 or 10:00 and then let us go across and check-in and drop off our luggage.
It was kinda neat - we got to watch them rehearse the Pirates deck party and got to talk to fellow cruisers (who we then saw SEVERAL times during our cruise). The one surprise was that even with getting there that early, we weren't one of the very first boarding groups - I guess folks that flew in and DVC guests got that honor!
Even so, we were on the ship before the rush started, got a table for lunch, and enjoyed the relatively empty ship!
OK, I'm going to ask away! You and your son were the only 2 that checked in, correct? Or was your husband with you at that time? I'm hoping to get to the port by 10, but DH and the kids are going to just drop me off and then go grab a late breakfast elsewhere. Will I be able to check all of us in, or does the whole group need to be present?Dh dropped me and one of our sons off and then drove back to the hotel to pick up the rest of the gang. It was right before 10 am and they were not taking luggage out of vehicle at that time but it wasn't a problem for us to get out and walk through the security gate and then through the scanners, up the escalator and into the port. When my son and I rode the escalator up and saw our first view of inside the port it was EMPTY. Literally one family in front of us in line. At that time the CMs were checking in only the few people that were doing B2B and once they finished with them they opened up the line for the new boarders. It was around 10:20 to 10:30 that we were able to check in. AND we had a number 2 boarding pass!
Overall, even though we were at the port really early I'd definitely do it the same way again. If you have questions please ask away!
OK, I'm going to ask away! You and your son were the only 2 that checked in, correct? Or was your husband with you at that time? I'm hoping to get to the port by 10, but DH and the kids are going to just drop me off and then go grab a late breakfast elsewhere. Will I be able to check all of us in, or does the whole group need to be present?
When you drive into the secure area, they collect your money, check your ID and then you drive up to the drop off area. Then you are told where to park your car.
DD's & I would get out, stand on the curb, let the porters handle the luggage and DH would park the car and RUN to meet us so we could enter the building with our carry ons in hand.
HTH
Yes, you were right...we would be parking at the port. Thanks for the information!!!I understood the OP's question to mean they were driving and would have to park their car.......so paying to park.