What time to board the ship

[SheilaE]

I belive we leave the dock at 5:30 on a Thursday, what would we the best time to board?? Also, is there a parking place to leave the vehicle close by and how much is the fee for that?? Thank you

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

you can get to the port about 10:30 then around 11:45 they start to let you on. they have parking right across from the port and its $10 a day

 

[SheilaE]

oh' thank you!! So, if you load early, are there things you can go ahead and do?? Thanks

 

[4407mark]

SheilaE - yes, there is plenty to do...they have a delicious buffet lunch and you can see some areas of the ship although I don't think you can get to your room until around 3? We've been one of the first dozen families on board both times we've sailed and have enjoyed the wonderful buffet befroe setting off to make our spa and Palo reservations. Have a great trip!

 

[SheilaE]

Thank you! We are looking forward to NOVember

 

[aprilgail2]

We were allowed to our rooms just prior to 1pm the last time. We ate lunch, went to the room then went and made spa reservations. Went back to the room and unpacked, relaxed then went to the life boat drill.

 

[ericamanda01]

I wish I had thought of this last time, but I would have worn my swimsuit under my clothes. That way after the buffet I could have layed out for a while.

 

[inkkognito]

Boarding may start later than 11:45...sometimes it more like 12:15. This weekend, we boarded a little after 12. I recommend getting there early, staking out a place in line, and then having one family member hold your spot while the others explore. Besides the cartoons and ship model, characters almost always come out for photos. We saw Chip and Dale this time, and we often see Captain Mickey, too. The line was pretty minimal; I think most people were coming in later on the resort buses. Happy Limo dropped us off a little before 11 and the terminal was almost deserted!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[jrabbit]

We like getting to the terminal early, usually around 11am. We get checked in, look around, get in line, take pictures, watch mickey mouse cartoons, go outside and look at the ship. Before you know it you are boarding that magnificent ship, your family is annouced on board, wave to Captian Mickey. We then do the ressie rush (for us it's just palo brunch and signing the kids into the clubs before the line gets long). Then we drop our carryon bags in the room and up we go to lunch. After lunch we walk around and explore "our ship" or go swimming. We start unpacking a little before 4 (manditory life boat drill) and finish unpacking after that.

There are many things to do - especially if its your first cruise on this ship. Getting oriented - that's a big job - it's easy to get lost. Eating - might as well get started early on that There is a guided tour of the ship. There are excursion and shopping talks. There's the swimmimg pools and the sports deck (shoot baskets). Theres the spa tour.

I believe that "all aboard" is at 3:30. I know that people do arrive up to the time the ship pushes off of the dock (late flights or other delays and just some clueless people out there). All services including the pools shut down from 3:30 to 4:30 because of the manditory safety drill.

So yes, there's things to do onboard before the ship sets sail at 5 or 5:30.

is there a parking place to leave the vehicle close by and how much is the fee for that??

When you arrive at the port they will tell you where to park and I believe it's $10 per day.

 

[mmouse37]

They are cracking down on letting people drop off stuff in the rooms before they are officially ready. On our Feb cruise they actually had the area to our staterooms roped off so you could not go down the hall. Several CM's were turning people away from all cabin areas.

MJ