What's the best boarding time?

[Raya]

We started our online check in process and were giving a range of times to board. Is one time better than another? For example, should we pick 11am so we're on the ship the most or 2:30pm so there isn't a line? We're staying at the hotel that is part of the port (in Vancouver for the Alaska cruise) and have a late check out, so it's not like we have to rush. OTOH, we'll be on Eastern time, and I don't know if we'll want to go do anything other than go on the ship that morning.

Advice?

 

[MUN]

We started our online check in process and were giving a range of times to board. Is one time better than another? For example, should we pick 11am so we're on the ship the most or 2:30pm so there isn't a line? We're staying at the hotel that is part of the port (in Vancouver for the Alaska cruise) and have a late check out, so it's not like we have to rush. OTOH, we'll be on Eastern time, and I don't know if we'll want to go do anything other than go on the ship that morning.

Advice?

The earlier the better, IMHO

 

[Raya]

The earlier the better, IMHO

Any particular reason why? For example, we'd love to minimize wait and/or spend more time in our cabin. However, I think it's like a hotel - the cabins are ready when they're ready, not when you get there.

 

[lanejudy]

What you are selecting is actually your "Port Arrival Time" (PAT) and not your direct boarding time. However, the boarding number that you receive during check-in at the port is tied to your PAT; earlier PAT = lower (earlier) boarding number. Boarding typically begins around 11:30, so the terminal can get crowded prior to that; by around 12:30pm those initial crowds have boarded and it's much easier to check-in and walk right on the ship with little or no wait, regardless of PAT at that point. Staterooms aren't ready until around 1:30pm, so you will have to lug any carry-ons until that time. For a week-long cruise, my personal opinion is that boarding immediately isn't as big a deal as it might be for a shorter cruise. If you like being part of the crowd and boarding first, go for an early PAT; if you'd rather avoid the crowds, select something a little after noon.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MUN]

Any particular reason why? For example, we'd love to minimize wait and/or spend more time in our cabin. However, I think it's like a hotel - the cabins are ready when they're ready, not when you get there.

We like to have lunch on the ship when the buffet opens. Plus, we also enjoy exploring the ship as soon as we board.

MUN

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The earlier the better, as with an early one you can turn up when you want, even late, with later ones for boarding card will be later even if they let you in early.

 

[RedSox68]

It also depends on where you are before you board. If you are at a resort, as we have done many times, we like to spend time having breakfast and not rushing, so we have the car service pick us up at about 9:30 and arrive around 11 a.m. after a grocery stop and we find that time fits us well. I figure we'll board when we board -- and sometimes a later boarding number means your rooms might be ready and you can drop your stuff before you head to lunch.

 

[Quellman]

First Disney Cruise? Spending any days in Vancouver before the trip? If you are flying in the night before, then I would spend a little time walking to Stanley Park and looking around and just enjoying a leisurely breakfast and select a 1200-1230 boarding time (no big deal if you show up later).

The terminal at Pan Pacific moves pretty well and being right there you have no rush. I would avoid the throngs of people, especially if the first cruise. You'll be much less rushed, and at the end of 7 days, what is 2 hours?

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We like as early as possible like PP. we like to have lunch on board. Plus if you do want to make any changes to your dining, reserve meet and greets etc you can get in there ahead of the main lines!

 

[saxmangeoff]

I found an early arrival at Canada Place resulted in a lot of waiting around with nothing to do. And let's just say the port has no Disney magic to it.

So I would be inclined to try for a sweet spot between too much time waiting in the terminal and getting on the ship as early as possible.

 

[xlxo]

I too recommend early to ensure you get your time at the welcome lunch trough (that you paid for). I think last call is about 1:30pm. You also get first crack at the pools and spas before other cruiser fill it up.

Some have comment arriving after 2pm means a speedier customs and security check at the terminal... especially when more than 2 ships are at the terminal.

 

[xlxo]

early arrival at Canada Place resulted in a lot of waiting around with nothing to do. And let's just say the port has no Disney magic to it.

Kids can get an early start to their DCL character photo experience inside the terminal. Many miss the photo display behind the seating area. I think there was kids activities at the North side of the seating area when I was there in 2014.

 

[Hundredacre]

We have done both and both have positives and negatives. Honestly the 1:00+ time is more relaxing. By the time you get in there, your room is open (about 1:30), no lines in the terminal, no one ahead of you to take a sail away picture, no huge crowds blocking the entrance, no piles of luggage to navigate around. But the downside is you might miss lunch. You might miss a particular set of meet and greet tickets you want. That being said, there is food on deck after lunch, a wide variety in my opinion. And I am personally a bit over the ticketed events. Characters are available throughout the cruise without tickets as well.
Whenever we arrive early, I feel a bit smug like I've done what I could to get every second/dollar out of my vacation. It feels like i am doing what i am supposed to do because it is the most logical. We get lunch, stand in line for tickets, walk around, etc. Our kids have actually never gone to swim at this boarding time-- not sure why but they have wanted to do other things. So both have pluses and minuses.

 

[xlxo]

Whenever we arrive early, I feel a bit smug like I've done what I could to get every second/dollar out of my vacation.

Well said.... do you also demand to be the last off the boat? I'm amazed on debarkation how everyone wants to be first to walk the plank... missing the excellent breakfast they paid for.

I ask for the 2nd feeding so I get the late breakfast. The late breakfast means I can wait comfortably for debarkation in the dining room for my late debarkation time. Meanwhile cast members constantly feed me to maximize my value and waist line.

 

[saxmangeoff]

Kids can get an early start to their DCL character photo experience inside the terminal. Many miss the photo display behind the seating area. I think there was kids activities at the North side of the seating area when I was there in 2014.

Good points. There was also quite the line to check kids in for the kids' clubs.

I was traveling without children, so none of that mattered to me. I was just sitting on a chair, looking out the window at the Wonder, taunting me for what felt like forever.

 

[truck1]

We get the earliest possible time so that we don't feel rushed getting on the ship and we have plenty of time to correct an oops forgot something, getting passes for things like the Princess fathering etc. Plus as an added advantage of you want to change something you have the ability to be one of the first in line to make a correction. With Palos for example if you can't get a booking right now, if your number 4 or 5 in line chances are you won't get one at all. 1 or 2 usually gets the few remaining spots.

 

[kiford]

Lines tend to clear up around 12:30 or so when open boarding typically starts. You still can't go to your cabin until about 1:30 so you have to haul your carryon around until then. We prefer to board around 1 pm or thereabouts. By the time we get on board, go to Guest Services to get tickets for tastings our room is open. The couple of times we've been on earlier (European/Med cruises) we've had to haul around our bags and I find that a pain. We usually go to Cove Cafe and wait so it's not too bad. I have no interest in getting up early so as to get there early only to have to stand in line, sit around and wait for my room and carry a heavy bag around.

 

[lorimay]

I want to board as soon as possible, get that vacation started.

 

[Disneyteachers]

I picked an early time because I want to change a palo booking if possible, book mixology, etc.

 

[tink1970]

When we choose our PATs, I pick the earliest one just because I tendto drive everyone nuts bouncing around wanting to board. Guess it's the 3 year old in me coming out...want to go to Mickey's Boat NOW!!