When to get line for boarding?

[daddy dale]

We are on the 1/25 Magic & 1st time cruisers. When should we get in line for boarding? We will be at the Radisson w/ a party of 8? Can we send a couple ahead with the bags? And then bring the kids on the next shuttle?

ANY help appreciated!

 

[shefor24]

We stayed at the Raddison at the Port the night before also and it worked out great! If I remember correctly the shuttle(van) starts running at around 9:30- maybe it was 10:00. It seems like we were on the 10:15 one and it was fine. I wanted to get there earlier, but the lady at the counter said they were booked up- first available was 10:15. I wasn't disappointed though when we got to the terminal though, there wasn't many people in line yet (whew). It SURE didn't take long at all though for that line to just wind and wind and wind. I mean probably only 15-20 minutes went by and it was LONG!I am SO glad we got there when we did because I wanted to be one of the first on. We were probably about 25-30 in line. My advise- call the Raddison and get a shuttle booked and all go at once if you can, I guess it wouldn't be bad having a second group come later, but I wouldn't want them "budging" in front of me. I know -I know-we all get there eventually, but still, I worked hard to get in line in the front, don't budge in front of me. You know what I mean? Raddison shuttle lets you sign up before you arrive (which I wish I knew this at the time), so call now and book. That way no worries on what time you'll get there. Have a GREAT time!!
Enjoy!

 

[ennazus]

Raddison shuttle lets you sign up before you arrive

I wish I knew that also! Thanks for the tip.

When we went to sign up, the early times were already taken. I don't think that we got a slot until after 11:00 or 11:30...

but we went out to check out and probably take a taxi instead and my dh just asked the shuttle driver if there was anymore room & there was... so we took the shuttle around 10:00. We enjoyed getting there early and ran into a couple other DISers while standing in line. When we got inside the terminal and checked in, we stood in line again and had great conversations with a couple who had cruised previously and they enjoyed talking about their previous trips & we loved listening.

Next time we go, I'd certainly go early.

 

[mmouse37]

They are pretty strict at the terminal gate now....and will not let you in until 10:30 or so.

We were on the 1/4 Magic and had rented cars at MCO on Friday. On Saturday morning we dropped everyone and all the luggage at the terminal and then hubby returned the c ar to Avis at the Radisson and hopped the shuttle back to the port.

We were already in line and told people in line that my husband and daughter would be joining us in the line and they were fine with that.

MJ

 

[ennazus]

Can we send a couple ahead with the bags? And then bring the kids on the next shuttle?

I don't see why not.....

 

[msr709]

This is very informative, but I also am booked at the Radisson for 8/20 for our 8/21 cruise and was told that we had to book the shuttle at check-in. Do you think I should maybe try to call again when it gets closer to our arrival?

 

[MelissaE1]

Originally posted by daddy dale
We are on the 1/25 Magic & 1st time cruisers.

Hi there!

We are also on the 1/25 Magic sailing. There is a thread for that date, I don't know if you saw it, but if you would like to check it out, here it is:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=268386

I am making name tags for any DIS'ers who want one, let me know if your family would like some.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Here's a question for those who've stayed at the Radisson the night before a cruise. If I were to drop the luggage at the port and then return the car at Avis, what kind of a walk am I looking at from the hotel to the ship? A mile? Two miles? I guess I'm a bit of a freak and would enjoy the walk, provided I didn't have to cross the highway, or something like that....

 

[AprilN]

mmouse37,

When your DH and DD got back to the terminal after returning the car to Avis, did they have to check in separately, or did you check them in with everyone else in your party earlier? My DH and I will be a similar situation, and I'm trying to work out the game plan! Thanks!

April

 

[mmouse37]

The road is not conducive for walking....it is pretty busy. With all the looping around it is probably about a 1.5 -2.0 mile walk. I would not suggest it. Hop on the Radisson/Avis shuttle after you drop off your car.

MJ

 

[slmjam]

ok...now I think I'm a little confused. We've rented a car and will be driving from Tampa to the Radisson/Avis counter the morning of our cruise. Do we need to make reservations to hop the shuttle after we drop off the car, or can we just get on the next shuttle once we check the car back in? Or, would it be better for me and the kids to get dropped off at the port while my husband returns the car? Sorry so many questions, this is my first cruise and I am not sure what to expect!!

 

[PennyKeating]

Question - we are booked at the Radisson on the 24th for the cruise on the 25th, we were also told we could not have our names on the list for the shuttle, that we would have to do that at checkin.........was anyone else able to get on a list before hand??
Penny

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by slmjam
ok...now I think I'm a little confused. We've rented a car and will be driving from Tampa to the Radisson/Avis counter the morning of our cruise. Do we need to make reservations to hop the shuttle after we drop off the car, or can we just get on the next shuttle once we check the car back in? Or, would it be better for me and the kids to get dropped off at the port while my husband returns the car? Sorry so many questions, this is my first cruise and I am not sure what to expect!!

You will be taking the Avis shuttle and there will be no need for a reservation. There is an entirely different shuttle for the hotel.

As for what time to arrive, this is a hotly contested point. Some people like to be there early so that they are one of the first on board. However, that means you will stand on line in the terminal for approximately 2 hours.

We chose to take a later bus, had a leisurely breakfast, and did not stand in line for even 5 minutes before we were boarding. Contrary to popular belief, I was able to get all my first choice ressies - spa, Palos (2x) etc... You do not have to be first.

It all depends on how you like to travel. I hate to rush, and I hate lines even more, so this worked for us. But if you love the anticipation and the build up, then you'll want to be at the port early.

 

[mmouse37]

AprilN.....hubby and DD had to check in because they both had to show their I.D. at the counter. I had told the CM at the check-in counter that they would be checking in a bit later. She said she could do some of their check-in but said they still had to check-in. When hubby and DD got to the terminal it worked out they got on the same line with the CM that I had and they finished checking-in and getting their KTTW cards.

slmjam....mcnuss is right...you can just take the Avis shuttle and will have no problem. They do not take sign-up for their shuttles. The two shuttles really are pretty interchangeable. We have taken both and if people are waiting in front of either door (Radisson or Avis) the other driver will ask if they would like to ride now or wait for the next van. The quicker they can get people to the port, the more runs they can make, and the more tip money they can earn.

MJ

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

So what's the best time to showup if your not concerned with Palo or Spa reservation times, but still want to eat lunch after boarding?

 

[thatmom]

Hi,
Yourride is picking us up at our hotel Holiday Inn Suites at eleven thirty. Do you think we should maybe leave later. I also hate lines.
thanks,
thatmom

 

[mcnuss]

I think that getting there around 2 is good. The crowds have thinned, and I think the buffets are still open. If you are not planning to do the ressie run, you should be fine.