When's the best time to arrive at port?

[floridaminnie]

We are driving from Tampa and I was just wondering when is the best time to check in for our cruise is at. I want to get there before all the wdw cruisers get there from their disney transportation.
thanks!

 

[iluvorlando]

Then you probably want to time it around 10:45 - 11:00. We were so excited, we got to the port at 9:45. Well, of course they weren't letting anyone park or anything yet. Fortunately, my DH aunt lives in Melbourne, so we visited for a while and got there around 1:00.

 

[BethA]

What time does the port open for luggage and passengers? Leaving on Saturday!!!!Beth

 

[mmouse37]

The terminal starts letting you in to be checked in about 10:30, I guess that would be when luggage is accepted also.

When we sailed in Feb/02 we arrived on the Radisson shuttle a bit early and DCL would not even let us take our luggage out of the van until 10:30. The shuttle driver was not very happy as he had to wait about 12 minutes instead of being able to go get more people from the hotel.

MJ

 

[inkkognito]

On one of our three-day cruises, we arrived a little after 10:30 and the terminal was virtually deserted. There was a sign that check-in did not start until 11, but there was one line open and there was no one waiting.
A word of caution for 7-day cruises...you will want to get there earlier. For the Wonder, many people are on land-sea packages and have already checked in at WDW. Therefore, the lines rarely get very long. For the 7-day, everyone checks in at the port, so they were much longer and seemed to start much earlier.
Overall, the process is very smooth, and even when there are lines, they more pretty quickly.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com