Arrival Time

Lynn1030

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Urgh...this is my first Disney cruise and when I got the email telling me I could do the online check in from Costco, I didn't immediately go do it since I didn't have my passports with me and wanted to be able to enter everything in at that time. By the time I did complete it, the earliest time slot was 11:45-12:00. Boo! Next time I know to do it immediately. Any guesses on when we should be able to get on the ship? Any recommendations on how early to show up? Thanks! :)
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Urgh...this is my first Disney cruise and when I got the email telling me I could do the online check in from Costco, I didn't immediately go do it since I didn't have my passports with me and wanted to be able to enter everything in at that time. By the time I did complete it, the earliest time slot was 11:45-12:00. Boo! Next time I know to do it immediately. Any guesses on when we should be able to get on the ship? Any recommendations on how early to show up? Thanks! :)
Don't fret! You can still arrive at the terminal early. The port arrival times are more like a suggested time. Only if the terminal building reaches capacity (fire code safety regulations) will you be denied entry to the building. I have never heard of this actually happening. When you check in at the port, because your arrival time was a bit later, you might be given a higher boarding group number than another guest checking in at the same time who has an early port arrival time. This isn't the rule but I've heard of it happening. Once they begin calling boarding group numbers, usually around 11:30 give or take, the group numbers will progress quickly. Usually it takes less than an hour for guests in the terminal with assigned boarding groups to be all caught up and open boarding to begin. Its fast. If you want to get there early go ahead. You just may have to wait a few minutes extra before your group number is called to board.
 

MaryJaneP

Well-Known Member
... the earliest time slot was 11:45-12:00. Boo! Next time I know to do it immediately. Any guesses on when we should be able to get on the ship? Any recommendations on how early to show up? Thanks! :)

The previous advice should be helpful and worthy of being followed.

I know I have a different point-of-view than the above by stating that later boarding is not really a huge problem, especially since you usually drag a bag of stuff with you (check everything you do not need access to prior to 5pm, when most of the luggage is delivered outside your room) until the rooms are accessible (1:30 pm or so). By being in a later boarding group (I think we were group 42 in recent Cape Canaveral/Fantasy cruise), you avoid some of the impatient crowds especially at the pre-board photo. Also, since it seems you have at least one youngster (your photo), they can see characters in the terminal, view the ship model, and you all can review the Navigator (plan your day) while waiting for your group to be called. Once on board, you can do the lunch (Cabanas/Topsider) and then hit the pools/aquaduck. Bottom line, not the end of the world to not be first aboard. IMHO, cruise starts after we unpack in our cabin, then the fun begins.
 

Lynn1030

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Great, thanks for all the advice! We'll show up earlier than our time and see how it goes!

The previous advice should be helpful and worthy of being followed.

I know I have a different point-of-view than the above by stating that later boarding is not really a huge problem, especially since you usually drag a bag of stuff with you (check everything you do not need access to prior to 5pm, when most of the luggage is delivered outside your room) until the rooms are accessible (1:30 pm or so). By being in a later boarding group (I think we were group 42 in recent Cape Canaveral/Fantasy cruise), you avoid some of the impatient crowds especially at the pre-board photo. Also, since it seems you have at least one youngster (your photo), they can see characters in the terminal, view the ship model, and you all can review the Navigator (plan your day) while waiting for your group to be called. Once on board, you can do the lunch (Cabanas/Topsider) and then hit the pools/aquaduck. Bottom line, not the end of the world to not be first aboard. IMHO, cruise starts after we unpack in our cabin, then the fun begins.

Yes, we'll have a 19 month old with us, so I don't know how well "waiting" anywhere for a long period of time will go lol. I am ok with a wait, and it is fully expected, but I didn't want to show up early if it was pointless...I want to be on the ship for as long as I possibly can! :D
 
Hi all! We are going on our first cruise ever. If we have a port arrival time of 10:30-10:45 and are coming with young children what is the best time to arrive? I believe we have filled out all of our kids club info and everything already.
 

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Hi all! We are going on our first cruise ever. If we have a port arrival time of 10:30-10:45 and are coming with young children what is the best time to arrive? I believe we have filled out all of our kids club info and everything already.

It depends. Boarding will start around 11:30. If you want to get there and get right on, come around 12:30. If you don't mind waiting and enjoying the terminal, get there at 10:20. You can try to upgrade, see Captain Mickey, take pictures of the ship, etc. I like the waiting and anticipation in the terminal. :) With a 10:30 arrival time, you'll have an early boarding number, so as soon as boarding starts you'll be on pretty quick.
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Thank you! I've checked out a couple sites with info but this seems like the friendliest site! I'm sure I will have tons more questions. We are so excited.
I think this is the nicest post! Other forum areas on this site can be a little more passionate if you will (LOL) but the cruise forum has stayed pretty friendly. Definitely a tribute to my fellow DCL cruising pals here which I do appreciate. I should say it more often because this is a great little group here. And we all love to share the love with as much info and as many perspectives as possible. So glad you're here with us!
 

Tom

Beta Return
I think this is the nicest post! Other forum areas on this site can be a little more passionate if you will (LOL) but the cruise forum has stayed pretty friendly. Definitely a tribute to my fellow DCL cruising pals here which I do appreciate. I should say it more often because this is a great little group here. And we all love to share the love with as much info and as many perspectives as possible. So glad you're here with us!

It's easy to be friendly in the DCL forum when there's nothing bad to say about DCL! :)
 

TDF

Well-Known Member
Is it me or was boarding like one of the fastest things of DCL? When we went we had boarding number 5, literally 5 minutes after they called boarding numbers we where getting our picture taking and our name announced as we boarded. The greatest experience ever!:(
 

Tom

Beta Return
Is it me or was boarding like one of the fastest things of DCL? When we went we had boarding number 5, literally 5 minutes after they called boarding numbers we where getting our picture taking and our name announced as we boarded. The greatest experience ever!:(

They are indeed quite efficient!
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
I don't wanna be the downer but on the efficient boarding of the guest masses I can't not say how impressive the process was in Ft. Lauderdale boarding the Allure of the Seas. Their terminal isn't as pretty IMO and it can never be the magical experience of boarding a Disney ship. Buuuuuuut, for efficiency in the flow for processing and boarding up to 2200 more passengers than the Dream class ships (Dream class holds up to 4000 guests max, Allure up to 6200 guests max) I was pretty blown away. RCI has this process down to a science for their 2 big girls, that's for sure. FYI, I'm waiting for a couple more pics from my BiL then I can get started posting my Allure report. ;)
 

tissandtully

Well-Known Member
I don't wanna be the downer but on the efficient boarding of the guest masses I can't not say how impressive the process was in Ft. Lauderdale boarding the Allure of the Seas. Their terminal isn't as pretty IMO and it can never be the magical experience of boarding a Disney ship. Buuuuuuut, for efficiency in the flow for processing and boarding up to 2200 more passengers than the Dream class ships (Dream class holds up to 4000 guests max, Allure up to 6200 guests max) I was pretty blown away. RCI has this process down to a science for their 2 big girls, that's for sure. FYI, I'm waiting for a couple more pics from my BiL then I can get started posting my Allure report. ;)
Is there such thing as a cruise ship being TOO big?
 

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