[Dopey]

What difference does it make which boarding number one gets? Don't we all get on and off that boat?
I am thinking of having the car pick us up at the resort around noon. We'd be at the port shortly after, the rooms aren't ready until 1:30, why do I need to be there first thing.
Someone please explain that to me. Thank you ~

[E&B's Mom]

Let me say that I have never cruised DCL. But I do prefer to be one of the first ones on. On some lines specialty restaurants book quickly - I make my reservations when I firt get on board - very firt thing - look for a house (ship) phone and call. Also, there are little things you can do - check your table seating and switch maybe - etc. Again, DCL may not be like this.

I haunt cruisecritic.com for tips like this. Plus, the earlier you geton board the sooner your vacation starts!

[WishUponAStar]

Look at us, we're just Cruise question crazy! Hmmm, I didn't even know there was staggered boarding! I have no idea WHY they do it but my guess would be to keep down the lines of people trying to board all at once or the check-in lines at the port down. Maybe they are just trying to keep it as chaos free as possibly. Heck, maybe they load the "adults only" parties on the boat first so you'll spend some money on tropical drinks.

[woohoo]

We like getting there early because we like hitting the beach blanket buffet that they throw for sendoff and the special drink prices- the kids like roaming the boat and hitting the pool while waiting. It will be good if you have never been on the boat because you can find your way around a little bit- I like making sure the kids are registered with the "yellow people" and time goes by really fast! Your room will be ready by then but your bags may not be there for a few hours- Its nice to have that early boat entry to get settled.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Look at us, we're just Cruise question crazy! Hmmm, I didn't even know there was staggered boarding! I have no idea WHY they do it but my guess would be to keep down the lines of people trying to board all at once or the check-in lines at the port down. Maybe they are just trying to keep it as chaos free as possibly. Heck, maybe they load the "adults only" parties on the boat first so you'll spend some money on tropical drinks.

heehee, from what I could glean in my travels through the Disboards, you get that number AFTER you check in.

I can see where Maggie's coming from and it makes a whole lot of sense to be there as early as they let you on that boat. Maybe it also keeps order so that none of the "must-be-first-everywhere" people don't have a chance to trample anyone

I am so surprised, this is such an orderly thing. One might think we're boarding a German ship

[WishUponAStar]

What's the earliest they let you on the boat by the way? And, what's the earliest you can get to their Port Canaveral check-in spot?

Dopey, what are you using to get from the resort to Port Canaveral?

[woohoo]

They will let you know when you get there- It is all based on how fast they can turn over the boat from the am- I have boarded before the actual board time and I have had to wait 30 min or so in the main lobby for them to open gates- but the main lobby has characters and pic ops and so on so you wont want to rush through that either!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

What's the earliest they let you on the boat by the way? And, what's the earliest you can get to their Port Canaveral check-in spot?

Dopey, what are you using to get from the resort to Port Canaveral?

Quicksilver.
I am doing this 3 way thing. From the airport to the resort, from the resort to the port and from there to the airport.
That way I don't have to sit on a bus, waiting for it to be filled up before it goes. Seems like that could be a long wait. I'd rather either be at the port or at the resort, but I don't want to sit on a bus.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by woohoo

They will let you know when you get there- It is all based on how fast they can turn over the boat from the am- I have boarded before the actual board time and I have had to wait 30 min or so in the main lobby for them to open gates- but the main lobby has characters and pic ops and so on so you wont want to rush through that either!

But check in and going through security starts somewhere around 10:30. I have read that somewhere. Could it be wrong? So I was thinking, ok, they let you check in that early, but then you wait, and wait....?

[woohoo]

If they have the boat ready they will let you on board- if not you just wait in the main lobby-
When you get there you go through metal detectors which is normally a line. Then you either go up the stairs or up the elevator and you get to a big main room where you wait in another line to check in- you have to have all of your paperwork filled in and this process takes a while- there is normally a long line so the earlier you get there the less waiting you have to do. If you are a castaway club member the line is nothing and goes much faster. Then after you are done and you have your keys and so on you will be able to go and wait in line to get on the boat- if they are open you just go down the hallways- if not you wait till they say its ok- then you enter the main gate, scan your room keys and then go to where they take your embarcation pics - then they will ask you your family name and you are announced as you enter the boat- its all very grand and a lot of fun!

[Dopey]

Yes, that's about what I have read too, woohoo. Thank you for clarifying some of the things.

Should you not be packing the Dorkman luggage?

[woohoo]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Yes, that's about what I have read too, woohoo. Thank you for clarifying some of the things.

Should you not be packing the Dorkman luggage?

Im way too neurotic to not be packed already! LOL- they are all set and lined up in the Attic...he he he
But now I can lay low and pretend that nothing is going on. I am more concerned now about how dirty the house will have to be because if I clean like a nutcase teh kids will definately know we are leaving somewhere- I like coming home to a spotless house!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by woohoo

Im way too neurotic to not be packed already! LOL- they are all set and lined up in the Attic...he he he
But now I can lay low and pretend that nothing is going on. I am more concerned now about how dirty the house will have to be because if I clean like a nutcase teh kids will definately know we are leaving somewhere- I like coming home to a spotless house!

Hire a Merry Maid for while you're gone. What a treat

[jk8]

We have taken Quicksilver to the port both times. I did not want to be lumped in with a whole busload. We have left WDW at 11:00 and 12:00. This time leaving at 11 we had about a 15 minute wait to board once we checked in. The time before that we just checked in a walked on.

I personally don't like waiting around in the terminal too much, so I would not be one to get there at 11am or even earlier like some do. I think the terminal opens at 10?

We got up at a leasurely pace at WL, at a nice breakfast and checked out at 11 and were on our way.

If you have your Palo ressies already there is no hurry to get on the ship. They do have a nice buffet set up to eat when you board.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by jk8

We have taken Quicksilver to the port both times. I did not want to be lumped in with a whole busload. We have left WDW at 11:00 and 12:00. This time leaving at 11 we had about a 15 minute wait to board once we checked in. The time before that we just checked in a walked on.

I personally don't like waiting around in the terminal too much, so I would not be one to get there at 11am or even earlier like some do. I think the terminal opens at 10?

We got up at a leasurely pace at WL, at a nice breakfast and checked out at 11 and were on our way.

If you have your Palo ressies already there is no hurry to get on the ship. They do have a nice buffet set up to eat when you board.

that's exactly what I had in mind. We're staying at the Beach Club and I kind of didn't want to get up at all hours just to sit around the terminal. So, I am going to have Quicksilver pick us up around 11 and take it real easy.

I am planning on making my Palo ressies online. but I wanted to make sure that we have one for the Animator's Palette night. I am not interested in eating there. The reviews are not that great.
I guess we'll have to wait until we get onboard to see what the rotation actually is and hope for the best in either hitting the right date doing it online or being able to change it once onboard.
Ohhhhh, I love it when a plan comes together