Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is a Port Arrival Time?

When you travel to the port for a Disney Cruise, it’s exciting to get close and see those iconic red funnels finally appear. Your Port Arrival Time is exactly what it sounds like, the time you should aim to get to the port. But it’s not the same as your boarding time – and sometimes your choice matters, and sometimes it doesn’t. If you’re a first-time cruiser with Disney, or it’s been a while, here’s what to know.

During online check-in, you’ll be asked to select a Port Arrival Time. This isn’t when you’ll be allowed onto the boat. Since there are a few things to take care of at the cruise terminal before you board – port check-in, security screening, etc. – your Port Arrival Time will be in advance of the time that you can get on the ship. It’s exactly the same idea as getting to the airport well before your flight departs, but with a couple of major differences.

The first is that airlines advise you to arrive a set amount of time before your departure. This works when you have a few hundred people to load on an airplane, but not when you’re putting thousands of guests onto a cruise ship. To keep things orderly, Disney would like guests to arrive at the cruise terminal in a steady stream throughout the day. So there are several windows for the Port Arrival Time.

The other difference is that if you arrive at an airport earlier than recommended, you will just be early. But if you get to the port much earlier than your Port Arrival Time, you will most likely be asked to wait outside. Unlike airports, cruise ports often don’t have anywhere good to wait; you may simply find yourself standing outside in the sun. Or the rain.

There are two exceptions to this rule about not arriving earlier than your Port Arrival Time. First: Did you book a Cruise Transfer with Disney? Then you’ll still be asked to choose a Port Arrival Time during check-in, but your answer doesn’t matter. You’ll get to the port, and be allowed into the port, whenever your Disney-provided transportation pulls up outside. Second, are you a concierge guest? Concierge guests can arrive any time after the earliest Port Arrival Time (usually 11 am). You might still select a time, but you don’t need to adhere to it.

So, what’s the best Port Arrival Time for a Disney Cruise? Common advice is “earlier is better”. Port Arrival Times don’t exactly correspond to the Boarding Groups for the ship. But it’s generally true that arriving earlier will get you on the boat earlier. That’s more time to find your bearings, get lunch before it’s almost dinner time, etc. The earliest available Port Arrival Time is usually at 11 am, and there’s little risk to choosing the earliest time that’s reasonable for you. If you arrive after your scheduled time, you’ll usually be allowed to head straight in and begin checking in.

That said, there are arguments for not choosing Port Arrival Times within the first hour. (And since sailors with higher Castaway Club status get to choose first, the earliest times may be gone before your online check-in opens.) First of all, “it’s what everyone else does”, so lines for security are generally longer in the first hour. Arriving a bit later means any early delays will have had a chance to smooth over. And it ups the odds that you’ll be able to head straight onto the ship after your port check-in is complete.

No matter what your Port Arrival Time, here are a few tips for a smooth embarkation experience.

• Have your Port Arrival Form easily accessible. This is one time where a printed copy might be your friend.
• Have your passport or other documents you used for online check-in ready to hand.
• Make sure there are no prohibited items in your carry-on luggage. Some no-no items on cruise ships are surprising, so give the linked list a quick skim.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!