The big day is finally here—your Disney Cruise vacation has arrived!
Understandably, you’re excited and ready to step aboard the ship to begin your magical adventure.
However, the time you board the ship depends on an essential detail: your Port Arrival Time (PAT).
Disney Cruise Line has an efficient system for disembarking passengers from the previous cruise and getting new guests on board.
Since not everyone can board at the same time, your Port Arrival Time determines the boarding group you’re assigned to (unless you’re sailing Concierge, are a Pearl Castaway Club Member, or one other exception I will get to below).
What is a Port Arrival Time?
A Port Arrival Time is the specific time you’re scheduled to arrive at the cruise terminal. It’s not the same as the time the terminal opens or the time you board the ship.
For example, at Port Canaveral, the Disney Cruise terminal typically opens between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM, but you won’t be allowed into the terminal until your designated Port Arrival Time.
Arriving earlier than your PAT means waiting outside, potentially in the sun. With no where to sit.
- Tip: Aim to arrive at the terminal 10 to 15 minutes before your PAT to avoid unnecessary waiting.
Is Port Arrival Time the Same as Boarding Time?
A lot of people get confused about this.
But no.
PAT is not the same time as you boarding the ship.
There is another element to this and that is your Boarding Group.
Once you have checked in and got your PAT you will be allocated a Boarding Group. The later the PAT the later the Boarding Group.
Usually Boarding Groups range from 1 to 30, but this can vary.
How Do You Get a Port Arrival Time?
You’ll receive your Port Arrival Time well before arriving at the cruise terminal. Here’s how to get it:
- Log in to My Reservations on the Disney Cruise Website or via the app.
- Ensure your reservation is paid in full before your Check in Window opens.
- Complete the online check-in process once your check in window is open, and you’ll be assigned a Port Arrival Time as part of the process.
When Can I Check In?
- Pearl Castaway Club members & Concierge Staterooms: 40 days before sailing
- Platinum Castaway Club members: 38 days before sailing
- Gold Castaway Club members: 35 days before sailing
- Silver Castaway Club members: 33 days before sailing
- First Time Cruisers: 30 days before sailing
Check in opens at midnight EST.
Here are all the sections you will need to complete to be checked in.
A green tick mark will show once the section is completed.
To secure an earlier Port Arrival Time, complete your check-in as soon as your booking window opens, even if it means staying up until midnight EST to do so!
Related: Disney Cruise Check in Step by Step – Cut the Confusion!
Boarding Groups and the Importance of PAT
When you check in online, you’ll also receive a boarding group number, which determines the order in which guests board the ship.
Boarding groups typically range from 1 to 30, with Groups 1 and 2 reserved for Concierge Guests and Pearl Castaway Club Members.
Guests with early Port Arrival Times are assigned lower boarding group numbers.
Here’s how boarding works:
- Disney announces the start of boarding.
- Family of the Day boards first, followed by Concierge and Pearl Castaway Members.
- Boarding proceeds in order by group number, with terminal staff checking your boarding card at the entrance.
Booking Disney Cruise Transportation – The Port Arrival Time/Boarding Group Advantage
There is one “secret” that will mean that you do not need a Port Arrival Time, and will therefore also get an early Boarding Group.
Booking a DCL transfer to the ship.
You can do this from any Disney World Hotel Resort, Orlando International Airport or the Hyatt Regency MCO.
This is a very convenient way of getting to the port – and it means that you will not need a Port Arrival Time – you will be let into the terminal when you arrive at the port in the bus.
You will also get a low boarding Group, which is usually from Group 3 to Group 5. The actual number can vary from cruise to cruise but it will get you ahead of the crowd.
A lot more guests seem to be booking this option so it may be that there will be a greater range of Groups.
Should I Stress About My Port Arrival Time?
The short answer to that is no – you will board the ship at some time!
But I know that many guests do stress about this. A lot.
It is without a doubt a nice feeling to be amongst the first to board the ship. But not everyone can be the first, and someone has to be the last.
The advantages of being on the ship first are not just that you get to see the ship with less people, and start to explore earlier.
It is that if you did not manage to book things before your cruise starts then you get a better chance of securing those bookings. So you can go to the spa and snag those reservations – or be one of the first in line for the dining team to get that Palo reservation you wanted.
You also get to hit the buffet before the crowd arrives!
I know that FOMO is real but even if you get the final Boarding Group you are still going to have an amazing time.
Related: How to Make the Most of Your First Hours on the Ship
Key Tips for a Smooth Port Arrival:
- Check in early: The earlier you complete your online check-in, the more likely you are to secure an earlier PAT.
- Don’t arrive too early: You’ll be waiting outside the terminal until your PAT, with limited seating and shade in some ports.
- Different ports, different setups: For example, at the San Diego Cruise Port, there’s no shade or seating, so plan accordingly.
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Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.