Best time to leave to Board Dream

[shakotah]

Hi, we are arranging our transportation from Orlando (hotel close to Universal Studios) to Port Canaveral and the only time options we were given were either 8:00 am or 11:00 am. If we take the 8:00 am we arrive at the port at approximately 9:00 am. Is this too early? But getting there at 12:00 noon, is it going to be crazy busy with lines? Any help would be appreciated.

Edited November 5, 2013 by shakotah

[kcwingwalker]

Hi, we are arranging our transportation from Orlando (hotel close to Universal Studios) to Port Canaveral and the only time options we were given were either 8:00 am or 11:00 am. If we take the 8:00 am we arrive at the port at approximately 9:00 am. Is this too early? But getting there at 12:00 noon, is it going to be crazy busy with lines? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I would go early, you are going to have to wait which ever option you chose. At least if you get there early, you'll get onboard earlier.

[ShellLoves2cruise]

Hi, we are arranging our transportation from Orlando (hotel close to Universal Studios) to Port Canaveral and the only time options we were given were either 8:00 am or 11:00 am. If we take the 8:00 am we arrive at the port at approximately 9:00 am. Is this too early? But getting there at 12:00 noon, is it going to be crazy busy with lines? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Just returned from a trip aboard the Dream and I think it will be very busy by noon. We arrived at the port at around 9:30am and had FTTF but due to a mandatory Coast Guard inspection, we got on the ship a little later than we normally would have...I think they began boarding around 11:45 IIRC. It did get very busy by the time the boarding began but there wasn't many people there when we arrived ~ on past cruises I have usually been on board by 10:30ish. Have a great cruise, I really enjoyed the Dream!!

[pjinaz]

I would go at which ever time you are more comfortable with. The Dream boarding process is very quick and efficient. If you want to be on the ship sooner, take the earlier, but that requires waking up early. If you prefer the later, you should be fine. My husband dropped us off with bags and went to drop off rental car and take shuttle back. I was watching everyone go through the lines and talked to the carnival reps, we could have been totally checked in and on the ship in the 15 to 20 minutes it took him to drop the car. We got there sometime between 10:30 and 11:00. Lots of people arriving, but they absorbed them quickly.

[Budget Queen]

I am also sailing this ship and will be selecting a later time. I don't care when I get on the ship, and being Platinum there usually are separate, shorter lines anyway.

 

The BIG issue for me- is who to arrange transportation with. WAY too many- "don't use" on the Florida board. :(

[shakotah]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. I think I will go with the 8:00 am pickup and hope that there are no coast guard inspections happening so that we can be on board by 10:30ish! I think we will be up early anyways with all the excitement of getting on the ship.