{"id":11865,"date":"2020-09-14T07:53:56","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T11:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/?p=11865"},"modified":"2020-10-25T15:17:27","modified_gmt":"2020-10-25T19:17:27","slug":"january-26-2020-7-night-southern-caribbean-cruise-part-3-boarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backtothemouse.com\/index.php\/january-26-2020-7-night-southern-caribbean-cruise-part-3-boarding\/","title":{"rendered":"January 26, 2020 – 7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise, Part 3: Boarding"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We ended up having to get two Ubers to get to the port.  The six of us, along with our luggage, wouldn’t fit inside the Uber XL we had ordered.  Four of us took all the suitcases and headed to the port while our friends ordered a smaller Uber for themselves.  The total drive from the hotel to the port took about 10 minutes.  Once we arrived at the port, we grabbed our bags and headed to the line to drop off luggage to the porters. <\/p>\n

\"Luggage<\/a>
Luggage Drop Off Line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It appeared that the luggage porters were waiting until 11:00 am to begin accepting luggage.  While we were waiting, our friends arrived and joined us in line.  Eventually they started accepting the luggage, we handed over the bags and tip and moved to the next line, which was to enter the terminal and begin the security screening. <\/p>\n

\"Terminal<\/a>
Terminal Entry Line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cruise terminal security employees began to let people in, but quickly halted the line.  Apparently, the terminal employees that check people in weren’t ready to start processing people to board the ship.  The people that were let in were waiting just after the security screening.<\/p>\n

\"Security<\/a>
Security Line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We waited about 15 minutes, during which time a Disney cast member opened another line to enter the terminal.  They filled that line with people that were about halfway back in the original line.  That line didn’t move either, but it essentially bypassed a huge line of people that had been waiting a long time to enter the terminal.  They did eventually start letting people in the terminal and processing them for boarding.<\/p>\n

On the way to the Platinum Castaway Club line, we were handed the Health Questionnaire.  It contained the first questions we had seen related to the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n

\"Health<\/a>
Health Questionnaire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once of the reasons we arrived early to the terminal was to check for an upgrade<\/a> to a veranda stateroom.  We entered the Platinum Castaway Club line and waited.  And waited.  The person manning the Platinum\/Concierge Line who was directing cruisers to various check in lines must have only been told to send people to one of four check in lines, despite there being at least 15 open terminals for Silver\/Gold Castaway Club members not being utilized.  Had there been upgrades available, I would have been tempted to just go in the other line.  Our check in line was right next to the Supervisor’s desk, and I could clearly see the sign that indicated no upgrades were available.<\/p>\n

Eventually, one of our lines opened up and we were able to present our documentation and receive our Key to the World Cards<\/a> and Platinum Lanyards<\/a>.  After receiving boarding group 1, we proceeded to the “waiting area”.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/a>
San Juan Terminal Waiting Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The “waiting area” in San Juan is basically a giant warehouse.  There were some chairs set up on one side of the warehouse along with some Disney Cruise photo screens that were used for character pictures (once the characters came out).  There were some vending machines and restrooms available as well.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/a>
San Juan Terminal Rest Rooms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Concierge Lounge was a separate roped off area in the terminal, slightly away from the general seating.<\/p>\n

\"Concierge<\/a>
Concierge Waiting Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 Near the Concierge “Lounge” the photo screens for boarding photos was also set up.  We typically skip these (and most photo opportunities) and just head straight onto the ship.<\/p>\n

\"Boarding<\/a>
Boarding Photo Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Around 11:30 am, the concierge guests were led to the boarding photo area, and then onto the ship.  Once we saw the concierge guests moving, we headed to the boarding line area.  The boarding process then started with the calling of boarding group 1. <\/p>\n

\"Boarding<\/a>
Boarding Process<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There seemed to be a good number of Platinum cruisers on this cruise based upon all the people that were in boarding group 1.<\/p>\n

\"Boarding<\/a>
Boarding Group 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once we went through the line, we headed to an escalator that took us to the gangway.  There was an elevator available as well.<\/p>\n

\"Gangway<\/a>
Gangway Escalators<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gangway at this terminal was really large.  There were multiple levels (of ramps) that we had to negotiate to get us onto the ship.<\/p>\n

\"Gangway\"<\/a>
Gangway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gangway took us to Deck 4, instead of Deck 3 that we are used to.  We got our Key to the World cards<\/a> scanned, our first dose of hand sanitizer, and were then directed inside the ship on Deck 4.<\/p>\n

\"Boarding<\/a>
Boarding the Wonder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We stepped into the second level of the atrium and had our family name announced to the ship!  We were really excited.  We had last been on the Wonder for Spring Break in April 2019.  There had been some minor updates when the ship underwent a dry dock in the Fall of 2019 that we were eager to check out.  Our first order of business was to head up to the pool deck and enjoy the warm weather (and get some lunch).<\/p>\n

\"Disney<\/a>
Disney Wonder Atrium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next up, we will explore the Wonder!<\/p>\n

Planning<\/a> | Travel<\/a> | Boarding<\/a> | Ship Exploration<\/a> | St Maarten<\/a> | Antigua<\/a> | Martinique<\/a> | Barbados<\/a> | St. Lucia<\/a> | Sea Day<\/a> | Travel Back<\/a><\/p>\n

If you have enjoyed this article, please be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line information page<\/a>, which has useful hints in addition to our cruise trip reports!<\/p>\n

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