I typically stay in the Orlando area simply for the cheaper hotel options. Getting over to Port Canaveral in the morning is easy with different options.
Embarking early just maximizes your time on board. Lunch is typically available around 11:30am so that's one less meal to pay for. You can start to explore the ship before cabins open at 1pm. If you time it right you beat the peak line 11am to 1pm in the terminal.
With kids and a senior arriving during peak can be tough - lines and standing. If you don't feel like going early (10am ish) then go after 1pm or 1:30pm to let the lines settle down some. There will still be lines, just not as many, hopefully.
Welcome to the forums!
Ok here's my pros
1. You start your vacation early!
2. Once onboard you can visit the bars for a drink, visit the pool(s), eat at the windjammer, explore the ship (get your bearings), people watch the others embarking, visit customer service in case you need their services
And here are my cons
1. If you embark as soon as possible, you may be waiting some time for your room to be ready (around 2-3 hours, it varies) and therefore anything you're carrying on, you're carrying with you for 2-3 hours. So if you're enjoying the windjammer, its you and all of your stuff sitting down to eat. Same with everywhere else you visit, that carryon stuff is coming with you (I say this because there are a lot of questions with people asking if they can carry on soda, while you can, that along with the rest of your carryon stuff can start getting heavy to lug around)
2. Shopping and the casino are closed until you reach international waters. If you're looking to get your shopping on immediately or get to gambling, you'll be disappointed.
3. Most sit down restaurants will be closed immediately at embarkation. The windjammer isnt bad at ALL, but if you're a sit down eater, you may have to wait until lunchtime
4. Limited services available at the spa. They are likely still turning over the spa from the previous sailing immediately at early embarkation and staff will likely be selling services for the duration of the cruise.
5. Few organized activities during embarkation. There is music to listen to, but shows or trivia or lectures, etc, will likely be after departure.
Embarkation usually starts around 10am (ish) and rooms arent ready until usually 1pm (ish) and your luggage makes it to your stateroom normally by 7pm (ish) So if your shuttle puts you any earlier than 10 at the terminal, you'll likely be waiting around the terminal to even embark, and then waiting 3 hours until you can go to your stateroom.
I'm personally a fan of early embarkation because I like enjoying a day drinking cocktail while listening to music and people watching followed by a walkthrough of the ship and then light grub at the windjammer, but not everyone enjoys a cocktail and can self amuse by just music and people watching. Others enjoy getting their grub on at the windjammer, others avoid the windjammer like the plague upon embarkation (it gets rather busy) Some will be seen swimming when its warm, others or when its chillier wont be anywhere near the pool.
Im assuming you mean a credit/debit card to charge the expense directly to your Health Spending Account (HSA)??
The answer would be no, all on board charges go against your on board account which would not accept your HSA card as the default since it needs to charge non-HSA stuff as well.
Not aware whether spa treatments are HSA eligible, if they are you could save the receipts and submit for reimbursement post-cruise but no way to charge direct to the card that i can think of.
