Boarding Harmony of the Seas at Port Canaveral

[plasticmaster]

How is the boarding process for Harmony now that it's in Port Canaveral? I'm sailing on Harmony in 2 weeks and using the Go Port Canaveral shuttle with a 10am pickup time.  Just wondering what to expect.   Thanks. 

[ChessE4]

3 minutes ago, plasticmaster said:

How is the boarding process for Harmony now that it's in Port Canaveral? I'm sailing on Harmony in 2 weeks and using the Go Port Canaveral shuttle with a 10am pickup time.  Just wondering what to expect.   Thanks. 

It's fast.  You will drop off your luggage with porters at the garage, they make you eye-ball your suitcases so that you can discreetly tip them.  Inside there is security before you can go to waiting area (up the escalator).  Some folks have priority over others, but it is still fast.  Reps have tablets to use in processing in.  If you uploaded a photo during online check in they don't need your picture, but I spent the 5 seconds to get a picture at the port. 

In two visits the average time from leaving the bus to boarding the ship has been about 40 minutes, but we are Diamond level, which accelerates the processing a bit.  Some folks buy the Key which gives you greater priority.  Best to arrive at the port 10ish to avoid the crowds an hour later.  Sounds like you are on track.  

The WindJammer will be crowded for lunch due to the back-up at the hand washing stations -- you must proceed single file even though their are 3 or 4 stations.  So consider lunch somewhere else Day 1, like Park Cafe or Solarium.  They sometimes open before the WJ, anyway.

[AshleyDillo]

When you get dropped off you will give you checked luggage to the waiting porters who will load it onto a cart.  Make sure you have your room tags on the bags (they can make room tags on the fly if needed) and make sure you have all your cruise documentation and passport/ID things with you.  Do not send that stuff accidentally in the checked bags.  You will see your bags again later on when they are delivered to your cabin.

Everyone lines up outside the terminal doors until they open.  Only separately designated line for that is Star Class.

Terminal doors open and everyone goes into security.  I saw signage indicating a separate line for Suites but it seemed like they were checking folks in via iPad prior to the security check.  They only had one person with an iPad so there was a bottleneck there in the Suites line.

Security screening sends everyone through metal detectors and bags through x-ray. Similar to airport except no liquids rules.

Then you go up the escalator where you will show your SetSail pass and directed to check in.  If your SetSail is marked EXPEDITED you will  be handed a card and then get to go sit and wait for boarding.  Without EXPEDITED you will check-in..they have folks floating with iPads and also a check-in counter.  It's fast and quick..they check your ID/passport documents and make sure your photo is ok or take your photo.  Then you go sit and wait for boarding to begin if it hasn't already.  To board you just need your SetSail..scan and go up the gangway to the ship.

It's a pretty painless process.  We got to the terminal around 10am a few months ago and they opened the terminal doors around 10:15.  I know we were on the ship less than 30 mins after that..we had to wait for boarding to begin.

 

[wstephensi]

Arrived about 0945, dropped luggage, parked car, went through security check pointed, greeted on other side by rep with tablet.  She checked our sea passes, took photos and we went to Suite/Diamond waiting area.  Did not get a chance to sit down.  Started boarding at approx 1015.