Ahoy there, Jan! Welcome aboard planDisney! I'm so glad you sailed my way with your question about using
Ground Transportation booked directly through Disney Cruise Line! Ah, and I see you'll be arriving at Heathrow - that's always good to know which of the London-area airports will be your gateway to
Dover - although travel time from both of them to the Port is roughly the same!
When it comes to selecting a Port Arrival Time, the biggest variable will be when your flight arrives! During your
Onboard Check-In process - which opens 30 days before your sail date - you'll have the opportunity to enter your flight information, which will help Disney Cruise Line understand when you and your crew are arriving. Since the drive from the airport to the port is roughly two hours, plus time to navigate your way through both customs and baggage claim, I'd say a three-hour gap between when you land and when you arrive at the port is typical in my experience!
Using that as an estimate, once you progress through your Check-In, you should have a better idea of which Port Arrival Time to select! Oh, and be sure to review the Ground Transportation page of the Disney Cruise Line website, paying special attention to the "cruises sailing from Dover" section for details about where to meet your transportation representative at the airport to guide you on your way!
I hope that helps you set your course for a European adventure, Jan! I can see it now: you, landing in London, navigating through arrivals, baggage claim, and customs, and letting Disney Cruise Line's partners do the driving to Dover! If I weren't cruising in September as well, I'd be supremely jealous. Thank you for your question, Jan, and if any others surface while you continue planning, please drop me another line here at planDisney!
Fair winds and following seas,
Andrew