Embarkation & Muster

[TinkerBelle920]

We are on the Disney Wonder in January and I signed up for the 11am check in at the port. What time do they actually start allowing people on the ship? We have a 2 year old and I don't want to have a long wait in the terminal but would also like to be on fairly early for nap time.

Also if a child is napping during the Muster Drill do you have to wake them up to attend?

 

[Euphscott]

They will start boarding around noon - give or take some time.

You won't have to wake them for muster - but you will have to attend as will the child.

 

[lbgraves]

Also, your room won't be available until after 1:30. You will want to have your child at the muster station before the alarms are sounded so the noise won't be as bad for them. It is very loud inside the rooms -- as it needs to be for an emergency.

 

[kcashner]

Normally boarding starts at 11:45, but we were pleasantly surprised with 11:30 boarding on our last Fantasy cruise. As above, you will not have access to your cabin until 1:30. After boarding, you can make any reservations you need and have lunch.

Yes, everyone must attend the muster drill. That means everyone, even mommies and sleepy children. If you will have your stroller, perhaps the child will fall asleep in the stroller while you are eating lunch or otherwise. You can't take the stroller to the drill though.

Many muster stations are inside the theater, restaurant, etc...and with a sleepy child, you may get released early. However, you do have to show up and check in.

 

[manateesmom]

For what it's worth, we cruised RCCL with an 18 month old, and muster drill interrupted his nap (it was at 4:30). He was limp and kind of whimpering while I held him, and a crew member let us go inside to the casino area where disabled people were for the muster drill. It was quiet, uncrowded, and air conditioned. I don't know if it's possible on Disney, but you might try to grab someone and be a "squeaky wheel" about standing around for muster if your LO is sleeping or cranky from wanting to.

 

[disney1990]

For what it's worth, we cruised RCCL with an 18 month old, and muster drill interrupted his nap (it was at 4:30). He was limp and kind of whimpering while I held him, and a crew member let us go inside to the casino area where disabled people were for the muster drill. It was quiet, uncrowded, and air conditioned. I don't know if it's possible on Disney, but you might try to grab someone and be a "squeaky wheel" about standing around for muster if your LO is sleeping or cranky from wanting to.

Don't think this will work on Disney. You are required to be at your own Muster Station - that is where you will be checked off, showing that you actually attended.

 

[2CME911]

Don't think this will work on Disney. You are required to be at your own Muster Station - that is where you will be checked off, showing that you actually attended.

AGREE! DCL is rather strict about its muster drill, as it should be. Don't blame me but I wouldn't be surprised if your 2 year old decided to quit naps after boarding.

 

[lbgraves]

We found that the kids' routines went out the window onboard. There is always something going on when their "schedule" would have them napping. We found down time when we could. They did go back to their regular naps after we got home.

 

[believinthemagic]

When our son was 5 mos old he got upset & began to cry just as the muster drill began. Couldn't get him to calm down, and the crew member in charge took our names and told me I could go ahead and be dismissed. So in my experience you may be able to leave early if you have to. But as others have already said you will definitely both have to be there.

 

[manateesmom]

Don't think this will work on Disney. You are required to be at your own Muster Station - that is where you will be checked off, showing that you actually attended.

Yes, well, we were checked off as attending. We did attend. We showed up at our muster station, and after a few minutes were allowed to go inside. Like I said, can't hurt to ask.