Sailing the Ocean Blue...October 6, 2012 Eastern Fantasy

[3tulips]

I got our excursion for Castaway Cay and got us all checked in last night!!! We are in the second time slot 11:30-12:00 I thought that was pretty good!! Is that the time to go into the port building or actually go to the ship? If it's to go to the port building what do we do once we get there? Our first time cruising!! My husband and I our still more excited than our girls!!!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Last night was a good night, not only did I get everything I wanted on the cruise booked for Disney_Alli and our mom and dad but I also got an offer on my condo! Looks like moving day may have a shorter countdown then the cruise!

Congratulations!

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

I got our excursion for Castaway Cay and got us all checked in last night!!! We are in the second time slot 11:30-12:00 I thought that was pretty good!! Is that the time to go into the port building or actually go to the ship? If it's to go to the port building what do we do once we get there? Our first time cruising!! My husband and I our still more excited than our girls!!!!

I would like to know as well. Because I've never done a port check-in time. Did they do this so that it will be a smoother transition to get on the boat and less time waiting. Is everyone doing this or just the ones that know about it on the disboards?

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Ok, question for previous Disers with small children. After you register them online, what is the next step?

Last time we went on DCL. I registered them online and then when we got to the ship we went to the club and they already had their name down and we just toured the club.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Did my couple of excursions and registered Rory for the kids club

Beth,
What excursions did you register for?

 

[BigRed1]

I got our excursion for Castaway Cay and got us all checked in last night!!! We are in the second time slot 11:30-12:00 I thought that was pretty good!! Is that the time to go into the port building or actually go to the ship? If it's to go to the port building what do we do once we get there? Our first time cruising!! My husband and I our still more excited than our girls!!!!

This is good info for all of the first time cruisers!!!​

Or anyone who hasn't experienced the new port arrival procedure.​

This is long winded, but the basic idea is, You arrive at your arrival time, enter the terminal, check in, and within a few minutes, if not immediately, get on the ship.

Details...

That is your "port arrival" time. The port officially opens at 11 am now. You should arrive at the port between 11:30 and 12:00. You can arrive at the port earlier, but depending on traffic and the number of people in terminal, you may not be allowed to enter the terminal until your arrival time. Also, your boarding number is issued based on your port arrival time. The idea is, arriving at the port early hoping to get on the ship earlier, won't do you much good. Reason?? Before the large ships, your boarding number was issued when you entered the terminal. Everyone tried to be first in the terminal to get on the ship sooner. That system just isn't practical with the larger ships. The terminal won't hold that many people. Lots of people don't like the new system, but it really works well. It eliminates a lot of waiting around after check-in.

 

[TaTa4Now1968]

Did my couple of excursions and registered Rory for the kids club

Beth,
What excursions did you register for?

For now the Stingray at Castaway Cay and the Tram on St. Thomas. Of course this could change and may add more before the cruise.

 

[phimugrl]

The Douglas family is officially checked in for our cruise!!!!!

I couldn't find Palo brunch or dinner, but we should be ok with that.

The boys are doing Pirates League on Day 4 at 11:30. Then all of us will take the Island Drive and Explorer Cruise at 1:15. (This may not be the best plan, but the boys soooo wanted to be dressed like pirates and that's the best time slot I found.)

On Day 4, all 8 of use take the 8:15 Coral World Ocean Park by Land and Sea.

On Day 7, my hubby, 12-year old, and my self will take the 9:15 Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure.

We have the 11:30 am port time too. I'm no sure about the rest of my party's check in time as they have to do the online stuff themselves. I don't know their passport numbers.

Laura

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Congratulations!

Thank you!

 

[gallmcduck]

Well, I just made one. I hope I made it correctly.

I have never seen these but does sound like an excellent idea to avoid confusion, we sure will get confused on castaway cay all doing different things : )

 

[gallmcduck]

So how is everyone getting to the port? I'm still working out all those fun details! We moved our cruise from Dec to Oct in June... Bumping the trip up that much & moving out of state really kinked my planned schedule!

We are driving to port and back to WDW, we arrive in Orlando the Wednesday before joining cruise : )

 

[gallmcduck]

Did my couple of excursions and registered Rory for the kids club Now I either have to take a nap or make it a long night to check in

Good job Beth : )

 

[gallmcduck]

Last night was a good night, not only did I get everything I wanted on the cruise booked for Disney_Alli and our mom and dad but I also got an offer on my condo! Looks like moving day may have a shorter countdown then the cruise!

Great news on both : )

 

[gallmcduck]

Thanks for check in info Allen I was some what confused with check in details. How is everyone's FE gifts coming along? We have made real progress - finally found a supplier in UK for extender it hasn't arrived yet but we are on track for arrival very soon. Gift arrangements are coming together. We have to think carefully as we have a very long flight and only a certain luggage allowance so packing needs to be very organised and split equally. Beth - I'm I right in thinking FE cut off is 6th August? 74 days and counting - we leave for vacation 71 in days : ) : )

 

[jjgarv]

aafdmom- see you on the flight- we wont be hard to miss...there are 12 of us!

 

[aafdmom]

aafdmom- see you on the flight- we wont be hard to miss...there are 12 of us!

There will be 6 of us on this flight! We will be easy to spot just look for a curley headed smiley 17 month old! My grandson! The rest of our group will be meeting us at the ship! there is 15 of us! Look forward to meeting you at the gate!!


Sue

 

[3tulips]

This is good info for all of the first time cruisers!!!​

Or anyone who hasn't experienced the new port arrival procedure.​

This is long winded, but the basic idea is, You arrive at your arrival time, enter the terminal, check in, and within a few minutes, if not immediately, get on the ship.

Details...

That is your "port arrival" time. The port officially opens at 11 am now. You should arrive at the port between 11:30 and 12:00. You can arrive at the port earlier, but depending on traffic and the number of people in terminal, you may not be allowed to enter the terminal until your arrival time. Also, your boarding number is issued based on your port arrival time. The idea is, arriving at the port early hoping to get on the ship earlier, won't do you much good. Reason?? Before the large ships, your boarding number was issued when you entered the terminal. Everyone tried to be first in the terminal to get on the ship sooner. That system just isn't practical with the larger ships. The terminal won't hold that many people. Lots of people don't like the new system, but it really works well. It eliminates a lot of waiting around after check-in.

Thank you so much for filling us in!!

 

[TaTa4Now1968]

Beth - I'm I right in thinking FE cut off is 6th August? 74 days and counting - we leave for vacation 71 in days : ) : )

Gillian, yes you are correct the cut is Augusts 6

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

My FE gifts are coming along great. Still waiting on my FE. Still have to purchase a few things and then dd12 and I are going to work on them next week before school starts and hopefully get them completed.

 

[mousemom218]

We just booked Bernard's tour in St. Maarten. Is anybody else doing this?