1st time cruiser, have 2 questions!

[Meggie1129]

My 30 day window opens at midnight tonight! Our travel agent said if I do our registration early tomorrow morning I will be fine, but does that have an effect on what time you board the ship? I.e., if I stay up until midnight tonight, can I get an earlier boarding time vs. if I do it tomorrow morning?

Also, I am now reading that you again need masks for indoor photos? Did that just change again recently, and if yes, it basically seems there is no point in getting a photo package if all photos taken indoors you can't see your face?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sab53085]

I did mine last weekend but couldn't get it finished at midnight so I waited until the next morning. I got an 11am PAT and I think the earliest is 10:30 or 10:45.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

The earlier you register, the earlier your PAT. As a 1st time cruiser, the Platinum, Gold & Silver castaway club members have (most likely) already registered eating up the super early arrivals, but you'll get the best of what's left. Photo package? Big pass...

 

[Kwami]

The earlier you register, the earlier your PAT. As a 1st time cruiser, the Platinum, Gold & Silver castaway club members have (most likely) already registered eating up the super early arrivals, but you'll get the best of what's left. Photo package? Big pass...

I don't think Castaway status matters here. Everyone gets to check in at midnight, 30 days before sailing. Only concierge guests are exempt from the usual rules since they always get the earliest arrival time and boarding group 1.

Note that if you're using DCL transfers from MCO, the Hyatt at MCO, or a WDW resort, then you probably won't be prompted to select an arrival time and, if you are, then you're free to ignore it since you get there whenever the bus gets there.

 

[Calantha]

I did mine at midnight and still ended out in boarding group 6…I would stay awake to do it (and usually I’m a 10pm sleeper… DH helped me stay awake).

 

[Kwami]

I did mine at midnight and still ended out in boarding group 6…I would stay awake to do it (and usually I’m a 10pm sleeper… DH helped me stay awake).

Eh, even the DCL bus automatically put me in group 5, which is 10:30-10:45am. I don't think 6 is so bad. Likely, most of the numbers before 6 aren't really available since they're set aside for concierge (group 1) and DCL buses.

 

[unrequited23]

if I stay up until midnight tonight, can I get an earlier boarding time vs. if I do it tomorrow morning?

A lot depends on how many people will be on your cruise. My 1/31 trip out of Miami still has a 10:30-10:45 PAT available (plus other later times.)

Make sure your pics are jpegs and I personally found it easier to do on a laptop vs a phone. I had to type in all of our passport numbers--not fun on a phone.

I would hold off on the photo package until a few days before you sail, if you are getting a package that costs less if you buy it ahead. That way you will have up to date info on the mask/indoor photo policy.

 

[Lizgistix]

I guess it comes down to how early you want to be on the ship. I had some travel plans that day, so I chose a 1:45-2p PAT when I did mine after midnight. and then a week or so later was able to change it to 1:30-1:45p. There were still many earlier options available. I think I was in boarding group 26 but by the time I got to the port, all boarding groups could board and the terminal was basically a ghost town.

Reduced capacity means not as many people gobbling up those early PAT.