Check in early on DCL?

[CableKC]

We are going on the 3 day Cruise on the Wonder in 2 weeks. The Travel Agent recommended that we check in at 12noon for the 4~pm departure time.

It sounds like the time before the departure usually is used to get reservations ( to Palo ) or check the kids into the Oceaneer's club. But we have many older kids going with us....and I wanted a chance to walk around the ship and explore....maybe play some BBall, get some swimming in before the departure time.

Are we able to check in early at 10am and enjoy some of the "ameneties" of the ship before the ship leaves port?

 

[mecook]

Be at the port when it opens at 10:30. You'll be very, very glad that you did.
I have a photo of the front of the terminal and the clock shows it was 10:40.
We had already been thru the two checkpoints and unloaded the checked luggage. DD and I were waiting for DH to get the car parked and join us.
Once inside, both us and our carry-ons were x-rayed, then we were up the escalator. Once there, a CM checked over our documents and tore out the pieces we actually needed to check in with. Right up to the counters and gone from there in 5-10 minutes. We made lots of photos of the ship model and some from the balcony. We got into the boarding que a little past 11. DD and I got out of it when Minnie came for photos. I think we started boarding at 11:45. The line moved fast when it started. First stop...embarkation posed photos.
Next stop...being announced into the atrium and being clapped for. We ate lunch at Parrot Cay to escape the heat for a while. It was deathly hot and humid on 6/26. After lunch, we proceeded to deck 9 to let DD swim and slide.
DH and I went to the cabin at 1:30 and DD stayed with our new friends and their children. No bags yet, but we dropped the carry-ons off and made photos while the room wasn't junked. We hung out at the Mickey Pool/Goofy Pool until nearly 3:00. We went up on deck 10 for our DIS meet. Left there at 3:30 and went to get DD dried and dressed before the 4:00 safety drill.
All 4 bags were there now, so I started trying to unpack and hang clothes up.
Up to WD Theater for drill, and back down to drop off life vests. Up to sailaway party already in gear. Danced on deck 9 a while, then moved up to 10 to watch us leave. (Look for the waving CMs at the terminal.) Knew we needed to be in the room bathing and dressing for dinner at 6, but we wanted to watch until we got to the ocean. We ran down (to deck 1) at 5:30 or so and snatched on dinner clothes sans bath. Felt yucky!

As you can see, you can get a lot done between boarding by noon and actually sailing.

Have a good time....I know we did.

Melanie

 

[mmouse37]

Boarding usually begins between 11:30 and noon so be at the port before that to secure a good place in the boarding line. then, once onboard enjoy a fantastic buffet lunch, pretty empty pools and use that time to get to know the ship, unpack .....we always are some of the first to board and love being onboard as soon as possible....

MJ

 

[kcashner]

We always try to arrive at the port by 11. The schedule ( if everything is going smoothly for disembarkation of the previous cruise) is that the port area opens at 10 for incoming passengers, the terminal opens at 10:30 (sometimes a little earlier). Boarding starts between 11:30 and 12.

After you board, you can do any dining changes or ressies you need, then go to a lovely sit down lunch in Parrot Cay. After lunch, you can walk around the ship, swim (the pool is empty early on...fills as the afternoon progresses). You will have access to your cabin about 1:30. You can unpack, press clothes (or send them out), and be totally moved in, relaxed, and chilled out before the safety drill. As soon as the drill is over, you are truly ready to start your cruise.

IF you show up at the terminal at 12-1, you will find much longer check in lines (the busses arrive from WDW starting about 1:15 ish...) So you check in and dump your carry-ons in your cabin, then go to lunch. Ok, so you made it to lunch at 1:30 - 2...by which time the dining room is more crowded and people (like husbands) are starting to get grumpy because they are hungry. Then mom gets to do the work while the family plays......

I've never regretted being at the port early. I don't stress to be there at 10:30, but I do arrive near 11.

 

[Jsme]

We are going on the 3 day Cruise on the Wonder in 2 weeks. The Travel Agent recommended that we check in at 12noon for the 4~pm departure time.

It sounds like the time before the departure usually is used to get reservations ( to Palo ) or check the kids into the Oceaneer's club. But we have many older kids going with us....and I wanted a chance to walk around the ship and explore....maybe play some BBall, get some swimming in before the departure time.

Are we able to check in early at 10am and enjoy some of the "ameneties" of the ship before the ship leaves port?

You can go to the terminal as early at 10:30 am. Normally you are able to board by 12:00. Once on you can make any ressies you want and have lunch. We like to take lunch at TopSiders. It is also a great time to enjoy the pool. We have always been able to go to our stateroom by 2:30.

On our next cruise our plans are to make any ressies we need to, have lunch, unpack, have a couples massage, go to the drill, watch the ship leave port, have some drinks and dinner. Then go to a show, moive or club.

The sooner you get to port and check in the better. You can taken advantage of almost anything on board once you are on board.

 

[4formickey]

If I could sleep at the port the night before!

 

[TammiMcMan]

On our next cruise our plans are to make any ressies we need to, have lunch, unpack, have a couples massage, go to the drill, watch the ship leave port, have some drinks and dinner. Then go to a show, moive or club.

Selena, were you able to make a couples massage appointment for before the drill? When we cruised in January, the earliest appointment we could make was for either 4:30 or 5:00. It was after the drill though and closer to the time the ship was pulling out of port. Just wondering if they've changed that recently.

Tammi

 

[ljql_5969]

Good info. Thanks!

 

[CableKC]

Thanks for all your responses.

With 16 people in my party....its probably a good idea to get there by 11:30am so that we don't run into any checkin issues or delays. It sounds like we can get onto the ship early and wander around and explore. DW and I have been on the Wonder before....but the rest of the party hasn't been there....and I wanted them to get a good feel for the ship while we have the chance. Going on the 3-day cruise....I was concerned that there wouldn't be any real time to enjoy what the ship brings. DW, DS and I were planning on skipping Nassau all together so that we can rest and wander the ship.

We are renting 3 minivans and driving from ASMo. Can someone give me an idea about how long it takes to get from WDW to the port?

I am coordinating everything for the trip...so I have to plan on what time we should checkout and leave ASMo at WDW.