Check in process/what to do when on/refillable mug

[FreeTime]

Check in time starts at 11:30, correct? What time should we actually arrive to allow parking time, security, etc? Are there any benefits to arriving early, such as upgrades?

Once we get on the ship, what time will we be allowed to go to our cabin, what do we do in the meantime? Are the pools terribly crowded? I know that we need to make kids club ressies.

Any other advice for a first time cruiser?

Do they offer refillable mugs for soda? Where do we get those from?

 

[hopelea]

We were at the port around 9:30 and had to wait across the street for the ship to finish unloading. Around 10:15 they let us drive across the street to drop off our luggage, dh drove the car to the lot and we were in the terminal by 10:30. Stood in line for 3 - 5 minutes, checked in, ship was full, no upgrades available. Went to the line to board. DH saved our spots. I went to the childrens check in area and checked the kids in.

1:30 you are able to get into your room.

Yes, the pools are crowded, at least Mickey and goofy pools area, especially on at sea days. My dd's did find a couple of times that they were the only ones in the goofy pool.

Unless you just want the mug to take home, it is a waste of money, IMHO. They offer cups by the drink station. The sodas are free from the drink station and at dinner. They are selling them every where!

HTH............

 

[mommasita]

Just wanted to add that IMHO you should board as soon as you can. You have paid for that first day, and this is the best time to use the pools, and look around. Never again on your cruise, will you see things so empty.

We all wear our swimsuits underneath, and after lunch we are hitting the pools by 1:00 the latest...Usually I will go up and fix our room up a bit at 1:30, then we just enjoy the pools..

If you need Palo ressies, where and when will be listed on the boarding paper you receive..Dh brings the kids to Parrot's Cay, and I wait to reserve a spot, I make it to meet them with plenty of time....This way we do not miss Palo's..

There is so much advice. Hopefully you have read up a bit, dcltribute.com, is a fabulous place with loads of info, and the people here are amazing..

Make sure you keep whatever you can not replace (ex..meds) in your carry-on that you keep with you, in case, god forbid, your luggage does not make it..HTH

 

[FreeTime]

I am confused. I called DCL today and I was told that you could not check in until 11:30 and board until 1. Apparently this is not so. Is the official check in time 11:30?

 

[RickW]

I am confused. I called DCL today and I was told that you could not check in until 11:30 and board until 1. Apparently this is not so. Is the official check in time 11:30?

Unless something has changed very recently, the terminal opens at 10:30, and you can check in at that time. I believe that boarding "officially" starts at 1:00, but usually starts sometime between 12:00 and 12:15.

 

[mommasita]

I am confused. I called DCL today and I was told that you could not check in until 11:30 and board until 1. Apparently this is not so. Is the official check in time 11:30?

Check-in usually begins at 10:30ish....I am sure that in some cases boarding did not start until 1:00...I have yet to board that late...I think the latest was 12...In September we started to board at 11:45, it was noted in the paper they gave us at check-in...

I think they would rather tell you 1:00, and not have people complain that you are boarding late (if they tell you 12)..This way, people think they are boarding early, so no complaints....

Not everyone gets there to board early, lots arrive later. It is up to you...We just have to be there EARLY..Part of our (my) disease..

 

[mketting]

We arrived at the port at 10:30, I dropped of my familt and then returned the rental car. When I returned about 20 min. later they were all checked in and I just had to walk up to a counter to get my KTTW.

We boarded the ship before 12. We ate lunch at Parrot Cay (YUM YUM) and then checked to see if we could get in our cabind. They were ready and so we dropped off our carry-ons and I took my daughter up to the Mickey pool. There were only about 5 kids their.. As an earlier poster said this was the only time I saw it that empty again.

We changed clothes toured the ship a little and then headed for the sail away party!

Get there early and enjoy every moment!

 

[scrapperjill]

The pools are not real crowded on this first day....it's one of the best times to enjoy the pool.

You also do not need Reses for the kids clubs. (well for flounders you do...) .. other than flounders... you do need to register the kids before they can use the clubs...but it can be done at any time...(even in the terminal now as you wait to board the ship)...or just befor you use it the for the first time.

 

[Angelgirl13202]

I would suggestt getting their early we used disney transfers.... I wish we could have gotten an earlier one..... if their were any... we got on the ship at like 245 by the time we got thru security and stuff and i felt rushed getting to see everything and getting to go to the party on the top of the boat