DCL online check in help

[DMLAINI]

What time can you do online check in? I've heard several different times. Is there anything you have to print out that you need to board the ship? Our printer broke which is why I'm asking. Any tips for embarkation would also be appreciated as this is our first cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What time can you do online check in? I've heard several different times. Is there anything you have to print out that you need to board the ship? Our printer broke which is why I'm asking. Any tips for embarkation would also be appreciated as this is our first cruise.

Technically, the online check in and excursion booking windows open at midnight Eastern time.

Recently both windows have been opening earlier (by 3-4 hours) and it varies which one opens early, if if it even does.

 

[GPaLarry]

I believe you can do the online check in when you make your final payment...the date is posted with your reservation data at the DCL web site. We live in Oregon and find that one minute after midnight eastern time, as PrincessShmoo stated above, is correct...for us 9:01 pm. Yes, you will need a document or two printed out to take with you to check in at the ship. This process is easy. Our old printer died recently and it cost us less to buy a new one than it was costing for ink cartridges for the old printer...around $50. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe you can do the online check in when you make your final payment...the date is posted with your reservation data at the DCL web site. We live in Oregon and find that one minute after midnight eastern time, as PrincessShmoo stated above, is correct...for us 9:01 pm. Yes, you will need a document or two printed out to take with you to check in at the ship. This process is easy. Our old printer died recently and it cost us less to buy a new one than it was costing for ink cartridges for the old printer...around $50. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!!

No, final payment date is not tied to when you can do your online check in.

You can't book excursions until you're paid in full, and, on occasion, a PIF date might be past the excursion booking window opening. In that case, you cannot book until you've Paid if Full early.

But online check in is not dependent on when you PIF.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

When I did online check in at the beginning of the month it didn’t open until exactly midnight. I checked several times from 10pm onward, so I wouldn’t plan on it opening early.

 

[lanejudy]

Online check-in has been opening early -- maybe as early as 7pm or 8pm ET. That is the online check-in part only.

Booking excursions and onboard activities hasn't opened until midnight, and you must log-in at/after midnight (not log-in prior and refresh).

PIF date is separate from online check-in date; this may be before/after/same. Online check-in and activity booking is based on Castaway Club status. PIF date is based on cruise factors (embarkation/debarkation ports, length, holiday time, etc.).

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I checked in two weeks ago for b2b cruises on the Magic out of Miami, so 5 days between the first and second check in. Neither check in opened prior to 12 midnight eastern time (11 pm central for me). I started checking about two hours early and was unsuccessful both times. No problem once midnight eastern rolled around, and I was able to book tastings and Palo dining right at midnight even though I did that prior to completing the check in process.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Just for fun, I checked my reservations for check-in scheduled for today (yeah really tonight!). At 1614 hrs mountain time (6:16 pm eastern civilian time) I just checked-in AND got a Palo brunch (noon) !!!!!!! Ninth cruise, Gold, and nothing like this has ever happened. No late night for me. 3 night Bahamas (Jan 10) all the cabanas are sold.