Detail-y boarding and Palo sign up questions

[goodfaerie]

1)Okay, so I get to the terminal and it's 10:00 or so. I'm assuming they're not open yet. Where do I wait in line? Is there a first come first served system or a cattle call?

After they let us in the doors, THEN where do I go to wait in line? How does the queue up work?

2) So, I've checked in, and am now racing to Rockin Bar D, hurdling over strollers and dodging people with big, sharp hats. Should I have other people in my party with me in order to more expeditiously sign up for Tea, Brunch, and Dinner at Palo? Are there seperate lines for each?

Thanks so much!

GF

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

1)Okay, so I get to the terminal and it's 10:00 or so. I'm assuming they're not open yet. Where do I wait in line? Is there a first come first served system or a cattle call?

my last cruise we got there at 9:45 am and DCL had up park in the left turn lane til they open(10 am to 10:15 is the norm)

After they let us in the doors, THEN where do I go to wait in line? How does the queue up work?

once you go through the security you go up stairs and look around and look to see if they are letting people get there key to the world cards and check in. then you just wait in line to board the ship(this also happens between noon and 12:15) or you can sit and watch tv.LOL if you have kids you can also check them into the kids clubs and get the beepers.

2) So, I've checked in, and am now racing to Rockin Bar D, hurdling over strollers and dodging people with big, sharp hats. Should I have other people in my party with me in order to more expeditiously sign up for Tea, Brunch, and Dinner at Palo? Are there seperate lines for each?

yes up should have people break up to make all the ressies. makes more sense to kill all the birds at 1 time and dont worry there is no mad dash rush so have fun and enjoy your cruise

 

[MrsPete]

Hmmm . . . sounds like it might vary a bit from week to week. It probably has to do with the individuals who are working at the port.

When we arrived last Sunday at 9:45, we were told we could not enter the parking lot yet. Since we were so early we chose to take a quick drive down to Cocoa Beach, and we made it back to the terminal around 10:15 -- we were among the first in the parking lot.

A man at the gate to Disney's lot checked our tickets and IDs. He told us to drive up to a certain point where a woman baggage handler took our suitcases (be sure they're pre-tagged and locked) into the terminal. She warned us not to leave any food in the car for fear of ants.

The children and I headed into the terminal, where our carry-ons were x-rayed and we were scanned. By 10:30 the girls and I were upstairs in Disney's terminal. A woman at the "first desk" checked my paperwork.

During this time, Dad parked the car and walked back to the terminal. Once he joined me, we walked straight to the check-in desk (no lines) and received our Key to the World Cards. The children were sitting on the other side of the terminal enjoying cartoons while we were checking in.

Some people were already standing in line to be first on the ship, but DH would have no part of that. We enjoyed looking around the terminal and talking to people. At about 11:30 (?) characters appeared. There's a coffee shop.

Promptly at 12:00 the first cruisers were admitted onto the ship, and everyone boarded fairly quickly.

Onboard we were NOT allowed to go to our rooms, but were herded upstairs to the buffet. After we ate, Dad stayed with the children while I went to make our Palo reservations (no problem getting the coveted last night of the 4-night cruise).

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a pic of the cruise terminal. As you can see there is large black and yellow mickey head. That is where you enter the ship from (well, actually, you walk thru a transition area and then up the gangway to the ship).

In front of the Mickey head is where DCL has set up a roped off area that people can line up in. It was much more orderly when we sailed this past September than on other DCL cruises. They have lengthened the queue area quite a bit.

To the back right corner is where the coffee shop is. The near right of the photo is where there is a seating area where they play Disney cartoons for the kids. The whole left side of the terminal is where they check you in. Also to the right out of the pic view is the restrooms. They also have tall round tables set up so you can fill out paperwork if you have not done so prior to arriving at the port. I would suggest not filling the paper work out on line as it is makes the check in process much longer for everyone on that line!!!

Smack in the middle is the model of the ship...on the other side it is cut away so you can see the interior. I took the picture from the top of the escalator (where you come up from the 1st floor...where you enter the terminal and they scan your carry ons). Make sure you check out the detail on the floor of the terminal. It is quite amazing.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/47984596/47992386RUeQVX

MJ

 

[Topper]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Here is a pic of the cruise terminal. As you can see there is large black and yellow mickey head. That is where you enter the ship from (well, actually, you walk thru a transition area and then up the gangway to the ship).

In front of the Mickey head is where DCL has set up a roped off area that people can line up in. It was much more orderly when we sailed this past September than on other DCL cruises. They have lengthened the queue area quite a bit.

To the back right corner is where the coffee shop is. The near right of the photo is where there is a seating area where they play Disney cartoons for the kids. The whole left side of the terminal is where they check you in. Also to the right out of the pic view is the restrooms. They also have tall round tables set up so you can fill out paperwork if you have not done so prior to arriving at the port. I would suggest not filling the paper work out on line as it is makes the check in process much longer for everyone on that line!!!

Smack in the middle is the model of the ship...on the other side it is cut away so you can see the interior. I took the picture from the top of the escalator (where you come up from the 1st floor...where you enter the terminal and they scan your carry ons). Make sure you check out the detail on the floor of the terminal. It is quite amazing.

MJ

psst.....I think you forgot the picture

 

[mmouse37]

You are so right!!! Here....we will try that again!!!! I will edit my other post!! Thanks for the heads up!!!

MJ

 

[goodfaerie]

mmouse--thanks so much--those are great instructions! I really appreciate the help you all have offered!

GF