first timer..Port arrival question

[FosterA]

so I just successfully did online Check-in for our Thanksgiving Dream cruise out of Port Canaveral.
I got the earliest PAT time at 10:30-10:45. Is that the earliest they do or just the earliest that was available to me?
anyway..I think that's good because we've never cruised before and I thought it would be nice to sort of browse around the ship before it got too crazy. So if that's our PAT, what's a reasonable time that we should actually be ON the boat checking things out? I figure it takes quite a bit of time to "check in and show paperwork" and stuff?

I'm the only one in family that has cruised before and it was a Carnival party cruise that my friends and I basically jumped on as they were pulling out last minute I felt like it was crazy and I was lost the entire time on that ship. I really don't want a replay of that. I would like to really get my bearings, maybe even take a scheduled tour if they have those?

Thanks

 

[truck1]

1030/45 is the earliest available. There is no earlier.

As far as when you're allowed onboard boarding begins between 1115 to 1145ish. Depends on how fast the ship is cleared last passenger off and how fast the crew can turn the ship for incoming guests. Cabins are available about 130ish.
Generally it takes no more then 15-20 minutes to do your check in paperwork. Its basically turning over your passports birth certificates and a payment method and your done.

I think they have a walking tour but I like to wander on my own and at my own pace. Go to DCLs site and pull up a ship layout and make a list of what you want to see or do. A hightliter works well with navigators which basically tells you when the characters will be out and where. What's open and what to wear to dinner. Just about anything you want to know about the ship. You'll get one each day.

 

[CEGrant]

My husband took one of the scheduled tours on our first cruise and he was kind of disappointed. He wanted to see what he considered to be cool stuff, like the engine room and the bridge. (Yeah, we've watched a lot of Star Trek.) But it was more "Here's the spa, here's the pool," etc.

For early arrival, I'd use the time to hit the Aquaduck (if you're on the Dream or Fantasy), take care of any services you need to (register kids at the club, change dining rotation?), or snag a good table at Cabanas (the lunchtime buffet on embarkation day). The Aquaduck especially is a good bet, because not everyone brings a swimsuit in their carry-on.

 

[Fantasy2013]

Getting on the ship early is also a good time to take pictures without other passengers, especially in the restaurants.

 

[lanejudy]

That is the earlier PAT offered. You will likely be onboard before noon.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[wrighter]

If you are a first time cruiser with DCL, is it safe to assume that you were doing your online check-in at the 75 day mark? I'm just curious because we are also first timers, and I was wondering what our odds were of getting that early PAT at the 75 day mark ourselves. We depart on Easter. Hoping that a lot of DCL veterans choose not to travel then because it's too expensive! Lol! That way there won't be a lot of Gold, Silver, and Club level people checking in before us.
Fingers crossed!

 

[ptcbass]

For our first cruise I waited till about 8 am on the 75 day mark and still got a 10:30 PAT. I guess every cruise is different but we didn't have any problems.

 

[FosterA]

Original Poster here.
Thanks everybody.
I did log on right at 11 pm (12 Eastern) to check in. Not necessarily to get an early PAT but because there was an excursion that we wanted and I heard it was sort of popular. Plus I had to check in 2 rooms and I had no idea what I was doing so I figured I better get a jump on it.
I might have been able to wait til the next day to do it and still gotten that early PAT, I have no idea.

I like the idea of being on early so my kids can get the Aquaduck out of their systems a bit plus I can take some pictures without hoards of photo bombers in them. haha

 

[E ticket rider]

Original Poster here.
Thanks everybody.
I did log on right at 11 pm (12 Eastern) to check in. Not necessarily to get an early PAT but because there was an excursion that we wanted and I heard it was sort of popular. Plus I had to check in 2 rooms and I had no idea what I was doing so I figured I better get a jump on it.
I might have been able to wait til the next day to do it and still gotten that early PAT, I have no idea.

I like the idea of being on early so my kids can get the Aquaduck out of their systems a bit plus I can take some pictures without hoards of photo bombers in them. haha

I hate to break it to you, but at least from my kids perspective, the first ride on the 'Duck is more of a gateway drug to wanting more rides on the 'Duck...

I've also found that a great time for pictures is dead smack in the middle of the dinner opposite of your dinner time while half the ship is eating and many of your fellow diners are either taking in a show or getting dressed. The ship seems a little emptier at that time. This generally does not apply to Pirate Night, that's just generally crazy (but in a good way!)!!

 

[wrighter]

So you can do online check-in on the eve of the 75 day mark? I had no idea. I would have waited until the morning. This is why I love my fellow DISers.

 

[Zandy595]

So you can do online check-in on the eve of the 75 day mark? I had no idea. I would have waited until the morning. This is why I love my fellow DISers.

As soon as the date changes, 12am EST.

 

[thepops]

I liked the tour that they do of the ship (I think it's called the Art of the show maybe?) Out Guide was very informative. We actually took it later on in the cruise, and I kept thinking, If only I had know that sooner. ....like that the top of the 5 pointer star on the rugs point to the front of the ship. It was fairly entertaining.