Half of our party getting on at second port: How does it work?

[kaseyC]

DCL may not allow it, but I know I have heard reports of others on other lines doing this in the med. But maybe they were EU citizens??

You are right other cruise lines do allow it in the Med. So it may be that DCL chooses not to do it, not that they are required to do it.

 

[ldo]

laws covering the Med and US ports are different, I think.

 

[mumto2]

Yes, you can check in without everyone physically present in the terminal. Last cruise, my DH parked the car, I went in and checked us in. He got back before we got on board, so they gave us his KTTW. And, I agree with you on attendance. Now my DD is in HS we are more reluctant to miss days, but have still done so (with a plan for doing school work during the trip, which both my kids gladly do in exchange for travel).

 

[ldo]

you cannot just check in someone and then not board. they scan the key cards when you board--they would know someone was not accounted for. getting one at a different port is not a casual thing to do.

 

[twopeasonepod]

On my last 12 night Med cruise in 2014 a few people enquired about this and it was a flat No due to compliance you cannot get on it get off early ( only exception is if your ship overnights in the same place on the last night.

So it is not possible in the Med my friends tried and were declined.

DCL may not allow it, but I know I have heard reports of others on other lines doing this in the med. But maybe they were EU citizens??

Yes, I think you are right. It seems to be a DCL policy. Also, we did a Japan cruise on RCI for Spring Break, and many passengers disembarked early. One was someone DH had met who said that he had a work emergency. But I also saw all kinds of luggage being taken off at another port.

 

[bumbershoot]

You can't board the ship in Key West if you miss the ship in PC when KW is the first port due to PVSA. You need to wait until the first foreign port to board.

Thanks. I think that's what I was thinking of.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Yes, you can check in without everyone physically present in the terminal. Last cruise, my DH parked the car, I went in and checked us in. He got back before we got on board, so they gave us his KTTW. And, I agree with you on attendance. Now my DD is in HS we are more reluctant to miss days, but have still done so (with a plan for doing school work during the trip, which both my kids gladly do in exchange for travel).

you cannot just check in someone and then not board. they scan the key cards when you board--they would know someone was not accounted for. getting one at a different port is not a casual thing to do.

Right. I am not trying to leave without them anymore. What I think I will do is check in and try to upgrade. Then get all the KTTW cards and leave. Then all come back together and get on. The only exception would be if my parents want to board early. Then I would get on with them and then come back to the boarding area when DH and the boys arrive. But I doubt my parents would want to get on without them.

Thank you everyone for all the help!

 

[RHSTigerMom]

Why not just forgot all this hassle and take them out of school for the day? It sounds like a lot more work and a lot more room for error. As to your last statement about getting on with your parents and then going back to the boarding area, I don't know if this is even allowed. Once you're on the ship can you even go back into the terminal?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Why not just forgot all this hassle and take them out of school for the day? It sounds like a lot more work and a lot more room for error. As to your last statement about getting on with your parents and then going back to the boarding area, I don't know if this is even allowed. Once you're on the ship can you even go back into the terminal?

As long as it's before the "all aboard" time, it's usually permissible.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Why not just forgot all this hassle and take them out of school for the day? It sounds like a lot more work and a lot more room for error. As to your last statement about getting on with your parents and then going back to the boarding area, I don't know if this is even allowed. Once you're on the ship can you even go back into the terminal?

Because they are already missing six days. And it's the beginning of the year, and they are moving to a different level (multi-age classroom) with new teachers and new expectations. Lots of prep for the annual off-island trip (this year it's to visit the volcano), including geology lectures at Bishop Museum and other important things that they shouldn't miss. Trust me, I'm not afraid to take them out of school. Last year they missed 3 1/2 weeks for WBTA/WDW. But it was very difficult for them to reestablish themselves when we got back. As they get older, it's harder for them to miss for long periods.

I'm only trying to see if there are upgrades. If it turns out there are none, I won't even bother checking in early.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I'm sure you know what is best for your kids, I think going on your own to try to upgrade is a great idea since you live so close, then coming back with the whole family later. It sounds like an AWESOME cruise and you all are so lucky you can go!

 

[Julylady]

Hijacking your thread a bit-
We are planning to leave the ship ASAP after we arrive in Maui and spend the night off the ship in Lahaina. We will return at the designated time the next day. Any reason we can't do this? Do we have to let Disney know our plan in advance?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hijacking your thread a bit-
We are planning to leave the ship ASAP after we arrive in Maui and spend the night off the ship in Lahaina. We will return at the designated time the next day. Any reason we can't do this? Do we have to let Disney know our plan in advance?

I believe, as long as you return by all aboard on the second night, you'll be fine. Personally, I'd probably stop by Guest Services, or give my dinner servers/room host a head's up that we're staying ashore.

 

[Julylady]

Thanks, Princess!

 

[Melissa S]

Yes, you can check in without everyone physically present in the terminal. Last cruise, my DH parked the car, I went in and checked us in. He got back before we got on board, so they gave us his KTTW. And, I agree with you on attendance. Now my DD is in HS we are more reluctant to miss days, but have still done so (with a plan for doing school work during the trip, which both my kids gladly do in exchange for travel).

How long ago was your cruise? Although we did that in the past we were not allowed to do it on our May 10th sailing. DH went to drop the rental off and I had his passport (he had bc and dl). We were told that customs& immigration came in the week before and said DCL could no longer do that. We checked in, but DH had to wait in line and check himself in to get his KTTW card. It wasn't a big deal as the line had died down by then and it was taken care of before boarding started.

 

[lbgraves]

Right. I am not trying to leave without them anymore. What I think I will do is check in and try to upgrade. Then get all the KTTW cards and leave. Then all come back together and get on. The only exception would be if my parents want to board early. Then I would get on with them and then come back to the boarding area when DH and the boys arrive. But I doubt my parents would want to get on without them.

Thank you everyone for all the help!

They won't give you everyone's KTTW cards. Each person needs to be present to get them. If your DH and DS will come later, text them which agent they will need to pick up their cards from, or ask the agent to give them to the supervisor so whoever they go to can get them their card.

 

[lbgraves]

... As to your last statement about getting on with your parents and then going back to the boarding area, I don't know if this is even allowed. Once you're on the ship can you even go back into the terminal?

Yes you can. They slide your KTTW card to note you off the ship. One cruise DH left a bag in the car with some things I needed, so I got off the ship and retrieved it from the parking garage. I had to go through security and be scanned back onto the ship. Not a problem at all.

 

[mumto2]

How long ago was your cruise? Although we did that in the past we were not allowed to do it on our May 10th sailing. DH went to drop the rental off and I had his passport (he had bc and dl). We were told that customs& immigration came in the week before and said DCL could no longer do that. We checked in, but DH had to wait in line and check himself in to get his KTTW card. It wasn't a big deal as the line had died down by then and it was taken care of before boarding started.

We cruised over Thanksgiving 2014. There was no line, so I went to the check-in counter, explained to the CM that DH was parking the car, asked if I needed to wait until he got back. I was told no, completed the entire process, received all four KTTW and was told to have him get a photo as we boarded (or at least that is what I heard, but turns out that may not have been what was instructed) to attach to his file (first cruise). We boarded with no issues at all. The photo only became an issue when we checked DS in at the Lab. But even then, no big deal, just go to guest services and have them take one.

 

[twopeasonepod]

They won't give you everyone's KTTW cards. Each person needs to be present to get them. If your DH and DS will come later, text them which agent they will need to pick up their cards from, or ask the agent to give them to the supervisor so whoever they go to can get them their card.

Thank you! Would be fine for me either way, but good to know.

 

[pgroom48]

Why not just forgot all this hassle and take them out of school for the day? It sounds like a lot more work and a lot more room for error. As to your last statement about getting on with your parents and then going back to the boarding area, I don't know if this is even allowed. Once you're on the ship can you even go back into the terminal?

You can in PC. We forgot our camera once and my husband went back and got it from the car. I don't know about when you emboard from foreign terminals.