How does the first day work?

[DisneyMom234]

Never been on a cruise... I read the rooms arent ready until 1:30 so why do so many people go in the morning? Are you still allowed on the ship? Are all the fun things ooen before the rooms? When are you usually allowed on the ship?
Lol any info for a first time cruiser would be much appreciated

 

[ktate82]

We are usually there at 11 to do our check in and such. They start boarding at about 11:30-12 and once they start, it goes pretty quickly. We keep our carry ons to a minimum of stuff we need before the checked bags get there and our drinks. You have to keep your carry on with you till your room is ready (at 1:30), but before then, we go to lunch, swim, ride the slides, and such. It doesn't take long for that time to go by (last Sept, the kids were still swimming when the rooms were ready so DBF, his sister, and I took the checked bags to the room while his mom stayed with the kids). It's just nice to get on early for lunch and to start enjoying the activities. Plus in my mind, until I'm on the ship, there is a chance they could leave me, so I relax a lot more once I'm onboard lol.

 

[Weedy]

We have found boarding usually starts 11:15-11:30. We get there early and are usually in one of the early boarding groups. The pools are usually open and the restaurants are either open are will open by 12:00.
You don't really need to get to your cabin. You will have dropped off you bags to the porters and they will be delivered to your cabin. If you think you or your kids will want to swim either pack a small bag with your swim suites and sunscreen or wear your suites under your clothes. No need to carry a lot of stuff with you.
So once you board grab some lunch, find a seat by the pool and let the vacation begin.
You are paying for that 1st day so why not enjoy it.

 

[richmo]

We've been on 2 DCL cruises and enjoyed boarding as early as possible both times. Once you board, you can have a nice leisurely lunch, go swimming if you want, explore the ship, visit the kids clubs with your kids if you like (its one of the few times adults can visit the teen club), make dining changes if you want to, etc. My son and I have enjoyed going up on the top deck and play a little basketball before things get crowded. Especially since its your first cruise, I'd definitely try to go early...at least get a feel for the ship.

 

[RebelHawk]

Not to mention that some of the ship board events (wine tasting and some character meet and greets) you can only book once you board. There are many of them that book out very quickly so if you board late you might not have the option of signing up for them.

 

[ImTempest]

We got to the port early, so were able to board early. We had bathing suits on under shorts, went to Cabanas first and had lunch, then right to the AquaDuck and pools. Great start to a great trip!

 

[thumpie's mom]

We prefer early boarding as well. Once we are on the ship, I can actually start relaxing and feeling like we are on vacation! We enjoy having a leisurely lunch, then go walking around the ship. We just love being on the ship

 

[Ajojo]

We like to have a leisurely lunch outside, if possible. Then we usually take a ship tour or the Spa tour. I know the chances are slim, but we always try to win one of the free spa services that they giveaway during the drawing.

 

[SwimMom2]

I bet it is awesome being early on the ship, like everyone says. When I cruise out of Cape Canaveral next year, I may try it for all the reasons listed above.

If for some reason you don't board before 1 or 1:30, don't worry. You will get character tickets. I scored tickets on the last sea day this way, which is what I wanted anyway, even for the Marvel characters. It really is a way to manage crowds, not to eliminate people. I didn't have to wait for anything. It was not the big deal I was worried about after reading so much on here about early PAT.

It was kind of awesome to walk past the people waiting for their boarding groups. We walked right on, no waiting needed.

 

[Crystal O_o]

We prefer early boarding as well. Once we are on the ship, I can actually start relaxing and feeling like we are on vacation! We enjoy having a leisurely lunch, then go walking around the ship. We just love being on the ship

Ditto this! I like to get started ASAP!

 

[DisneyMom234]

What things can you only sign up for on the ship?

 

[Trera]

We are usually there at 11 to do our check in and such. They start boarding at about 11:30-12 and once they start, it goes pretty quickly. We keep our carry ons to a minimum of stuff we need before the checked bags get there and our drinks. You have to keep your carry on with you till your room is ready (at 1:30), but before then, we go to lunch, swim, ride the slides, and such. It doesn't take long for that time to go by (last Sept, the kids were still swimming when the rooms were ready so DBF, his sister, and I took the checked bags to the room while his mom stayed with the kids). It's just nice to get on early for lunch and to start enjoying the activities. Plus in my mind, until I'm on the ship, there is a chance they could leave me, so I relax a lot more once I'm onboard lol.

This is all good information. We do the same.

If we haven't booked concierge, we also check the upgrade desk for availability. You can also precheck your kids into the kids clubs prior to boarding and get a quick photo with Mickey or Minnie if they are set up for pictures.

 

[RebelHawk]

What things can you only sign up for on the ship?

Wine tastings, some character meet and greets and the pillow selections (when sailing concierge) are the only thing we have booked when we first board.

 

[Trera]

princess meet and greets are also popular as well as spa treatments.

 

[MUN]

I like to strap on the feedbag ASAP!

 

[Trera]

Ha Ha. I feel like that sometimes but we have been on 7 DCL cruises now and I think i have ordered room service once. I normally get a good meal 3 times a day and maybe a light mid day snack and I am good. I cant graze all day like it could when I was younger.

I am never hungry after dinner. I am not sure who all these people are that order cookies and milk, mickey bars, etc to their room before bed??

 

[ChicosWife]

This is all good information. We do the same.

If we haven't booked concierge, we also check the upgrade desk for availability. You can also precheck your kids into the kids clubs prior to boarding and get a quick photo with Mickey or Minnie if they are set up for pictures.

When you check the upgrade desk, do they charge you a cheaper rate to upgrade, on board?