how long to check in?

[deelam]

I really want to get an early start on my 4 day cruise. I have small children and don't want to get stuck in long lines. I also want to register my 8 year old for the kid's club.
What is the best time to arrive to avoid long lines?

 

[glindamood]

We arrived at the terminal for our Feb 6th Wonder cruise about 10:30 and there was hardly anyone there. I had our docs all filled out and we were checked in and taking pictures within 5 minutes of getting off the escalator. We did stand in line about an hour, just took turns. We also had to wait for Parrot Cay to open so we could eat there once we boarded - something I found very strange as there were people in there eating. I don't have little ones so I can't tell you how that part worked.

 

[earpiemom]

i was curious too...we are going thursday and i also want to make the most of the trip and hope to get on as soon as possible...but i have a 6 month old and really don't want to stand in long lines if i can avoid them...any advice as to what time i should go?

 

[deelam]

What did you stand in line an hour for? Was that to check in?

Also, what documents do you have to fill out? I'm a first time cruiser and really don't have a clue.

Deneen

 

[ambushangel]

Do you remember if there were long waits for Guest Services, to make resv for other things?

 

[jlowejd5]

10-14 days before your cruise, you'll get a package of stuff in the mail from DCL. It'll have all your travel docs (plane tix and such). It will also have a couple of pieces of paperwork for you to fill out. Mostly customs forms and your onboard charge account info. Having those filled out before you get to the port will save you loads of time.

 

[armyfam]

Here are my observations on lines...

We arrived on a Saturday (Magic) about 11:00 and there will be an ID check at the gate, before you enter the terminal. They look at your ID and check your name off the passenger list.
Next stop is the terminal doors where we encountered a line (about 15 mins) for the security check...x-ray bags. Then you proceed up the escaltor or elevator for the lobby where you will check-in (ie. pick up your Key to the World card, hand in the paperwork, show your passports, etc) to the left. If you have your documents filled out ahead of time, that is a bonus as you can head over to the counter. This is where we hit line number two....again it was about a 20 minute wait.
Our last line was the Oceaneer Lab/Club line. We could have waited in line to board---that's where my husband waited---but we didn't realize they would be checking children in onboard as well. No matter either way. This was by far the worst line, however. Remember to bring your children with you as the CMs will put hospital type bracelets on the younger ones wrists and they will put stickers on their KTTW card and you will fill out paperwork. It took around 30 minutes or more.
On thing about lines, if you talk with people around you, the lines go faster!


Hi, Deneen!
There are documents in your packet to fill out. You'll get these about 10 days before you sail. It is about the size of an order of checks...the box they come in. Each passenger in your party receives a "Travel Booklet" that has documents/pages for the parent/passenger to fill out such as: "Payment Authorization Form", Bahamas visitation card, and another form that I can't remember.

As far as "best time to arrive" I am beginning to think that it is best to expect long lines, as there is no guarentee that you'll be able just walk in and be done. From reading these forums it seems like the lines are hit or miss. I would have thought that 11 am was "early", but I was wrong for our cruise. I know that the Radisson starts their shuttles to the terminal at 10 am... The good side is that we were onboard making our Palo and spa reservations and enjoying the ship by 12:30!

Hi, ambushangel!
I'm not sure I understand your question, but I think you are asking about reservations for Palo (the adult-only restaurant) and the spa treatments....they will tell you where to make those reservations. It isn't guest services, it is usually at the spa and Palo's takes them in one of the lounges or another location. Just ask them when you get on board as there are many CMs there to help you with those questions. They came right up to us and asked us if we needed any help. Guest Services has a line when it comes time to settle up the bill at the end of the cruise, but as far as when we boarded, there was no line when I went there with a question.

Have a terrific cruise!! The waiting is worth it!!!

 

[ambushangel]

Thanks for the info. Now I'll be able to get through things smoother.

 

[jeannief]

we got to the cruise LATE. About 3:00. We walked right on (had our KTTW cards from the land portion already) and had already pre-registered at CBR. Our room was ready, the registration for the kids clubs took about 8 minutes, tops, and we went upstairs to eat before the fire drill. I don't know what that would have meant for Palo reservations but we didn't plan on that, so it wasn't a big deal. And our luggage was by our room by the time the fire drill was over.
The great thing about doing it that way was we got an extra day in at the parks. The lousy thing was we missed a few hours on the boat. But it worked out well and it was so cool that day anyway that we wouldn't have been sititng around basking in the sun anyway.
I posted way more details on the trip reports thread if you want to take a look.
Ambushangel- you may want to take a look at my last day on that report since there is some stuff for non-US citizens that will help you.

 

[yogibigdog]

What time did they let you start boarding the ship?

 

[armyfam]

They probably started boarding a little after 12:00. I didn't check my watch. It was before 1pm though!