Im a bit concerned

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

I think that you just don't have the same needs for certain lines that others might. After all, LSU said...



Since you tend to book concierge, but STILL get there late for that, and you only mention buffet and getting in and onboard. If you needed to get a kid signed in, needed to get dining changed, needed to get princess tickets, etc etc etc, then maybe what LSU is saying would make sense? That standing in line early to get onboard gets you to those lines faster which means less time in those lines.

That's exactly what I've been thinking. Being a first time cruiser means that we have the latest online check-in window, which means that there are several things that we may not be able to get when we do that. We have kids, one of which is ADHD, so I will need a little extra time at the kids club check-in to talk to his counselors. We have allergy issues for several in our party. This seems like it translates to several lines I will have to stand in, and I'd prefer to have them shorter if possible. And it will only be me dealing with multiple lines. My plan is to get my family on board and relaxing by the pool as quickly as possible, and then go stand in the various lines I have to. The faster I can get through them, the quicker I can join my family, eat, and start my vacation. And, since it sounds like there may be characters in the waiting area to get on the ship, that first line shouldn't be too horrible. The kids will be so excited to see them, even if it's from across the room in a line.

 

[phinz]

I think that you just don't have the same needs for certain lines that others might. After all, LSU said....

I'm well aware of what LSU said, given that my response immediately followed the LSU statement that you quoted, but thanks for the clarification.

 

[lovedisneycruise]

On my first Disney cruise we flew in the morning of and arrived at the airport around 9 AM, took the bus to the port and spent about two hours jammed with the HORDES of people waiting. My BF at the time (now Ex-) hated crowds and waiting and it was not a pleasant experience.

Subsequent cruises I took the Disney transportation from WDW and arrived at the port anywhere from 130 to 230. While I don't mind this as a choice, the lines were long again in security and checking in since everyone is arriving from the Disney resorts at the same time. I also found Cabanas to be very crowded too.

This last cruise, we drove from my daughters new home in Florida, arriving at the port around 1230. To me, this is now the absolute arrival sweet spot (12-1230) because the droves of early-morning arrivals have already boarded and the crowds from WDW have not yet arrived, so check in lines were short and boarding was open. I will always try to arrive at this time for future cruises.

 

[tlprice]

On both of my cruises we have arrived around 12:30 and walked right on with no lines. Our first cruise, we went to Islands of Adventure for the Harry Potter early morning and then wandered around the park while it was pretty empty before leaving for the port. Our 2nd cruise, we slept in because we did MNSSHP the night before and then did the character breakfast at O'hana where we were staying before leaving for the port. The only thing we had to wait in line for was gingerbread house tickets on our first cruise and even with the late arrival had no problem getting them. There were only about 5 people in line too. You do not have to wait in line to sign your kids up for the kids clubs. You can just go to the kids club anytime and they will do it there.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

On my first Disney cruise we flew in the morning of and arrived at the airport around 9 AM, took the bus to the port and spent about two hours jammed with the HORDES of people waiting. My BF at the time (now Ex-) hated crowds and waiting and it was not a pleasant experience.

Subsequent cruises I took the Disney transportation from WDW and arrived at the port anywhere from 130 to 230. While I don't mind this as a choice, the lines were long again in security and checking in since everyone is arriving from the Disney resorts at the same time. I also found Cabanas to be very crowded too.

This last cruise, we drove from my daughters new home in Florida, arriving at the port around 1230. To me, this is now the absolute arrival sweet spot (12-1230) because the droves of early-morning arrivals have already boarded and the crowds from WDW have not yet arrived, so check in lines were short and boarding was open. I will always try to arrive at this time for future cruises.

This is so good to know! Sounds like the best of all possible worlds. Thanks so much for the input.

 

[QuidditchChick07]

Subsequent cruises I took the Disney transportation from WDW and arrived at the port anywhere from 130 to 230. While I don't mind this as a choice, the lines were long again in security and checking in since everyone is arriving from the Disney resorts at the same time. I also found Cabanas to be very crowded too.

*headdesk* This is good to know, but oh boy. That will be fun with 3 5-year-olds.

I was under the impression that the WDW resort buses were a bit staggered, with some arriving earlier or later than others. I take it that is not true? Everything I read in the planning for this said they'd get there between 1030-230 so it was a guess as to what would happen.

 

[lovedisneycruise]

Quidditchchick, in MY experience I've arrived there during that time frame from the resorts. I've never been picked up earlier than noon - that obviously doesn't mean it doesn't happen though. I'm sure Disney does it's best to stagger the arrivals. With 5-year-olds ( my kids are young adults now) I would actually prefer it this way (over super early). I didn't at all mean it to sound terrible, just that I prefer that middle time spot after many cruises.

If you arrive on the buses from WDW (after noon), once you DO get through security and you get through check-in, there's no further waiting – boarding is usually open and you just walk through and enter, so your not made to wait with the huge crowd that's there at 10:30. And honestly, I'm usually so excited when going on a cruise that I don't really mind security or the check in lines. But once I'm through those I just want to get on the ship!

 

[cruiser21]

On my first Disney cruise we flew in the morning of and arrived at the airport around 9 AM, took the bus to the port and spent about two hours jammed with the HORDES of people waiting. My BF at the time (now Ex-) hated crowds and waiting and it was not a pleasant experience.

Subsequent cruises I took the Disney transportation from WDW and arrived at the port anywhere from 130 to 230. While I don't mind this as a choice, the lines were long again in security and checking in since everyone is arriving from the Disney resorts at the same time. I also found Cabanas to be very crowded too.

This last cruise, we drove from my daughters new home in Florida, arriving at the port around 1230. To me, this is now the absolute arrival sweet spot (12-1230) because the droves of early-morning arrivals have already boarded and the crowds from WDW have not yet arrived, so check in lines were short and boarding was open. I will always try to arrive at this time for future cruises.

1200 - 1230 is about the time we always arrive. We are platinum now and still arrive at that time. By the time we finish lunch the room is ready.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

*headdesk* This is good to know, but oh boy. That will be fun with 3 5-year-olds.

I was under the impression that the WDW resort buses were a bit staggered, with some arriving earlier or later than others. I take it that is not true? Everything I read in the planning for this said they'd get there between 1030-230 so it was a guess as to what would happen.

Yes, the resort buses pick up at the various resorts sometime in the 10:45-12:30 window. Each bus may pick up at up to 3 different resorts. So, they do arrive at various times after 12:15ish. Some can arrive at close to the same time and others more staggered.

As noted, the "sweet spot" to arrive at the port is around 12:15-12:30. That's typically after the "I must be first" people have boarded, and the resort buses haven't started arriving yet. It's also usually after the Open Boarding has been called.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Yes, the resort buses pick up at the various resorts sometime in the 10:45-12:30 window. Each bus may pick up at up to 3 different resorts. So, they do arrive at various times after 12:15ish. Some can arrive at close to the same time and others more staggered.

As noted, the "sweet spot" to arrive at the port is around 12:15-12:30. That's typically after the "I must be first" people have boarded, and the resort buses haven't started arriving yet. It's also usually after the Open Boarding has been called.

This. And if you do this, you can have a nice leisurely breakfast in the morning somewhere (very relaxing). Plus, that means you won't be starving when you do get on the ship, so do yourselves a favor and DON'T go straight to Cabanas. Sign up for things, or hang out on deck and relax some more. Then, at 1-1:30, when they announce that the rooms are ready, go to Cabanas THEN. It will be largely empty, but still plenty of food. Very relaxing. When you are done with lunch you can then go to your room and again avoid the crowds that rushed there as soon as the rooms opened.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

We are "get onboard as early as possible" people. It would drive me nuts sitting around waiting at the hotel or whatever knowing I could be on the ship. On all of our DCL cruises so far I have been online at midnight signing in for that early PAT.

I'm with you. I love the ship so much that I'd rather be on it than almost anywhere else in the world. If I could sleep on the dock the night before, I'd do it!

 

[MamaKate]

Question about arriving a little later. If we arrive and board later (say 12:30), what are the chances the princess M&G times and Mixology times will be all gone?

 

[Trera]

I always love when our card has this

I'm with you. I love the ship so much that I'd rather be on it than almost anywhere else in the world. If I could sleep on the dock the night before, I'd do it!

Yes, us too! we are concierge on our upcoming cruise and we will leave our house around 9:45 which will get us to the port by 10:45. By the time we park the car and get checked in.........it will just about be boarding time.

We like to get on board, hang out for a bit in the lounge and have a drink, have lunch and maybe let our DD have a few aquaduct runs before it gets too crowded.

 

[Trera]

Question about arriving a little later. If we arrive and board later (say 12:30), what are the chances the princess M&G times and Mixology times will be all gone?

If you are on the Dream or Fantasy, I would think highly likely it will all be gone.

Many go and sign up for that as soon as they board the ship and the lines can get long.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Question about arriving a little later. If we arrive and board later (say 12:30), what are the chances the princess M&G times and Mixology times will be all gone?

Do you mean that you were unable to get M&G slots before your trip, during your normal booking window? If so, you may well want to get on early to try to get some. I can also tell you that in our experience, about an hour after the M&G started on any given day, they let some people without tickets join in if there had been some no-shows and the lines weren't too long.

As for Mixology, I can't say specifically. I can say that we were on the Fantasy and a number of the tastings still had openings after several days. Didn't check Mixology though.

 

[MamaKate]

Do you mean that you were unable to get M&G slots before your trip, during your normal booking window? If so, you may well want to get on early to try to get some. I can also tell you that in our experience, about an hour after the M&G started on any given day, they let some people without tickets join in if there had been some no-shows and the lines weren't too long.

As for Mixology, I can't say specifically. I can say that we were on the Fantasy and a number of the tastings still had openings after several days. Didn't check Mixology though.

It's been 5 years since I last cruised with DCL and I wasn't aware you could book the M&G prior. Can you book that in advance now?

 

[Trera]

It's been 5 years since I last cruised with DCL and I wasn't aware you could book the M&G prior. Can you book that in advance now?

yes. it is under onboard fun when you book your daily activities

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It's been 5 years since I last cruised with DCL and I wasn't aware you could book the M&G prior. Can you book that in advance now?

You can now book the Princess Gathering, as well as the Frozen Meet & Greet once your excursion/activity booking window opens. On some cruises there's also a Character Breakfast available.

Started a few months ago.

All other Meet & Greets are still "wait in line" procedure.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

It's been 5 years since I last cruised with DCL and I wasn't aware you could book the M&G prior. Can you book that in advance now?

Yep. Once your booking window opens. What day that is depends on how many prior DCL cruises you have been on. But even when I was a new DCL cruiser and had to wait until everyone else had their chance to book, there were still plenty of slots. That varies on different cruises, perhaps, but you should be fine as long as you book that along with any other excursions, Spa treatments etc. that you want when your booking window opens.

Mixology and the other tastings, on the other hand, can only be booked once you are on the ship.

Have fun!

 

[phinz]

Mixology rarely sells out, and they'll oftentimes make room, or schedule another one, if it does. Additionally, if you join your cruise group over at that big, bad social media site there will oftentimes be a private mixology class or three set up by the group, so you won't miss anything.