Is DCL still being strict on Port Arrival Times?

[Nike4000]

My port arrival is 11:30 and my boarding group is 6. I’m hoping to get on the ship early enough to change to early dining. I figure some people in my group will be lining up before 11:30 so I should probably arrive before 11:30 as well.

Just sailed on the Wonder, had an 11am PAT, boarding group 2 and were unable to switch to early dining - initially. We did end up getting changed on the 2nd night, but the dining team initially said it was doubtful.

2 things to note:
1. The dining team showed up to take change requests at noon in the Mardi Gras Lounge on the Wonder, but weren't ready to talk until about 12:15. I was first in line and they said it was doubtful I could switch because our sailing was completely full.
2. They did say that if we had little kids with us or a health concerns, it was more likely that we would have a chance to change dining times - we are 2 reasonably healthy adults. The family we ended up sharing a table with got switched because they had a young daughter who has a medical condition.

So, YMMV but that was my experience when we boarded the Wonder on Feb 20th, 2023.

 

[RedHead0186]

My port arrival is 11:30 and my boarding group is 6. I’m hoping to get on the ship early enough to change to early dining. I figure some people in my group will be lining up before 11:30 so I should probably arrive before 11:30 as well.

If you haven't already, you can put in a request to change your dinner seating in the app or on the website (or at least join the waitlist). You'll still want to go to the dining table to confirm once you get on board, but at least your request is already 'in the queue'/on the waitlist.

 

[Nike4000]

If you haven't already, you can put in a request to change your dinner seating in the app or on the website (or at least join the waitlist). You'll still want to go to the dining table to confirm once you get on board, but at least your request is already 'in the queue'/on the waitlist.

We joined the waitlist when we booked the cruise and when we met the dining team in person, they said that on a full sailing they pretty much ignore that. Don't know how accurate that is, I'm just passing along what they told us!

 

[tntstults]

We are currently on the waitlist to change dining. Others on our cruise have watched the app and we’re able to change it themselves. I have checked throughout the day each day and it always says it’s at capacity. Our kids are 12 and 16 so I’m doubtful they’d consider our kids young.

 

[kshu2014]

We are currently on the waitlist to change dining. Others on our cruise have watched the app and we’re able to change it themselves. I have checked throughout the day each day and it always says it’s at capacity. Our kids are 12 and 16 so I’m doubtful they’d consider our kids young.

I've had some success with snagging a main dining reservation via the website, but have also used the chat function in the past for a CM to assist with the waiting list. Surprisingly, they were able to move us directly into main dining one time. This was on the Disney Dream in April of 2022.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

Yes my last Fantasy cruise I was told the same, if you don't get changed ahead it is doubtful if you don't have any young kids. I was pretty pissed off because I had a few other issues on that first day including a stateroom that had not been properly cleaned cause there was stuff from the previous guests underneath my bed. So I told them that as a solo adult traveler 25 sailings mean nothing cause you keep getting treated second choice even though I have a 6th time difference so eating at 8.15 pm feels like eating in the middle of the night and bang all of a sudden an hour later they were able to change me... so sad things always have to be a struggle

 

[tntstults]

I've had some success with snagging a main dining reservation via the website, but have also used the chat function in the past for a CM to assist with the waiting list. Surprisingly, they were able to move us directly into main dining one time. This was on the Disney Dream in April of 2022.

When you say the chat function are you referring to chatting with the dining team at the terminal before you board the ship?

 

[EddieK76]

So our room cards are at our stateroom door. And they are linked to my credit card. Hopefully I don't have an evil twin on the same cruise that will take my card and go shopping like crazy, lol.

On the Wish you would give your room number and your picture would appear on their screen for them to verify it's you charging. I would assume this is fleet wide since it was my picture I submitted as a selfie.

 

[kiford]

On the Wish you would give your room number and your picture would appear on their screen for them to verify it's you charging. I would assume this is fleet wide since it was my picture I submitted as a selfie.

Yeah, I saw this when I purchased something at Dory's Forget Me Knots - the CM used an iPad to ring up my purchase and upon swiping my card, my picture came up. And I think I still had to sign for the purchase.