Hey Jenn - a couple of answers for you!!
1: the boarding numbers are assigned by time slot/cruise status. Kinda confusing, so here we go...there are four levels of cruise status:
newbie - never cruised with
DCL in the past
Silver - 1 to 5 cruises
Gold - 6 to 10 cruises
Platinum - more than 10 cruises
the Platinum folks do not pick a boarding time, we and all concierge guests can arrive when ever we want and are given the "lowest" number card available to board.
ALL others have to pick an arrival time, this is done when your online check in stuff is completed. If you arrive before your chosen/assigned time then you may or may not be allowed to enter the terminal. If you are allowed to enter, you will be given a boarding card with a number appropriate to your time window. That is confusing...so here is an example. If you are Silver, and choose 2pm as your arrival time and your flight/transportation gets you to the port at noon - you may be cooling your heals outside. If you are allowed to enter - once you check in at the desk the boarding card you are given will have the highest number available at the time - since you are super early! They know how many folks are supposed to be there at noon, 1pm, and 2pm - you will get a 2pm number. NO MATTER WHAT TIME YOU CHECK IN.
The reason this is being done is because the Dream and Fantasy are SO big that the terminal can not handle all the people trying to get onboard. DCL had to figure out a way to stagger folks. Platinums are exempt as a perk. I personally tend to get to the port at 9am. This is before the ship has completely disembarked. I wait until I am allowed to board at 10:30 or 11am. then I am off and running. No one has access to their cabin until after 1:30pm.
A few hints here -
1. make sure your carryon luggage is on wheels or comfortable to carry. You will have it with you until after 130pm at the very least.
2. don't bother eating lunch before you board - the buffet line is open with loads of food until almost 4pm
3. make sure you have that nights clothing in your carryon - your luggage may not show up until after 8pm
4. have a light sweater or jacket with you - sail away is breezy and the dining rooms chilly
5. ALL luggage goes through a TSA check point, like at the airports. The difference is they don't care about liquids. (this is my experience from Florida, California, and Barcelona)
6. if you are bringing wine, liquor, soda, water etc - YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT the porters are NOT ALLOWED TO MOVE FOOD PRODUCTS.
7. if you are a "hat" person - make sure it has a way of being secured to your head!!
I hope this all helps.
I was at the NYC terminal when the Fantasy came into port there. I was happy to see that the security system is set up to handle a large crowd. In Florida there are 2 screening machines, California had 3 the last time I was there. They had 5 in NYC. The area behind the machines (where I was not allowed to go) was much smaller than in Florida or California - so I am guessing folks will be held outside of security.
As far as formal - yep - we are all out! Michael always has a tux, and hunny and I are planning on fancy dresses and serious heals! And no you would not be out of place, many people choose not to be "formal" simple cruise casual is acceptable as well.
Keep asking questions - someone else might want the same info and be lurking!!
Cayla
Sorry but I had to add a cut-off date for the leis of March 25th so that I have enough time to place the order and get them back.
I have a couple of questions. #1 - Do you get a boarding # when you get to the port? We have never cruised and I saw a post about it but have no idea what they were talking about. #2 - Is everyone here participating in formal / semi-formal night? Would you look out of place if you didn't? 
)
