Need some help with check in

[joyfull]

I need some tips for check in....
What time to get to the port,
What items to bring in my carry on,
Can we go to our rooms right away?
How about scheduling time for the spa?

 

[ThreeCircles]

I believe official boarding time is 1:00 pm with check-in beginning prior to this. I have heard that passengers do occasionally begin boarding at 12:30 or even 12:00. I would aim to arrive at port between 12:00 and 1:00 if you want to get onboard and begin to explore the ship. If that is not the case, you can arrive as late as you would like but I would be there by at least 3:00.

Palo, Vista Spa, and the clubs begin reservations at 3:00 from what I gather.

What to take in your carry-on? Birth certificates, all DCL documents, and anything you may need prior to receiving your luggage. I have always had our luggage delivered rather quickly, at least by 5:00 pm, if not sooner.

You should be able to visit your rooms by 3:00. You CAN go earlier but the stateroom crew may still be hard at work making sure your room is in top condition.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[joyfull]

Great! Thanks for your help! I see you only have 2 more days left. Im jealous! Enjoy! Tell Mickey I will see him in July...ha

 

[krhardy]

OK, here's the scoop. You probably want to try and check in by 11:00A.M. I've NEVER boarded later than 12:30, and the line can get lengthy to board. Once onboard, you can book spa and Palo reservations. Sometimes they start booking upon boarding, sometimes a little later, but usually by 1:00. I would DEFINITELY make those ressies BEFORE I went to eat lunch. The rooms are usually ready by 1:30 at the latest. I would not, under any circumstances, wait until 3:00 to arrive at the port. Safety drill is at 3:00, and you MUST attend. Arrive as early as you can, to enjoy the ship as much as you can.

 

[joyfull]

Where is the best place to eat lunch?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

The port opens at 10:30am, boarding almost always begins before 1:00pm, usually at around 12:15. They will give you information on when and where to make various reservations. I would recommend arriving about 15 minutes before the appointed time, as they almost always begin early. Recently, they have been taking reservations as soon as boarding begins. I'd say make Palo reservations first, then the spa.

There's a buffet lunch served at both Parrot Cay and at the buffet restaurant (Beach Blanket/Topsiders). I prefer the buffet on deck 9, as you can grab your food and sit outside (assuming it's a nice day).

As to what to bring in a carry-on, if you'd like to hit the pools or one of the hot tubs, pack a bathing suit. You should be able to get into your room by 1:00pm or so. They will usually announce when the rooms will be ready. You can also go to your room to check to see if it's ready before this time. If the host or hostess is still working on, they'll let you drop off your carry-ons, if you like.

I believe the lifeboat muster drill begins at 4:00pm. All of the ship's services (bars, etc.) shut down at 3:30 and remain closed until the drill is completed.

 

[krhardy]

you have several options for lunch. 1)Parrot Cay--this fills quickly and they then direct people to option 2)Topsiders(or BeachBlanket on the Wonder). The food is supposed to be identical at both locations. Topsiders (BB) has some inside seating, but if it's not too sweltering, you might dine alfresco. Be warned, they do not have soda here. You can get fruit punch (what's the point without rum), water, tea I think, etc. If you want soda, take your mug over to the bar by Goofy's pool. There is also Plutos Dog House-hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, etc. and Pinnocchios for pizza. I do not believe they run room service for lunch on embarkation day, as the halls are far too congested. I've never tried it....I've always been too excited to get around the ship. Hope this helps

 

[mmouse37]

DCL requests everyone be boarded by 3:00 pm....safety drill is at 4:00 pm...Sailaway Party is at 4:30 pm. Try to arrive at Port around 11:00 or so. I would not get their later.

The best place to eat is based on weather you want to eat inside in air conditioning (Parrot Cay) or upstatirs on Deck 9 (Topsiders on the Magic, Beach Blanket Buffet on the Wonder). The Deck 9 buffet has some inside seating and some outside seating which can get hot out on deck...all depends on what you want to do.

The CM's will try to steer you to one restaurant or the other depending on the amount of people already in each one. They ususally steer people to Parrot Cay first, which is fine by us because that is where we like to have lunch.

MJ

 

[clarabelle]

Joyful
Are you traveling with children? I would even suggest they wear swimsuits underneath their clothes to board the ship. We boarded early (at noon) but we couldn't get into the staterooms until 1:30.
One parent can take them to lunch (which doesn't take long as it is a buffet)and then to the pool while the other parent makes your reservations.
That way you don't have to squeeze into a restroom stall to change into swimsuits or rummage thru carryons looking for them.