Previously posted in September (repeated here with a few updates)...
Here's how it works in San Pedro with Disney...
1. Check you bags on the curb with the porters.
Don't check anything critical (passports, meds, etc).
Note: The Wonder will be at Berth 93 (to your left) but you must drive all the way around (counterclockwise) starting to your right to get to it. The Crystal Symphony will be sharing the Port with us on the 18th and 25th but they'll be at Berth 92 with its own check in area.
2. Walk up to the main entry to the terminal. The agents will check your paperwork there to let you in (the forms you printed on Disney's web site). They may also ask for your passports just to verify you have them. They will direct you upstairs (elevator/escalator). Note: Your group needs to enter together, or each have their own copy of the paperwork! The agents will also give you a sheet with the highlights of the remainder of that day (kind of like a mini-Navigator).
3. As soon as you get upstairs (escalator and elevator available), there is a table to your left where you must fill out a quick form verifying no one in your party is "sick" (Hint: You are "not", or you may be quarantined).
4. You take that form, plus your documents and passports, and get in line either to the left set of counters if you are a first time Disney cruiser, or to the right set of counters if you are a
Castaway Club member. If you are Concierge level, you're check in is to the far right.
5. At the counter, they will check your docs/ID, reconfirm your stateroom assignment(s), take your photo for your Key to the World (KTTW) card (it's your room key and what you use for charging things on the ship, as well as going ashore and reboarding...along with a photo ID for those 18 and over).
TIP: Your KTTW card has the following info printed on it: your name, "A" for adult or "M" for minor, your Castaway Club member number (if it's your first time...you're now a member!), your dining time, rotation and table assignment (e.g., 5:45 PM, PTAPTAP, Table 56), and in large bold print a letter that represents your lifeboat muster station (e.g., "R"...that's where you go for the lifeboat drill or in a real emergency...there is a map on the inside of your stateroom door). For those in your party who you did not allow "charging" privileges (e.g., young children), there will be "NC" in the lower corner as well. You stateroom number is NOT on the card, so no one can sneak into your cabin if lose it. You can get extra cards from Guest Services as needed.
6. If you want to pay for an upgrade at the port, you can check with the supervisor desk at the left end of the Castaway Club check in counter. If they have any cabins available (this ship is pretty full as I understand), they use a little matrix to determine how much it will cost to upgrade say from a 9C to a 5B, or whatever. Then it's up to you if you want to pay for the upgrade. If you do, remember to let us know at the meetup (to update the FE list), and know that although they say your luggage will manage to get there on its own (and maybe it will in due time), I've usually had to go to our original cabin and either get our bags or let the room stewards know your new cabin number so they can deliver them.
7. Once all that's done (don't worry...it's very simple), you walk to your right and go through security into the waiting area. As you approach, they give you a card with a number on it that represents your boarding group. Concierge gets groups 1 & 2, so even if you get their early (as we usually do) you will get Group 3 at best. Boarding usually starts between 12-12:30, but it can vary based on how long it takes to get the ship cleared of arriving passengers and get the computers reset for our trip. They will call boarding groups in numerical order when the time comes. You can use one card for your whole party, so if you show up at the terminal at different times you can still board together.
TIP: Although there are snack/drink machines in the waiting area, you may want to bring your own bottles of water/soda/whatever and maybe a few snacks to enjoy prior to beginning your 7-day feeding frenzy aboard. And, yes, there are bathrooms as well.
8. Now it's time to find our meetup group (far right corner by the big TV...look for the "DIS" signs) and hang out until boarding. At some point (11:30-12:00 or so), the counter will open for getting the bracelets for your kids going to the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. You can also do this onboard, so don't sweat it if the line is long and you don't want to wait. You should have checked your kids in already on-line (if not, you still have time!) but you need to get the bracelet at some point.
TIP: The bracelets are CLUNKY (like a big wristwatch) and some kids find them uncomfortable (they use them so they can electronically "scan" your kids into/out of the club/lab). Use discretion as they charge $50 if you lose them (and $200 if you lose the "wavephone"...there are 2 in each cabin...kind of like cell phones that only work on the ship); but here's what we do. Cut the band off and store the device in a safe place until the kids want to go to the lab/club. The CMs will print a new band and reattach the device when the kids go in. Another reason to take them off is they can ruin an otherwise perfect family photo (like on formal night). Ultimately it's up to you.
9. Very shortly thereafter, Mickey and Minnie will show up for preboarding photos just to the right of the kids counter (and very close to our terminal meetup area).
10. Finally, after ceremoniously boarding the "family of the day", they begin boarding with concierge (1, 2) and then in numerical order after that. We've always been in Group 3 but others have told us it goes pretty fast. If you arrive later on, I imagine you could pretty much go straight through. Then, the magic begins as you pass through another family photo op, and then walk a few ramps before strolling into the main atrium where the CMs "announce" your family's arrival to the ship.
11. Lunch is available until 2:30 in several locations. The pools are open and you can swim if you pack your bathing suits in your carry-ons. Cabins open around 2 pm. Changes to dining, including Palo, may be made in Wavebands (Deck 3 forward). Any other issues may be addressed at Guest Services in the main lobby, Deck 3, port side (the excursions desk is on the starboard side). Luggage usually arrives somewhere between about 3-5 pm (pack essentials in your carry-on!). Time permitting, you might want to tour the spa/fitness center on Deck 9 forward, and maybe shoot a few hoops on the sports deck (Deck 10 forward). And finally, yes the bars are open for business too!
12. Don't forget the
3pm meetup in the Promenade Lounge, followed by the lifeboat drill (NO life jackets) and the sailaway party.
13. Lock your cell phone in your room safe and take a week off from the world!
