On-Line Check in

[mdgineok]

Hello,
Our on-line check in date is coming up and I was just looking for any advice on what I need to have prepared as I have never cruised before. Our PIF date is 12/21 so it seems I can begin online check-in at 11:00 PM on 12/20(we are central time)? I think I read I need our passport numbers handy and also know what excursions we want to book as they can fill quickly. Anything else I am missing? TIA

Mark in MN

 

[scrappinginontario]

You will need to be PIF before you are able to check-in online.

You will also need flight information if you are flying in and/or out. Contact information of someone they can contact if needed.

You will want to have your credit card handy to enter also.

 

[andrews_dad]

I think the most important thing is to book the port arrival time you want and the on-board experiences you want as fast as you can. Bibbi Boddi on formal night? Frozen meet and greet? Princess gathering? Golf simulation or sports simulation on at-sea days. These things go FAST.

 

[mdgineok]

You will need to be PIF before you are able to check-in online.

You will also need flight information if you are flying in and/or out. Contact information of someone they can contact if needed.

You will want to have your credit card handy to enter also.

I forgot about flight info, thanks! We are PIF now so that is covered.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Golf simulation or sports simulation on at-sea days

That was something I knew nothing about on my last cruise...my wife hates golf, so of course I am going to make her play with me =)

 

[mdgineok]

I think the most important thing is to book the port arrival time you want and the on-board experiences you want as fast as you can. Bibbi Boddi on formal night? Frozen meet and greet? Princess gathering? Golf simulation or sports simulation on at-sea days. These things go FAST.

Thanks! I don't even see where those activates are on the DCL webpage(other than BBB)??? Do they only show up once you are checked in?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You will need to be PIF before you are able to check-in online.

You will also need flight information if you are flying in and/or out. Contact information of someone they can contact if needed.

You will want to have your credit card handy to enter also.

Actually - for check in you don't have to be Paid In Full. Although many times the check in window is after the PIF date, sometimes not.

You do need to be Paid in Full to book excursions/adult dining/etc.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Actually - for check in you don't have to be Paid In Full. Although many times the check in window is after the PIF date, sometimes not.

You do need to be Paid in Full to book excursions/adult dining/etc.

Thanks @PrincessShmoo. I thought you had to be PIF to do anything. Good to know!

 

[kiford]

I think I read I need our passport numbers handy

You will need to enter them eventually, but you don't need them to complete the initial check in and pick your port arrival time. You can add passport numbers any time. Sometimes we've been having our passports updated and I just put nonsense numbers in. It doesn't do any check of them. As long as they're in there 3 days before your cruise.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You will need to enter them eventually, but you don't need them to complete the initial check in and pick your port arrival time. You can add passport numbers any time. Sometimes we've been having our passports updated and I just put nonsense numbers in. It doesn't do any check of them. As long as they're in there 3 days before your cruise.

Both groups are right. Eventually, you will need passport numbers, credit card numbers, flight info, emergency contact info, etc. But the first thing you want to do is book excursions that might fill fast. Then you want to get a PAT, so you need to do the online check-in, but instead of answering all those details, just say "birth certificate" instead of passport, cash instead of credit card, and driving instead of flying. That will get you to the PAT choice. Then you can go back and put in those other details later that day, or any day up to three days before your trip. You do want to put them in correctly eventually, as it saves you a bunch of time at the port. They will ask you, "is everything on this signed printed form you are handing us correct?" and when you say "yes" then pretty much all they have to do is take your picture.

After you get your PAT, you can go back and sign up for your other excursions and Meet & Greets, etc. Likewise you can change or add to these later.

 

[mdgineok]

Both groups are right. Eventually, you will need passport numbers, credit card numbers, flight info, emergency contact info, etc. But the first thing you want to do is book excursions that might fill fast. Then you want to get a PAT, so you need to do the online check-in, but instead of answering all those details, just say "birth certificate" instead of passport, cash instead of credit card, and driving instead of flying. That will get you to the PAT choice. Then you can go back and put in those other details later that day, or any day up to three days before your trip. You do want to put them in correctly eventually, as it saves you a bunch of time at the port. They will ask you, "is everything on this signed printed form you are handing us correct?" and when you say "yes" then pretty much all they have to do is take your picture.

After you get your PAT, you can go back and sign up for your other excursions and Meet & Greets, etc. Likewise you can change or add to these later.

Very helpful, thank you!

 

[twodogs]

How do I see what activities are available, for,planning excursions, before my check in date?

 

[Aby]

Unfortunately you can't actually see the actual list of excursion/activity times available until your check in date. You could try asking someone that is higher castaway club level than you are in your cruise meet thread if they can looks up the times of some of the activities you are interested in though.

Aby

 

[twodogs]

Thank you!!

 

[mdgineok]

I just wanted to circle back and thank everyone. Activities opened right at midnight eastern. Check-in opened a few minutes later. I booked the one port activity we wanted, a massage for DW and meet n greets for DD. I was able to get the PAT I wanted. So again, thanks for all the information!

Mark in MN