*** NEW DRAFT *** Changes/suggestions/answers to
QUESTIONS IN CAPS RED are welcome! Thanks, everyone, for your help. The power of the internet- I love it!
What is Online Check-In? An efficient way to get as much of the logistics done ahead of your actual cruise date.
Why should I do it right away? Saves times at the port. But also, this is how you get your Port Arrival Time (PAT), book special dining (like Remy or Palo), and book excursions. The sooner you book, the better chance you have of getting what you want.
How soon can I do it? You are assigned a date based on your "level" (i.e., first time cruiser, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level- membership in those groups are also known as the "
Castaway Club", for which you are automatically enrolled after your first cruise). NOTE: In addition to waiting for your assigned date, your cruise has to be Paid in Full (PIF).
What time do I do it? If your check-in says March 3rd, that means you can check-in as of 12:01AM (Eastern Time) on March 3rd. For all practical purposes, this means you can stay up till Midnight (Eastern Time) on March 2nd, and be ready as soon as the clock switches to 12:01AM (cause that point the date has now changed to March 3rd). NOTE: It doesn't work to login early and refresh- you have to wait till 12:01AM to login. ALSO NOTE: Remember, we're talking Eastern Time here, for those of you outside the United States, that's GMT - 4:00.
What order should I book things? Do them in the order listed below... #'s 1-6 should be done ASAP. The rest can wait.
Where do I do this? Login to your reservation. Under "Planning Center", you'll see a bunch of options. Choose "My Online Check-In".
QUESTION: DOES ALL THIS (BELOW) TAKE PLACE UNDER THE "MY ONLINE CHECK-IN" TAB? I'M CONFUSED B/C THERE ARE TABS THAT SEEM SIMILAR FROM THIS PAGE, SUCH AS "MY CRUISE ACTIVITIES" AND "AIR AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION"... DO I HAVE THINGS LABELED INCORRECTLY BELOW? I'M A VERY LINEAR THINKER AND LIKE VERY SPECIFIC DETAILS- IF ANYONE HAS LIKE A FLOW CHART FOR HOW THESE MENUS WORK, THAT'D BE AWESOME.
Ok, I'm logged in and ready to do this- now, what?
(1) Go to the section for "Guest Information" and then to "Identification". To save time (even if you have the info handy), select "Photo ID/Use Birth Certificate" (instead of Passport). QUESTION: DO I NEED EXPIRATION OR OTHER INFO FROM THE PHOTO IDS? Skip over the flight details for now, too. Your goal is to move quickly from this page- you can come back later to enter everything. Also in "Guest Information", go to "Pre/Post Cruise" and just enter anything. It doesn't matter what, come back later to enter it all correctly. The goal is to move on quickly. NOTE: Some of this info may already be filled-in for you and/or you may have already input/modified this info already.
(2) If you're hoping to get a Cabana at
Castaway Cay, go to "Port Adventures" and get that right away. You can then book Excursions in this section IF you're very worried about something filling up and you will be heartbroken if you don't get it. If that's not as critical for you, move down to #s 3 and 4, and then come back here to "Port Adventures" when you're done w/ those. These decisions just depend on what your highest priorities are.
(3) If you're planning on Brunch at Palo or Remy *or* dinner at either of those places on a cruise that's shorter than 7 days, and getting your first choice is very important to you, then book this now in "Adult Dining". If you're
not doing brunch, are on a longer (more than 4 day) cruise, are more flexible about getting the date/time you want, or just willing to take a chance, you can skip down to #4 and then come back to this after that. If you try to book and nothing is available, don't worry- they hold some back for booking onboard. As soon as you get onboard, check the Navigator or ask someone where to go to book it.) TIP: Research previous but recent Navigators to decide which day to schedule dining, remembering that your assigned dining rotation (which you won't know till you board) could also make a difference in your decision.
(4) Now move to "Port Arrival Time" (PAT) and select a time. The most common advice is to choose the earliest time possible to maximize your time onboard. (Remember, however, that getting onboard sooner doesn't get you into your room or get you your luggage any sooner.) If you know you won't be able to get there at the earliest time (due to your flight arrival, etc.), however, please pick a time that's more realistic based on your estimated port arrival (no point in picking a time that earlier than you could possibly arrive and that just takes away from others who could've gotten/used that time).
(5) If you didn't already book Excursions in #2 above, do it now by going back to "Port Adventures". There may or may not be a rush to book these, it just depends on what's popular and how close it is to sailing date. You can book now and cancel later, and there's no charge until you actually do the excursion. QUESTION: IS THIS TRUE?? TIP: Do your research ahead of time to figure out what you want to do and whether you want to do it through Disney or not.
*** The items above should be done immediately. The items below can be done at a later time and in any order. ***
(6) Next go to "Spa and Fitness". This is where you can get a Rainforest Pass, etc.
QUESTION: WHAT ELSE CAN BE SAID HERE?
(7) Now go to the "Nursery" and book this if you already know when you want it arranged. Or you can do this onboard.
QUESTION: WHAT ELSE CAN BE SAID HERE?
(8) Go to your "Onboard Account", ...
QUESTION: WHAT ELSE CAN BE SAID HERE?
(9) In "On Board Fun", you can pre-register for the Kids' Clubs. If you don't do this online, you can still do it in person the first time you take your kids to the Clubs. Doing it online, however, saves you a few minutes later on. Whether you pre-register online or just register in person, you get the wristbands in person EITHER at the Kids' Club desk in the terminal OR at the actual clubs themselves. HINT: If you're at the port early and bored, go ahead and get wristbands in the terminal. If there's no time, don't bother, just get on the ship later (either the first time you go to the Clubs OR soon after you're on the ship).
(10) Don't forget to go to "Review Contract". Be sure to read this, but you DON'T need to print anything.
QUESTION: IS THIS TRUE? Also, print the "Signature Form", then sign and bring it to the Port. If you forget to bring it though, don't stress- they can reprint it for you
