Online check-in and boarding questions

[mmps108]

We're sailing January 18 with 11 people. 3 staterooms, 6 adults, 5 kids. I've cruised before with DLC but it was in 2000 and 2008. I'm feeling very overwhelmed this time! (Couple this with this the first time we've traveled to WDW since FP+ and I'm still trying to figure that out!)

Two concerns: online check-in is making me nervous. After we've paid our final payment, what do we need to have (in our hands) in order to check-in online fast? Flights, passport numbers, travel information?
We want to make sure we secure an early boarding pass.

Which brings me to my next question. My parents and my husband and I are Castaway Club members but my brother's family are not. I understand we will be able to secure an early boarding pass but they will be left with much later. We are arriving from OKW to the port together so it is going to be awkward. Disney said the only way around that is if we switch people around in staterooms. Before we do this, can anyone think of any reason this might be a bad idea? What is linked to the stateroom that switching adults might mess up? We don't plan on doing any of the specialty dining or spa treatments, we have the same dining time, but we do have kids in the kids clubs.
OR do we just suck it up and all board later? However, we have little ones that will need lunch.

TIA!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're sailing January 18 with 11 people. 3 staterooms, 6 adults, 5 kids. I've cruised before with DLC but it was in 2000 and 2008. I'm feeling very overwhelmed this time! (Couple this with this the first time we've traveled to WDW since FP+ and I'm still trying to figure that out!)

Two concerns: online check-in is making me nervous. After we've paid our final payment, what do we need to have (in our hands) in order to check-in online fast? Flights, passport numbers, travel information?
We want to make sure we secure an early boarding pass.

Which brings me to my next question. My parents and my husband and I are Castaway Club members but my brother's family are not. I understand we will be able to secure an early boarding pass but they will be left with much later. We are arriving from OKW to the port together so it is going to be awkward. Disney said the only way around that is if we switch people around in staterooms. Before we do this, can anyone think of any reason this might be a bad idea? What is linked to the stateroom that switching adults might mess up? We don't plan on doing any of the specialty dining or spa treatments, we have the same dining time, but we do have kids in the kids clubs.
OR do we just suck it up and all board later? However, we have little ones that will need lunch.

TIA!

To get through the online checkin the fastest (get to the Port Arrival Time page), its best to just use the default answers on the earlier pages. Taking the time to enter passport numbers, credit card numbers, flight numbers will delay the process. You should select "using government ID" "using cash" and "arriving by private transfer" to speed through. Once you have your PAT, you can go back and change any information you wish.

As to the difference in time your brother's PAT may be and yours may be quite minimal. In fact, it's quite likely that you both will be able to select the same PAT, regardless of the fact that he's checking in online later. Also, arriving via DCL transfers will allow everyone to enter the terminal at the same time. It's just that the actual PAT time selected will figure into the boarding number each room will get, not the time you actually arrive at the port.

On the chance that you do get different PATs, I'll just point out that DCL does request those groups with different boarding numbers, who wish to board together, wait until the higher number is called.

In reality, boarding doesn't begin until around 11:30, with Open Boarding (anyone holding any boarding number can board) happening by 12:30-12:45. There's plenty of time to feed the little ones before the muster at 4:00.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are arriving from OKW to the port together so it is going to be awkward.

Just leave later IF they get a later PAT.

 

[SillyInventor]

You don't get a boarding pass (like an airline) at check in. You just select a Port Arrival Time (PAT). This time will tie you into a boarding number. Boarding starts with number 1 (concierge and platinum) and quickly follows 2, 3 etc... As Shmoo point out: usually within 1 - 1,5 hours after boarding starts the called boarding number catches up with the current boarding number distributed and the "Open Boarding" is called, meaning that from that point your boarding number is irrelevant and anyone can board as they wish. No need to stress yourself to be 10 or 20 minutes early on the Ship. Certainly with a big group.

The day your online check-in window opens is determined by the highest Castaway Club level per stateroom. Therefore you can shuffle around until all staterooms have the highest possible CC-level in the room. DCL does not check if you actually sleep in the room with the people booked, but:
- You will have to arrange additional keys to open the stateroom door where you will actually sleep as by default the key opens the door you (per name) are booked
- Charging privileges are primarily set-up by stateroom, following the booked names. You may wish to alter this.
- Muster stations are per stateroom on the booked names, meaning that you may be in another lifeboat if the worst should happen (this is not very likely, but good to realize before you arrange)
- Minors (under 18) by default are allowed to leave the Ship when escorted by an adult, booked in the same stateroom. To leave with another adult (even if this other adult is a parent) you will have to file a form with guest services.

 

[Weedy]

When you check in you will receive at PAT ( Port Arrival Time) you will not receive your boarding # until you check in at the cruise terminal. As Shmoo said you have a good chance of everyone getting the same PAT even checking in on different days. Even if they get a later PAT and get a higher boarding # once they start calling #'s it goes very quickly.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are arriving from OKW to the port together so it is going to be awkward.

Sorry, this didn't click in my head until now - arriving via DCL transfers chances are you won't be arriving until (at the earliest) 12:30 at any rate. DCL transfers typically pick up at WDW resorts in the 10:45-12:30 window. By that time it should be Open Boarding - boarding numbers will be irrelevant at that time.

If you are arriving via private transportation, then those who arrive earlier than their selected PAT (if the terminal is busy) may be asked to wait until either their selected PAT, or the terminal is less busy.

 

[Weedy]

Also you may want to look into private transportation. With that many people in your party it will cost less and you can choose the time you leave the hotel.