Online check-in for first time cruisers

[MaleficentDisney]

Hello,

I'm a first time Disney cruiser. I just recently found out (I don't know how I've missed this but this sucks) that the castaway member of different levels get the perk of early online check-in. Previously, I thought that the perk of being castaway members only applies to onboard activities and port activities. I was under the impression that the 30-day online check in will make it equal for all members regardless of loyalty status.

Does that mean that I will not be able to get the early port arrival time? I'm sort of disheartened because I already acknowledged and gave into the fact that I won't be able to book certain onboard activities as they will be sold out when it is my time to book them as a first time cruiser. Now, I won't probably early port arrival time either.

Can anyone who recently went on Disney cruise as a first time cruiser share their experience. Did you get last on everything?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello,

I'm a first time Disney cruiser. I just recently found out (I don't know how I've missed this but this sucks) that the castaway member of different levels get the perk of early online check-in. Previously, I thought that the perk of being castaway members only applies to onboard activities and port activities. I was under the impression that the 30-day online check in will make it equal for all members regardless of loyalty status.

Does that mean that I will not be able to get the early port arrival time? I'm sort of disheartened because I already acknowledged and gave into the fact that I won't be able to book certain onboard activities as they will be sold out when it is my time to book them as a first time cruiser. Now, I won't probably early port arrival time either.

Can anyone who recently went on Disney cruise as a first time cruiser share their experience. Did you get last on everything?

Not at all. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to be "first on". And many are reasonable about when they actually might be arriving at the port and selecting an appropriate PAT. Our first cruise we were able to board within the first hour, and also got Palo dinner reservations.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Not at all. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to be "first on". And many are reasonable about when they actually might be arriving at the port and selecting an appropriate PAT. Our first cruise we were able to board within the first hour, and also got Palo dinner reservations.

You think so?

Maybe I'm overthinking it because I am a first time cruiser. I was under the impression (and even told by a few DCL rep on the phone) that I would get a fair shot with everyone else with online check in.

Like, I know my chances are slim to none with Royal Court Royal Tea. So I was told that I would get a fair shot (as long as I am fast) to compete with others on online check in day to get tickets for Royal Gathering, which is better right? because this event is free, the other one is over $200 per kid. Now I feel like... am I even going to get that?

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Not at all. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to be "first on". And many are reasonable about when they actually might be arriving at the port and selecting an appropriate PAT. Our first cruise we were able to board within the first hour, and also got Palo dinner reservations.

May I ask when you had your first Disney Cruise, was the online check in the same for everyone? Or did the castaway member loyalty perk apply to online check in at that period?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You think so?

Maybe I'm overthinking it because I am a first time cruiser. I was under the impression (and even told by a few DCL rep on the phone) that I would get a fair shot with everyone else with online check in.

Like, I know my chances are slim to none with Royal Court Royal Tea. So I was told that I would get a fair shot (as long as I am fast) to compete with others on online check in day to get tickets for Royal Gathering, which is better right? because this event is free, the other one is over $200 per kid. Now I feel like... am I even going to get that?

Sorry, I can't really answer those questions. We didn't travel with young kids so I had no need to try for those things.

My only suggestion is - give it a try (for all the things you want to book), prioritize which one you want to go for first and just go down the line. You may be surprised what, if anything you get.

And, failing getting any of them, there are lots of things to do onboard that don't require reservations, I would suggest you give them a try. It might encourage you to book another cruise (where you won't be "first" in line) and have a chance of getting some of those items you may not be able to accomplish on the first cruise.

Remember, it's a vacation, slow down and enjoy it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

May I ask when you had your first Disney Cruise, was the online check in the same for everyone? Or did the castaway member loyalty perk apply to online check in at that period?

If I recall correctly, yes, we had to wait our turn for checking in as well as booking activities.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Sorry, I can't really answer those questions. We didn't travel with young kids so I had no need to try for those things.

My only suggestion is - give it a try (for all the things you want to book), prioritize which one you want to go for first and just go down the line. You may be surprised what, if anything you get.

And, failing getting any of them, there are lots of things to do onboard that don't require reservations, I would suggest you give them a try. It might encourage you to book another cruise (where you won't be "first" in line) and have a chance of getting some of those items you may not be able to accomplish on the first cruise.

Remember, it's a vacation, slow down and enjoy it.

Oh, for first. I will have to give it a try. This news is very unfortunate for me to hear, but I will still sail with my family. Surely you would understand that for some people, they will be first time cruisers and it may be their only time sailing DCL because DCL is so expensive, but because they have kids, they want to save up and give their family the Disney magic.

The next time I travel DCL, it's likely not with my family. I would be less anxious about booking cool things for the kids.

Yes, I understand it is a vacation and I will experience the Disney magic in some form. But, I can't shake the feeling that, for my family, some things I won't be able to get for time and it will likely be their only time they go on DCL. I am paying for all of them. It's about 2k per person. I ask you put that input perspective and see why I feel the way I feel about this.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

If I recall correctly, yes, we had to wait our turn for checking in as well as booking activities.

Thank you for your response.

 

[ljhayes]

Royal Gathering still opens for everyone at 30 days out.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Royal Gathering still opens for everyone at 30 days out.

Wait, really!?!?!?!?!?

Tell me this is true! Don't make me cry. Is this for real? Or are you pulling my leg!?

 

[ljhayes]

Wait, really!?!?!?!?!?

Tell me this is true! Don't make me cry. Is this for real? Or are you pulling my leg!?

Scouts honor!

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Scouts honor!

Okay, this is good news. But could you imagine my pain knowing that concierge and loyal members get first grab on THIS too? Okay, I won't get Royal Court Royal Tea, but at least give me a fair competitive shot to reserveRoyal Gathering.

Thank you! Whew.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Thanks both of you.

 

[Mathmagicland]

May I ask when you had your first Disney Cruise, was the online check in the same for everyone? Or did the castaway member loyalty perk apply to online check in at that period?

Pre-Covid, online checkin was staggered by castaway level, When cruising resumed post-Covid, everyone had checkin open up at 30 days prior to sail date. It was just a couple of months ago that DCL returned to staggered online checkin by castaway level. So depending on when you spoke with the CM, it could have been when everyone was still at the 30-day window.

 

[Kindle Addict]

Okay, this is good news. But could you imagine my pain knowing that concierge and loyal members get first grab on THIS too? Okay, I won't get Royal Court Royal Tea, but at least give me a fair competitive shot to reserveRoyal Gathering.

Thank you! Whew.

I truly hope you can grab the Royal Gathering for the kids in your party to enjoy. Please keep in mind that people who stay in concierge pay big bucks for any perks they get. As for loyal members, they should get some sort of reward for being return customers. I understand your frustration about being a first-time cruiser and wanting to give your party the best experience possible, DCL is like life in general. Not always fair and you get what you pay for. We were all first time DCL cruisers at one point. This is not a put down, just a well-meant comment that keeping things in perspective really makes for a great cruise. (If you can't get the Royal Gathering, be cheered by the fact that the kids in your party will still see lots of princesses on board and I am betting they will have a blast! It is so generous of you to treat your family to a cruise - you're a kind person!)

 

[Mathmagicland]

I'm sort of disheartened because I already acknowledged and gave into the fact that I won't be able to book certain onboard activities as they will be sold out when it is my time to book them as a first time cruiser.

Keep checking back for availability, as things do open up when people change their plans. My first cruise, something I wanted was fully booked. I kept checked for availability and two or three weeks later, it opened up. This was in the days of only the website; today it is much easier to check availability via the DCL navigator app.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Okay, this is good news. But could you imagine my pain knowing that concierge and loyal members get first grab on THIS too? Okay, I won't get Royal Court Royal Tea, but at least give me a fair competitive shot to reserveRoyal Gathering.

Thank you! Whew.

If for some reason you are not successful with the Princess gathering at the 30-day mark, keep checking the DCL navigator app both before and after you are on board. On a recent cruise, I happened to see availability for the same day, because someone cancelled 60-90 minutes before their timeslot.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Pre-Covid, online checkin was staggered by castaway level, When cruising resumed post-Covid, everyone had checkin open up at 30 days prior to sail date. It was just a couple of months ago that DCL returned to staggered online checkin by castaway level. So depending on when you spoke with the CM, it could have been when everyone was still at the 30-day window.

Thank you for your response. It may be this reason that I may have gotten such response. But honestly, I could have sworn it was just a few days ago I was told that 30 days out, I can book port arrival time and Princess Gathering and it's the same for everyone else. Now, I'm not so sure but it doesn't matter now regardless. The reality is that I can only compete for Princess gathering.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

I truly hope you can grab the Royal Gathering for the kids in your party to enjoy. Please keep in mind that people who stay in concierge pay big bucks for any perks they get. As for loyal members, they should get some sort of reward for being return customers. I understand your frustration about being a first-time cruiser and wanting to give your party the best experience possible, DCL is like life in general. Not always fair and you get what you pay for. We were all first time DCL cruisers at one point. This is not a put down, just a well-meant comment that keeping things in perspective really makes for a great cruise. (If you can't get the Royal Gathering, be cheered by the fact that the kids in your party will still see lots of princesses on board and I am betting they will have a blast! It is so generous of you to treat your family to a cruise - you're a kind person!)

Thank you for your kindness and measured response. I am really in agreement with what you have said here.

I want to reiterate that I am not blinded by the fact money speaks, and loyalty matters. I wish to gain high loyalty status one day too. And not to get into politics and philosophy, but going though this with Disney cruise hits me with that train of thought about the haves and the have nots (lol ) and capitalism. I'll leave it there. I get it. It's unfair in life.

Thank you again.

 

[MaleficentDisney]

Keep checking back for availability, as things do open up when people change their plans. My first cruise, something I wanted was fully booked. I kept checked for availability and two or three weeks later, it opened up. This was in the days of only the website; today it is much easier to check availability via the DCL navigator app.

May I ask if yuo were going by yourself? I am going with a party of 7 (including myself) with 4 kids. lol... sigh