Thank you for the tip!
May I ask when you were booking it. How many times was it offered? PLease don't say once.
I didn’t try to book it, so don’t know how many openings there were. I was so surprised to see it, but I usually don’t look for it once we are on board.
It opens for everyone at midnight 30 days out (or 9PM 31 days out, for those of us in California)—everyone has an equal shot but those of us who are quick with technology have an edge over everyone else. Make sure your reservations are linked in advance (you’ll be able to tell once your 75 day activity booking window opens) and/or consider having someone else try to divide responsibility with you— it can go within 30 seconds. Make sure you’ve updated the app and reset your phone within an hour or two of the online window. You’ll be able to see at 75 days which days the RG is offered, usually there are a few time slots on at least 2 days of a sailing. I try to pick the day in port in Nassau/Cozumel because I assume it’s slightly less in demand than the sea days.
Yes, I don’t know if it’s normal to go that fast or not, but I think the royal gatherings can “sell out” (they are free) within a minute or two— when we had check in and RG opening at the same time, I would always choose RG first for that reason. I like to board before 1pm, but booking RG though the activity portion of the app takes less than a minute and then you can pivot to checkin in.
If there is something you want that you don't get, keep checking. We have gotten a Palo reservation the morning we wanted it. Someone cancelled and we were offered it. Keep checking online before your cruise. Check several times a day an you never know what you might get. Good luck.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?
Its even harder to get booked on things if you live in a european timezone. But dont worry im sure you’ll get the RG booked, dont let it upset you if you dont, there are so many characters all over the boat, i actually found the RG on the wonder alaska cruise we did to be kinda ok-ish, my kid wasnt that bothered and the characters werent as interactive as the marvel/costume characters anyway.
Any adults getting in line with the kids also need tickets.
This thread seems to indicate otherwise: https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...quired-with-young-kids.3909542/#post-64600515
This is hit and miss. Technically, everyone who gets in line needs a ticket. It's best to have a ticket. However if you can't get a ticket, I'd get one for the kids. If you aren't allowed in line, and the kids are old enough, you can supervise them as they aren't in an isolated room alone.
I'm a first time DCL cruiser, our cruise is next week. I got 12:45 boarding time on a pretty much sold out cruise. I'm happy with it! I had everything prepared and breezed through it. I was done at 12:06am and then went straight to the Princess Gathering and also was able to get that. I never tried for any onboard add-ons as I'm not interested in them for my first cruise.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?
Would you mind sharing ship and port?
This is for the Dream leaving NYC.
I will take your advice (shared by DCL rep) to secure tickets for Royal Gathering first before I complete online check-in.
Thank you for your response. I understand. As I have said before, I sorta want to just deal with it once and have it off my mind rather than become neurotic about lurking on the website for availability.
That's so good! May I ask how many tickets you were able to get for Princess Gathering?
I got 3 tickets to the Princess Gathering. There were many time slots available when I reserved mine. I secured mine at 12:07am. Others in my cruise group who got to the Princess Gathering at 12:15am said they were already sold out.
May I ask how many people you had to do online check-in for? I'd have to take care of that process for a party of 7 including myself. I feel like I should secure Royal Gathering first. Yes?
