Online check-in questions

[LAX]

DCL newbie here. My PIF date is coming up, which I assume is the first day I will be able to do online check-in, correct? I am getting a little nervous about not being to to get tickets for the character meets (princesses require tickets, right?) because I am already behind all of the repeat cruisers, so what time will online check-in open? Midnight on PIF date? Would that be EST? What paperwork will I need to complete online check-in so that I can select an early PAT (the earlier the better, right?).

Thanks for any pointers/tips you can throw my way!

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DCL newbie here. My PIF date is coming up, which I assume is the first day I will be able to do online check-in, correct? I am getting a little nervous about not being to to get tickets for the character meets (princesses require tickets, right?) because I am already behind all of the repeat cruisers, so what time will online check-in open? Midnight on PIF date? Would that be EST? What paperwork will I need to complete online check-in so that I can select an early PAT (the earlier the better, right?).

Thanks for any pointers/tips you can throw my way!

LAX

As a first time cruise your online check/activities booking windows open at 75 days out from your cruise. Is that when you PIF date is?

The windows open at midnight Eastern time (whatever time that is where you live). Be patient. Occasionally one window or the other will be delayed in opening. Rarely, both are. Just remain calm and keep trying. Often in only lasts a short time. Sometimes they don't open until the next morning.

You must enter information for all blank spaces on the online check in for the PAT page to unlock. Now, you can just put in the proper info, estimated info, or gibberish (system only recognizes somethings in there). You can always go back and correct any errors.

 

[LAX]

As a first time cruise your online check/activities booking windows open at 75 days out from your cruise. Is that when you PIF date is?

The windows open at midnight Eastern time (whatever time that is where you live). Be patient. Occasionally one window or the other will be delayed in opening. Rarely, both are. Just remain calm and keep trying. Often in only lasts a short time. Sometimes they don't open until the next morning.

You must enter information for all blank spaces on the online check in for the PAT page to unlock. Now, you can just put in the proper info, estimated info, or gibberish (system only recognizes somethings in there). You can always go back and correct any errors.

Thanks for such quick response! Yes, my PIF is 75 days from day of embarkation. Once logged in, is it better to fill-in the blanks to a PAT first then go back to book character meets? Or book character meets first and fill-in the blanks later?

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for such quick response! Yes, my PIF is 75 days from day of embarkation. Once logged in, is it better to fill-in the blanks to a PAT first then go back to book character meets? Or book character meets first and fill-in the blanks later?

LAX

Whichever is most important to you, go for it.

You can do either one first.

 

[Ravenne]

My suggestions, based on my own personal frustrations/experiences with DCL's site:

Use incognito (Chrome) or private (Firefox) mode. Regular browsing mode does not work for me on any browser. I'm always met with the Seven Dwarfs error message.
Check in happens midnight Eastern, but expect it to be slow. Very slow. So be patient. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you just have to keep trying. Don't bother using multiple browser tabs to multi task booking things, because their system will think you're logged in on multiple places, and won't work.
It might help to make a list of priorities you want to book, or at least have a mental note of 1st, 2nd, 3rd things you want and days offered. Princess and Frozen Gatherings are ticketed. Character breakfast is also ticketed.
You'll need proof of citizenship (passports, that kind of stuff), pre/post cruise plans such as flight and hotel info if applicable, credit card info if you want to charge to one, or you can do a cash account with limits based on length of cruise. Kids clubs sign ups (if applicable) which will include permission for food based activities (in case of allergies.)
If you need any special services, the form is kind of hidden away at the bottom of the check in page.

 

[lanejudy]

My PIF date is coming up, which I assume is the first day I will be able to do online check-in

Maybe you already know, but I recommend that you PIF at least a couple of days ahead. You want that payment to be posted and recognized by the computer system. Otherwise, you can do "check-in" to receive your PAT but you cannot book anything (meet & greets, excursions, adult dining, etc.) until you have paid in full.

As to availability to a first timer -- it really all depends how many repeat cruisers are also booked on your particular cruise and which activities are of interest to them. There could be a lot of repeat cruisers, but they are doing private excursions or not interested in excursions. So it's really hard to predict what might be filled before the new-cruiser online check-in date.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Sytrace]

DCL newbie here. My PIF date is coming up, which I assume is the first day I will be able to do online check-in, correct? I am getting a little nervous about not being to to get tickets for the character meets (princesses require tickets, right?) because I am already behind all of the repeat cruisers, so what time will online check-in open? Midnight on PIF date? Would that be EST? What paperwork will I need to complete online check-in so that I can select an early PAT (the earlier the better, right?).

Thanks for any pointers/tips you can throw my way!

LAX

I would consider using Chrome Incognito to get into the system once your booking opens and to remember that all the other first time cruisers are also trying to access things at the same time. Be patient.

Your basic passenger information should already be in the system, so you just have to make sure it is correct and then go from there. Have your passport information, flight information (if applicable), where you are coming from, where you are going when you return, how you are getting there etc ready as those questions are asked as part of the online check in process.

There will be a place to set up your on board account to decide whether you will be using a credit card or paying on a cash basis to also be prepared for.

After your on board acct information is noted, you will be given the choice for a Port Arrival time. If you are using DCL transportation from resort to port or airport to port you will not need to choose a PAT as it will be assigned to you.

After that is the area for kids clubs (if travelling with minors, and then the cruise contract will need to be signed (electronically) It will take you to the final step of printing your Port arrival form.

As a side note, repeat cruisers don't always book the same things that first time cruisers want in regards to meet and greets, excursions etc so you might be in a better position than you think.
Have a fantastic cruise!

 

[Angie_T]

I'd book all the ticketed events and Palo/Remy stuff first. When I booked our activities, I could watch them become unavailable as I was booking. But, I didn't find PAT to be an important thing for us. Good luck!!

 

[Marie Fletcher]

Hi! I just went through online check in and I had passport numbers and expiration dates all written down beforehand. I had my list of activities in order of importance. Mine were Princess Gathering, Remy and Palo. Disney suggested I go to the Onboard Fun section first before getting a port arrival time through the check in section. And I had heard that while in the check in section, I could save time by entering arriving by car and pay cash not credit card to get through to picking earliest available port arrival time. Everything went smoothly. Go to your sea day to find Princess Gathering and Fozen Gathering, if appropriate for your situation. Right at midnight, the first thing I did was select “Book Now”, clicked the calendar to the right of the date listed, clicked on my first at sea day, clicked “Add Plans”, then “Onboard Fun”, scrolled to Princess Gathering, selected who’s attending, selected time, and then hit save. Repeat for Frozen Gathering. To get to another day quickly, select “Day 2” and you’ll have the option to pick another day. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Annge]

Thank you so much for this detailed info. My first time is fast approaching, and I will refer back to your post to make sure I am prepared.

My first step is to figure out what Chrome Incognito is.

My suggestions, based on my own personal frustrations/experiences with DCL's site:

Use incognito (Chrome) or private (Firefox) mode. Regular browsing mode does not work for me on any browser. I'm always met with the Seven Dwarfs error message.
Check in happens midnight Eastern, but expect it to be slow. Very slow. So be patient. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you just have to keep trying. Don't bother using multiple browser tabs to multi task booking things, because their system will think you're logged in on multiple places, and won't work.
It might help to make a list of priorities you want to book, or at least have a mental note of 1st, 2nd, 3rd things you want and days offered. Princess and Frozen Gatherings are ticketed. Character breakfast is also ticketed.
You'll need proof of citizenship (passports, that kind of stuff), pre/post cruise plans such as flight and hotel info if applicable, credit card info if you want to charge to one, or you can do a cash account with limits based on length of cruise. Kids clubs sign ups (if applicable) which will include permission for food based activities (in case of allergies.)
If you need any special services, the form is kind of hidden away at the bottom of the check in page.

 

[Sytrace]

Thank you so much for this detailed info. My first time is fast approaching, and I will refer back to your post to make sure I am prepared.

My first step is to figure out what Chrome Incognito is.

Go to Chrome search engine. On the top right hand corner are several vertical dots...click on those and it will give you the option to open a new "incognito" window.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Thank you so much for this detailed info. My first time is fast approaching, and I will refer back to your post to make sure I am prepared.

Another piece of advice is to relax a bit. Unless you want an extremely popular Excursion, or a very precise day and time for Palo or Princesses, chances are you will get a slot for everything you want. And even if you don't, still you have a good chance. People cancel things (without penalty) up to 3 days before the cruise, so keep checking back and you may find the PAT or M&G time that you wanted is now freed up.

Also, and this is especially important if you have a large group, if you ask the system for 8 tickets for something and it has 7 available, it won't tell you that, it will just say, "unavailable." So if it says no, try asking for a smaller number until it says yes. And don't worry that only half of your group is registered for something. Once you get a few tickets for something, keep checking back and ask for 1 ticket at a time. Chances are you will get what you need in a few days or weeks, and in a worst case, if you can't get enough tickets and you don't want to split up your group, you can cancel those tickets you do have (up to three days before sailing) and you will make someone else's day.

We did this when we had 9 people in our party. We got almost everything we wanted that first night, but there was one excursion that we could only get 5 tickets for, but in about two weeks we were able to get 4 more, one at a time. It worked out great.

 

[MomOTwins]

Also just wanted to mention that even though the Princess group meeting is something you have to reserve, there will also be individual princesses on board meeting at set times (this will be on the navigator schedule) and those do not require a ticket (though you will have to wait in line).

 

[DizFan99]

I have read here that if your desired activity, such as princess meet and greet, etc. is sold out now, do check back, especially during the weeks leading up to your cruise and as close as a week or sooner out, since folks report that they saw the activity open up again.

 

[jps243]

My booking window opens on 4/2 (for the 6/16 Fantasy sailing). Are you able to book activities (Palo, M&G, etc.) without completing the online checkin? One of our party of 5 is still for her renewed passport to come back so I won't have everyone's passport info (which I assume is required to complete checkin). I get this may result in a worse PAT but I want to at least get activities booked. TIA (first time DCL cruiser)!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My booking window opens on 4/2 (for the 6/16 Fantasy sailing). Are you able to book activities (Palo, M&G, etc.) without completing the online checkin? One of our party of 5 is still for her renewed passport to come back so I won't have everyone's passport info (which I assume is required to complete checkin). I get this may result in a worse PAT but I want to at least get activities booked. TIA (first time DCL cruiser)!

You can do either the activities bookings, or online check in first - it's up to you. One note, you must be paid in full to book activities.

You can complete the online check in, leaving her information blank. Or say you're using birth certificate/driver's license for ID, so that you can get to the PAT page. All information blanks must be filled in on the early pages for the PAT page to unlock. That information could be the correct info, speculations, gibberish. The system only recognizes that something has been entered.

 

[piglet1979]

DCL newbie here. My PIF date is coming up, which I assume is the first day I will be able to do online check-in, correct? I am getting a little nervous about not being to to get tickets for the character meets (princesses require tickets, right?) because I am already behind all of the repeat cruisers, so what time will online check-in open? Midnight on PIF date? Would that be EST? What paperwork will I need to complete online check-in so that I can select an early PAT (the earlier the better, right?).

Thanks for any pointers/tips you can throw my way!

LAX

Thanks for asking this. I was just trying to figure this all out too.

 

[CinderellaDream]

You can do either the activities bookings, or online check in first - it's up to you. One note, you must be paid in full to book activities.

You can complete the online check in, leaving her information blank. Or say you're using birth certificate/driver's license for ID, so that you can get to the PAT page. All information blanks must be filled in on the early pages for the PAT page to unlock. That information could be the correct info, speculations, gibberish. The system only recognizes that something has been entered.

First time DCL cruiser here...I registered for our activities and then remembered the next day that I needed to do online check in order to get a PAT. When I started the online check in process I realized I didn't have my passport info with me but completed everything else. The system assigned a PAT but I still haven't entered my passport info. Is that unusual?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

First time DCL cruiser here...I registered for our activities and then remembered the next day that I needed to do online check in order to get a PAT. When I started the online check in process I realized I didn't have my passport info with me but completed everything else. The system assigned a PAT but I still haven't entered my passport info. Is that unusual?

I'm going to guess that it defaulted to "birth certificate/ID".

And the system doesn't "assign" a Port Arrival Time, you select one from the available windows.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

First time DCL cruiser here...I registered for our activities and then remembered the next day that I needed to do online check in order to get a PAT. When I started the online check in process I realized I didn't have my passport info with me but completed everything else. The system assigned a PAT but I still haven't entered my passport info. Is that unusual?

Not unusual. As Shmoo said, you don't HAVE to enter Passport info initially. But you should go back at some point and enter it in. Just select "edit" and you can change your ID to passport and put in the number. Likewise you can change credit card info, flights, hotels, etc. Having this info correct before you go makes the check-in process MUCH easier. When you get to check in, they just show you what you entered and ask if it is correct. If you say, "Yes" they take your picture and you are done. So much quicker.