Port arrival time

[Sharon526]

This is going to be our first Disney cruise)m (yay!) but I didn’t know about checking in online and why it was so important to do it early... So we ended up with a 2:30 arrival time but I already scheduled a spa pedicure on the ship for 1 PM. What are the chances they will let us check in early if we arrive at day noon? We are sailing out of NYC. Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is going to be our first Disney cruise)m (yay!) but I didn’t know about checking in online and why it was so important to do it early... So we ended up with a 2:30 arrival time but I already scheduled a spa pedicure on the ship for 1 PM. What are the chances they will let us check in early if we arrive at day noon? We are sailing out of NYC. Thanks!

When the terminal opens (generally 10:30ish) that's when the first Port Arrival Times are. The boarding number you receive in the terminal check in is tied to the PAT you selected (earlier PAT = lower boarding number).

Actual boarding begins around 11:30 with the Family of the Day, followed by Concierge guests, and Platinum Castaway Club members. Then they start calling boarding numbers. They advance the number being announced about every 5 minutes.

Once the number being announced catches up with the number being issued at check in, Open Boarding is called. Anyone holding any boarding number may board at that time. This generally occurs around 12:30 or so.

 

[Mama_MeBow]

OT question for @PrincessShmoo - what exactly is the family of the day? How does that work? Not important, but curious.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OT question for @PrincessShmoo - what exactly is the family of the day? How does that work? Not important, but curious.

A random CM in the terminal is selected to pick a random "Family of the Day". They get priority boarding privileges (first on the ship), and other goodies onboard the ship.

 

[Mama_MeBow]

A random CM in the terminal is selected to pick a random "Family of the Day". They get priority boarding privileges (first on the ship), and other goodies onboard the ship.

well THAT is just awesome! What an extra special moment that must be for the lucky families!

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

I've never had the pleasure of being Family of the Day, but we were chosen to help open the park at Hong Kong Disney one day. Same thing, technically the first family in the park, lots of photo opportunities with the CMs, stickers for the kids, and a certificate proclaiming us the first family of the day. These touches are part of what makes Disney Disney.

 

[ludari]

I usually arrive to the port early even if I don't have a early PAT. When I don't have an early PAT I politely asks the cast member to let me board early and usually I get it. I think mostly it's because I'm a solo cruiser/traveler but you have a scheduled spa appointment so I would think that is justification enough. Good luck.

 

[CM Dad]

I've never had the pleasure of being Family of the Day, but we were chosen to help open the park at Hong Kong Disney one day. Same thing, technically the first family in the park, lots of photo opportunities with the CMs, stickers for the kids, and a certificate proclaiming us the first family of the day. These touches are part of what makes Disney Disney.

We got to open Hollywood Studios on a recent trip when my oldest daughter misread the schedule for morning extra magic hours, and those of us tall enough that wanted to ride Tower and RNR got there way too early. The CMs asked if we wanted to open the park, and we called back to the hotel to have the rest of the family come meet us and help.

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

We got to open Hollywood Studios on a recent trip when my oldest daughter misread the schedule for morning extra magic hours, and those of us tall enough that wanted to ride Tower and RNR got there way too early. The CMs asked if we wanted to open the park, and we called back to the hotel to have the rest of the family come meet us and help.

Somebody misread the schedule in Hong Kong as well and we ended up arriving very early. I was in big trouble until the invitation from the CM saved the day.