Questions for early Alaskan cruisers!

[LAWalz23]

There's been a lot of speculation around this port arrival time. Some people still just show like regular time and will sometimes receive their boarding number which could be low or high. There have been stories of people being handed a five or six and then when actually checking in the CM would change it down to a two or three, etc. I think the boarding times are to try to stagger people as much as possible. Once you are there, you will receive a boarding pass number. This is what they call to get on the ship and is what is important. If you have a three and your family has a ten, DCL allows the entire group to board on the lowest number called. So you will all be able to be together.

Thanks for the info, good to know! Our first three cruises, we always arrived together and had the same boarding number.

 

[vatchr]

You should get there at the time you indicated you'd be there (online check-in).

When I checked in online for our August cruise - it said since we are using Disney transfers, we could arrive at any time we wish. Does that make sense?

 

[gonemousin']

What would be the ideal time to get there to board?? We will be in Vancouver two days early, so we can get to the ship anytime we want on boarding day. What time should we get there?

We had the earliest boarding time you could pick and the lines were still out of control. We moved through smoothly because we got there early (hoping to get an upgrade). Had I actually arrived at 10:30AM, I'd have waited in line for a very long time. The Vancouver boarding process was very challenged. Hopefully it gets smoother with subsequent trips, but computer glitches seem to be all too common.

If you want to avoid all lines, maybe aim to arrive after 2pm?? Just a guess. The boat sails at 5pm, I imagine you'd need to be on the ship by 3:30-4pm.

 

[neoavatara]

The late arrival didn't help. I was scheduled to arrive at 2, arrived at 1:30, and it was still a disaster.

I would guess they will sort it out soon. Maybe on the current cruise? But if you are worried, I would bet the earlier the better.

 

[mmmears]

It sounded like there was a mess last week because the computers went down, so we may have to wait for a "normal" boarding to really find out. It sounded like things ground to a halt for quite a while, which could really mess up the whole process.

 

[Cerberus9]

I was on the May 10 cruise. We arrived at 11:00 and it was quite busy, but things were moving reasonably well. We got through security in about 20 minutes, customs in about 10 minutes, and were progressing quite nicely through check-in. There were about 5 people in line ahead of us when the computers went "down"... I don't want to talk about anything that happened after that...

 

[jilljill]

In reality, the boarding times are for Port Canaveral cruisers especially those on the Dream. They are trying to avoid so many people arriving early and having the terminal overcrowded.
In Vancouver, if you are given a 10:00 or 10:30 arrival time that is unrealistic since the terminal doesn't even open until 11:00.
This is, once again, a bad thing about DCL's website - not being able to tell the ports apart when doing the online check in. It's really a shame that DCL's website is not very user friendly.


To the poster that asked about not needing a time because you are taking DCL transfers, yes it does make sense since they have already figured out what times those cruisers will be arriving - based on resort stay or arriving at the airport. The other 2 groups that don't have to pick an arrival time are Platinum cruisers and concierge - since those are normally small groups of cruisers.

 

[neoavatara]

I was on the May 10 cruise. We arrived at 11:00 and it was quite busy, but things were moving reasonably well. We got through security in about 20 minutes, customs in about 10 minutes, and were progressing quite nicely through check-in. There were about 5 people in line ahead of us when the computers went "down"... I don't want to talk about anything that happened after that...

I know I have been pretty rough in criticizing them, but I think they will probably get it right in a short period of time. But I can tell you, even the Disney personnel really didn't know how to solve the problem that day.

My guess is that is the worst it will be.

 

[denise]

we were on the repo cruise and the computers went down while in line also. It was hot in the terminal and line was REALLY long. We were about 1/2 way into it. We waited about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes before we started moving again.

Wonder what's up with these computers?

 

[PBader]

Does DCL share the terminal with other ships and maybe having to move their computers in/out? Maybe that is causing the problems. At PC the terminal is theirs and they don't have to share.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Have not done the online check in yet since reaching Platinum status, but I am assuming it will skip choosing a check in time since we will be preboarding? Any Platinums out there know?

 

[Diannah]

We're boarding tomorrow (5/24), so will let you know the next time we can get online how it goes. We have a 12:30 - 1:00 arrival time.

We won't be paying for onboard wifi, so we won't be able to connect until Fri at the earliest. But as soon as we can, I'll comment on our boarding exerience.

 

[jel0511]

Have not done the online check in yet since reaching Platinum status, but I am assuming it will skip choosing a check in time since we will be preboarding? Any Platinums out there know?

We're sailing concierge, so we don't have to pick a time either. When we got to the pick a check time section, it said, "Since your travel party includes Platinum or Concierge Guests, you are not required to select an arrival time. You may arrive any time during embarkation hours and board the ship at your leisure after check-in." I figure that's the message you'll get as well.

 

[joycsk]

I think you'll need to get the written statement from the AIRLINE rather than your TA to make it enforceable with the airline gate "guard." Is that what you meant? Getting a confirmation through your TA from the airline?

If they can't get it, I would email the airline customer service and request confirmation that you get one bag free for every one of the people in your party for your flight(s) # xxx on date xxx (including all the flight leg numbers).

When they email back "yes", just print that out with the date of the email and carry it with you...

Or, just fly Southwest

By flying Air Canada, we get just about the ONLY direct flight there is. Personally, I'll take that over hauling luggage and kids. Also, while I know SW is #1 in customer satisfaction, our kids are now too old to qualify for early boarding status, so it's a REAL pain worrying if we'll be permitted to sit together. On our last cruise, there were a TON of SW customers trying to use the Magic's computer terminals to print their boarding passes on the last day of the cruise. Every cloud has its silver lining and dark underside. . .

 

[joycsk]

In reality, the boarding times are for Port Canaveral cruisers especially those on the Dream. They are trying to avoid so many people arriving early and having the terminal overcrowded.
In Vancouver, if you are given a 10:00 or 10:30 arrival time that is unrealistic since the terminal doesn't even open until 11:00.
This is, once again, a bad thing about DCL's website - not being able to tell the ports apart when doing the online check in. It's really a shame that DCL's website is not very user friendly.


To the poster that asked about not needing a time because you are taking DCL transfers, yes it does make sense since they have already figured out what times those cruisers will be arriving - based on resort stay or arriving at the airport. The other 2 groups that don't have to pick an arrival time are Platinum cruisers and concierge - since those are normally small groups of cruisers.

Dear jilljill,

I have complained non-stop about the DCL website. My husband is programmer, and I know very well what can and cannot be done in the realm of computers. As far as I am concerned, there is NO excuse for DCL's poor website, particularly their excursion portion. I told my TA that there were two main reasons I refused to book excursions through DCL. #1 was that they decided my 10 yo was an ADULT. #2 was that their website was SO user -UNFRIENDLY. For a company that prides itself on CS, their website is a train wreck. I desperately hope that a CM reads this post. We expect better from DISNEY.

My TA told me that she complains regularly and is told that it's only the TAs who complain. I sent her a letter to forward to Disney. It boggles my mind that Disney chooses not to do better. Their ability to do better is without question!

So sorry for the rant, but I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time. I do apologize.

 

[Shanny145]

Everyone needs to rant every once in awhile! Tis OK

 

[joycsk]

Everyone needs to rant every once in awhile! Tis OK

Really appreciate it. Looks like we'll just miss you. What is your sail date?

(I'm Aug 2.)

 

[Shanny145]

We sail the 23rd....Can't wait! PA too!

 

[ilovemk76]

By flying Air Canada, we get just about the ONLY direct flight there is. Personally, I'll take that over hauling luggage and kids. Also, while I know SW is #1 in customer satisfaction, our kids are now too old to qualify for early boarding status, so it's a REAL pain worrying if we'll be permitted to sit together. On our last cruise, there were a TON of SW customers trying to use the Magic's computer terminals to print their boarding passes on the last day of the cruise. Every cloud has its silver lining and dark underside. . .

Most are doing this to get their 24 hours checkin. No need to worry about this when you do early bird checkin. You can just print them at the airport. Some airports have a special kiosk just for printing the boarding pass. If that is not an option and you are checking bag, then you can get it then too.

 

[jilljill]

Dear jilljill,

I have complained non-stop about the DCL website. My husband is programmer, and I know very well what can and cannot be done in the realm of computers. As far as I am concerned, there is NO excuse for DCL's poor website, particularly their excursion portion. I told my TA that there were two main reasons I refused to book excursions through DCL. #1 was that they decided my 10 yo was an ADULT. #2 was that their website was SO user -UNFRIENDLY. For a company that prides itself on CS, their website is a train wreck. I desperately hope that a CM reads this post. We expect better from DISNEY.

My TA told me that she complains regularly and is told that it's only the TAs who complain. I sent her a letter to forward to Disney. It boggles my mind that Disney chooses not to do better. Their ability to do better is without question!

So sorry for the rant, but I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time. I do apologize.

No need to appologize, there's always lots of complaints on here about the DCL website.

I was just on there looking at the AK excursions again, and I had to go thru 4 pages to land on a page that I should have been taken to when I first hit the link.


OK, back to cruise planning now.