Walk me through embarkation day...need tips for first-time cruisers!

[IvyandLace]

Well, once again it's time for my family "cruise"letter, and this time I'd like to concentrate on embarkation day, the "ins and outs". I'd like to present it in a way that is systematic and doesn't seem so overwhelming...you know, with running to get Palo and spa ressies as I know that some of my family members are more "laid-back" and might not understand the whole "being prepared" deal.

What I'd like from my dear DISers is this: walk me through a typical embarkation day from start to finish (or, maybe, sail-a-way!) What would you have liked to know as a first-time cruiser? What tips can you offer that will make it go smoother or allow us to relax more or have more fun as a family? Anything of this sort is exactly the type of information that I'm looking for-I just want to make sure I get all my facts straight and don't leave anything important out!

Thanks in advance for helping keep "the family" informed!
IVY

 

[snowiit]

My first question would be... are you going to the ship right from the airport? a Disney resort? Driving? Taking Disney transportation? If you are using Disney transportation you will have a comfortable ride on the bus to the ship with a video to watch about the ship starting about half way there. It depends on where you are catching the Disney bus transportation, in regards to when you leave for the ship.
I believe that they start boarding around 12 - 12:30 or so? I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
If you still have to turn in papers, after getting to the terminal you will go up to the counter and have that done and get your key to the world cards. If you've had everything checked and turned your papers in at a Disney resort you can skip the counter and head right for the ship.
Depending on what time you get there you can either get right on the boat or stand in line. Once boarding starts it proceeds pretty quickly. They will swipe your cards as you are walking to enter the boat and then stop you to take a picture of your group with the sign with the date on it. You'll proceed to the ship and possibly be announced as you enter. There will be people with trays of tropical juice drinks but be aware that you sign a paper if you take one, and it will appear as a charge on your room. You can go exploring, go up to eat at the buffet on deck 9 or run for spa and/or Palo ressies if so inclined. I believe that there is now a certain time that they let you down the hallways to your room but I am not sure.
Some people jump right into their suits and go swimming. At 4 there is the safety drill. Each section is assigned to report to a certain area in their life jackets which are in the closets in each room. After that you can put the jackets away and get ready for the sailaway party. Depending on if their are kids in your party etc or not, you might want to go to the Goofy Pool (more midship on deck 9) where it is covered and they play lively music and encourage dancing as the ship pulls out. The characters are onstage too. As adults we enjoyed going up to deck 10 above the pool and watching the festivities from above. It afforded a great view of the area etc as we were pulling out. From that point you are on your own, getting ready for your dining rotation, going to a stage show etc. I hope I have made sense here and it's what you're looking for in the way of information~
Wish I was going soon..... going but not soon enough!

Nancy

 

[confal1]

How many people are going?
I prefer to show up right when the terminal opens. They have tv's set up playing Disney movies for the children with little couches and chairs. The also have a replica of the ship that is awesome. Once on board I would delegate people to get ressies. Put one in charge for Palo, one for Spa, and let one parent take the children or child to the kids club to sign them up. Also it is imperative that you go in with a plan. Know which night you want Palo and an alternative. Know what day, time, and treatment you want for the spa. That is most important because it will save a lot of time and energy once on the ship.
Once we got on the ship and did all this, we went and got a 6-pack from the bar in a bucket with ice and went back to our cabin to enjoy the sail-away on our verandah while our dd rested. Now if you miss out on any ressies that you want- don't give up. We called for our Palo ressie on a day that our dd wanted to do the club- we were able to get in without a problem. Have a great trip and I hope some of this helps.

 

[Footnotegirl]

And what we pretty much plan on doing the next time around. (March 5! Wheee!)
We fly in on the same day, and take a limo to the Port, as everyone in our group prefers a quieter ride than I'm told the Disney busses provide. We don't have many children (this year, three, last time, one) in our group.

Get to the port and sign in. You must have your paperwork filled out, you will get a book of things to fill in before your trip. I was /astounded/ at the number of people who apparently didn't even bother to look at these before showing up at Port. Everyone in our group had read the simple instructions and already had them done, so we just had to get initialed and then stand in a very fast moving line. We got our Key to the World cards, which had our dining rotation on them.

Once keyed, we were off to the ship, where we were welcomed and announced. At this point, our group split into two. The girls ran to Palo to get reservations, and the boys took off to get the kiddo signed into Oceaneers and to get our two parties at the same table and seating. Since we weren't any of us terribly interested in Salon stuff that had to be signed up for in advance, we then headed to the buffet for lunch. Hubby and I then went to our cabin and took a short nap (it had been a long day already, what with flight and drive) and got up in time for the safety drill. That took /maybe/ 20 minutes, after which we went to the pool.

Things we would change: We're going to have a larger group this time, so we'll also be getting spa reservations for the mud bath thing, most likely. Hopefully I'll be able to get more sleep on the plane this time, and will have a bathing suit in my carry on to change into in case our bags show up late.

 

[IvyandLace]

Thanks for all the info so far!

Sorry 'bout the lack of information on my part. I forgot to include the following: we will have a group of 12 with 9 adults and 3 kids (ages 16, 14, 12). We are all flying in the day before (November 26th), are staying at a hotel near the airport (got on Priceline), and will be taking a mini-bus from Southern Elegance to port the next day. Southern Elegance will be picking us up at 9:30am.

We are interested in doing Palo as an adult group, and I already have my first and second "picks" figured out. We would like to do high tea for the ladies of the group so we'll need ressies for this as well (still unsure about brunch!). I have made it clear that if couples want to eat at Palo by themselves (or in separate groups), they will need to make ressies for themselves. Spa ressies will be made on a separate basis too. What I'm most unsure about is this: I will probably volunteer to get our Palo/high tea ressies since I'm "in charge" of parts of the cruise. I believe my younger sis will make our spa reservation (we are doing a treatment together). However, I know everyone will want to eat and explore the ship together, and I don't want it to be confusing or to be delayed in getting ressies. I've heard differing views on when Palo ressies can be obtained-some people say they can be booked as soon as you board; others say you have time to have a leisurely lunch and that they don't open up for ressies until ~1:30pm. Which one is accurate?

Concerning the 12-year old who will be in the Lab...when can his mother "check" him in? When does the Lab start its activites so that my nephew can start to meet other kids his age? When does the teen club open?

If I bring a suit in a daybag, where do people usually change (if rooms aren't open yet)? When is the best time to unpack?

Thanks again!
IVY

 

[RobinMarie]

I was concerned about PALOs too but thought as long as you arrive before the lifeboat drill you should be fine. We had no problems and were in the terminal when they started boarding. It seemed like SOOOO many people were in front of us.

I think the SPA appts filled a little faster. (sorry I did not book one but took a tour early in the day and heard some people trying to make appts for sea days and had to rearrange a little.)

We received our dining rotation in the terminal and the nice lady in front of me and I chatted our PALO strategy.

I found signing up my daughter at the club took the longest but I sure was happy I did not wait until after dinner to do so - the line was HUGE!

 

[coleland]

How do you know where to go to get reservations for Palo's? Is it the same spot each cruise? And by the way, where is that? Thanks!

 

[Jiffymom]

don't worry so much. Enjoy and it will all fall in place.

 

[Jillpie]

Hopping on this thread, thanks for a great question for us newbies!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Dress very casually for embarkation but do keep in mind that a picture will be taken.

We were not let into our staterooms until exactly 1:30.

Take bubbles to blow during the sailaway party and stake your place on deck 9 or 10 about 1 hour before sailing.

Make shore excursions 60 days in advance from home. Believe me the line was LONGGG on sail day.

If arriving at the terminal and anticipating a wait, bring small snacks, soda, etc as the cafe wasn't open when we were there in July.

All members in your party will need to group together at the check-in desk in the terminal. We saw several different people holding up the lines because hubby was in the bathroom or the kids were running around. Just, when it's close to being your turn, get everyone together.

Take pictures of the kids right before the Stack opens. This may be the last time you see them on this cruise!

Don't bother with taking soda unless you like something other than coke products. Not worth the hassle to some when you can get all you want on deck 9 at the drink station.

If you can't get the Palo ressie that you want, don't worry; you can get it next time you cruise DCL because you will be back!!

Check out the "secret" verandah on dek 7 aft (rear). Great place to relax.

Fold up your Navigators and carry it with you. So much goes on it's really hard to keep up sometimes.

People get very upset if you "save" seats ANYWHERE! We were seated at the Golden Mickey's and my friend had a Crohn's moment and had to be excused for just a few minutes. Someone wanted her seat and got VERY ugly when we tried to explain that she was here but had to be excused temporarily! He was very rude. Try to seat yourselves so that you don't have to save a seat.

I wish we'd worn our bathing suits or at least taken them to change into in one of the many bathrooms on the ship. We could have relaxed with the pool and hot tub to ourselves!

Enjoy.....You will not be able to see and do it all. Pick and choose. Have FUN!!!

 

[CM_Mom]

You will get a Welcome Aboard Embarcation day sheet when you sign in at the terminal that gives the locations and times for Palo, spa, kids club and stuff like that.

Another thing to know is that you can't bring stuff like pocket knives, Leatherman tools, etc on board either on your person OR in your luggage. When they check the luggage they will open and remove anything like that so leave it at home. You'll have a security screening like at the airport so be prepared and don't wear lots of metal stuff that would set it off and slow you down.

Second item is that they take PICTURES of your group as you embark so you might ask everyone to wear something that looks good - not a good time for "whatever".

 

[crisi]

You won't need your birth certificate much, but the adults will want to make sure to keep their driver's licenses immediately accessible. You'll get carded so much between the time you try to enter the terminal until the time you enter the ship that you'll feel like college students bar hopping!

Keep your day bag light. (Personally, with your crew, unless the teens wanted to swim a little, I wouldn't bother with adult suits. The adult pool is seldom crowded. Just swim later).

If you board when the ship opens, you'll have plenty of time. I'd recommend having everyone run off to get the reservations, then going to Topsiders for lunch. It can be hard to find tables together at Topsiders - be prepared to split up. Then scope a spot to meet for the sail away party (something like deck 10, starboard, overlooking the Goofy pool). By then your room will certainly be open, and perhaps your luggage even delivered.

DCL gets things going - there are more CMs walking around with trays of drinks at boarding than any other time. People should have some concept about the cost ($6 or so in a souvienier glass) and how its going to work - i.e. you are going to sign for it with your stateroom number.

 

[goofyforlife]

I didn't feel this took much time at all.

The kids can see the lab while you're signing them up but "official programming doesn't usually start until dinnertime the first night.

(6:30 pm) The first rounds of registration were 12:30 - 3:15.

If your giving your 12 DS "sign in/out" priveleges you still get a pager but they won't give your kid an armband.


P.S. Be aware that all KTTW cards are activated when you place a credit card on your room. If you think there could be issues I would have childrens cards deactivated once on the ship.

ie.... those $15/$20 arcade cards that can be purchased by just inserting a room key add up fast. (the 11/12yo's really loved the DDR on the ship)

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by IvyandLace
However, I know everyone will want to eat and explore the ship together, and I don't want it to be confusing or to be delayed in getting ressies. I've heard differing views on when Palo ressies can be obtained-some people say they can be booked as soon as you board; others say you have time to have a leisurely lunch and that they don't open up for ressies until ~1:30pm. Which one is accurate?

Concerning the 12-year old who will be in the Lab...when can his mother "check" him in? When does the Lab start its activites so that my nephew can start to meet other kids his age? When does the teen club open?

I am a newbie too, but have been scouring the Navigators at DCL Tirbute and castawayclub and see that Palo ressies are accepted at 12:00 noon. And there are different locations - not just at Palo noted on the navigator too. The clubs and Flounders start taking reservations and registrations at 12:30 pm.

I am confused as to when activities start in the clubs, though. In some instances it looks like not till 7pm - and in others it looks like right away.

I think regardless of what time the ressies start at Palo or the spa - I would just go right up after boarding and begin standing in line - follow what the navigator says as to where to go - its not always at Palo as I said before - and wait it out.

 

[goofyforlife]

Palo ressies were in Studio Sea (deck 4) between 1:00 - 3:30pm when we sailed last month on the Wonder.

I walked in at 1:30 to little line and got the exact time that I wanted.

 

[tkd lisa]

Here would be my timeline with your group. Just what I'd do, so take it as an input, or blow it off. Totally up to you!

1) Have breakfast before heading to the port. The coffee will help the adults, and having food in the kids will cut down on the problems that could happen.

2) Fill out your documents ahead of time, or at the latest, while you're eating breakfast. I'm assuming that the groups are coming from different places, so if you want to be "safe", check off everyone's documents before you head to the port.

3) Make sure everyone has their ID out when you get to the port. You usually will need to show it before you pull up to drop off the bags.

4) At 10:30ish, there shouldn't be much of a wait to check in. But once you're checked in, Trade off waiting in line. With a group your size, I'd suggest about 4 people waiting. It's really hard to take 13 extra people jumping in if only one person is waiting. If you're trading off, the people behind you will realize that you're a good sized group. You will probably board around 12 to 12:30, so about 20 minutes ahead of time, I'd have everyone join me in line.

5) Either at breakfast, or while you're waiting in line, designate who is getting what reservations. Then while you're in line, double check where the specific locations are for each reservation, and explain to the new people how to get there (for instance, the spa person needs to go to deck 9 forward, so explain that they can take the forward elevator since the mid-ships is always busy check in day).

6) Decide if you're eating lunch immediately or doing it after you get the ressies. If it's the latter, decide when and where you're meeting to go into lunch (and where you're doing it so that 1/2 don't go to Topsides while the others are at Parrot Cay)!

7) By this time, it should be 1:30, so drop your bags. I'd then send someone to check the 12 yo into the lab, and let the teens wander a bit while the adults unpack.

8) attend your DIS meet (assuming you have one!), the lifeboat drill, then go to the sailaway party.

9) You're officially cruising!

Remember that they will close the Goofy pool during the lifeboat drill to get ready for the party. If the kids want to swim, it will need to be in that 1:30-3ish timeframe, or they'll need to wait till after dinner. For the ages of your kids, you should probably prepare them that most of their water time will need to be in the ports. The Goofy pool is only about 4 feet deep and gets very very crowded. For the ages of your kids, they'd probably just get frustrated.

If you're hot tub kind of people, then by all means grab some time in the adult hot tub. The adult pool is almost always very open, so don't worry about fitting in pool time on sail away.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Jillpie]

Do you really have to stake out your spot for the sailaway party ahead of time? Kind of like Illuminations? And alot of people say deck 10 is a great spot to watch...but wouldn't it be more fun to be down where all the action is and the characters are?

Also, which pool do my 12 and 13 yr. old sons swim in? Is the Mickey one just for real little kids?

oh, so much to think about on that first day...is it really this stressful when you get there?

 

[TheWog]

If you want to be in the front row you should get there early, otherwise, no you can see fine from everywhere. My DS6 got up to the front with other small children for most of it. We had him on my shoulders for the beginning. It is a lot of fun to be down there dancing. Don't forget to have your camcorder going to capture the horn as you pull away from the dock.

Those ages for kids will want to be in the Goofy pool. The Mickey Pool is only about 18 inches deep or so.

 

[crisi]

The Mickey Pool is a wading pool. There were some bigger kids in there, but few (and probably maxing out at 8), and most of them were getting dirty looks for being too rough around four year olds. The "optimim" age for the Mickey pool is proably 5 to 6 - old enough that the "deep" water isn't too deep and the quantity of kids isn't scary - young enough that the "deep" parts are still waist high.

The Goofy pool is REALLY small. We had it to ourselves first thing in the morning (even on sea day) and on port days. We didn't go near it otherwise.

We went straight froom dropping off our life jackets to the party. We were among the first to arrive, and by the time I'd headed back to the deck 9 drink station and back with some juice for the kids and gotten Bahama Mama's for self and DH, the party was starting and the deck was full. You won't be wasting a lot of time staking out a spot, but if you dwadle from the safety drill (you'll have about half an hour), you won't have a table. We grabbed a freate table by the bar were we could see the action but get to the floor to dance. My DH and son didn't dance, I did, and took my daughter down later.

lisa has great advice, but follow it or not as she said. One thing I wouldn't do is stand in that line for an hour and a half. We arrived to the terminal a little later. Sat and watched Disney cartoons. Met Snow White and Mickey. The ears opened and the line wrapped around the terminal. Twenty minutes later we got in a much shorter line and had boarded in ten minutes of line waiting. We didn't try to get Palo reservations or spa reservations, though.

One thing I would definately do is make sure everyone had a good breakfast before getting tothe terminal. If you are first on the ship and heading straight to lunch, you might eat as early as 12:00. But realistically, with spa reservations and Palo reservations and a line, you won't eat until 1:00. That can make for short tempers.

As to stress.....you can make it stressful. Or you can say "its vacation, if I don't get the exact spa time I want, who cares" One of the things we did which made it very unstressful - I had my "spa day" before we left - so no need for a massage on the ship - I'd just had one! And we didn't bother with Palo. So our only "must do" was the safety drill and making sure the kids got check into the clubs.

 

[Jillpie]

Fantastic, thanks. Now I can relax and enjoy that first day!