What do I need to do on online check-in and booking day?

[Leeba]

This is my first DCL cruise, so forgive the basic question. My online check-in day is coming up soon, and apparently that's "booking day" as well. I have two kids. We're probably not interested in any dinners, but maybe ... how do I find out what nights are "Pirate night" or whatever other themed nights? Also, probably spa treatments, or at least the shower room pass (sorry whatever that thing is called, lol). Definitely some excursions. Does all that happen on booking day?

We're not going to Castaway Cay, so I don't need to worry about anything there.

What else will I be able to do that day?

Thanks for helping a newbie out!!

 

[Otimon]

When your cruise is paid in full and your window of time to make reservations opens, you'll see in each day's activities column just which
day will be Pirate Night or whatever. When your window opens, you can make all the reservations you're interested in.

Hope you'll reconsider going to Castaway Cay. For just about every person who sails DCL, including myself, it's the highlight of the cruise.

 

[Leeba]

When your cruise is paid in full and your window of time to make reservations opens, you'll see in each day's activities column just which
day will be Pirate Night or whatever. When your window opens, you can make all the reservations you're interested in.

Hope you'll reconsider going to Castaway Cay. For just about every person who sails DCL, including myself, it's the highlight of the cruise.

thank you!

I meant, my cruise is not going to Castaway Cay. I wish we were, but it's not on the itinerary. Next time we'll be sure to choose a cruise that goes there, because it sounds awesome. (And I mentioned it in the OP so that you didn't waste time telling me how to book a cabana or whatever other tips about that island.)

 

[Otimon]

Thank you for the clarification. So sorry you won't have a visit to Castaway Cay this trip but hope next time you will. Bon Voyage.

 

[gismo1554]

The rainforest room pass I think you have to order as a stateroom gift rather than booking from what I remember. These can be done at any time and are in a seperate area on the DCL website or you can phone and add them.

 

[scrappinginontario]

What paperwork do I need with me at check-in? Will I need passport numbers handy? Anything else I can gather ahead of time so that I'm not running around at midnight trying to gather up docs?

TIA!

 

[PlanoNana]

I would have passport numbers available so you can add them and get that over with. Also give some though to what you REALLY want to do. Are Character Breakfasts or Port Arrival Time the most important to you. Is there a particular excursion (Port Adventures in Disney speak) really important? The main reason to book at or shortly after midnight is to be sure to get the earliest possible Port Arrival Time or to schedule Palo or Remy at the times you want. Note that after some basic stuff you don't have to do stuff in any particular order. You can do stuff for the last day of your cruise before you do stuff for earlier.

Personal example. DD and I wanted to be sure we had the Character Breakfast and as many Meet and Greets as possible for her 5 yo. We wanted Palo brunch with nursery reservation for her 21 month old but not on the same day as Character Breakfast. We're going to CC but just enjoying the day so no rush for anything specific. And if you have linked reservations with someone else only one of you can be online scheduling stuff. DD and I were on the phone while she was logged in signing up for the stuff we all wanted for our linked reservations.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

FOA, I'd recommend booking your excursions, etc. first at midnight. Then do your check-in after that. The only time sensitive thing about the check-in is to get your PAT. Though if you want an early one, sooner check-in is better.

As for what you will need, the key is to finish it so you can select your PAT. After that, you can go back and correct everything else. But you can't get the PAT unless you put SOMETHING in for every question they ask, and they ask a LOT of questions.

Once you are ready to answer all of their questions, you will be asked for your passport number, your credit card number, who you want to have charging privileges (like your kids?) what day your are coming in and on what airline, where you are going to afterwards, (these questions are to help you with transfers and to make sure you have sufficient time.) Who you want your emergency stateside contact person to be.

But as I said, all these answers can be changed later. We didn't know some of our passport number or transport plans at that time, but I filled it all in before we sailed. So that night I just chose, "photo ID" or whatever the non-passport option is called.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Great tips! Thanks everyone!

 

[Dug720]

The rainforest room pass I think you have to order as a stateroom gift rather than booking from what I remember. These can be done at any time and are in a seperate area on the DCL website or you can phone and add them.

You can purchase a day pass on the Gifts and Amenities page. The length of cruise pass can only be bought in the spa once on board.