What do I need to have prepared for online check-in?

[Racer X]

I thought i saw this somewhere but can't put my finger on it... are "passport style" pics allowed? We have a few leftover from our last passport update that are not the exact ones on the passport but close. TIA

 

[RedHead0186]

I thought i saw this somewhere but can't put my finger on it... are "passport style" pics allowed? We have a few leftover from our last passport update that are not the exact ones on the passport but close. TIA

Yes. They cannot be the same as your passport picture, but the ID photo is supposed to be a similar style to a passport photo so that should work.

 

[Doingitagain]

You cannot do this anymore. You have to go through all the steps before you can submit a PAT. You'll have to upload pictures and passport/citizenship info for each person. You can put cash for the onboard account and put driving to port to save time (you can go back and update both later). But you won't be able to just skip through everything and go right to PAT, you'll have to enter/do at least something for each step.

The above is the key. Use cash for payment and put in driving to port. Update later.
**If your photo isnt right, you can save and keep going and go back later to fix it after you have your PAT. If DCL doesn't like your photo, they send you an email and you get a chance to fix it then, too.
**When taking the passport photo, make sure it includes the entire series of letters/numbers on the code at the very bottom since that is what is scanned to auto populate. The easiest thing to do is make sure that all edges of the passport are in the photo. You do not need the signature page.

 

[mousefan73]

We are traveling with my daughters friend who is 17 so I know there’s some form that her parents have to fill out is there something that we need to upload at check-in?

 

[RedHead0186]

We are traveling with my daughters friend who is 17 so I know there’s some form that her parents have to fill out is there something that we need to upload at check-in?

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/kids-teens/minor-authorization-form/

This says it needs to be presented at check-in at the port terminal.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

What does “pending review” mean for travel documents if it’s been a week since we checked in? I’m assuming they don’t like one of the photos and it is a first time sailing for my kids.

 

[RedHead0186]

What does “pending review” mean for travel documents if it’s been a week since we checked in? I’m assuming they don’t like one of the photos and it is a first time sailing for my kids.

All uploaded documents are reviewed by a human. "Pending review" just means that hasn't happened yet. If there's an issue they'll let you know and ask you to reupload.

 

[Kirsty_Lou]

Many thanks for all your super advice on here. I had the check in done and completed in 8 mins thanks to you all!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I’m hoping someone out there can clarify/verify checkin for multiple rooms. DH & I (Gold) originally booked our cruise then later booked a separate cabin for our adult DD & DS (Silver). When I booked their cabin DCL connected our reservations (different reservation numbers) so I can see everything on my app. My online checkin is tonight and I’m looking for clarification if I can check them in tonight too or if they check in with the Silver group Sunday night?
Hope this makes sense. I think the 2nd cabin waits until Sunday but want to make sure. TIA

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Just to update in case my situation applies to anyone else…. I was only able to check in my cabin last night. It was pretty quick, thanks to all the tips here! I got PAT 11:30-11:45 and boarding group 9 which seems pretty good.

 

[Doingitagain]

I’m hoping someone out there can clarify/verify checkin for multiple rooms. DH & I (Gold) originally booked our cruise then later booked a separate cabin for our adult DD & DS (Silver). When I booked their cabin DCL connected our reservations (different reservation numbers) so I can see everything on my app. My online checkin is tonight and I’m looking for clarification if I can check them in tonight too or if they check in with the Silver group Sunday night?
Hope this makes sense. I think the 2nd cabin waits until Sunday but want to make sure. TIA

Sorry we missed helping before your checkin. Each stateroom is given the status of the highest level of the guests registered in that stateroom. Other staterooms, even if linked, stay at their status. That is for booking port adventures, onboard fun, and check-in.

Some people split up pearl, platinum, etc. guests into other staterooms to improve that staterooms booking capability.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Sorry we missed helping before your checkin. Each stateroom is given the status of the highest level of the guests registered in that stateroom. Other staterooms, even if linked, stay at their status. That is for booking port adventures, onboard fun, and check-in.

Some people split up pearl, platinum, etc. guests into other staterooms to improve that staterooms booking capability.

Thanks for the reply anyway! We added the 2nd room months after we booked our cabin but I will definitely keep that tip in mind if we get the opportunity to travel together again in the future.

 

[cyndiella]

Just finished all 29 pages! I feel confident that I can do the check in in August. I did double check and there are 3 Disney ships all checking in on the same day so I'm aware of those challenges.
You people are amazing and thank you for all the tips!

 

[RedHead0186]

Just finished all 29 pages! I feel confident that I can do the check in in August. I did double check and there are 3 Disney ships all checking in on the same day so I'm aware of those challenges.
You people are amazing and thank you for all the tips!

Keep in mind it won't be everyone on all 3 of those ships doing check in at the same time. They now stagger check-in by Castaway Club status. So still a lot of website traffic, but only contending with a subset of passengers on each ship, not everyone on each ship (so that should help a bit!).,

 

[cyndiella]

Keep in mind it won't be everyone on all 3 of those ships doing check in at the same time. They now stagger check-in by Castaway Club status. So still a lot of website traffic, but only contending with a subset of passengers on each ship, not everyone on each ship (so that should help a bit!).,

thanks for this info.. I will give it a try at 12:01 and if the spinning blue wheel gets obnoxious, I can wait until morning without freaking out.. Just wanto be on the boat for lunch - so not a 2 pm PAT..

 

[dswatik]

If you have multiple staterooms, you have to do them one at a time. You can do it from one log in, just switch reservations.

Preparation:
1. have downloaded to your device 1) a clean headshot of each person (straight on, no sunglasses, hats or hair accessories, shoulders included, cannot be the same as passport photo), low resolution and 2) passport photo. You do not need the signature page of the passport, but make sure your photo has all the edges of the main page, including the string of information on the very bottom. DCL uses this to digitally input the information into the checkin—if they can’t read it, you have to manually type it in which will slow you down and you risk them rejecting the photo on review.
Jpeg/Jpg file types work best.
2. a document with each passenger's birthdate, address, cell phone, email address, passport number, passport expiration, safe word for kids club, emergency contact name, emergency contact phone number, credit card information
3. Flight information for all legs -- date, airline, airport from, airport to, confirmation number/record locator number, flight number, time departure, time arrival

For speed:
1. Upload photo and if it says it doesn't meet the criteria, click SAVE and move on. Deal with it after you get your PAT.
2. For Onboard account, select Cash to get through it quickly
3. For Travel Plans, select Driving to get through it quickly. I just used home address for the return.
4. Finish each stateroom then go back and fix photo, add credit card, add flight information.

You can change PAT times, so keep checking to see if any better ones become available closer to the cruise.

You can edit the Online Checkin information as much as you want (at least I have so far), until that piece of it goes under review and can't be modified.

ETA: Make sure everyone has at least six months remaining on passport at the time of the trip. If not, check in and get the passport(s) renewed and update to the new one. If you are not from the US, be sure to research any VISA requirements.

I am doing the Wish 4night to the bahamas. We don't have passports, will we be able to do online check in without having passports?

 

[enzy65]

I am doing the Wish 4night to the bahamas. We don't have passports, will we be able to do online check in without having passports?

Yes, we are not frequent cruisers and sail only with DL/BC. I’m not sure where it is at when you check in online, but it can definitely be done.

 

[RedHead0186]

I am doing the Wish 4night to the bahamas. We don't have passports, will we be able to do online check in without having passports?

Yes. You will need to provide photos of your birth certificates (instead of your passports). Everything else for online check in will be the same as for passport users.

 

[Racer X]

FYI - .pdf images are not allowed for uploading. Found out the hard way as I had scanned my passport to a .pdf and was not able to upload it so i had to take a quick pic with my phone to a .jpg. Don't think it cost me a boarding group but something to keep in mind.

 

[Girl of the South]

Did Check In last night for my Dream cruise next month. I was surprised at how much easier it was than 2 years ago. Most of my info (passport numbers, etc) was still there. It accepted all the photos - still pending - but 2 years ago it wouldn’t let me move forward after totally rejecting my friends photo. I was online about 5 minutes past midnight (11pm local time) and no swirling circles. Got it all done and got my PAT. Email said that the “Pending” status might not resolve until “closer to the sail date” which is a month away. Not going to lose any sleep over it. Just wanted to report that it seemed much easier this go round!

PS. And thanks Racer X. I noticed that my friends ESTA was sent as a .pdf so I did change that to a .jpg. And if you have to enter an ESTA, there is an extensive drop down menu of “visa type. The ETSA is a “VWP”. It’s towards the bottom.