What happens if we don’t do online check in?

[we"reofftoneverland]

On our last cruise with Princess we did not do it and it was fine. Is it okay on Disney? We’ve been on Disney several times but it has been a while and I cannot remember what we did previously. I think it was just checking a couple of boxes back then. We don’t get to the port early.

 

[DCLMP]

You won’t be able to pick a PAT, set up onboard account, upload your passports or security photos. You receive a QR code that’s like a boarding pass and they’ll ask you to show it 15 times before you board. DCL embarkation has been horrible since the restart. I wouldn’t do anything to make it more difficult.

When we cruised in January they had people lining up outside by PAT. You know how Disney loves lines. This has been the process the 5 times we’ve sailed since the restart. Hopefully it’s changed.

 

[auntlynne]

Here are screenshots from an online check-in (source is shown)
The important line is “Online Check-in is required…” You have until the day before the cruise. You do not have to be up at midnight. That gives you a 29-day window.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

You won’t be able to pick a PAT, set up onboard account, upload your passports or security photos. You receive a QR code that’s like a boarding pass and they’ll ask you to show it 15 times before you board. DCL embarkation has been horrible since the restart. I wouldn’t do anything to make it more difficult.

When we cruised in January they had people lining up outside by PAT. You know how Disney loves lines. This has been the process the 5 times we’ve sailed since the restart. Hopefully it’s changed.

I showed the boarding pass only twice, once before security check and the other at the counter that gave us wrist bands for boarding. This was in April. Though I will note I had a 12:45 PAT so maybe I got there late enough that that the lineups weren't bad .

 

[soniam]

I showed the boarding pass only twice, once before security check and the other at the counter that gave us wrist bands for boarding. This was in April. Though I will note I had a 12:45 PAT so maybe I got there late enough that that the lineups weren't bad .

Yes, that was probably late enough for most boarding groups to have been called. Earlier times can be worse.

 

[coronationday]

I went on my first Disney cruise last year on February, we did the reservation like a month out and when we tried to check in it wouldn't let us. We told our travel agent she didn't know what to do, we call disney they also didn't had anwsers for us so they told us to arrive to the port at like 2:00 pm. When we arrive to the port they ask for the QR code as we didn't have one we explain the situation and they look us up by our stateroom number. We had to wait a long time at the front desk while they resolve the issue, it took us such a long time that we were the last to board the ship.

I guess if you don't check in through the app you would have to arrive with the last PAT time, they will be able to find your reservation through your stateroom number but you would have to wait in the front desk to check in.

 

[Budzooka]

I went on my first Disney cruise last year on February, we did the reservation like a month out and when we tried to check in it wouldn't let us. We told our travel agent she didn't know what to do, we call disney they also didn't had anwsers for us so they told us to arrive to the port at like 2:00 pm. When we arrive to the port they ask for the QR code as we didn't have one we explain the situation and they look us up by our stateroom number. We had to wait a long time at the front desk while they resolve the issue, it took us such a long time that we were the last to board the ship.

I guess if you don't check in through the app you would have to arrive with the last PAT time, they will be able to find your reservation through your stateroom number but you would have to wait in the front desk to check in.

That sounds terrible. Not your fault but what a bad start to the cruise.

 

[Dznypal]

this part has me the most stressed--especially since I dont have a clue at all what Im doing as far the pics go
uploading/downloading or whatever
if I cant get it done what are they going to do throw us off the ship
Im not ever sure where I can get help for this
at least I have a month before I can do check in

 

[starry_solo]

this part has me the most stressed--especially since I dont have a clue at all what Im doing as far the pics go
uploading/downloading or whatever
if I cant get it done what are they going to do throw us off the ship
Im not ever sure where I can get help for this
at least I have a month before I can do check in

First things first.
Use a computer for the online check-in. It is much easier than the app.
Take pictures of your passports - each passport should have its own individual picture. These need to be clear so you may have to bend the fold of your passport so it will stay open.
Take pictures of the people on your reservation/cabin. Each person should have their own individual picture. Make it like a passport photo so a solid background. If you are in different households, make sure that the people in separate households provide you clear photos at least 5 days before online check in (gives you time to bug them within that 5 day window).
You can use your phone to take the photos, but you need to download them to your computer.
Put them in a folder labeled DCL cruise and label each photo with an ID - initials and identification - so initials of person and identification of what the photos is. Like SS_passport and SS_picture.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

The website is much more stable not at midnight and with tiered check in I’m hearing it’s not really a disadvantage to check in the next morning.

It’s really easy if the website cooperates and it’s really detailed on what it wants

 

[sadiecatie]

First things first.
Use a computer for the online check-in. It is much easier than the app.
Take pictures of your passports - each passport should have its own individual picture. These need to be clear so you may have to bend the fold of your passport so it will stay open.
Take pictures of the people on your reservation/cabin. Each person should have their own individual picture. Make it like a passport photo so a solid background. If you are in different households, make sure that the people in separate households provide you clear photos at least 5 days before online check in (gives you time to bug them within that 5 day window).
You can use your phone to take the photos, but you need to download them to your computer.
Put them in a folder labeled DCL cruise and label each photo with an ID - initials and identification - so initials of person and identification of what the photos is. Like SS_passport and SS_picture.

I guess this is a “your mileage may vary” thing because I did check in on my phone with no issues - it was easy and straightforward.

OP, you have a whole month to do this, and it’s really not difficult. Get yourself checked in, but don’t overly stress over it. Check the pinned thread about check in if you want to know everything to have ready.

 

[Dznypal]

Thanks so much with the easy to follow instructions

My stumbling block is the uploading passport and pics during the check in

I’m really limited in computers. Here’s what I know what to do

I sell on eBay. What I do is I take the pics of my items which go into my iCloud account from there I put in organized on my flash drive. From there when I list an item I then go to my flash drive to put the pics on my eBay account

Will this know how help in anyway of getting the passport and pics on the check in page. Sorry to hi Jack but I’ve got this on my mind now. Thanks

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks so much with the easy to follow instructions

My stumbling block is the uploading passport and pics during the check in

I’m really limited in computers. Here’s what I know what to do

I sell on eBay. What I do is I take the pics of my items which go into my iCloud account from there I put in organized on my flash drive. From there when I list an item I then go to my flash drive to put the pics on my eBay account

Will this know how help in anyway of getting the passport and pics on the check in page. Sorry to hi Jack but I’ve got this on my mind now. Thanks

You have the loading skill for photos, already, based on what you do for eBay!

Truly, it is gathering up the stuff you need that is the big part.
Passport photo
Selfie
Flight info (including flight numbers and times)
Pre-cruise hotel
Destination after cruise
Emergency contact
Credit card for onboard expenses. You can opt for cash. Or add a credit card when onboard.

The selfie photos are pretty much just boring pictures. Think about the photo on your passport - it’s the same rules. They just want to see a Head shot without too much (plain) background. I took mine in the bathroom - it has sunlight and a solid, light-colored wall. And it was a selfie, taken with my phone. So it automatically goes into my iPhotos. Then I “put” the photo in an “album.” All done digitally.

Passport - lay it open flat, bending the fold backwards as necessary. Don’t worry - It will go back to closed. Use a camera or you phone and stand over it, close enough to get the info page (you don’t need the signature page above it) without a lot of the table on which the passport is sitting. Just don’t block all the light sources when making any of the photos - you want them to be clearly visible.

(I think the computer may pull your passport information from the picture. Or else they have my info on file.)

If you are not concerned with which Port Arrival Time (PAT) you get, there is no reason to be stressed. You can do it in parts, if necessary. Those of us who want early arrival or are just overly excited - yes, even many cruises sailed - probably feel the most pressure to get it done quickly. It will save your work, allowing you to resume later.

Don’t forget -Pending Review does not mean you have done something wrong. I have had to resubmit my photo. I think it was a cropped image (the original file was too big - take an up-close selfie).

Here’s a link to the website I referenced in an earlier post:

https://sometimessailing.com/disney-cruise-line-check-in-process-online/

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks so much with the easy to follow instructions

My stumbling block is the uploading passport and pics during the check in

I’m really limited in computers. Here’s what I know what to do

I sell on eBay. What I do is I take the pics of my items which go into my iCloud account from there I put in organized on my flash drive. From there when I list an item I then go to my flash drive to put the pics on my eBay account

Will this know how help in anyway of getting the passport and pics on the check in page. Sorry to hi Jack but I’ve got this on my mind now. Thanks

That’s how it works for online check in. You click on “choose a file” which gives you then a view of the folders in your computer and then you just navigate to where your pictures are and click on the one with that you need in that moment. The system guides you through what it wants from you, for example “passenger xyz passport” then “passenger xyz headshot” etc.

I think in the app you even have the option of taking the picture directly then and there if you haven’t saved them already.

 

[Dznypal]

Thanks so much for the great detailed help. I feel now I can do this.

 

[Cheburashka]

if I cant get it done what are they going to do throw us off the ship

No. You paid for the cruise. Check-in at Port Canaveral would just take a lot longer and be a pain. More of a pain than figuring out how to check in online.

Take your time checking in online and you'll figure it out. It's a step by step process that the website guides you through. If you can sell on eBay online, you can absolutely master DCL online check-in.

 

[Dznypal]

Thanks for the reassurance

 

[happycamper47]

No. You paid for the cruise. Check-in at Port Canaveral would just take a lot longer and be a pain. More of a pain than figuring out how to check in online.

Are you sure? It says on-line check in must be completed before arriving at the Port and it closes 1 day prior to the cruise. With out a bar code you can't get into the terminal and through security. I think DCL would look at it like at it like a no show.

 

[Cheburashka]

Are you sure? It says on-line check in must be completed before arriving at the Port and it closes 1 day prior to the cruise. With out a bar code you can't get into the terminal and through security. I think DCL would look at it like at it like a no show.

Another poster described how she'd booked too late to check in, and DCL figured it out at the port. It was a pain and she ended up being the last to board because of the hassle, but she boarded.

OP should definitely do online check in, but showing up without check-in is still showing up as a paid customer. I don't see how they can legally keep you from boarding if you show up with enough time to board, unless they refund the money, and why would they rather do that then let you board?

 

[DCLMP]

I showed the boarding pass only twice, once before security check and the other at the counter that gave us wrist bands for boarding. This was in April. Though I will note I had a 12:45 PAT so maybe I got there late enough that that the lineups weren't bad .

Consider yourself lucky.