The main difference is that
Disney Cruise Line is digital, everything through the App and online.
Before The Cruise
- The cruise is booked online through Disney cruise website or through a TA. All payments are made online, either direct to Disney or through a TA online booking system.
- Download the App and log in and retrieve your booking. There will be a countdown to your cruise, as well as information about the ship and your cruise itinerary. It is important to download the App and familiarize yourself with it before your cruise.
- Extra Charge Activities such as Spa, Drinks Tasting, Specialty Dining, Photo Packages, Excursions, etc open for booking according to you Castaway Club Level
First-Time Guests = 75 days prior to sail date
Silver Castaway Club Member = 90 days prior to sail date
Gold Castaway Club Member =105 days prior to sail date
Platinum Castaway Club Member =120 days prior to sail date
Pearl Castaway Club Member =123 days prior to sail date
Concierge Guests = 130 days prior to sail date
- Online Check In is according to your Castaway Club Level
First-Time Guests = 30 days prior to sail date
Silver Castaway Club Member = 33 days prior to sail date
Gold Castaway Club Member =38 days prior to sail date
Platinum Castaway Club Member =40 days prior to sail date
Pearl Castaway Club Member = 40 days prior to sail date
Concierge Guests = 40 days prior to sail date
- Online Check In includes headshots, photo ID, contact details etc . Once you complete online check in you receive your Port Arrival Document by email and its on the App which gives your Port Arrival Time, Boarding Group Number, Muster Station , Room Number etc
- About 3 weeks before your cruise, you will receive luggage tags in the post. Do not worry if they do not arrive in time, they will be available at the port.
- On the morning of your cruise before you get to the ship, you will receive the Health Questionnaire by email and by push notification on your phone from the App. You need to complete this form before arriving at the cruise port.
At The Port
- You will need to show your Port Arrival Document multiple times before getting on the ship, so you can either print it out at home or add it to your digital wallet on your phone.
- Your Port Arrival Document has your Port Arrival Time. There is no point in going to the cruise port before your Port Arrival Time as you may not be allowed inside the building.
- There is no check in at the terminal, its all done in advance. At the port they will only check and verify your photo ID and confirm that you have competed all the online documents. If you have a Magic Band + they will activate it before getting on the ship.
- At the port before getting on to the ship you can log into Disney Guest Wi-Fi. The App will then change to the onboard version.
- All information about your MDR Restaurants and Dining Time, as well as all the daily planners, all the menus etc is now on the App.
- They will board the ship according to Boarding Group numbers on the Port Arrival Document.
On The Ship
- You will use your Port Arrival Document or Magicband + if you have one to scan onto the ship for the first time.
- Your Key To The World Card will be in a sealed envelope outside your room. Your Key To The World Card does not have your Dining Rotation information, that is now in the App.
- If you are Silver or above CastAway Club Members, your complimentary lanyards and Welcome Back gift or gifts will be in your room.
- There are no Daily Paper Planners left in the room each night. All the information that used to be on the paper planners is now located in the Disney Cruise App
- The Disney Cruise App is essential for everything once on the ship.
