What is the minimum I need to receive a port arrival time?

[Cbardwell]

Do I need to fill in all of the check in information in order to receive my port arrival time? I am a first time Disney cruiser so I am clueless to how all of this works. We are going on the 15 night Transatlantic cruise in May and my booking window opened last night. I was on at 12:00 and wasn't able to get any of the excursions that I wanted. I wasn't even able to get any of the character meet and greets/breakfasts. I realize I will be able to see the characters throughout the ship but I was hoping to avoid the lines. Is this normal? It seems crazy that there isn't any availability any time during a 15 day period. Frustrated rookie here. Thanks for your help.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You must "fill in" all of the check-in info in order to get a PAT, but it doesn't all have to be finalized. For instance, if you don't know your hotel info, flight info, credit card numbers, etc. that is OK. Just be sure to go back later and put in the correct info.

As for the Meet and Greets, etc. Keep in mind that returning cruisers got to book things earlier than you, so that is why some things may already be full even though your sign-up window just opened.

But all is not lost, Many people cancel or change their plans so keep checking back and you might get in. Likewise, if you can't book for your whole party, book for a smaller number and see if that goes through, then if it does, you can add more people to that time slot as available. We did this for one excursion. We started out with 5 slots and eventually got all 9 of our party in.

Good luck. Oh, and even with a scheduled time, there will still be lines, but they will be shorter, and in the case of the Princesses, you will get to see more than one Princess in the same line.

 

[dragynally]

You can also still book princess meets and a few other things once on board.