Couple on Serenity Beach at Lookout Cay
  • On Mar 10, 2026
    Jannese from FL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    For cruises departing from ft Lauderdale, do the ships leave at 3:00pm or do they board at 3pm?

    Hi there, Jannese, and welcome to planDisney! Thanks for cruising to us with your question.

    It won't be long till you will be sailing away from Fort Lauderdale to begin your magical vacation at sea. To find the all-aboard time, log in to your Reservation on the Disney Cruise Line website or from the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Scroll down to see the Ports of Call. The first port listed will be your departure port, and the Onboard time will be listed. It's likely 3:00 p.m. (or sometime close to that in the afternoon). That's the time that all guests must be on board the ship. The ship will not officially sail away until after you have completed the Guest Safety Drill. In my experience, the ship usually sails away between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. You'll find the official sailing away deck party time listed in the Daily Activity Schedule, which you can access in the Navigator app once onboard. 

    The All-Aboard time is not the same as your Port Arrival time. When you complete your Online Check In, you will be able to select a Port Arrival time. This is the time you need to plan to arrive at the port to check in with your travel documentation. You will leave your bags with porters for delivery directly to your stateroom. If you are unable to complete the Online Check In, you'll be asked to arrive at the cruise terminal between 90 minutes and one hour before the All-Aboard time. 

    I hope this information clears up your question. To prepare for your Online Check In, gather your travel information, your desired form of payment, your identification documents, and a security photo for each guest in your sailing party. The photo needs to be taken from the shoulders up, against a plain background, and free from hats, glasses, or other accessories. 

    If you have additional questions, please return to planDisney to ask. My pals and I will be here for you. Have a wonderful cruise!

    Bon Voyage, 

    Adrianna
thumbnail image for Adrianna

Meet the Panelist: Adrianna, California

Welcome, fellow voyagers! Like my favorite bibliophile princess, I want adventure in the great wide somewhere! I’m a wife, a mom of two, and my favorite way to find adventure is on board the Disney Cruise Line. I’d love to help you and your sailing crew plan for your own adventures, filled with magic and memories that last a lifetime. Learn More About Adrianna

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