Hi there, Shanelle!
Thank you for contacting planDisney. I am happy you sent your question to us! It looks like you are planning a fall cruise aboard the Disney Cruise Line. So exciting! I wonder if you are sailing on a
Very Merrytime Cruise. My planDisney class enjoyed a magical Very Merrytime Cruise last year, and we had an incredible time! There was a special tree lighting ceremony, plus Mickey and Minnie's Holiday Party was so sweet. We also liked getting photos with some of our favorite Disney Characters dressed in their holiday outfits.
Guests sailing on the Disney Cruise Line choose their
Port Arrival Time during the Online Check-In process. Your
Castaway Club membership level determines when you can complete your Online Check-In. Guests sailing on their first Disney Cruise can typically check in 30 days before their embarkation. Port Arrival Times vary, but the earliest time is typically around 11:00 a.m. in my experience (subject to change). Most Guests are eager to board the ship as early as possible (like me!). If this is you, try to complete your Online Check-In as soon as possible. Checking in at a later time may result in fewer Port Arrival Time choices. Guests generally should not arrive at the port until it is close to their Port Arrival Time, as Guests often have to wait outside the terminal until their scheduled time.
Make sure to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before your voyage! My kids love checking the cute countdown in the app that shows how many days until our next cruise. It also has many helpful features for your trip, including entertainment calendars,
rotational dining information, and Disney Character schedules. I also use the
Onboard Chat feature to communicate with my family members on the ship.
Shanelle, thank you again for reaching out to planDisney. Do not hesitate to contact us again if you have other questions!
Happy sailing!
Jen