Ahoy, Sajhia! Welcome to planDisney and congratulations on booking your first sailing with Disney Cruise Line. You are going to love experiencing Disney magic in a whole new way.
Once you have booked your cruise, there are two other dates that you will want to add to your calendar: when your advance booking window opens and when you can begin online check-in. Both of these dates can be found on the
Disney Cruise Line website by clicking on the “Already Booked” tab, selecting “My Reservations,” and looking at the “Cruise Details” page. Your advance booking window date will be listed in the box to the right that says “Cruise Activities” and to the left is the section that says “Online Check-In” with the other date that you need.
The
advance booking window is when you can start making reservations for certain onboard experiences after your cruise balance is paid in full. The exact date of your advance booking window is determined by your
Castaway Club membership level or status as a concierge guest. As a first-time guest, your advance booking window will open 75 days prior to your sail date, but the earliest advance booking window opens 130 days prior to sail date for concierge guests. Activities can be booked online or through the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App starting at midnight Eastern Time (EST) on the date your advance booking window opens. Keep in mind that you do not need to make any sort of advanced reservations for the vast majority of activities offered by Disney Cruise Line, including the Broadway-style shows and other entertainment offerings onboard. Advanced reservations are only available for certain activities, including: port adventures, adult-exclusive dining options, spa and fitness offerings, nursery time, and certain “onboard fun” activities, such as beverage tasting seminars, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointments, and a few special character events. The exact onboard activities vary by ship, sailing date, and are always subject to availability, which is why booking these particular options early is recommended.
The online check-in date is when you can begin the official check-in process for your sailing. This date matters because part of the check-in process includes selecting your Port Arrival Time, which is the 15-minute period (e.g., 11:30 AM-11:45 AM) when you and your party are designated to arrive at the cruise terminal. If you want to step aboard your Disney ship as soon as possible on embarkation day, then you will want to try to get the earliest Port Arrival Time available. For more information about the online check-in process, click
here.
Disney Cruise Line truly is where magic meets the sea and I cannot wait for you to experience everything onboard. If you have any other questions about your upcoming cruise, we are always here to help at planDisney. Happy sailing!
Catherine