Welcome aboard, Melissa! You must have a magical sailing with Disney Cruise Line coming up soon! It's so exciting to plan the cruise, but once you arrive at the port, the real fun begins!
When you go to your
online check-in for your cruise (75 days prior to sailing for first time guests, 90 or more days prior to sailing for Castaway Club members who have sailed with Disney before), you'll get to select a port arrival time. That is when they'll be expecting you at the port, and it's done so that not all guests show up at the same time. It really makes the first day easy. Arrive at your scheduled time and check in at the desk. There you'll be given a boarding number. Then, just sit back, relax, watch a Disney cartoon on one of the TV's around the terminal, get a photo with Captain Mickey or Minnie when they pop out for meet and greets in the terminal and wait until your boarding number is called.
Technically, Disney says that boarding begins around noon, but each time we've arrived, if the ship is ready, they go ahead and begin boarding, so it can certainly begin earlier. The lowest boarding numbers are called first, so you may have to wait a bit until it's time for your family to board. You might want to bring some pre-packaged snacks for the kiddos to keep them busy, as well as an activity or two, in case you have a later boarding time. But, it shouldn't be too long and then you'll be walking into the ship's atrium lobby as the Cast Members announce your family name and applaud your arrival. There is no better way to begin your vacation at sea, Melissa! Happy planning!