Welcome aboard, Barbara! I'm so excited for you to set sail from New York on a cruise aboard the Disney Magic! It's my favorite of Disney's ships and you're on one of the fabulous
Halloween on the High Seas sailings which makes it even more magical!
Disney Cruise Line's boarding process begins around 11:30 or 12:00 on your embarkation day. Since the Magic will just be pulling in from another cruise that morning, guests from that sailing will be debarking that morning, so the port will be busy with them as they retrieve their luggage and head out. I wouldn't recommend arriving any earlier than 11:00 or so. You will choose a Port Arrival Time when you begin your
online check-in for your cruise, which as a first time sailer with Disney will begin 75 days prior to setting sail. There will be multiple arrival times to choose from. But, be aware that even if you arrive at the port early, you may have to wait some time after boarding begins until your number is called. We like to arrive right around 12:00, as by then, the early arrival lines have died down and some guests with early boarding will have already headed onto the ship. We then don't have to sit around the port terminal with our kids so long before we board.
There will be porters to take your luggage before you head into the port terminal. You'll then take your carry-on bags with you and head through security and into the terminal to then check in for your cruise. It is then that you'll receive your boarding number and your first Personal Navigator which lists the days activities and events.
I hope those details help as you continue planning, Barbara!
Happy sailing!
Marcy