Ahoy, Susan! Welcome to planDisney and thanks for sailing over with your question about Disney Cruise Line.
As you know, Disney Cruise Line recognizes repeat guests like yourself with membership in the
Castaway Club, which provides exclusive benefits that are determined by your number of prior sailings. One of those benefits is the ability to complete your online check-in process earlier, including the selection of your
Port Arrival Time. That often means that the earliest Port Arrival Times are already taken by Castaway Club members before online check-in even opens for first-time cruisers.
Although I understand why you would want to use your earliest Port Arrival Time for your entire sailing party, it unfortunately doesn’t work that way. Disney Cruise Line views Castaway Club levels as being
stateroom specific, so the benefits only apply to guests staying in that particular stateroom rather than to the entire sailing party. The Port Arrival Form will list both your Port Arrival Time and boarding group number, but it also only includes the names of guests staying in your stateroom rather than everyone you may be traveling with. Ultimately, that means that your group would all need to use your latest Port Arrival Time if you want to step onboard together for the first time.
I know that is not the answer that you were hoping for, but I would rather you find out ahead of time and be able to adjust your travel plans. If you have any other questions before your group sets sail, then you are welcome back at planDisney any time. Happy sailing!
Catherine