Ahoy, Janet!
Welcome back to planDisney! As a Pearl
Castaway Club member, you’re practically Disney Cruise Line royalty—one step away from having your own enchanted tiara or Captain Mickey’s hat! I totally get wanting to be among the first to step aboard, hear your name echo through the atrium like a royal proclamation, and feel that first wave of Disney magic hit you like a warm Caribbean breeze.
Now, about that
Boarding Group mystery—it’s a little like navigating Neverland. I reached out to a helpful Cast Member at Disney Cruise Line, and they confirmed that, while Pearl Guests are among the first to board, the specific group number can vary depending on several factors. Concierge Guests always get the first call (after back-to-back cruisers and the Family of the Day), but after that, there are a few moving parts, including VIPs, Make-A-Wish families, wedding parties, and yes—those using Disney ground transfers. So, while Pearl members often receive Group 1 or 2, there’s no magic spell guaranteeing which one you’ll get on embarkation day.
Speaking from my own experience, I’m Platinum and still charting my course toward Pearl status, but I’ve definitely noticed the variability! On our recent sailing from
Port Everglades, Groups 1 and 2 were called together, while at
Port Canaveral, Group 1 boarded first, followed by Group 2. I always strike up conversations in the terminal, and I’ve met Pearl Guests who were in Group 1 on one cruise and Group 2 on another. So, while Pearl members are among the first to board, there’s no guaranteed number assignment—it’s all part of the ever-changing tides of embarkation day!
No matter which group you're in, one thing’s for sure—the second you step onto the ship, your Disney adventure officially begins! So whether you’re dashing to Cabanas (or Marceline Market) for those first-day eats, heading straight to the pool deck, or securing a prime spot at the bar for an embarkation day toast, you’ll be sailing into magic in no time.
Wishing you smooth seas, a sprinkle of pixie dust, and a boarding group that feels just right!
Sea ya real soon with love in the air and magic everywhere,
Dustin