Ahoy there, Kristy!
Welcome back to planDisney! With your booking window now open and your very first Disney cruise just around the corner, the planning fun is officially underway. This is one of those moments that feels like the opening of Up—the music starts, the story begins to unfold, and you know you’re about to head off on an adventure you’ve been dreaming about.
Since you’re a first-time sailor, your activity booking window should now be open, and you can head into the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and tap on “My Plans.” From there, you’ll be able to book Port Adventures, premium dining, Senses Spa & Salon treatments, and select onboard activities. While some offerings are similar across ships, there are also experiences unique to certain ships or ship classes. For example,
Goofy’s Sports Deck is exclusive to the Dream and Fantasy, and my family always enjoys the digital sports simulators onboard. Those do require a reservation and an additional charge, so they’re a great thing to snag early if they’re on your must-do list.
Palo or Palo Steakhouse brunch is another favorite of ours and a fantastic adults-only experience if availability allows.
Now let’s talk about Online Check-In and
Port Arrival Time, since that’s another important piece of the puzzle. Your Online Check-In window will open 30 days before your sail date. When it does, head back into the Navigator app and select the Online Check-In link. Before you start, I always recommend having a few things ready: clear photos of
your travel documents, headshots for each person in your party, your onboard account payment method, and any flight or travel details. Having everything ready makes the process feel more like a smooth sail and less like battling the Kraken.
The Online Check-In process must be completed in order, so you won’t be able to skip ahead. Toward the end, you’ll be prompted to choose your Port Arrival Time. This is the time you’re allowed to arrive at the cruise terminal. Many Guests aim for the earliest available time, but the best choice is whatever fits your travel plans and stress level. Once check-in is complete, you’ll receive your Port Arrival Form, which works like your boarding pass and includes both your arrival time and boarding group. On embarkation day, boarding typically begins with the Family of the Day, followed by Concierge Guests, and then boarding groups starting with group one.
I hope this helps as you
map out your pre-cruise game plan. Taking a little time now to book favorites and prepare for check-in can make embarkation day feel like a victory lap instead of a scramble. Before you know it, you’ll be stepping onboard and thinking, “This is where the fun begins.”
Sea ya real soon as the adventure continues into a bright new year,
Dustin