Welcome aboard, Gwynne! It's almost time to set sail! Your suitcases must be open and halfway packed by now! If you haven't already been counting down the days, it's time to begin counting down the hours until you arrive at port and walk onto the Fantasy for the first time as the Cast Members announce your family name and applaud your arrival!
When you completed your online check-in, you would have been prompted to choose a
Port Arrival Time. That is the time that Disney expects you to arrive at Port Canaveral's Disney Cruise Line terminal. Once you go through security and make your way up the escalators, you'll check in at the terminal desks to let them know you've arrived. You will then be given your first Personal Navigator (the ship's schedule of daily activities) and a boarding number. If boarding hasn't yet begun (it normally begins around noon), find a spot to relax in the terminal, or hop in line for a photo with Mickey or Minnie by the ship model in the middle. They usually pop out throughout the day to greet guests and pose for photos. Once your boarding number is called, it'll be time to for your family to head onto the ship and enjoy the first of many great meals!
My kids love to wear their swimsuits under their clothes on embarkation day so we can grab lunch then head straight to the pool deck for swimming and their first of many rides on the AquaDuck. Sometimes we skip the sit down lunch and just go to the pool deck and grab lunch from the quick service spots there as the kids play. Embarkation day is so exciting! If you haven't already, be sure to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App before you arrive at port so you can access the maps, menus, activity schedule and more throughout the cruise.
Have a magical cruise, Gwynne!
Marcy