Ahoy, David, and welcome to planDisney! I loved sailing out of
San Diego, and would be happy to share details to help you prepare for your trip.
First of all, you'll want to make sure to complete the online check-in, which you can do 30 days in advance (or a little earlier if you're a
Castaway Club member). You'll upload any necessary documents and select a Port Arrival Time. The time you select will be based on availability, so it's best to complete your online check-in as soon as you are able to.
You'll want to arrive at the terminal during your
Port Arrival Time. When I last sailed on the Disney Wonder out of San Diego, our arrival time was 12 p.m. I always like to get to the general area early to avoid any transportation-related issues, so my family arrived in Downtown San Diego around 10 a.m. We enjoyed a nice sit-down breakfast and strolled along the Embarcadero while we waited for our check-in time.
If you don't have a designated Port Arrival Time on embarkation day, I'd suggest arriving at the cruise terminal 60-90 minutes before the published All-Aboard time, which is when everyone needs to be on board the ship. That was 4:00 p.m. for our sailing, but it is subject to change – you should be able to find it in your cruise confirmation email.
The San Diego cruise terminal has an area to drop off tagged luggage. We were able to do that early, which made it easy to explore the nearby area for a while. There are dedicated lines with signs for each of the upcoming check-in times, and you should be able to line up once your time is posted. Inside the terminal, you'll complete the check-in process and wait until your group is called to board the ship!
Bring your Port Arrival Form and the identification documents you submitted during the online check-in, and make sure they aren't packed in your checked luggage. This is very important! It's also a good idea to review the list of
prohibited and restricted items to avoid any issues at the terminal. Keep a carry-on bag with essentials and other items you'll want while your checked luggage makes its way to your stateroom. The Disney Cruise Line website has a
handy packing list.
One of my favorite parts about embarkation day is the magical greeting from the crew as you board the ship. It's amazing! Grab lunch at
Cabanas and explore the ship until your stateroom is ready, and don't miss
Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party!
David, I hope this information helps your embarkation day go smoothly. If you think of any other questions, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Anchors aweigh,
Kriss