Ahoy there, Hiu Yim,
Thank you for your warm welcome to Australia! And now, allow me to heartily welcome you aboard planDisney!
How exciting it is that your daughter will have the opportunity to celebrate her birthday aboard the
Disney Wonder on a magical
Disney Cruise Line holiday! I have celebrated a birthday and many birthdays of my friends aboard a Disney Cruise. In fact, we celebrated aboard the Disney Wonder. Your daughter is going to enjoy every minute of it.
Hiu Yim, your Port Arrival time, which is the time at which you arrive at the
Cruise Terminal before boarding the ship, depends on the time you can secure during the online check-in process. Your online check-in date depends on your
Castaway Club membership status. If this is your first time sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line, you will check in 30 days prior to your departure date beginning at midnight (EST). Remember to factor in the EST time zone as you plan for the exciting check-in day.
To expedite the process, I recommend that you read all the
check-in details and gather the required documents, credit card information and photographs for each family member in advance.
On the day of check-in,
sign into the Disney Cruise Line Website and select "Already Booked" and then "Online Check-In" or sign into the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App and select “Begin Online Check-In” and follow the prompts. Once you’ve completed the essential information, you will be able to select a Port Arrival Time. The times that are displayed will be the times available, so I quickly select the earliest one I see. Typically, the earliest arrival time is 11:00 a.m. local time, but the actual time you can secure may be much later than that.
No matter what time you board, you can immediately begin enjoying
amenities including the pools, dining services and more. Your stateroom may not be ready when you board, so remember to pack swimsuits and sunscreen in your carry-on bag if you want to enjoy the pool when you board.
You will be happy to know that yes, any
birthday décor you purchase is yours to keep! I love how you can take those items home as souvenirs of a wonder-filled birthday celebration vacation. I can’t wait for your daughter to see them in your stateroom. And don't forget to let your
Rotational Dining servers know that she is celebrating a birthday!
I hope this helps you prepare for your holiday, Hiu Yim. If you have other questions, please sail back by and see us; we love to help other Guests make the most of their Disney vacation experiences.
Wishing you magical memories,
Shannon