Welcome back, Cailyn! When the day finally arrives for you to begin your online check-in, you'll not only get to fill out all of your cruise forms and choose some extra activities like Character Greetings and Port Adventures, but you'll also get to choose from the available
Port Arrival Times. This is the time that Disney Cruise Line expects to check you in at port, however it is not your boarding time.
Once you arrive, send your luggage aboard, and make your way through security, you'll then check in at the port terminal and be given a boarding number. If you arrive earlier than your scheduled Port Arrival Time, you may need to wait longer until your boarding number is called. But, then, it'll be time to make your way onto the ship, through that beautiful Atrium, as you and I talked about in your previous question, and begin your magical adventure!
Once onboard, you can head straight to the pools, as they will be open. My kids love to wear the swim suits under their clothes, so they can hit the pools right away, and grab a quick bite to eat on the pool deck. The
Youth Clubs will be open through just before the lifeboat drill, for Open House hours, where parents get to stay and visit the clubs with their children. However, secured programming when parents drop their kids off for activities with the Youth Counselors will not begin until later in the day. Then, after the lifeboat drill, it's time to head up on deck (pools will be closed at this point) for the
Sail Away Celebration! Singing and dancing with Mickey and his crew, with a fruity cocktail in hand, signals that it's time to escape from the world for a bit!
Have fun planning!
Marcy