disney cruise boarding group 12

Disney Cruise Boarding Groups and Embarkation Day Guide

There are few things more exciting than waking up on the morning of embarkation day . The Disney Cruise countdown has finally reached the big day, and you’re feeling both thrilled and stressed at the same time!

But don’t worry, my family and I have navigated through many embarkation days throughout the years. My guide below will walk you through everything you need to know about embarking on your Disney cruise ship.

We’ll cover everything from port arrival to boarding group times to how the embarkation process works. Plus, I’ll provide a list of everything you need to know before boarding the ship, including what you need to pack in your day bag !

(This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.)

Cruise Terminal

If you are new to cruising, you may be hearing some unfamiliar terms during the planning process. One of those terms may even be the word embarkation .

Embarkation Day is the first day that you board the cruise ship to set sail on your much anticipated vacation. The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App even has a fun countdown to your specific cruise’s embarkation day, which makes it even more exciting!

Disney Cruise Navigator App countdown screen

This is one of my favorite features of the app before boarding the cruise ship. Even though embarkation day is an incredibly exciting time, it can also be quite stressful , especially if you aren’t sure what to expect.

Before discussing the time that you need to arrive at the terminal on embarkation day, I want to first talk about how you can get to the port . There are many different ways you could choose to arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal:

motor coach
DCL Transportation

My family finds Disney Cruise Line ground transportation to be the easiest method to get to the terminal, especially since we travel with our small kids. We prefer the DCL motor coaches because they handle our luggage, and they don’t require car seats for our toddler and six-year-old.

This allows for a much easier experience of getting through the airports with two little ones. We have used the Disney Cruise Line transfers in both Port Canaveral and Miami , and I highly recommend them for ease of use and peace of mind.

Port Arrival Time

The Disney Cruise Line terminals open their doors at different times depending on the port where you are embarking. The typical time the terminal opens is at 11:00 am. This means that, depending on your port, you will probably find that the earliest Port Arrival Time is at 11:00 .

Regardless of when your cruise terminal opens its doors, you should plan your arrival based on your Port Arrival Time and not on the time the doors open.

So, how do you get a Port Arrival Time?

During the Disney cruise online check-in process , you should have chosen a time that you would like to arrive at the port. The reason that you should arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal during your Port Arrival Time is that Disney will give you a boarding number BASED ON this selected time .

So, let’s say you chose a Port Arrival Time (PAT) of 1:00. If you show up at the terminal early at 11:00, Disney still has you down for a 1:00 arrival. This means that you will NOT receive a boarding number for a low group like Boarding Group #2. Instead, Disney Cruise Line will give you a boarding number based on your PAT of 1:00.

Disney Cruise Line Terminal Port Canaveral

You may receive Boarding Group #15 even though you arrived at 11:00. This would mean a lot of waiting in the cruise terminal until your boarding group number gets called. So, the important thing to remember is to arrive at the terminal based on your Port Arrival Time and NOT at the time that the doors open.

Now, if you book Disney Cruise Line ground transfers through Disney, you will not need a Port Arrival Time . If this is the case, you will arrive at the port whenever your Disney motor coach drops you off. DCL will issue you a boarding group number based on your drop off time.

Embarkation Day Check-in Process

After you arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal and give your bags to a porter (don’t forget to tip), you will be guided to the main entrance of the building. At both Port Canaveral and Port of Miami, you will immediately go through security as you enter the building.

Health Questionaire

Disney Cruise Line guests used to fill out a health form at the terminal once they were past security. However, at the time of this writing, you can now answer the questions on your phone the morning of the cruise. We like to complete this task on our ride to the terminal .

The security process is very similar to the one at the airport. You will be asked to present your:

Port Arrival Form
Identification documents

Note that you don’t have to print the Port Arrival Form since it can be scanned on your phone. However, we find it helpful to carry a paper copy with us on embarkation day.

You then put your carry-on bags on a conveyor belt to go through an X-ray machine just like at the airport. On our most recent cruise out of Miami, we were permitted to leave on our shoes as we walked through the metal detector. However, we did put all metal and electronics in a bin to go through the X-ray machine with our bags.

Once you go through security with your family, you will be directed up to the main check-in area at the terminal. Make sure you notice the different lines available .

There is a line for first time cruisers, a line for Castaway Club members, and a line for Concierge guests. So, be sure to stand in the correct one. Even though the cruise terminal may seem to have long lines of people, the Disney crew members move you through the lines quickly.

They will have multiple check-in counters available. The whole process for security and check in usually only takes us about 15 minutes .

When you are at the check-in counter, you will show your Port Arrival Form and your identification documents again. They will make sure your documents match the information and the selfie style photo you submitted during online checkin.

Once you have completed check-in, you will wait in the terminal until your boarding group number is called.

Boarding Group Times

If you are wondering what time Disney cruise boarding usually starts, it can depend. However, it has been our experience that Disney usually starts calling boarding numbers at around 11:30 .

Disney Characters

While you’re waiting in the terminal for the boarding process to start, it’s a good time to look over the Disney Cruise Navigator App and activity options. Depending on where you are embarking, Disney Cruise Line may even have characters in the terminal for you to meet while waiting to board!

Boarding Group Numbers

Once boarding begins, you will hear group numbers called out in the terminal. They will start with Group 1, which is for Concierge and platinum guests. They will then continue in numerical order until everyone is on the ship.

Usually only 5-10 minutes goes by between each group number. Each boarding group contains (what seems like) hundreds of people, so there will be a line. Luckily, it moves quickly and you’ll be onboard in no time!

What to Do after Boarding

Once you have made your way onto the Disney ship, you may be wondering what to do after boarding. Depending on the time you step foot on the ship, you will probably want to grab lunch. Below, we will discuss our favorite embarkation day lunch spots along with other activities we complete soon after boarding.

Embarkation Day Lunch

Each of the Disney ships offers a sit-down meal for lunch in a main dining room . This is a good option for those who would like to be seated and served by a cast member.

Since my family and I tend to head straight to the pool deck after boarding, I usually grab a table for us all to sit near the pools. Then, we get food from one of the quick service windows near the pool.

These dining options are super kid friendly with entrees like hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, and pizza. There are usually healthier options like salads and wraps available too.

My husband loves the buffet restaurant , so he will typically get his food there and carry it to our table on the pool deck.

After eating lunch, I usually have a few house keeping items on my list to complete. One of the first places I visit is Guest Services for a stroller.

We like to borrow a stroller for our toddler to use during the cruise even though we don’t use it a ton on the ship because the hallways are so narrow. Additionally, the elevators can get really busy, so we often use the stairs, which obviously are not stroller friendly.

Still, the stroller comes in handy during nap times on the go and when you get off the ship in port. To borrow a stroller, you just visit Guest Services where they will put a temporary charge on your account. I think it’s around $250 .

picture of Disney Magic atrium decorated for Christmas

Once you return the stroller at the end of your cruise, they will remove the charge from your account. I particularly like having the stroller when our toddler wakes early in the morning.

It’s nice to be able to stroll around Deck 4 while my older daughter and husband sleep in the room. We also take the stroller onto Castaway Cay with us. This makes it easy for my toddler to take her nap without the rest of us having to go back to the ship. The stroller that Disney Cruise Line has available on board is the City Mini Baby Jogger.

Strollers, wagons, and beach wheelchairs are available on Castaway Cay!

It has a storage area underneath that is super accessible. It also features a huge canopy with windows to keep your baby shaded. There is a handle on the seat of the City Mini that you simply lift to make the whole stroller fold up like a suitcase. You can store the stroller in your room under the bed or even in the closet .

Staterooms on the ship usually open at around 1:30 ; although, this time may be different on your sailing. If you have booked a concierge level room, your stateroom should be ready earlier than this as ours was open right after boarding.

I usually head to the room right at 1:30 to put our toddler down for a nap. As she’s napping, I organize our things in the room as much as I can. The stateroom host typically starts delivering luggage at this time .

I’ve also heard a lot of families like to order a cheese plate or snack from room service after getting into their rooms. I try to get as much as possible unpacked during this time if our bags have arrived.

Key to the World Cards

Key to the World Cards are now placed outside your stateroom door rather than handed to you at check in at the cruise terminal. For more information on these really important items, we highly suggest checking out our Ultimate Guide to Key to the World Cards .

DisneyBand+

I’m adding information about the DisneyBand+ here since we just talked about the Key to the World Cards. That being said, since you can use the DisneyBand+ during your port arrival and check-in process, we suggest purchasing your DisneyBand+ before your cruise .

You will still receive Key to the World Cards outside your stateroom as these must be used when leaving and re-entering the ship. However, the DisneyBand+ can take the place of the Key to the World Cards while on the ship since you can use the band to open your door and make charges to your account.

This is similar to Magic Bands at WDW. You can find more information on the ships and sailings where the DisneyBand+ is available here .

Muster Drill

At around 3:30, the captain will start making announcements about the upcoming Muster Drill. You can look on your Key to the World card or in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see which station you need to report to for this mandatory procedure.

For the drill, you will be asked to line up with your travel party from shortest to tallest . You stand shoulder to shoulder with the cruisers on each side of you. The Disney Cruise Line staff will then give you information on their emergency procedures. Once it begins, the muster drill only lasts about 15 minutes or so .

Sail Away Party

After the Muster Drill, most cruisers head to the pool deck to attend the Sail Away Party. We like to stand by the balcony above the pool deck to look down on the party.

However, if you stand on the deck near the stage, you have a chance of greeting the characters as they walk out into the crowd. The Sail Away parties are a great way to get even more pumped up about the cruise! Cast members and characters spend about 30 minutes dancing to fun songs and telling you about some of the fun activities planned for your trip.

Carry On Bag

As mentioned above, before you enter the cruise terminal, the porters will take your luggage from you. Even though it has been my experience that luggage tends to arrive to the stateroom by 4:30, this is not guaranteed.

Sometimes your bags may not be delivered to your stateroom until later that evening AFTER dinner . Because of this, you will probably want to pack an embarkation bag to carry on to the cruise ship with you.

I prefer to use a backpack as our embarkation bag because it’s easy to carry while still allowing full use of my arms. This is the backpack I use as a diaper bag, airport carry-on, and embarkation bag all in one! (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Packing List

The official Disney Cruise Line website provides a small packing list for your embarkation day bag. You can find their suggested list here. I have expanded on the DCL list, and these are the items I typically pack in my embarkation bag:

lanyards- to hold your Key to the World cards
reef safe sunscreen – We like Blue Lizard . (Amazon Affiliate Link)
gallon zip lock bag- to hold wet swimsuits
change of clothes for dinner (more on this below)
prescription medications
seasickness remedies – We use seasickness bands . (Amazon Affiliate Link)
chargers for electronic devices
identification (passports/birth certificates)
Port Arrival Form (that you printed after online check-in)
dollar bills- to tip driver and porters

If you have a baby or a toddler like I do, you will want to make sure to carry on your child’s diaper bag with baby essentials. This includes enough diapers and wipes to get you through the day. Also, don’t forget to pack a couple swim diapers for the toddler splash area!

What to Wear on Embarkation Day

Deciding which outfits to pack for your family can be a tedious process, especially if you aren’t totally sure what to expect at your destination. When I am planning outfits for embarkation day, I first take into account the weather.

We typically cruise in warmer climates, so that is what I will mostly focus on here. Obviously if you are going on an Alaskan cruise, your Disney cruise embarkation day outfit would look a whole lot different than mine!

Disney Cruise Outfits for Kids

Once I have a good idea of what the weather will be like on embarkation day, I determine the activities that my family will most likely be doing once we board the ship.

My kids love to swim, and they are usually most excited to experience the cruise ship’s pools and water play areas. Because of this, I dress both of my kids in their swimsuits so that they don’t have to waste time changing on board.

My toddler is still in diapers, so I like to put her in a swimsuit that still allows for easy diaper changes. We tend to dress her in a swimsuit that has separate bottoms or that has a bottom that snaps. This way we have easy access to diaper changes in the terminal and onboard.

I usually have my girls wear comfortable dresses over their swimsuits with flip flops or water shoes on their feet. This makes it easy for them to get undressed.

I also find it much easier to keep up with one dress per child as opposed to shirts AND shorts. You could even let your kids wear their swimsuit coverup to board the ship. We always see lots of kids doing this on embarkation day.

↓↓ Visit My Etsy Shop ↓↓

I created a Disney Cruise Planner and Packing Guide (pictured above) that makes it super easy to plan your outfits for each day of your cruise. If you are interested, you can check it out in my Etsy shop above!

Disney Cruise Outfits for Adults

Since we usually spend our time on the pool deck after boarding the ship, my husband and I typically wear clothes appropriate for hot weather. My husband usually dresses in shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals. I tend to wear shorts with a T-shirt or a sundress with sandals.

I don’t wear my swimsuit under my clothes because I usually don’t swim on embarkation day. Instead, we let our older daughter swim while one of us sits on the side of the pool to watch her.

The other adult usually goes to the toddler water play area with our younger daughter. I like to wear flip flops or sandals for boarding so that I can easily slip them on and off on the pool deck.

Disney Cruise Dinner Outfit

Regardless of what you choose to wear on embarkation day, know that it’s a super casual day. Even dinner that first night of the cruise is a really casual experience .

As mentioned above, I make sure to pack our dinner outfits in our carry-on bag in case our main luggage does not arrive in time. However, we typically just wear our embarkation clothes to dinner.

After swimming, my girls will take off their swimsuits and put on the dresses they wore while boarding. (Don’t forget to pack underwear for the kids to put on too!)

I typically find the dining rooms cold on the ships, so I make sure to have light cardigans/jackets in our embarkation bag for each of us. My husband usually doesn’t change for dinner on embarkation day.

He just wears the same shirt and shorts from boarding. Since I tend to get cold in the evenings, I put a pair of jeans or leggings in the day bag as well. I change into these after the Sail Away party.

Disney Cruise Concierge Embarkation Lunch and Perks

On a recent Disney Cruise Line vacation, may family and I were able to upgrade at the port to the Concierge Level. If you are sailing in the Concierge Level with Disney Cruise Line, you will receive some special benefits on embarkation day. These are the Concierge perks that were available for us on embarkation day:

Priority Boarding – Concierge guests are permitted to board the Disney cruise ship in Boarding Group 1 . This means that as soon as boarding becomes available, you will be escorted onto the ship.
Private Embarkation Lunch – Concierge guests are able to attend a sit-down lunch on embarkation day in one of the ship’s main dining rooms. You will be served food and complimentary beverages (including alcoholic drinks) at this lunch. You will also meet your Concierge Team at this time.
Stateroom – Concierge guests get early access to their staterooms on embarkation day. Instead of waiting for rooms to open at 1:30, we were able to go directly to our room after boarding and enjoying our lunch.
Concierge Team – Your Concierge Team will make notes of your special requests at your embarkation day lunch. You can request a stroller, dinner reservations, or virtually anything you can think of without having to stand in line at Guest Services.

Now You’re Sailing!

Embarkation day is such an exciting time for your whole family! Hopefully this post has helped you feel prepared for your fun-filled day.

All the worries and stress that you feel pre-cruise magically seem to go away as soon as you climb onboard the Disney cruise ship. Just do your best to pack and plan for embarkation day, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself once onboard.

The embarkation day lunch, fun pool deck, and helpful cast members will have you feeling like you’re on a luxurious vacation in no time!

Disney Cruise ship with text overlay Embarkation Day Tips for Your Disney Cruise

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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My husband and I have been on 20 cruises, but the Disney Dream in February 2023 will be a first for us. We usually carry our luggage ourselves on RCL and Carnival. Is that allowed on the Dream?

I’m so excited to hear that you will be sailing on the Disney Dream! You and your husband are going to love the ship so much! I believe you are curious about whether or not you can carry on your luggage on boarding day. Disney Cruise Line will allow you to carry your own luggage onboard as long as it fits through the security machines. The DCL security machines look very similar to those used by Royal Caribbean and the airport. (I would assume Carnival also uses the same type of machine, but I have not sailed with them.) So, as long as your bags are the typical carry-on size and NOT huge suitcases, you should be fine. Hope that helps! Have a wonderful trip!

Disney Cruise Embarkation – Tips Tricks and Hacks

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The first day of your Disney cruise is incredibly exciting. Embarkation is one of the best parts of any Disney cruise.

However, a lot of guests are confused as to a number of things that will happen on their first day or embarkation day.

Here we will make sure that you know everything you need to know about your first day, so you can make the maximum use of the time you have onboard!

Your port arrival time is important. Usually, these times range from 11 am until 1.30.

This will determine which Group Boarding Number you get when you arrive at the port.

Concierge Guests always get the earliest possible boarding time, so they will be the first to board. If you are sailing in a Concierge stateroom you will have a Group 1 boarding number.

Many Cruise Ports, including Port Canaveral, have their own Concierge Lounge where you can wait before you board.

Groups 2 and 3 are the ones with the early boarding times on Check-In.

Later boarding times follow in order.

Many guests find Port Arrival Time confusing.

As a general rule do not arrive any more than 15 minutes prior to your port arrival time.

I completely get that you want to just get on the ship and start your magical cruise, but if you arrive early you may not be allowed to enter the port.

This does depend upon which port you are cruising from, but mostly even if you are allowed in the port to check in, you will still have a while to wait.

Disney and other cruise companies stagger port arrival times so that not everyone arrives at once.

The important thing to understand is that Port Arrival Time is related to your Boarding Number.

Usually, these range from Groups 1 to 30. The later your Port Arrival Time the higher your boarding number will be. So the later you will get on the ship.

So, if you have a later Port Arrival Time and arrive early what this means is that you will be waiting in the terminal building for a while until your number is called.

Or it may even be at certain ports, such as San Diego, that you have to wait outside the terminal.

There is no way to jump the line by arriving early!

The only exception to this is Concierge.

They do not have a Port Arrival Time as they will always be in Groups 1 and 2 for Boarding.

Disney Cruise Luggage Tags

You will be sent your luggage tags in the mail.

Make sure that they are securely placed on all the bags that you want to check-in.

If you forget to do this or you haven’t received your Disney luggage tags on time, it is fine.

They will have labels at the port for you, but it is much quicker if these are already on your bags and ready to go.

Arriving at the Disney Cruise Port

Always make sure that you arrive in good time at your Disney Cruise port. A cruise does not wait for you – if you are late you could be watching it sail into the distance!

If you are sailing out of Port Canavera l you will go through the security and x-ray machines on the first floor. You will already have given your checked luggage to the porters.

If you have a Disney Cruise Transfer your luggage will already have been checked in for you.

The next time you see your checked luggage will be when it is delivered to your stateroom, which is usually in the early afternoon.

Always make sure that you have important documents and items such as your passport and any medications with you in your carry-on luggage.

Obviously, you will need your required ID items for the check-in desk.

Once you have cleared security in Port Canaveral you will go up to the second level.

You will have your Cruise Documents which shows your port arrival time and boarding number.

Concierge guests have priority. If you have an early check-in time you will have a lower number and be able to board more quickly.

It is essential that you have the correct ID. If you do not, you will not be allowed to board.

Check with your Travel Agent or directly with Disney Cruise Lines for the ID requirements for your cruise.

It does happen that guests are left behind as they have not brought the correct ID with them. Don’t let that be you!

Register with the Disney Kids Clubs

You are able to fill out all the paperwork online for the kid’s clubs for your children aged 3 to 12.

You can also do this online prior to your cruise.

This will include your child’s details, any allergies, who is authorized to pick them up from the club, and a password that they will use.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done this prior to boarding, but it does save you some time.

You can do this at the kid’s clubs when you are on board the ship.

However, if you have time you should do it right now. There isn’t much else to do while you wait!

Waiting To Board the Disney Ship

If you arrive early in the morning at Port Canaveral you are likely to be there will a lot of fellow guests waiting to get on board the ship.

Do not arrive earlier than your Port Arrival Time hoping they will let you enter the port building anyway. They won’t.

The ships usually start to board at around 11.30 am. in Port Canaveral.

The boarding process is usually quick.

As soon as your number is called you can get into the line. You will go through the Mickey Ears and begin your walk to the ship.

Your Key To The World will be swiped and you will be welcomed on board.

Should you get a Disney Cruise Embarkation Photo?

Usually in the port, before you embark on your cruise Minnie Mouse will be there ready for you to have your photograph taken with her. Sometimes Mickey is with her too.

The lines are usually long, but if you know you have the time it’s a nice thing to have. Once you start the boarding process there will be another photo opportunity before you actually get on the ship.

If you want to save time you can skip the line. You will get on the ship slightly early, but miss out on the boarding photo opportunity .

Boarding Your Disney Cruise

The time has finally arrived! You are about to step onto your Disney ship!

A Cast Member at the door will ask you for your family name.

This will be announced over the microphone so that the whole lobby can hear.

You will be welcomed on board to the sound of applause from the assembled Cast Members in the lobby. If this all sounds a bit cheesy to you, then it most definitely is. However, it is a whole lot of fun!

Do You Need to Visit Disney Cruise Guest Services?

When you board you will probably already see a line at Guest Services. Do you need to join it?

You will if you want tickets for special character greetings such as The Royal Gathering.

Also, if you want to check to sign up for other activities such as Wine Tasting , or other special things which are not available online.

You can even put your name down for one of those coveted Castaway Cay Cabanas – it isn’t very likely, but there may be a cancellation and you will get lucky!

Disney Cruise Dining Reservations and Times

If you want to change your dining time or request a certain table now is your chance.

Look at your Personal Navigator to see where on the ship the dining staff will be stationed to help you with this.

You can also make reservations at Palo and Remy and check to see if there are any Wine Tasting or Mixology Classes still available.

Disney Cruise Embarkation Lunch

You will definitely never be hungry on a Disney Cruise – the eating starts as soon as you board. The buffet and one of the rotational dining restaurants will both be serving food.

The selection will be larger in the buffet, but it can sometimes be fun to go to the restaurant as it is likely to be less crowded.

Whichever option you choose, there will be plenty of food available.

For a complete guide to Disney Food including lots of pictures Click Here .

A Cast Member will be there to direct you where to go.

They usually direct you to the buffet rather than the restaurant, so ask if you want to dine in a rotational restaurant.

Disney Cruise Embarkation Lunch Menu

If you choose to have the Disney cruise embarkation lunch in one of the restaurants, there is a set menu for you to choose from.

If you are sailing with Disney Cruise Concierge there is a separate lunch menu which is served in one of the rotational dining restaurants.

You can see much more information here about the Disney Cruise Embarkation Lunch options.

Explore the Disney Ship

This is a great time to start learning your way around and to begin exploring the ship. Cast Members lead tours of the ship which can be really useful for finding out about the major features of your Disney ship.

See your Disney Cruise Navigators to check the time of these tours.

The spa and the kid’s clubs are Open Houses until early evening so that you can take the chance to explore.

Disney Cruise Boarding Check List

Check-in online
Get to the port in good time
Register for the Kids Clubs
Decide Whether To Do The Picture
Board Your Disney Cruise!
Go to Guest Services

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

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Disney Cruise Embarkation and Disembarkation Tips For Port Canaveral

When I was preparing for our first Disney Cruise I was most nervous about the Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation procedures. I had never done a cruise before, and the information I found was extremely confusing. Now I realize that the Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation procedures are overall very easy, but minor mistakes can turn into big problems. Find out what the Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation process is like at Port Canaveral and our tips for making your Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation days easy.

Disney Cruise Embarkation Day

Learn about the Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation process and our tips for making your Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation days easy. #disneycruise #disneyvacation #disneycruiseline #disneycruisetips

The day has finally come for you to set sail on your Disney cruise. Before walking onto your Disney Cruise Line ship at Port Canaveral you must complete several steps.

Check Your Luggage

You cannot carry all of your luggage on board with you on embarkation day. Staterooms, which are your home for the duration of the cruise, are not usually ready until late in the afternoon. If you used Disney Cruise Line transportation, and left your bags properly tagged outside of your Disney World resort room, these bags will magically show up outside your stateroom door.

If you have driven yourself, or taken a car service like Tiffany Towncar, you will need to check your properly tagged luggage. A porter at the port will collect your luggage before you head to the security line.

Please note the porters do not work for Disney Cruise Line, and tipping is customary when you hand off your bags.

Pro tip: Check pricing for private car service to Port Canaveral. Many times using a company like Tiffany Towncar will cost the same as using Disney Cruise Line transportation, but the Tiffany Towncar service is more convenient and pleasant than taking the coach buses.

Regardless of how you get to the port it is very important that you have all essential items for the day with you. All checked luggage is inaccessible for several hours.

Passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, medications, valuables, and other essential items should be packed in your embarkation day bag.

Check this article for Disney Cruise vacation packing tips and what to pack in your embarkation day bag.

Get Pre-Boarding COVID Test

Starting in June 2022 Disney Cruise Line updated their pre-cruise COVID testing requirements . In the US and Canada, vaccinated guests must still take a pre-cruise COVID test, but the specific rules have changed.

Instead of mandating testing be done immediately prior to boarding, Disney now accepts negative results of certain tests taken no more than 2 days before embarkation. These negative results must be uploaded to Safe Passage before midnight the day before embarkation.

All testing for vaccinated guests is now at the guest’s expense. For kids under 5 years old they must still pretest 3 days before the cruise at your expense and once again at the port at no charge.

Port test results can take up to 60 minutes. Plan ahead and make sure to pack snacks, drinks, and entertainment to help pass the time while waiting. For the most up to date information consult the Disney Cruise Line website .

Go Through Security Screening

At Port Canaveral there is U.S. airport style screening to enter the port. All bags go through a screening machine. Every person entering the port also passes through a metal detector. This process generally moves quickly with our usual wait time under 15 minutes.

Check-in For Your Cruise

After security it is time to get in line for Disney Cruise Line check-in. Most of your check-in process is completed online in advance of your trip. Having most forms completed online makes the embarkation day process move quickly.

While you wait, staff will provide you a health questionnaire. Complete this questionnaire prior to reaching the check-in desk. Sometimes pens are scarce so it is helpful to have your own.

Once you reach the check-in desk a cast member will pull up your reservation information. They will then ask to see your driver’s license, passport or other items that can be used in lieu of a passport. Find out more about documentation requirements for Disney Cruise Line here .

The cast member will review your travel health questionnaire and then take a photo of each member of the group to associate with your on-board account. After this check-in is complete, the cast member will give you a Key To The World Card and boarding group number.

It is very important to keep track of your Key To The World card. Your Key To The World Card is needed for almost everything on your Disney Cruise Line vacation.

Wait For Your Boarding Group

The boarding process is more streamlined now with guests arriving at pre-selected arrival times. This means you should be able to board the ship quickly after screening unlike before when you may have a long wait in the terminal before boarding.

Once your boarding group number is called you enter the gangway to board the Disney Cruise Line ship. Photographers with a background screen of a Disney Cruise ship will take your photo on the way through the gangway.

Please note this character experience may be modified or absent right now. If you have a little time until your boarding group is called you can start the fun by meeting Disney characters in the port lobby. Find out more about meeting Disney characters on a cruise here.

Board Your Disney Cruise Ship

As you approach the doors of the Disney Cruise Line ship a cast member will ask your family name. When it is your turn to enter the ship a cast member introduces you and the staff applaud as you finally enter the cruise ship.

You have now completed your Disney Cruise embarkation, but there is more to do on this first day. Grab something to eat, explore the ship, or go for a swim while you wait for your room to be ready.

Before leaving dock there is a mandatory safety drill everyone must attend. After that it is time for the Sail Away Party and for your vacation fun to begin.

Disney Cruise Disembarkation Day

The process for Disney Cruise disembarkation begins the night before you depart and continues into the morning of disembarkation.

Place Luggage Outside Your Stateroom The Night Before

On the evening of your last night on a Disney Cruise your stateroom attendant will place luggage tags and a special paper detailing the Disney Cruise disembarkation process on your bed.

Disney Cruise disembarkation day can be very chaotic. Embarkation is scattered over a longer time whereas disembarking happens around the same time for everyone. Elevators are crowded, and it can be difficult to carry heavy luggage down many flights of steps.

To avoid the challenge of lugging large suitcases on your Disney Cruise disembarkation day you can choose to use special tags and place bags outside of your stateroom the night before disembarking. Your stateroom attendant will load the luggage, and porters will have it ready to pick up outside the ship.

It is important that you keep everything you need for your last night and the next morning with you. The luggage you leave outside the stateroom will be unavailable until after you disembark the Disney cruise ship.

We usually pack everything except pajamas, clothes and shoes for the next day, medications, toiletries, jewelry, passports or other important documents. Then on Disney Cruise disembarkation day we pack all of our remaining items in a carry-on suitcase and our personal items like a backpack or purse.

Disembarkation Day Breakfast

The Disney Cruise Line disembarkation day starts early. If you had first seating for dinner your scheduled breakfast time is 6:45 am. If you are the second dinner seating then breakfast is usually at 8:00 am.

Both of these times can be rather early. This is especially true when you consider everyone needs to be up, dressed, and fully packed prior to going to breakfast. We have done a sit-down disembarkation day breakfast and also done continental style breakfast in our room for disembarkation day.

Eating something quick in the room and then disembarking the ship while others are at breakfast is much easier. Room service is not available on Disney cruise disembarkation day, so plan ahead. Order complimentary room service the day before your Disney Cruise disembarkation day. We’ve found the best breakfast supplies are fruit, cereal, and milk.

Exiting The Ship

If you have a quick breakfast in your stateroom prior to disembarking your Disney cruise, exiting the ship is likely to be easier. You can time your exit to occur while others are at breakfast. Right after each breakfast group finishes is the worst time to try and exit the ship.

One time when we went to the disembarkation breakfast we had to wait over 20 minutes in line just to exit the ship’s lobby onto the gangway. The line on the gangway took even longer.

Each passenger is scanned out with their Key To The World Card when disembarking a Disney cruise. Many people leave their Key To The World Card in their stateroom and then have difficulty disembarking. Keep your Key To The World Card with you at all times even on Disney cruise disembarkation day.

Pick Up Luggage

Any luggage that you tagged and placed outside of your stateroom the night before will be in a large area waiting to be claimed. Each section of staterooms is assigned a color and character luggage tag. This helps you to find the section where your luggage is stored. There are lots of bags, so don’t be surprised if it takes a couple of minutes to find all of your luggage.

US Customs and Border Protection

After you have collected all of your luggage, you will enter the line for US Customs and Border Protection. An agent will call you forward and ask to see your passport or other accepted documentation. They will confirm your identity and may ask some general questions before allowing you re-entry in the port.

Final Thoughts On Disney Cruise Embarkation and Disembarkation Procedures

Disney Cruise embarkation and disembarkation procedures are easy once you know what to expect. The most important thing on embarkation day is to arrive with a smartly packed embarkation day bag and all required documents for your trip.

Disney cruise disembarkation day can feel hectic if you don’t plan ahead. Leaving non-essential luggage outside of your stateroom the night before and eating a continental breakfast in your room the morning of disembarking alleviates much of the stress.

Remember to bring your Key To The World Card with you when exiting the ship to avoid delays. The Disney Cruise disembarkation process can take a while, so always check with Disney Cruise Line for recommendations before booking flights.

Find more planning resources for your Disney Cruise here.

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Preparing for Your Cruise – Frequently Asked Questions

On the day our cruise begins, when will we be able to board the ship?

For a carefree boarding process, we strongly recommend that Guests complete their Online Check-In ahead of time and arrive during their designated Port Arrival Time. Guests who did not have an opportunity to complete their Online Check-In in advance or do not have a Port Arrival Time should plan to arrive after 2:00 PM. During your designated Port Arrival Time, representatives will verify your citizenship documentation and complete your check in. Guests will then be called by Boarding Groups to embark the ship. Please note that Boarding Group times may vary from Port Arrival Times. Guests who arrive prior to their Port Arrival Time will be asked to wait to enter the cruise terminal until their scheduled time. Be aware that, depending on location, there is no or limited seating or shelter from weather conditions outside the terminal.

Please note: Plan your arrival to ensure you will be able to complete your registration and board the ship prior to the Guest Onboard Time listed on your confirmation. Guests arriving after that time may be refused boarding.

Review a list of what to pack for your cruise .

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Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day: Vital Port Canaveral Info

There is nothing like Disney Cruise Line embarkation day. The excitement that fills you the moment you first see your ship come into view when arriving at Port Canaveral is almost unbearable!

It never gets old, no matter how many times we have driven over the water to get to the cruise port, from points south in Florida or west, in Orlando. The anticipation is palpable!

You’ve planned for months and have already checked into your cruise from the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) Navigator app, but what happens when you get to Port Canaveral? We share the details below.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Disney Wish cruise ship in the distance at the Port Canaveral terminal in Florida for embarkation day.

What Time You Can Arrive at Disney Cruise Line’s Port Canaveral Terminal Your Day of Embarkation

You can either get to the port with your own car, Disney’s shuttle or get dropped off at the port.

We’ll focus mostly on what happens if you drive on your own and park at the terminal because that method has an added step of parking.

All of this information is for the day you embark on a Disney cruise from Port Canaveral after you have already checked in online. The next thing to do is board the ship.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE CHECK-IN PROCESS: Read this post for thorough check-in information and a printable check-in checklist!

If you are driving to the port or being dropped off, you must arrive at the time you chose as your Port Arrival time when you checked in. If you arrive before or after this 15-minute window, they may tell you that you cannot yet enter or you need to return later.

Driving to the Terminal and Disney’s Port Canaveral Parking Info

Port Canaveral has a few cruise line terminals that service many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian, etc. DCL has its own cruise terminal at Port Canaveral, while some other cruise lines share a terminal building.

When you drive to Port Canaveral via SR 528, you must look for Disney Cruise Line signs, Terminals 8 through 10, in “A Terminals” on the north side. You take exit 54A from SR 528. Disney’s terminal is number eight.

Port Canaveral terminal in Florida on Disney Cruise Line embarkation day.

Items to Have Handy in Your Carry-On for Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day

Be sure that the following items are in your carry-on bags to get onto the ship after you go through port security, not in the luggage you check curbside:

QR Codes , obtained after checking into your cruise in the DCL Navigator app.
Passport for each passenger.
Medication you’ll need on embarkation day. Note that your checked luggage isn’t delivered to your stateroom until mid-afternoon. Carry on prescription medication especially, but also anti-nausea medication, if you are prone to motion sickness. Some anti-nausea medication instructions recommend you take it an hour before you predict the motion will start (A.K.A: the ship leaves port). You’ll have your luggage in your stateroom by the time the ship leaves, but it doesn’t hurt to have it on hand just in case.
Florida/cruise-appropriate attire . For example, if you plan on going to the pool before your room is ready, you may want to pack a swimsuit, flip-flops, sunscreen , and sunglasses in your carry-on bag. That way, you’ll be prepared to start enjoying your Disney Cruise Line ship’s amenities immediately.
Any alcohol you are bringing onboard must be in your carry-on bags. We share where to get alcohol near Port Canaveral below.
Refillable water bottle to use when you get on the ship (Disney is one of the only cruise lines with free soft drinks on their upper deck). We like insulated refillable travel bottles , so our cold drinks stay ice cold!

✦ Drop Off at Disney Cruise Line Terminal

Curbside at the DCL terminal is where a shuttle service to Disney Cruise Line that is not Disney operated – such as a blue van or Mears shuttle, or a Lyft or Uber – drops you off.

You have to get to the port within the arrival window you chose during online check in , before your cruise.

Cars at the curbside of the Disney Cruise Line terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Book Private transfers

Want to pick your own time to go to the port and be in your own group but not drive there in your own vehicle? Book a private transfer to get you to the port from Walt Disney World or various other locations in Central Florida.

✦ Disney Cruise Line Operated Shuttle

If you have arranged for a Disney Cruise Line-operated shuttle/transfer to take you to Port Canaveral from Walt Disney World or MCO airport, the time they arrive at Port Canaveral’s DCL terminal is the time you will arrive, regardless of what your chosen check-in time says in the app.

Disney emailed us the message below regarding transfers through DCL in the days leading up to our Disney Cruise Line embarkation day at Port Canaveral:

Motorcoach Transportation: For Guests with transfers included with their cruise vacation, motorcoach transportation from the Orlando International Airport to the terminal at Port Canaveral, Florida, will begin at approximately 9:20 a.m. on the day of embarkation. Resort Guests will receive an email 48 hours prior to embarkation with instructions on when to have their luggage ready for collection and when to meet the Hospitality Representative on the morning their cruise begins. Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel and Walt Disney World Resort Guests may also call 407-566-4040 beginning 48 hours prior to embarkation for automated information on motorcoach transfer times.

Shuttle bus at the Disney Cruise Line terminal with the docked cruise ship in the distance.

When You Get to the Terminal at PORT CANAVERAL

Someone will likely ask to see your cruise arrival time on your mobile device as soon as you arrive. We personally never printed our info – everything we had from our DCL check-in process was on our iPhone, with the exception of the luggage tags Disney Cruise Line mailed to us.

We’ve gone on a Disney cruise from Port Canaveral, where they ask to see your arrival time and one that they didn’t.

We’ll go through what to expect for the following:

What to do when you arrive at the port in your own vehicle , including where you park and how to pay for parking .
Where you check your luggage .
A reminder of what to have handy when you go through security .
What’s inside the terminal building, including what you can do while you wait.
Boarding the ship and what to do when you get onboard.

✦ What to Do When you Arrive at the Port if You Drive Your Own Vehicle (or a Rental Car That You’re Parking at the Terminal)

The earliest time anyone can park in the parking garage is at 10:15 am, when the garage opens. It is right next to the Disney Cruise Line terminal. The Port Canaveral Port Authority operates it. But despite the garage’s opening time, you have to arrive within your port arrival window.

Note that the terminal building opens at 11:00 am for most sailings.

📍 Port Address : Port Canaveral, 9155 Charles M. Rowland Drive, Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral, with a blue sky and greenery.

✧ Paying for Parking at the Port Canaveral DCL Cruise Terminal Parking Garage

You pay for parking as soon as you enter the lot. This is great because there isn’t a bottleneck of people that need to pay for parking when you return to Port Canaveral after you disembark your cruise. You can quickly pay by credit card, enter the lot, then find a spot of your choice.

Parking is $17.00 per day plus tax for vehicles and RVs. The day you arrive and the day you depart each count as one day. The machine does not accept cash, but all major credit cards are, including American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.

Port Canaveral runs parking, not Disney.

We paid $68 for our 3-night Disney Wish cruise , for example, and $90 and change for a 4-night cruise. If you’re doing the math, you may be wondering why 3 x $18 does not equal $68. The cost difference is because it’s three nights but four days plus tax.

You don’t need parking reservations; there is ample parking at the terminal.

After you park your car, you’ll walk to the terminal to go through security. It’s fairly difficult to contain your excitement during this process, especially after parking your car and seeing the massive cruise ship rise above the dock in the nearby distance!

Don’t Postone Renting a Car!

✦ Where You Check Your Luggage When You Arrive for Your Disney Cruise

You check any luggage you want to be brought to your stateroom curbside if you arrive at the port by car. If you’re arriving on a Disney shuttle bus, you check it with Disney Cruise Line Cast Members when you board.

Your luggage should have the tags on it that Disney mailed pre-cruise, which you put onto your bags before boarding the shuttle bus or before the luggage leaves your car, curbside. (We hear that the snail-mailed luggage tags only arrive to guests 50% of the time. If you don’t have the tags, no worries — just ask someone who works at the port who you see curbside what to do and how to mark your luggage.)

We always have AirTags in our bags to track them because it gives us peace of mind not just for the port but when we’re going through airports too. We have an Airtag in our carry-ons, our luggage, backpacks — all our bags.

You will not see checked luggage for a few hours. The crew brings your curbside checked luggage to your stateroom by mid-afternoon. So you need to have anything you will need before you get your checked bags, including for the first few hours on the ship, in your carry-on bags .

✦ Going through Security on Your Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day at Port Canaveral

Have your QR codes handy as soon as you get to security because three different Cast Members asked for our QR Codes as we went through the line.

QR codes for your cruise are easy to access. After I checked us into the cruise, I simply added the QR Codes to our Apple Wallet on our iPhones (or Google Wallet for Android users). You can also easily access them via your Port Arrival Form PDF (digital or printed). You can request the form be emailed to you in the Navigator app after you check in.

QR code for Apple Wallet, as an example of what is needed for Disney Cruise Line embarkation.

The last person we talked to before putting our belongings on the screening belt and walking through metal detectors to see our passports.

✦ What to Have Handy When You Go Through Security

Because we believe this is some of the most vital information you need to know for your Disney Cruise Line embarkation day, we listed it near the top of the post , including things like your passport, QR code, and medication.

Be sure to download our printable for your Disney Cruise Line embarkation checklist.

✦ Inside Disney Cruise Line’s Port Canaveral Terminal: What is There to Do While You Wait to Board?

Inside the terminal is seating, a viewing platform to see the ship, an area for photos with Disney Cruise Line backdrops, and a famous Mickey Mouse ears archway that leads to the gangway where you board the ship.

If you visited the terminal years ago, pre-pandemic, the old check-in area is now an area for Guest Services. You only go to the counter if you need to talk to someone beyond the normal check-in and for things like Concierge.

Counter inside the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Line terminal, with high ceilings and an arched window.

✧ Immerse Yourself into the Disney Cruise Line Brand and Meet Disney Characters

There is a scale model of a Disney Cruise Line ship in the DCL terminal, which is really cool to look at. Its minute details are fascinating. Disney characters, like Mickey and Minnie, also appear in the terminal.

Additionally, there are restrooms and a television for kids that plays Disney cartoons.

Disney Cruise Line embarkation day terminal in Port Canaveral, with a model of the ship.

✧ Hop on Wifi and Explore the Navigator App

Disney Cruise Line Wi-Fi is connected throughout the terminal waiting area. If you want to make good use of your wait time and you’re traveling with other people, open the Navigator app to connect to other guests in your party while you wait. This way, you’ll be prepared to text each other for free onboard through the app – and you can use cute Disney emojis!

It’s also a good time to try to grab any reservations in the app you didn’t have the chance to make. This includes things like dinner at Enchante , Palo, or Remy – restaurants, depending on the Disney Cruise Line ship you’re sailing on.

✧ Food and Drinks at the Port Canaveral Disney Terminal

The only food inside the terminal is in vending machines. If you’re incredibly hungry, it’s a good option, with chips and snacks like Pop-Tarts inside. But if you can wait, you can have lunch as soon as you get on the ship.

✦ What Time Disney Cruise Line Begins Boarding Passengers at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal

Disney Cruise Line begins boarding at 12:00 pm. This may confuse you if you have a port arrival time before noon. But your port arrival time and the time you board the ship are two different times.

After arriving at the port during your arrival time, you get a boarding group number when you go through security.

Once past security, all guests wait in the terminal until boarding begins and boarding group numbers are called.

Inside the Disney Cruise Line terminal, with high ceilings and a blue floor, filled with a lot of people.

✧ Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day: Group Numbers and Boarding Your Disney Cruise Ship

Boarding promptly begins at noon with group 1, kicked off by the Family of the Day. Group 6 was our boarding group on our recent Disney Cruise on Disney Wish; Disney called our group by 12:20 pm. It goes by quickly!

You will need to show your boarding pass QR code to the Port Canaveral terminal Cast Members to board the cruise ship.

After we boarded, we didn’t need our QR codes again. Though if you forget your Muster Station area/letter for the ship safety drill, it’s easy to find on your Port Arrival Form and Apple Wallet pass (or Google Wallet, if you’re an Android user).

What to Do When You Get Onboard Your Disney Cruise Ship

The world is your oyster when you board! Most people are hungry because it’s around lunchtime or a little later. The buffet is open for lunch on embarkation day, and if you’re a Concierge-level guest , it’s likely there is food there too.

Some people head to the pool or hot tub. Others to various bars. Some like to start exploring the ship to find all its wonderful details and featured areas if they’ve never been on it.

You can explore the ship before the all-aboard time and before the muster drill starts, which is the mandatory safety drill before the ship sets sail.

We were onboard by 12:20 pm. We got drinks, explored to see all the Disney Wish design details (which continued the entire cruise, which we were on for a Disney Wish Atrium wedding ), and headed to our room around 2:00 or 3:00 pm.

Some people say as soon as you board the ship, your vacation starts; others think it’s when you arrive at Port Canaveral for embarkation. But no matter your thoughts, you should make the most of every wonderful moment of embarkation day.

Enjoy it, capture it so you’ll have pictures to add to scrapbooks and photo books after your trip, and savor each moment.

Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line embarkation day, docked at the Port Canaveral terminal in Florida.

DCL’S Alcohol Policy and Where to Pick Up Alcohol Close to the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Line Terminal

As per DCL’s alcohol policy , guests 21 and older can bring either two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750mL) or a 6-pack of beer (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the cruise.

These beverages must be packed in carry-on bags or luggage (not checked). You are not permitted to buy additional alcohol in ports of call for consumption onboard.

So, for example, if your ship stops in Nassau during your Caribb ean cruise, you cannot buy hard alcohol at a liquor store in town, bring it onboard, and drink it in your stateroom. You can bring it onboard, but it will be confiscated and stored during the cruise until the end of the trip, when it will be given back to you upon disembarking.

✦ Getting Beer, Wine, or Champagne to Bring On the Ship Near Port Canaveral

If you want to pick up alcohol near Port Canaveral, make sure you account for the additional time it will take to stop at a store and still arrive at the port within your arrival window.

Be mindful of a store’s operating hours too. If your arrival time is at 11:15am and the liquor store doesn’t open until noon, you won’t be able to pick up alcohol before embarking, so make other arrangements. If you have an early port arrival time and want to stop for alcohol first, a gas station is a good place to stop for beer, though your wine or champagne options will be limited.

Stores that sell alcohol in Florida carry beer and wine (you can’t bring liquor onboard anyway). Convenience stores like CVS, Walgreens, and 7-Eleven sell alcohol too. Wawa and Raceway gas stations and Publix grocery stores sell alcohol, which is where we recommend you go. ABC Stores sell alcohol as well and are popular in Florida.

There is obviously plenty of alcohol on all Disney Cruise Line ships , and you don’t have to bring your own onboard; some people like to bring their favorite wine, beer, or champagne to have in their stateroom or to save some money since what you buy in the store is likely less money than what is onboard.

Disembarkation Day from A Disney Cruise Line Vacation

Parting is such sweet sorrow, especially when it’s from an incredible cruise vacation, no matter the duration.

The ship docks fairly early in the morning, and you are able to leave as soon as guests have the green light to disembark. You can leave after an early breakfast or before.

There are fewer amenities and frills at the terminal as you leave the ship than when you arrived. Where you pick up your checked luggage is more like a warehouse than a nice terminal, but it serves its purpose.

The process is organized and efficient, as is clearing customs coming back into the United States. And if you’re worried about where the bathrooms are, just in case, there are bathrooms in the luggage area near customs and more by the elevators in the parking garage.

Disney Cruise Line ship in the distance at the Port Canaveral terminal, for what to expect for Disney Cruise Line embarkation day.

Disney Cruise Line Embarkation for Back-to-Back Cruise Guests

If you are boarding another Disney Cruise and doing back-to-back sailings, there is a special waiting area in the Port Canaveral DCL terminal where you will wait to re-board.

Sign for back-to-back guests waiting at the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Line terminal.

Things to do in the Port Canaveral Area

There are so many fun things to do near Port Canaveral , including touring Kennedy Space Center. If you can extend your trip before or after the cruise in the Port Canaveral area, which is called Florida’s Space Coast, we highly recommend it.

Disney Cruise Line embarkation day is exhilarating. As your excitement builds, you’ll be organized and ready to embark on your DCL ship from Port Canaveral with our tips and information.

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Back to the Mouse

Disney cruise line boarding process.

You’ve booked your Disney Cruise, paid for it, scheduled your excursions, booked mixology classes, and got that highly prized cabana. What now? It’s time to get on board! We will walk you through the process!

There are many ways to arrive at the Disney Cruise Terminal (we have examples for Port Canaveral and Miami). You can arrive by Disney transfer, RideShare (Taxi/Uber/Lift/Limo), or private car. In the case of Disney Transfer, your luggage will be taken care of for you. If you arrive through some other means, there are luggage porters out front that will take your luggage and make sure it gets on the ship. You do have to make sure you have the Disney Cruise Line luggage tags on your bags. Your name and room number are on these tags. Once you hand the bags to the luggage porter, the next time you will see them will be on the ship.

After you have dropped off your luggage, you will proceed to the cruise terminal itself. At this point, the cruise terminal may or may not be open. We try to arrive a little bit before our port arrival time (we always select the earliest one available). I like to be in the cruise terminal as early as possible so we can check for available upgrades and get on board early so our vacation can begin.

Disney Cruise Terminal Building at Port Canaveral

Once you are at the entrance of the cruise terminal, you will encounter a crew member or port terminal employee that will want to check your cruise documentation. They are looking for the booklet that Disney Cruise Line sent you . They will also verify that your citizen documentation matches up to your cruise documentation. This will be a passport for non-United States Citizens (if leaving from the United States). If you are a United States citizen leaving from a United States port and returning to the same port (a closed loop cruise), you can use some sort of government picture id with your birth certificate. A passport will always work for a United States citizen.

Items prohibited on board ship and on Castaway Cay .

Firearms, ammunition, knives (including dive knives), swords, daggers and any other types of weapons
Toy guns or other replicas of firearms and weapons
Highly flammable liquids and combustible substances
Liquid oxygen
Non-prescribed controlled substances, illegal drugs, medically prescribed and synthetic marijuana
Hookah pipes
Power tools and toolboxes (except those utilized by vendors providing services)
Potentially dangerous sporting equipment, including baseball and cricket bats, hockey and lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, fishing gear and archery equipment. (Golf clubs are permitted as long as they are stored inside your stateroom.)
Scuba equipment such as tanks, spears, spear guns, slings, dive knives, pry bars, and underwater scooters. (Masks and snorkels are allowed)
Remote-controlled helicopters, airplanes, drones or similar devices
Kites, balloons, surfboards, wave boards, inflatable floats, pool noodles, inflatable pools and wagons
Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, inline & roller skates, any footwear with wheels (i.e. Heely’s type shoes) and Segways, or other wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels and devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted.
Wheeled transport devices other than those required by Guests with disabilities
Please note: A limited number of approved bottle warmers and bottle sterilizers are available upon request through Guest Services
All ships offer self-service laundry facilities with irons and ironing boards. Portable fans are permitted in your stateroom. However, you must contact Guest Services to have the Chief Electrician approve your fan.
Candles and incense
DVD, VCR, and Blu-ray players
Gaming systems such as Playstation®, Xbox and Nintendo Wii (due to compatibility issues with the stateroom TVs)
Musical instruments
Ice chests and coolers , except for those permitted for storing medications, baby food and items related to dietary restrictions
Homemade, precooked or perishable foods or open food containers. Also, please refer to our guidelines on restricted food and beverages
Over-the-door hanging organizers
Metal detectors
Fireworks or pyrotechnics
Seasonal and/or celebratory light bulb strings
Extension cords or surge protectors

Once you are through security, it is time to get your Key to the World card . There will usually be lines for first time cruisers, Silver/Gold Castaway Club members, and another line for Platinum Castaway Club Members/Concierge Guests.

At the desk, you will turn over your cruise documentation along with your citizenship documentation. The person at the desk will get a picture to associate with your key to the world card. Your citizenship documentation will also be scanned and given back to you. You will receive your Key to the World card.

If you are a repeat cruiser on Disney Cruise Line, you will receive a lanyard as well.

The last item you receive will be your boarding group number card.

Once you have all your items, you can then proceed to the seating area to wait for your boarding number to be called. If you arrive early, the cruise terminal can definitely start to fill up with everyone waiting. You should be able to find a character greeting or two (usually Mickey Mouse is one of them) to keep you busy. There are restrooms, but may not be very much in terms of food or beverages (although there are water fountains).

Eventually, Disney will announce a family of the day and allow them to board “first” – although by this time, the concierge guests have already boarded the ship behind the scenes. Once the family of the day boards, they will begin to announce boarding numbers. If you have the announced boarding number (or lower), you can show your boarding card to the crew member and they will send you towards the ship.

Note: This article was originally published over at Rope Drop Radio , my favorite Disney Podcast. You can subscribe to Rope Drop Radio via iTunes. Derek and Doug are two dads who love Disney. Their goal is help you navigate all things Disney from the parks to the cruise. They want to share tips and tricks, travel plans, and must see’s to help you have an amazing Disney trip! Make sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well!

If you have enjoyed this article, please be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line information page , which has useful hints in addition to our cruise trip reports!

This is our first cruise! What is the difference between port arrival time and on boarding time? What can we expect with the boarding process in general? ”

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Part of the World Travel

Jun 12, 2023

How to get an early boarding group on a Disney Cruise!

Of course everyone wants to board their Disney Cruise and start enjoying ship amenities and grab those Palo reservations as soon as possible!

Concierge guests are always in the first boarding group. However, there is an easy way to guarantee you are the second group without paying thousands of extra $$$. Guests who stay at Disney World Resort hotels the night before their departure are guaranteed to be in the second boarding group.

This is especially great news for military clients who can use their discounts to receive competitive rates compared to Port Canaveral hotel options.

Adding the Disney World Resort feature to your cruise reservation is a planning service I offer! Contact me to book your Disney Cruise, pre embarkation resort stay, and shuttle service.

Dos and Don'ts for Your Disney Cruise Embarkation Day

Richard Cummins/Getty Images

One of the most important and fun days of your Disney Cruise is embarkation day, when you board the ship and kick off your adventure.

Follow these tips to make sure you start your cruise off right.

Before You Sail

DO check in online. You can check in online at least four days prior to your sail date, which will save you time when you arrive on embarkation day. At the same time, you can register your kids for the youth clubs, reserve spa treatments, book shore excursions, and sign up for special activities, events, and dining experiences. If you don't complete everything in one session, you can save your information and come back later to finish.
DO choose an early arrival time. Disney will ask you to select a port arrival time and give you an opportunity to schedule your transportation to the pier. Your cruise documents may say that the ship leaves at 4 pm, but check-in typically begins at 11 am and embarkation begins around noon. Choosing an early arrival time means you can start your vacation several hours before the ship sets sail, thus getting more fun for your money.
DO consider which dinner seating is best for your family. Disney's rotational dining system offers two dinner seatings, at 5:45 pm and 8:15 pm. Many families with young kids opt for the early seating because it's closer to their regular dinner time. Yet the later seating allows you to see the shows first, and then enjoy a quieter dinner. Another plus: Parents can check their kids in for evening youth activities without leaving the dinner table. Counselors magically appear partway through the second seating to whisk the kids away to the clubs while adults finish dinner.
DO schedule a surprise call from a Disney friend. Before your cruise, you can visit the Disney Cruise Line website to arrange a call to your child from Mickey, Goofy, or Mickey and Minnie together. Go to the "My Disney Cruise" tab, then click "My Reservations." Sign into your Disney account and your sailing party itinerary will appear, along with a dedicated box for Character Calls. Click "Schedule a Free Call' to set up a surprise call for your kids before your cruise.
DON'T fly in the same day of your cruise. If getting from your home to the port in the same day means waking up at the crack of dawn to catch an early flight, you will be wiped out before the ship even sets sail that afternoon. That's not how you want to spend your first day on the ship. To get your money's worth on your cruise, it's better to fly in the night before so you're fresh and energetic and able to enjoy your first day of vacation.

If you're flying into Orlando International Airport before a cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida, consider staying at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport .

Embarkation Day Tips

DO attach Disney Cruise luggage tags to your bags. Be sure to fill out the identifying information, including your stateroom number.
DO have small bills handy. When you get to the port, you'll hand off your luggage to the porters. (It’s customary to tip $1 to $2 per bag). The next time you'll see your luggage will be in your stateroom later that afternoon.
DO pack a ready-for-fun carry-on. When you give your luggage to the porters, you'll keep your carry-on purse, tote, or backpack with you. You may not receive your luggage until mid to late afternoon, so be sure to pack everything you'll need for the first several hours, including medications, identification, eyeglasses, sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimsuits. (No need to pack pool towels, which are available onboard.)
DO download the Navigator app. Before you get on the ship, download Disney Cruise Line's free app and turn on airplane mode on your smartphone. Set your wi-fi to DCL_Guest and you're good to go. The app will give you access to the ship's entertainment and event schedules, deck plans, kids' club activities, and dining menus, plus there's even a chat mode that lets you text your family members—all without racking up data charges.
DO think through the security checkpoint. When you enter the port terminal, you'll pass through a security checkpoint with a metal detector similar to what you find at an airport. It'll speed up the process if you have placed your jewelry, belts, coins, and other metallic items in your carry-on bag.
DO have your cruise documents ready. Inside the terminal, you’ll line up to finish checking in and get your stateroom key cards. You'll need your cruise documents, passports, and a credit card handy. This is also when your kids will get special wristbands for the children's clubs.
DO enjoy lunch. Once you've boarded the ship on embarkation day, you can either head to the top deck for a buffet lunch at Cabanas ( Magic, Dream, Fantasy ) or Beach Blanket Buffet ( Wonder ) or you can have lunch in the ship's main dining room that is open for lunch: Carioca's ( Magic ), Parrot Cay ( Wonder ), or Enchanted Garden ( Dream, Fantasy ). Both lunch options include a copious buffet, but the dining room will be quieter and a server will bring you drinks, whereas it's completely self-service at the top-deck buffet.
DO reserve special experiences. Once you've boarded the ship, you can reserve any experiences you may have missed during online check in, such as spa treatments, shore excursions, or dinner at the adults-only restaurants, Palo (every ship) or Remy ( Dream, Fantasy ).
DO start having fun right away. Your stateroom may not be ready until early afternoon, and your luggage may not arrive until hours later, but you can begin exploring the ship and having fun as soon as you board. The pools and other activity hubs will be open.
DO have your family ready for the muster drill. On the first day of the cruise, typically around 4 pm, all passengers must attend a 10-minute muster drill and learn what to do in case of emergency. Plan to be in your stateroom at least 15 minutes before the drill. You'll find directions to your drill station on the back of your stateroom door. Attendance is mandatory.
DON'T miss the Sail Away Celebration Deck Party. Just before the ship leaves the pier, grab your camera and head up for a top-deck celebration that includes music, dancing, and all your favorite Disney characters decked out in their sailor uniforms. It's a fun way to officially start your cruise.
DO kick off your cruise in style. If you're sailing on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy , consider indulging in Petites Assiettes de Remy, a special dining event offered on the first evening of your cruise in Remy, the ship's elegant adults-only French restaurant. Sign up as you board for a tasting tour that includes six dishes paired with the perfect wine. ($50 upcharge per person.)

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Step-by-Step: How to Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World

When it opens on June 28, 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure won’t have a standby line. If you’re going to Disney World and you want to ride, you’ll need either a Virtual Queue Boarding Group or Lightning Lane reserved through Genie+. Below, we’ll walk you through the process no matter which option you choose.

The Virtual Queue will be available beginning at 7 am and 1 pm every day. Disney has not announced whether Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will use a Virtual Queue during Extended Theme Park Evening Hours or hard ticket events. Since there’s less demand for water rides during evening hours, it maybe that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will use a regular standby line during those times. We’ll have to wait and see!

Have you never used the Virtual Queue? Keep reading and we’ll tell you how! If you’ve never heard the term “Lightning Lane reservation”, you may want to start with How to Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane at Disney World and then read this article.

Click on any of the links below to skip directly to that section, and know that you can click on any image to enlarge it.

Getting a Lightning Lane reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Getting a Boarding Group for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Frequently Asked Questions

What you need to get started:.

Whether you’re looking for Lightning Lane reservation or a Boarding Group, you’ll need the following before you can begin.

The My Disney Experience App
Updated Family & Friends List on the MDE App—everyone you want to book for will need to be on it.

You and everyone who wants to ride with you will also need:

Valid Park Admission
Park reservation, if necessary

If your ticket does not require a reservation, then you’re good to go without one. If your admission media requires a park reservation, then you’ll need a Park Pass for Magic Kingdom on that day if you’d like to join the 7 am queue. If you’ll be shooting for the 1 pm queue, then you may also have a Park Pass for a different park, and a Park Hopper ticket or Annual Pass.

How to Get a Lightning Lane Reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The good news is that making a Lightning Lane (LL) reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is exactly like booking any other Lightning Lane that you’ll get with Genie+. If you’ve ever done it before, you already know how to do it.

All guests can purchase Genie+ beginning at 12:01 am of the day they wish to use it. Make sure that when you purchase Genie+, you select either the “Multiple Parks” option or the “Magic Kingdom” option. These are the only choices that will allow you to reserve a Lightning Lane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Whether onsite or off, guests can begin making Lightning Lane reservations at 7 am on that day. But – it’s going to be a hot ticket that everyone will be trying to book. The most important thing will be to make sure you buy Genie+ in advance of 7 am so that you’re ready to book right at 7. The next important thing is to select Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as one of your “Top Picks” so that when you are on the Tip Board, it is right at the top and you don’t need to spend time scrolling before you can mash that “Book Experience” button.

For a more detailed walkthrough of making a Lightning Lane reservation with Genie+, see How to Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane at Disney World .

How to Get A Boarding Group for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

If you’ve used the Virtual Queue for other rides, you’ll see that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is very similar. If you haven’t, here’s what you need to know. Some of Disney’s newest attractions use a Virtual Queue. The Queue opens a couple of times a day and you can try to join. If you’re successful, you’ll be placed in a numbered Boarding Group. Disney calls back these groups throughout the day, and when your group is called then it’s your turn to ride. That’s the quick overview that should get you through the instructions below. For a more detailed take, see Answering All Your Questions About Virtual Queues .

Boarding Group Rules

Rule #1: To ride during regular park hours, Boarding Groups are only available to book TWICE per day.

The first chance for booking is at 7:00 am, and you can book from anywhere.
The second chance is at 1:00 pm, but you must be inside of Magic Kingdom to be eligible.

For the 7 am queue, you just need admission that is valid on that day. And if your ticket type needs a park reservation, you need to have a reservation for Magic Kingdom Park.

For the 1 pm queue, Disney says that you need to be inside the park. . But in practice we’ve found that you only have to have tapped in earlier in the day. If you left to get lunch or take a break and haven’t returned yet, you’re still good to go.

Rule #2: You can only ride using a Boarding Group once per day during regular park hours. If you got a group at 7 am, and rode, you can’t get another at 1 pm (If your Boarding Group from the 7 am drop expired before you returned to ride, you can try again to get a Boarding Group at 1 pm).

Getting a Group

You can begin as early as one hour in advance of the drop that you’re trying to join. This is your chance to fix any Friends & Family issues and make sure everyone you want to ride with is appearing in your party. If you’re confident that you’ll be able to select everyone that you want to ride with, then 4-5 minutes in advance is plenty and an hour is massive overkill. A different attraction was used for the screenshots below, since Tiana’s Bayou Adventure isn’t open yet.

From the My Disney Experience app, click the hamburger on the bottom right, then scroll down and select Virtual Queues. On the next screen, select “Join Virtual Queue”. If you aren’t automatically directed to the queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, select it from the available options by tapping “Confirm Your Party”.

You may need to tap a different park at the top to find the Queue you’re looking for. We tapped EPCOT to continue booking our example Boarding Group.

After tapping the button, Friends & Family should appear in your party automatically if they have admission and a park reservation (if they need one). Ineligible Friends & Family will appear below. If you need to, use the “Edit” option to adjust your party.

One minute before time, or so, begin repeatedly tapping the Refresh button and tap it as soon as it changes to “Join Virtual Queue”. Some people prefer to use a separate clock for more precise timing and only press Refresh one time; I find that the refresh is pretty quick and I do better without my brain engaged. A little practice, if you have the opportunity, can tell you which method works effectively for you.

With luck, you will be rewarded with a screen that looks like the final one above. When your group is called, you’ll have an hour to return and ride. Some Virtual Queues enforce the expiration on their callback times and some do not; we’ll have to wait and see what is going to happen with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

There are different opinions about whether it’s better to use the park WiFi or cell service, but one super-important tip is that you can have multiple people trying for a group at the same time. If you’re touring with 4 people, having all four try for a boarding group increases the probability that someone will get one so that everyone can ride. Make sure that each person who is trying for a group has all the members of your party selected.

Don’t forget!! Assuming you do get a boarding group, check the status periodically throughout the day to make sure you don’t miss your group. If you have an unavoidable conflict such as a dining reservation, bring your dining receipt with you to the ride.

Can you get a Boarding Group and a Lightning Lane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on the same day?

Yes, you can get a Boarding Group and a Lightning Lane reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on the same day.

Can you get a Boarding Group for multiple Virtual Queue rides on the same day?

Possibly. The challenge is that you cannot be in more than one Boarding Group at a time, so you’ll need to complete your ride on the first one before the 1 pm drop for the second one. Disney may change the rule about being in more than one queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but if so they haven’t announced it yet.

Can you practice getting a Boarding Group before your trip?

Yes, as long as your admission is valid on the day you’re trying to get a group for. If you have date-based admission that might mean your window to try in is pretty short; other ticket types will usually require you to make a park reservation in order to try. But as long as you do not actually enter the park, it won’t use up your admission.

As a matter of courtesy, leave the queue if you do get a spot. If you’ll need park reservations during your visit, you’ll want to do this far enough in advance that you aren’t using your reservations for practice when you need to make them for the day you will actually be there.

Do I need to get a Boarding Group for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure if I’m using DAS?

If someone in your party is eligible to use the Disability Access System (DAS), you will still have to join the Virtual Queue and get a Boarding Group using the regular procedure. For some Virtual Queues, the return time has been treated like a DAS start time and you could return any time. For Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we expect that you will need to return within the 1-hour window when your Boarding Group is called. However, you’ll enter through the Lightning Lane to ensure that your wait is minimized.

I got a Boarding Group, but I need to add or remove someone.

See the Guest Services team at the blue umbrellas and explain your situation. They will usually be able to help out.

Does everyone need to be in the park at 1 pm to be eligible for the Virtual Queue?

According to Disney , you need to be in the park at 1 pm to be eligible and yes, everyone who wants to ride needs to be there. However, our test team has found in other Virtual Queues that you only need to have entered the park before you try to join. If you were in Magic Kingdom earlier and left for lunch, you shouldn’t need to get back by 1 pm

How long will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure use a Virtual Queue?

We’re not psychic, and we can’t give a definitive answer. Rise of the Resistance used a Virtual Queue for over two years, but it was … an interesting two years. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure used a Virtual Queue for only a little over two months, and Web Slingers at Disneyland used its Virtual Queue for a little over five months. We guessed that Cosmic Rewind’s Virtual Queue would last for 4-6 weeks , and we were way wrong on that one – it’s still in place. TRON Lightcycle/Run has also been using a Virtual Queue for over a year. Disney has indicated that they don’t think the Virtual Queue be used for long at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. But we’ll have to wait and see.

What time can I begin making Lightning Lane reservations for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?

Everyone can make Lightning Lane reservations beginning at 7 am of the day you’ll be visiting. You can purchase Genie+ beginning at 12:01 am, so that you’ll be ready right on the dot of 7.

Can you use Rider Switch with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?

Yes, you can. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure minimum height will be 40″, and all Disney World rides that have a height restriction offer Rider Switch. You’ll be able to use it no matter whether you’re riding with the Virtual Queue or Lightning Lane. For more details, see Rider Switch at Disney World: Guide and FAQ .

Is it easier to get a Boarding Group or a Lightning Lane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?

Boarding Groups are free and Genie+ costs money. We expect that means that Boarding Groups will always be harder to get than Lightning Lane reservations. However, in the early days after opening, there may not be much practical difference.

Are you excited to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Which team are you on, Virtual Queue or Genie+? What’s your bet on how long the Virtual Queue will be in place? Let us know in the comments!

Jennifer Heymont

Jennifer has a background in math and biology, so she ended up in Data Science where she gets to do both. She lives just north of Boston with her husband, kids, and assorted animal members of the family. Although it took three visits for the Disney bug to "take", she now really wishes she lived a lot closer to the Parks.

Length between boarding groups

Thread starter mkb3
Start date Aug 31, 2022

DIS Veteran

Aug 31, 2022

I've only been on one Disney Cruise and it was booked last minute so I was the last for boarding. This time around I booked over a year in advance. Typically how long does each boarding group have before the next one is called? We are group 5 for this cruise so I'm curious how long I'll be in the terminal if I have an 11:15 PAT and boarding starts around 11:45.

Maggie'sMom

mkb3 said: I've only been on one Disney Cruise and it was booked last minute so I was the last for boarding. This time around I booked over a year in advance. Typically how long does each boarding group have before the next one is called? We are group 5 for this cruise so I'm curious how long I'll be in the terminal if I have an 11:15 PAT and boarding starts around 11:45. Click to expand...

happycamper47

Maggie'sMom said: It can vary. Generally, they call numbers rather quickly. For our cruise on the Wish three weeks ago, boarding group 2 was called a minute or two after group 1, then groups 3 through 6 had maybe five minutes in between, if that. We were group 6 and boarded just a little after noon. Click to expand...

Could be 2 minutes, could be 10. It's not terribly long.

For our fantasy sailing in July the first 5 groups (we were 6) took about 40 minutes from start of boarding. Next 8 groups took less than the next 40 minutes (from our friends who had a later boarding time). Then it was basically opened up to all groups after that.

Mouseketeer

Like everyone else has said, it goes pretty fast when you're in the lower numbers. But, depending on capacity and whether or not people are stopping for pictures, you might get lucky if you loiter near the entrance of the line. On my last cruise, the cast member waved me over and had us board a few groups early. No one said anything as we went through and so we ended up starting our vacation that much earlier.

Sep 1, 2022

happycamper47 said: Definitely depends on how fast people move and if they stop for the pictures. Click to expand...

Here’s my non-empiric answer: not long.

yorkieteacher

Sep 5, 2022

Our boarding number for the Dream was 6. They called 1-3 from 11:15-1130, 4-6 from 11:30-11:45.

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Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know

W e recently went through the Disney Cruise Line Check-in process and wish we knew everything we're sharing below ahead of time. It would have avoided confusion and cut down on the time it took to complete it all. Alas, we're smarter and wiser now!

Luckily, we're sharing our valuable knowledge with you , including screenshots of the check-in process (which we did on a mobile phone) and what to expect.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Creating a Smoother Check-in Process for You

In order to create the smoothest check-in process possible, we are also sharing what you need to have ready ahead of time . Additionally, we'll tell you the info we wish we knew in advance that will help you for your own Disney Cruise Line (DCL) check-in.

Get excited because you'll know what time you can arrive at the port to start boarding your Disney cruise after you complete the check-in process! Woohoo! (We'll also explain why that Port Arrival time is important.)

Towards the end of the post, we'll share what you can do after you check-in in the days leading up to your cruise.

Preparing for your Disney Cruise Line Check-in

Check-in opens to passengers a minimum of 30 days before embarkation. It must be completed by one day before your sail date. Only guests in good standing who have paid the balance of their cruise booking can proceed with checking in.

Castaway Club Perk: Earlier Check in

If you are a member of Castaway Club, which you are automatically enrolled in for free, after your first Disney cruise, you can check in according to the following:

Silver: 33 days before the cruise
Gold: 35 days before the cruise
Platinum: 38 days before the cruise
Pearl: 40 days before the cruise

Disney Cruise Line Concierge Guests Check In

It does not matter when concierge guests check in as long as they do so before the cut off date for online check in. This is because they get Group One boarding anyway.

➜ Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

First, you want to ensure you have the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app downloaded on your phone for your online check-in. You will want the app for your cruise anyway since it allows you to text with fellow passengers while on board, free of charge or free of an internet plan.

You will find links to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app here via the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android users.

If you have never downloaded the app, you'll also need the following to log in :

Disney Cruise reservation number
Your Disney Cruise account login info (username and password)

You can do other things in the DCL app, including:

Manage your reservation.
Explore & book activities.
View additional cruise options, like adding air or ground transportation and adding dining or special requests.
Onboard chat (the free text messaging we mentioned above), which allows you to chat with fellow passengers or a crew member – the most fun part of this is the cool Disney emojis in the chat feature.
Access your cruise calendar and things like menus for each restaurant during your cruise.
View your cruise statement balance.
See DCL's latest cruise specials and offerings for your next vacation.
Explore the ship with the app's deck-to-deck plan, bow to stern .
View the ports of call and daily itinerary, like what time you dock and what time you need to be back onboard before the cruise departs for the next destination.

︎ Download our free check-in printable!

Download our free Disney Cruise Line Check-in Cheat Sheet

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

➜ What You Need to have on Hand, Ready to Upload for Check-In

Photo of every traveler's passport .
A clear photo of each passenger , solo.
A credit card that you'll use for purchases while you're on the cruise.
Flight information (if you're flying to the port) .
Hotel information for before/after your Disney cruise (if applicable).

☆ It's important to have all of the info above handy when you arrive at your Port of Embarkation too. Do not put them in any luggage you'll pass off to the crew curbside.

Keep these things in your carry-on bag that you're going to have on you at all times.

➜ Checking in Large Groups of Travelers

If you're checking in a lot of travelers for your cruise – for example, eight, ten, or more – one person can check everyone in.

Link all the reservations into one account so you can change between them easily. Then make sure the one person checking everyone in has EVERYTHING needed to do it, which is referenced in this post. (Security photos, passports or birth certificate info, etc.)

Our check-in printable has a checklist to ensure you’re prepared for check-in! Be sure to download that through this post.

Be sure to download our free printable Disney Cruise Line Check-in Cheat Sheet, in the box above or here , so you're fully prepared, including a checklist of what you need for a smooth online check-in!

Below, we'll go into depth about each item you need to check-in, in the bulleted list above.

➜ Photo of Your Passport

You'll need a photo of every traveler's passport, taken one at a time (not a group photo of the passports). It has to be a clear, unobstructed, glare-free photo. Alternatively, a Passport Card may be acceptable if you travel between the United States, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

This is harder to get than you would think! We recommend taking the photo during daylight, near a window with natural light. Turn off any artificial light in your home. Then take your photo.

If you can't get the light coming in from your window to stop reflecting on your passport, try closing the blinds a little or closing a shade that still allows light to come through.

You'll upload citizenship documents for check-in if you don't have a passport.

Check-In Tip:

Passport Card

You can use a Passport Card to check in if you are traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, in lieu of a passport. They may be easier to photograph.

You cannot use this option if you're cruising elsewhere, including Europe.

If you're cruising between the United States and the Caribbean, including Castaway Cay, you can use your Passport or Passport Card.

➜ Solo Photo of Each Passenger

Disney wants a photo of each passenger for their onboard account. It should be taken from the shoulders up, looking straight at the camera.

It cannot be the same exact photo as your official ID. (In other words, you cannot simply take a photo of the image in a passport.) However, use that photo as guidance for what they want.

Think of your passport or driver's license photo. This is the type of photo DCL is looking for of each passenger to identify him/her upon check-in/out of the ship at ports.

We simply looked for a photo of us from vacation without a crazy background, where we were looking at the camera straight-on. This doesn't have to be a glamour shot – it simply has to show what you look like, without a face mask or sunglasses , looking directly at the camera.

There is a size limit to how large the photo can be (minimum and maximum size). Be sure that it meets these requirements before you upload it. The process will move along quicker if it's not huge (especially because cameras take huge-sized photos these days in terms of storage space).

The check-in website may crash if the photo is beyond the photo size limits it states. (Trust us – it crashed a few times for us because the image was too big. It stopped crashing when we reduced the file size.)

➜ Proof of Vaccination (No Longer Required)

Before November 2022, you needed to have a photo of vaccination cards for any vaccinated passenger. While this is no longer required, regulations/requirements can change anytime.

➜ Credit Card

You'll input the info of a credit card you want to use for purchases while onboard during online check-in. Have one handy.

Alternatively, you can choose to pay for cruise expenses in cash. If you do so, you'll have a credit limit depending on the length of your cruise. If you reach the limit, you'll have to go to guest services to pay off the bill (in cash) before you can charge more to your account.

➜ Flight Information

Have your flight info ready to input so you don't have to search for it. If you are driving to the port, then you do not have to enter this info. (You simply check “No” when they ask, “Are you flying in for your cruise vacation?”)

➜ Hotel Information

This includes any Orlando hotel (for example), Port Canaveral area hotel, Air BnB, VRBO, etc. that you may be staying at before or after your cruise.

If this does not apply to you, then you do not have to input this information.

Check in to Your Disney Cruise Line Sailing 30 Days Prior to Embarkation: Timezone Info

Online check-in is available for your sailing 30 days prior to the day you board the ship. We thought this was according to the time in the same time zone as your port of embarkation.

However, it's not. It is at midnight EST, regardless of where you are or what timezone you're sailing from.

Why does this matter? Because if you live in England but your cruise leaves from Port Canaveral , Florida, you can check in at midnight EST . You cannot check in at midnight BST time (England's local time).

We tried to check into our cruise while we were enjoying a barge cruise in France. Dan and I specifically stayed up late just in case the countdown showing in the app was correct.

Forcing myself to stay up until midnight in France, I realized that somehow the Disney counter switched to local time in France during the trip. The countdown was incorrect .

Imagine our disappointment (and exhaustion) when we realized that we could n ot check in at midnight. Instead, I set an alarm for 6:00am (six hours later) to check into our cruise at midnight EST . And voila, we could check-in.

➜ So, if you're wondering, “Is the 30 days local time for Disney Cruise Line, or is it my local time where I live?” The answer is that it's Disney Cruise Line's headquarters local time, midnight EST. Disney Cruise Line officially confirmed this for us via email correspondence with their PR team.

Check-in, and any modifications to your check-in, must be completed by the day before you sail.

Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In Process

➜ begin check-in.

When you open the DCL Navigator app at any time before your cruise, you'll see an awesome countdown to your sailing. We love that they use emojis in the counter. They sub out a lot of the zeros for fun Disney characters. (A lot of the characters are also available in the app chat feature while you are on your cruise.)

When you can check in, you'll see that a little button that says “Begin Check-In” appears in the app (screenshot below, right). This button will not appear until 30 days before your cruise, at midnight EST.

You can see that our Online Check-In screenshot says “6:00” on the upper lefthand corner because we were in France at the time of check-in; it was 12:00 midnight EST.

Complete Check-In Items on the Overview List

When you hit the “Begin Check-In” button, it will take you out of the app. It opens an internet browser window to begin checking in.

You will see a checklist for what you need to do to complete check-in. The icons, which are silhouettes of the faces of classic Disney characters (like Goofy, Donald, and Minnie) are not filled in if you haven't completed the task.

But as you fill in the information, you'll see the faces start to fill in with more graphic and colorful drawings. So cute, right?

In the screenshots below, you'll see the top two don't have the faces filled in yet. In the bottom two screenshots, the faces are filled in, which indicates we completed those tasks for check-in.

➜ Moving Through the Steps of DCL Check-In

You'll be glad you will have already gathered what we recommended to have on hand, ready to go, as you move through the Disney Cruise Line check-in steps. Things will move as efficiently as possible this way.

Each step is sequential. You cannot jump ahead to the Port Arrival Time, for example, then go back to filling in your contact information. You must fill in your contact information first before it lets you move to the next step.

As you can see from the screenshots below, we filled in the information for our Travel Plans, picked our Port Arrival Time (the BEST part of check-in), accepted the terms of the Cruise Contract, and we were done.

All DCL guests, including Platinum Castaway Club members , need to select a Port Arrival Time.

➜ Port Arrival Time

The Port Arrival Time is a timeslot you are given or select during the check in process. This is the time you are able to arrive at the cruise terminal to board the ship on embarkation day.

It's an important timeslot! If you're able to, given how you're arriving at the port (especially if you're driving yourself) you'll want to select the earliest available arrival time.

This is the time you can arrive at the port and drop your luggage off, curbside. (The luggage is delivered to your cabin later in the day.) Then you go inside the terminal to continue your check-in, in person, and you get your boarding group. The earlier the boarding group, the earlier you get on the ship. This means the longer your cruise is, even if that's just hours longer.

Disney has a lot of shorter cruise itineraries that are three or four days that head to Castaway Cay and Nassau, then head back to Florida. This Port Arrival Time particularly matters for shorter cruises. Why not maximize your time onboard a Disney ship if you can?

If you want one of the earliest arrival times, it's imperative you check in for your cruise at midnight. Being one of the first to check in means you will increase your chances of being able to select an early arrival time.

For Guests taking Disney Cruise Line Transportation

The caveat to the Port Arrival Time you get during check in is if you are taking DCL transportation from your Orlando-area hotel. This is especially true for resorts that are on-property at Walt Disney World. If this is the case, your Port Arrival Time doesn't really matter because you will arrive at the port when the bus drops you off.

➜ Disney Cruise Line Website Delays During Check-In

We're not going to sugarcoat this: Disney websites are notoriously slow and buggy.

It's not uncommon to get an error message that the website is experiencing complications during check-in. This is very frustrating when you feel like you're racing against the clock to get your earliest Port Arrival Time and have to do the steps sequentially as the app presents them.

Trust us, we know, and we can relate. We were on vacation overseas the last time we had to check-in for a Disney cruise…at 6:00am local time! It wasn't what we wanted to deal with. Alas, we are all at the mercy of Disney.

The good news is that Disney periodically saves your work. If you need to reload check-in, simply re-open the app. Log in again. Then click “Complete Check-In,” and it will take you back to the check-in website.

You may lose some check-in work (we did), but not all of it. It usually doesn't take much time to re-enter the info.

Confirmation You're Checked-In for Your Cruise

When you have successfully completed the online check-in process, you'll see the message in the screenshot below, that says, “You're All Set to Sail!”

An important note is that while it says you're set to sail, your online check-in may still show as “ Pending Review “. This is because a Disney Cruise Line cast member has to check the photos you submitted (a real human, from what we understand), and it's a long process.

It could potentially say “Pending Review” until you sail. If it does, don't worry. We have heard that this is common. In our case, our account said “Pending Review” up until the day we embarked on our cruise.

As long as you bring all the documents with you that you uploaded to the app, you should be golden when you arrive at the port to embark on your Disney Cruise. (Remember you must keep all of these documents in a carry-on bag with you at all times during embarkation.)

➜ Disney Cruise Line Port Arrival Cards for your Digital Apple Wallet

If you have an iPhone, one of the coolest things you can add to your Apple Wallet after check-in is your Port Arrival Form QR codes. This makes it extra easy to find those important QR codes you need when you get to the cruise terminal to embark on your Disney Cruise.

We're not 100% sure if the same cool feature is available to Android phone users with Google Pay. But if you know (because you use an Android and you've gone through the check-in process with Disney Cruise Line, firsthand) please let us know in the comments!

➜ Your Check-In Should be Good to Go!

Though there used to be another step to clear “Safe Passage by Inspire Diagnostics” (aka: “Safe Passage”) through the end of September 2022 for some of the Disney Cruise Line ships (Disney Dream, Wish, Wonder, and Fantasy) and through November 7 for Disney Magic, you no longer need to do this.

The official statement from Disney Cruise Line to its guests was the following:

Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing.

The Safe Passage portal is no longer available as of January 1, 2023.

Visit DCL's “ Know Before You Go ” page for the latest updates.

➜ How long did the Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In Process Take Us?

It took us 50 minutes to complete the DCL online check-in process. In an ideal world, it should have only taken 20 minutes. But it is what it is.

To reiterate a sentiment we mentioned earlier: we're all at the mercy of Disney Cruise Line's website speed and how well it works – or doesn't work – when you check in.

Our fingers and toes are crossed, and we're knocking on all the wood for you that the website is working and it's quick and painless when you go to check in! If it's not working, simply keep logging back in and refreshing things.

Important Information Regarding your DCL Port Arrival Time and Sail-Day Embarkation

There is nothing quite like the morning you board a Disney Cruise ship. The excitement is almost unbearable!

I always look forward to driving to Port Canaveral from Orlando and seeing that first glimpse of the iconic DCL cruise ship stack in the distance. It comes into view as you cross over the second bridge on A1A to get to the port.

The most important thing to know about arriving at the terminal is that you can only arrive within your Port Arrival Time window . This is the 15-minute time block that you chose when you checked in.

Don't arrive an hour earlier, hoping they let you embark early. Though we have heard if they are running ahead of schedule they might let you arrive early, it would be a bummer if they say no and then you have to find something to do to kill thirty minutes or an hour of time. Especially because it's not quite enough time to explore Cape Canaveral .

If you forget your Port Arrival Time, you can easily view it on your Port Arrival Form. It's also in your iPhone Wallet if you added the cards to the iPhone Wallet app.

If you arrive early, they will tell you to come back later during your scheduled time. They might tell you to come back later after several other time blocks clear if you arrive late.

Disney Cruise Line Check In FAQs

✦ if one reservation in our traveling party has concierge but the rest of us don't, can we get in with the concierge guests.

No, there is no formal way to do that. But we have heard that once you're at the port, you can simply ask someone who works there if they'll allow you to board as a group at the earlier boarding time. Sometimes they say yes.

✦ I accidentally only registered half of our party for check in, then realized later and now my group has two different Port Arrival Times. Can I change the later ones to be earlier?

The answer is no, you cannot change the later time to be earlier. But you can arrive later than your Port Arrival Time and board as a whole group with later group.

✦ We're doing a closed-loop cruise and don't have a passport. What do we need to upload for documentation proof?

You must have a photo or scan of a birth certificate and photo ID ready to upload upon check in if you don't have a passport. Note that this is only true of a cruise that starts and ends in a US port and goes to certain areas.

If you have a passport, then — without a doubt — upload that as your photo documentation.

✦ We will be checking in ten people for our Disney Cruise. Would it be best for three people to do 3 or 4 check ins so that we can get the same boarding time?

One person can do all the check-ins for your cruise. You can link all the reservations into one account and change between them easily. Just make sure the one person who is checking everyone in has everything we mention that you need to do it. (Security photos, passports or birth certificate info, etc.)

Our check-in printable has a checklist on it to ensure you’re prepared for check-in! Be sure to download that.

✦ When in the process of doing the check-in steps. Do you need to go through them in order or can you jump ahead to selecting the Port Arrival Time first and then go back and fill the rest?

The system will not allow you to select a Port Arrival Time until you’ve completed the previous steps.

✦ Can you take photos of your passports and upload those photos when checking in? Or do you actually need to create a file (pdf)?

You can take photos of the passports on your phone to upload. Just make sure that the photos you create are glare-free and all the information is legible.

✦ We’re staying at Walt Disney World before and after our cruise. Should I mark “no” when it asks if we’re flying in?

Our Disney Travel Agent, Becca Plans Vacations , helped us with the official answer to this question. If you won’t have a car at the port, say you’re flying in even if it’s at the start of your WDW trip.

✦ Is it best to check in on the app through your phone or on a computer?

It's best to do it in the app on your phone. However, we know some people check in through their computers, especially if they need bigger fonts for eyesight reasons or they have trouble pressing small links and buttons on their phone.

Some people even have their phone and computer in front of them to see what's faster. Do what's best for you, but we personally stick to the app.

✦ What happens if you arrive 30 or 40 minutes prior to port arrival time?

If you arrive before your Port Arrival Time, ask the staff if they'll let you arrive early. If they're running early that day they might, but they may also tell you that you have to come back later.

✦ How long does the security check usually take at Port Canaveral?

We have embarked at Port Canaveral many times. It usually takes about an hour or less from parking our car to getting inside the terminal. Twenty to thirty minutes is a good approximation for the security line itself. However, that's just getting through security.

The time you board the ship is dependent upon the boarding time you receive once you arrive at the port and go through security.

What to Do After You Check-in for Your Disney Cruise

➜ mark your calendar with important dates.

You'll want to mark your calendars with the date below. (Don't forget to get our Free Check-in Cheat Sheet Printable if you haven't already, which makes counting the days super easy.)

After check-in, before you sail: Enjoy booking things like special dinner reservations at Enchanté , Palo, or Remy's, depending on the Disney Cruise Line ship you'll be on. You can also book spa treatments in the app and schedule gifts, like flowers or chocolate-covered strawberries, for delivery to your stateroom. (Read our “Start to Pack for Your Disney Cruise” info below for great things to purchase and bring onboard to decorate your room.)
3 days before your cruise is when online bookings for cruise activities close, like spa treatments and dining reservations.
The day before you sail : mark your calendar to buy wine or beer if you want to bring some onboard. But seriously…mark your calendar to go to a local wine/beer store if you want to bring some on board. This way, you won't have to worry about it the day you embark! Disney's policy is as follows:

Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00 per bottle. Disney's Policy stated on their website

Date for the day you sail . (Just in case you haven't already marked it in your calendar!) You'll also want to set a reminder to complete the Pre-Trip Embarkation Health Questionnaire , which is available in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app on your embarkation day.

If you need to figure out any dates above, simply Google, “What day is __ days before [enter your sailing date]” and Google will show you the date in its results. It's a beautiful thing.

➜Start to Pack for Your Disney Cruise

When we come back from one trip, we're always excited for the next. Whether you're cruising as adults only on Disney Cruise Line or looking forward to a DCL sailing with the entire family, we know it's never too soon to think about packing.

If you're going to the theme parks before or after your trip, be sure to check out our Ultimate Year-Round Walt Disney World and Universal Packing List , which includes a helpful printable.

➜ Order Cruise Essential Items in Advance

This is because you may need to order some cruise items ahead of time, which might take time to ship. Such things as Blissets (which are awesome and fashionable anti-nausea bands ), or perhaps custom Disney Cruise Line attire on Etsy , take time to arrive at your doorstep.

Other things may be available on Amazon, where you can use Prime to ship within days. If you don't already have a Prime account, now is the perfect time to sign up for a free 30-day trial so you'll get free shipping.

We also have a list of Cruise Essentials for you to browse in our Amazon shop , from handheld fans to beat the heat to Apple AirTags if you're checking luggage, to reef-safe sunscreen, and more.

➜ Get Trip Insurance

If you didn't opt for Disney's trip insurance but still want to explore covering your trip, it may not be too late! We never get trip insurance through the cruise line because it's more cost affective to get it elsewhere and we like what third-parties include.

Disney Cruise Activities: Make any Desired Reservations from Dining to the Spa and Port Excursions

As your cruise countdown continues, you can do some additional things in the app. For example, you can make reservations or appointments for dining and the spa ahead of time. You can access this online app feature up to three days before your cruise.

If dining (like Enchante on the Disney Wish , for example) is showing as unavailable, that usually means there are no more advance reservations available. (In that case, you'll want to ask about how to make a reservation while on board the day you embark.)

Port excursions and spa reservations can also be made in advance from within the app.

If a spa treatment, or appointment for Hook's Barbery on Disney Wish , is showing as “Sold Out,” you may want to check about availability once you board the ship on embarkation day.

Cruise Essential FOR YOUR TROPICAL VACATION:

The only thing we have tried that gets rid of bug bites from your skin is The Bug Bite Thing . This item is a MUST pack when we travel. We always pack one in our backpack/day bag and another in our luggage. Don't travel without it!

Things to Do Nearby in Port Canaveral

If you are sailing from Disney Cruise Line's Port Canaveral Terminal and are looking for things to do nearby, we've got you covered!

There are many great activities, whether you have a few hours, half a day, a full day, or multiple days.

Check out our recommendations for things to do near Port Canaveral and make the most of your trip to the Florida coast! (Or “Space Coast,” as it's called!)

Going on a Disney Cruise? Read this next:

Best Disney Cruise Ship, According to DCL Experts
Experiencing a Disney Cruise without Kids
Anti-Nausea Medication and Other Cruise Sea Sickness Solutions

The post Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know appeared first on Sometimes Sailing .

Prepare for Disney Cruise Line's Check-In process with this essential article, sharing what to prepare before you sit down to check in, what time zone you'll check in, and other key info that will make the process smooth and painless!

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)? My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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Cruise Routes (Interactive Map)

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Russian River Cruises

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Moscow — St. Petersburg
Moscow — Astrakhan
Astrakhan — St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Cruise Highlights
News & Travel Tips

Lorem Ipsum

Moscow to Astrakhan

14 days – 13 nights

Collapse Full Itinerary

Airport transfer / Check-in

Volga dream experience:

City Tour / Moscow Metro/ Tretyakov Gallery

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum

Volga dream experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Russian Cooking Class

Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony

Relaxing day of leisure / Onboard activities

Volga dream experience: An onboard presentation

City tour / XVIth-century Kremlin / Folk concert by a local children’s group

Volga dream experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

City tour / Kazan Kremlin / Concert of traditional Tatar music

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

City tour / Space Museum / Samara State Art Museum

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

City tour / Radishev State Art Museum

Volga dream experience: -

Mamayev Hill / Battle of Stalingrad Panorama Museum

Concert in a local Conservatory

Volga dream experience: Concert in a local Conservatory

Tour to a fortress of Astrakhan

Volga dream experience: Farewell dinner

Check-out / Airport transfer

Meals: Breakfast

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

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Choose Staterooms

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

Request a quote

Journey: Volga Dream

Price per person: not specified

IMAGES

Boarding Process for Disney Dream Cruise
Disney Cruise Boarding Groups and Embarkation Day Guide
Disney Cruise Line Boarding Process
Disney Cruise Line Boarding Process
Disney Cruise Line
Checking In Early And Other Ways To Snag A Lower Boarding Number For

VIDEO

Boarding our first Disney cruise #disneycruise #cruise #travel #disney

COMMENTS

Disney Cruise Boarding Groups and Embarkation Day Guide
Instead, Disney Cruise Line will give you a boarding number based on your PAT of 1:00. Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal. You may receive Boarding Group #15 even though you arrived at 11:00. This would mean a lot of waiting in the cruise terminal until your boarding group number gets called.
Boarding Groups
Mar 13, 2019. Jul 10, 2019. #3. Last week we had a port arrival time from 1045-1115 at Port Canaveral—we were assigned boarding group 5 and given a card with that number to show when getting on the boat. It was very fast—the difference between boarding group times was 5 min to 10 tops. We were on the boat at 1145.
Disney Cruise Embarkation
Disney and other cruise companies stagger port arrival times so that not everyone arrives at once. The important thing to understand is that Port Arrival Time is related to your Boarding Number. Usually, these range from Groups 1 to 30. The later your Port Arrival Time the higher your boarding number will be.
Boarding Groups
Feb 25, 2019. Jun 21, 2022. #1. Couple of questions regarding port arrival times and boarding groups: 1. Going through the process last night I had issues when I got to the point of selecting a PAT I kept going in circles. I had an 11:30 PAT but couldn't get to the next screen where I would get my boarding group as it said my contract was ...
Disney Cruise Embarkation and Disembarkation Tips For Port Canaveral
If you have a little time until your boarding group is called you can start the fun by meeting Disney characters in the port lobby. Find out more about meeting Disney characters on a cruise here. Board Your Disney Cruise Ship. As you approach the doors of the Disney Cruise Line ship a cast member will ask your family name.
When Can Guest Board the Cruise Ships
For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn what time you may board your Disney Cruise Line ship.
Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day
When you arrive at Port Canaveral on Embarkation Day, you will either be dropped off by the Disney Cruise Line bus, private transport, or rideshare or park your car in the parking garage. If you arrive via Disney transport, they take care of your luggage for you. If you are being dropped off, there are porters to help you with your luggage.
The New Process of Embarkation Day for Disney Cruise Line
Here is Disney Cruise Line policy for embarkation: All Guests, regardless of age and vaccination status, are required to take a COVID-19 test (paid for by Disney Cruise Line and administered by Inspire Diagnostics) at the terminal before boarding. This will be the second of two COVID-19 PCR tests required for unvaccinated Guests.
Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day: Vital Port Canaveral Info
Disney Cruise Line begins boarding at 12:00 pm. This may confuse you if you have a port arrival time before noon. But your port arrival time and the time you board the ship are two different times. ... Group Numbers and Boarding Your Disney Cruise Ship. Boarding promptly begins at noon with group 1, kicked off by the Family of the Day. Group 6 ...
What to Expect On Embarkation Day: Disney Cruise Line from Port
The app is 100% necessary on board and it can be expensive and time-consuming to download it after you've set sail. (Step-By-Step: How to Use Disney Cruise Line Navigator on Board) When your boarding group is called, you'll have to show the QR one last time and then you can walk onto the ship. The last checkpoint prior to actual boarding.
Boarding Group????
Boarding begins around 11:30, with Concierge, followed by Platinum then they start calling boarding numbers. Once the number being announced for boarding catches up with the number being issued at check in, Open Boarding is called (anyone holding any boarding number may board). This typically occurs around 12:30 or so.
Port Arrival Time vs Boarding Time question
Feb 16, 2012. Aug 21, 2021. #18. stkgator said: I sent a message to DCL, and they stated that the boarding time is still scheduled for 1:00 pm - unless cleared to board earlier. I changed my PAT via the online check-in portal to a later time (from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm), but noticed that the boarding group changed from "Group 5" to "Group 18 ...
DCL
Have your identification as well as your Disney Cruise Line QR Code ready to be shown. This is where you will receive your Boarding Group number. After check-in is complete, Guests will undergo security screening. Boarding. Boarding will usually begin at approximately 11 am. When you hear your boarding number announced, head straight towards ...
Full Guide to Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day
Here is the breakdown for Castaway Club members: Silver Members: 33 days before. Gold Members: 35 days before. Platinum Members: 38 days before. Pearl Members and Concierge guests: 40 days before. Check-in opens at 12 a.m. ET. It's available on the Disney Cruise Line website or in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
Disney Cruise Line Boarding Process
If you are a repeat cruiser on Disney Cruise Line, you will receive a lanyard as well. Disney Cruise Line Lanyard. The last item you receive will be your boarding group number card. Boarding Group Number Card. Once you have all your items, you can then proceed to the seating area to wait for your boarding number to be called.
This is our first cruise! What is the differe...
Once your boarding group is called, you will proceed to the ship! Have your camera ready to take pictures for those first few exciting moments on board! After you step onboard, I recommend that you eat some lunch, review the daily activities listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, check out the youth spaces, and swim! Have a magical cruise!
How to get an early boarding group on a Disney Cruise!
Of course everyone wants to board their Disney Cruise and start enjoying ship amenities and grab those Palo reservations as soon as possible! Concierge guests are always in the first boarding group. However, there is an easy way to guarantee you are the second group without paying thousands of extra $$$. Guests who stay at Disney World Resort hotels the night before their departure are ...
Essential Tips for Your Disney Cruise Embarkation Day
Embarkation Day Tips. DO attach Disney Cruise luggage tags to your bags. Be sure to fill out the identifying information, including your stateroom number. DO have small bills handy. When you get to the port, you'll hand off your luggage to the porters. (It's customary to tip $1 to $2 per bag).
Step-by-Step: How to Ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney World
From the My Disney Experience app, click the hamburger on the bottom right, then scroll down and select Virtual Queues. On the next screen, select "Join Virtual Queue". If you aren't automatically directed to the queue for Tiana's Bayou Adventure, select it from the available options by tapping "Confirm Your Party".
Length between boarding groups
Joined. Nov 10, 2012. Aug 31, 2022. #3. Maggie'sMom said: It can vary. Generally, they call numbers rather quickly. For our cruise on the Wish three weeks ago, boarding group 2 was called a minute or two after group 1, then groups 3 through 6 had maybe five minutes in between, if that. We were group 6 and boarded just a little after noon.
Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know
Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning ...
Boarding SAPSAN train Moscow-StPeter / which car to choose
Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Moscow ; Hotels ; Things to Do ; Restaurants ; Flights ; Vacation Rentals ; Travel Stories
Best of Moscow by high speed train
We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day.
Moscow to Astrakhan Russian River Cruise
14 days - 13 nights. Your River Cruise on the luxurious MS Volga Dream takes you from Moscow along Russia's grand Volga River to the legend that is Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. Along the way, you'll discover the treasures of Yaroslavl, the oldest city on the Volga, medieval Nizhniy Novgorod and ...
Imperial Waterways of Russia
Day 1: Moscow (Embarkation Day) Arrive at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D) Day 2: Moscow. If Russia is "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma" as Churchill famously said, then Moscow presents an intriguing starting point for cultural discovery.