It’s finally the day your family has been long awaiting! Embarkation day for your Disney Cruise! You are excited, your family is excited, you pull up and see the amazing boat docked and ready for your amazing adventure and then what?? I am going to give you some tips for making the first day on your cruise full of fun and memories!
Before You Sail:
*Check in online! Disney Cruise online check-in is open to first time guests 75 days before sailing and opens at midnight EST on your check in date! This will save you tons of time on your embarkation day. It is the time to choose your arrival time (pick as early as possible), register your kids for the youth clubs, reserve spa treatments, book shore excursions and sign up for special dining and activities, including some character meet and greets! You will also sign the forms needed to check-in, set up payment for on-board purchases and ensure you have transportation to and from the cruise ship.
Embarkation Day-Before Arrival
*Before arriving at port, make sure to attach your Disney Cruise Line luggage tags to every piece of luggage. Please ensure they include your name and stateroom number. Once you arrive at port you will not see them again, until much later in the day, at your stateroom.
*Pack a carry-on bag. As stated before, your luggage will be delivered to your room several hours after you arrive on the ship. Pack a bag that includes necessary medicines and anything the family may need during the day, including swimsuits and suntan lotion.
*Download the Navigator App. This is Disney Cruise Line’s free app that works while your phone is in airplane mode on the ship. It includes maps of the ship, the schedule for the day, dining menus and more. It also includes a chat feature that lets you text your other friends and family on board.
*Have your cruise documents ready for check-in and small bills ready for tipping luggage porters.
*Proceed through the check-in process and then meet with the characters that are available while waiting for your embarkation group to be called.
Once On-Board
*First thing, read through your Navigator. You will be given this at check-in. It has cruise highlights, information you will need to know about your first day on board, character meet and greets for the day, a schedule of everything offered, how to get on the ship’s wi-fi and more. It will also include the schedule for the mandatory Guest Assembly Drill and the Sail Away party.
*Get to know and understand your Key to the World Card. This little card is the key to your room, the way you pay for anything on board, and it also has your dining rotation, your dining time and table number, along with your Assembly Station letter for the mandatory drill. It does not have your stateroom number on it. Please make sure your every person in your party knows their stateroom number.
*Eat lunch! The buffet and one sit down restaurant are both available for embarkation day lunch. The sit down restaurant is usually quieter and less crowded, while the buffet is usually close to the pool areas and much more crowded.
*After lunch the day is yours! This is a great time to do the open houses both in the kids club areas and the spa. It is the time to sign up for the Castaway Cay 5K, take a guided walking tour of the boat, hit the pool, play some putt-putt and more!
After Sail Away:
*Now is the time to get ready for all of the fun evening activities! Dinner, live entertainment, competitions, movies and more! I also suggest unpacking as much as possible. This way you can store your luggage under the bed!
I hope this helps you enjoy your first day on your Disney Cruise ship! Your family will have so much fun and make so many memories! I would love to hear your favorite first day memory from your Disney Cruise!!
