All You Need to Know About Checking In For Your Disney Cruise
Checking in for your Disney Cruise is one of the most important parts of planning your Disney Cruise, and I highly recommend doing it online before your vacation. Not only will it save you time at the port when you arrive, but it gives you the opportunity to double-check all of your personal information and address any special needs you might have before you arrive. You also get to pick your arrival time at the port! So if you’re preparing for your first cruise or you simply need a refresher, here is everything you need to know when checking in for your Disney Cruise.
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Planning to sail on Disney Cruise Line in the coming year? Be sure to check out our guide to all that Disney Cruise Line has to offer this year including exciting itineraries, new ports of call, themed events at sea, and more!
When can you start checking in for your Disney Cruise?
Online check-in opens at different times depending on several factors:
- First-Time Guests – 75 days prior to sail date
- Silver Castaway Club Member – 90 days prior to sail date
- Gold Castaway Club Member – 105 days prior to sail date
- Platinum Castaway Club Member – 120 days prior to sail date
- Pearl Castaway Club Member – 123 days prior to sail date
- Concierge Guests – 123 days prior to sail date
Keep in mind that you do NOT need to be paid in full to check-in, but you do need to be paid in full to book port adventures, adult dining, etc. Things do book fairly quickly, so I highly recommend paying in full and booking onboard reservations as soon as possible. Also, be aware that online check-in closes four days before your sail date. At that point, you will have to check in at the port.
What information do you need in order to check in?
Take some time the day or two before your check-in window opens to gather all of the information you need to check in for your cruise. Here is what you will need:
- Disney account login and password
- Passports for all cruisers
- Travel information (flight numbers, hotels you will be staying in before and after your cruise, etc.)
- Credit card for incidentals and gratuities
How do you check in once your window opens?
If getting a good arrival window time or scoring a specific dinner reservation or port adventure is important to you, be sure to check in as soon as you possibly can. In fact, it may be wise to check in right at midnight (Eastern Standard Time) when your window opens.
Once you log in to your account, simply hover over the “Already Booked” tab and click on “Online Check-In.” After that, you simply follow all of the onscreen steps to enter your personal travel information.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Yes! Here are some miscellaneous tips to keep in mind when checking in online:
- Select the earliest possible port arrival time. Getting onto the ship early will help you to beat the crowds and begin your vacation as early as possible. (More time for food and water slides!) *If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort the night before your cruise and using Disney transportation to the ship, they will assign you an arrival time at the resort.
- Print your contract signature form and take it with you on the cruise.
- Be sure to print a parental debarkation authorization form if needed. This form is for those traveling with family or friends staying in other staterooms. Children are NOT allowed to leave the ship with anyone from a stateroom that isn’t their own without this form… even if they are related. So be sure to have it ready if this applies to you!
- Book your onboard fun as soon as possible. To do this you must be paid in full, but it’s definitely something you don’t want to wait on if there’s something special you’d like to do! This includes port adventures, adult-only dining reservations, character meet-and-greets, spa reservations, etc. While some of this will be available on board, the best times and days go quickly!
- Reserve your spot early at It’s a Small World Nursery (available for kids 3 and under). Keep in mind there is an additional fee, and reservations are required.
**Looking to plan your Disney Cruise Line vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
And be sure to visit the official website for Disney Cruise Line for more information about all they have to offer!