ACoupleAtSea Posted November 25, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 25, 2017 How do we go about getting the earliest possible boarding group? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted November 25, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 25, 2017 How do we go about getting the earliest possible boarding group? Sent from my iPhone using Forums When you online check in window opens, part of the process is selecting a Port Arrival Time. The PAT you select is tied to the boarding number you get at check in at the port. Or, you could book a Concierge room, no PAT required, and Concierge are boarded first. Platinum level Castaway Club boards after Concierge (also not required to select a PAT). Boarding begins around 11:30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACoupleAtSea Posted November 25, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Does the online check in open 75 or 90 days prior to sail date? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted November 25, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Does the online check in open 75 or 90 days prior to sail date? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Depends on your Castaway Club status on DCL. First time DCL cruisers - 75 days Silver CC level - 90 days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted November 25, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Also, if you are not happy with your initial PAT, keep checking back. Sometimes people realize that they can't be there at the time they selected and make a different choice. In addition, if you use DCL transportation, you are not required to select a PAT. You will be allowed to enter the terminal when the DCL bus gets you there and your boarding card number will be based on your actual check in time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACoupleAtSea Posted November 26, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted November 26, 2017 We do have dcl transportion and we are silver. Whats the best way to approach this? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted November 26, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 26, 2017 We do have dcl transportion and we are silver. Whats the best way to approach this? Sent from my iPhone using Forums When you do your online check in, you probably will not be prompted to select a Port Arrival Time. When you arrive at Orlando, just head out for the DCL transportation desk. Once there you take the bus to the port. When you arrive at the port, you check in and will receive a boarding number (apparently tied to the time actually check in there). 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted November 26, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 26, 2017 You didn't tell us which ship--it does make a difference in the flow of things at Port Canaveral. It takes longer to board 4000 people than 2500. However, the game plan is the same. When you arrive at MCO, you should have already placed the DCL tags on your luggage before checking it at your home airport. There is no need to stop at baggage claim as DCL will claim them for you. Go directly to the Welcome Center and you'll be assigned to or directed to a bus (depending on time). The first bus departure is about 9:30. When you get there, you'll be escorted into the terminal thru security and to the check in line. Have all your paperwork in order to save time. As part of the check in, you'll be given a boarding number. My experience with boarding times, etc. has been a little different than what Shmoo quotes, but not enough to matter. When your number is called, board the ship and go to lunch. By the time you finish lunch, your room will likely be ready (at 1:30) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACoupleAtSea Posted November 26, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Sorry, Magic out of Miami. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted November 26, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Magic is easy--lower number of guests = quicker boarding. Unfortunately I can't help you with DCL transportation to the terminal in Miami. My experience at all other ports where we've done DCL was the same as at PC--you find the Disney CM usually wearing big Mickey hand gloves so they really stand out and they direct you to the bus. From there, everything has always worked the same as PC. Actual boarding times have varied a little depending on the port--at some European ports, boarding didn't start till 12:30. But the process and the order of boarding doesn't change. If you want to be on board sooner, you can navigate around the line for the "Welcome Aboard" photo. If kid programming is in your future, complete the registration on board--much shorter lines than at the terminals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACoupleAtSea Posted November 26, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted November 26, 2017 So at 90 days out, we can do online check in and get an assigned boarding group? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted November 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 26, 2017 So at 90 days out, we can do online check in and get an assigned boarding group? Sent from my iPhone using Forums If you are Silver Castaway Club level, and are prompted to select a Port Arrival Time. If you're using DCL transfers, or are Concierge (or Platinum) you won't be prompted to select Port Arrival Time. Well, at Port Canaveral, probably the same for Miami. You're not getting an "assigned boarding group". It's a Port Arrival Time. You get your boarding number at the port when you check in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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