Embarkation and Debarkation days on the Disney Cruise

Embarkation and Debarkation days on the Disney Cruise

Embarkation day is the most exciting day of a Disney Cruise! But what do you do!

 

30-40 days prior to your cruise you should have done your online check-in and gotten your Port Arrival Time (PAT) and your boarding group number. The date you can do it is based on your Castaway Club Membership Level. You arrive at your assigned time and do your check in. This is a simple process of showing your Citizenship Paperwork and going through a security check much the same as airports. You will drop your checked bags off with the porters and take your checked bags with you into the terminal. Once through security you will wait for your boarding group to be called. Once your boarding group is called you will board the ship.

 

You have a choice to choose available times when you do your online check-in. Should you choose a early or later boarding time? Personally I figure I’m paying to be on the ship and want to start my vacation/cruise early so I’ll go as early as possible.

 

Once you board the ship you can grab something to eat, explore the ship, or swim. You will need to keep your carryon items with you until your cabin is available.  Your cabin will not be ready until about 2pm.

 

What do you need to keep in your carryon bags? Make sure you have your Proof of Citizenship Paperwork and PAT Form. Electronics, Valuables, Medication, and any Medical Equipment must be taken on board by you. If you desire to being the allowed wine, beer or water it must be carried on. You can not check it in.

 

Debarkation day also known as the saddest day of a Disney Cruise.

 

The process of debarkation begins the night before. You have the choice of putting all the bags with items you do not need in the morning out for your Stateroom Host by 10pm the last night. The crew will make sure your bags are taken off the ship in the morning and you will find them in the port in the morning after you disembark. You will be given a character tag and your bags will be near the sign with that character.

 

If you choose to send your bags off the night before remember to keep the clothes, ID, other paperwork your need for your travel home, Medication, Medial Equipment and valuables with you. Do NOT pack them in your checked bags! Understand you will not be allowed to disembark until the character on your tag is called. Nobody is allowed to disembark until the ship has been cleared by customs.

 

The morning of debarkation you can have breakfast in the same restaurant you ate at the night before. Your servers will inform you during your last dinner what time you should be at the restaurant. You can also choose to eat at Cabanas or Marcelene Market one last time. There is no assigned time for the buffet, so it is easier if you are running a little late for breakfast.

 

There is a way to disembark quicker. If you keep all you bags with you there is express walk off. As soon as the ship is cleared by customs you can disembark and head off to your next destination. You have all your bags so you will not have to go to the pick up area to get them. I recommend this if you have an early flight.

 

You have a choice of many ways to leave the port. You can rent a car, get a ride share or taxi, or take the DCL bus to the airport or to Walt Disney World if you are in Florida.