How Embarkation Works on Disney Cruise Line

Embarkation day is the very first day of your vacation! Security, a muster drill, unpacking, booking reservations, meeting the crew, a deck party and a wonderful trip is ahead of you. I will guide you from pre-boarding all the way through dinner so you can learn what to expect on embarkation day and tips for how to maximize your day.

Pre-Trip Preparation

It is nearly time to set sail, and you have some work to do before arriving for embarkation. Disney will send you bag tags a couple weeks before your trip. All the details will be printed on these bag tags. They are the long sticky, label kind that you get at the airport when you check your bags. You will use these bag tags on your large suitcases that you don’t want to carry on. There is no listed weight limit for checked bags.

• For cruises less than 4 days in length, you receive 1 luggage tag per person.
• For cruises 5 days or longer, you will receive 2 luggage tags per person.
• If something happens to your tags, ask a porter for assistance in printing a new one.

Once you arrive to the cruise terminal, porters will help you by taking your large suitcases through security and then the bags will be taken to your room for you.

Prior to embarkation day, you will also be asked to choose what time you want to board. For myself, I always pick the earliest arrival to get the most time on the ship. But when I was boarding a 2-week long voyage in New Orleans, I wanted more time in the city and booked the last time to get on board. There are plenty of times to choose from so pick what is best for you.

Filling out your boarding paperwork is easier than ever. You will receive the forms digitally through your app/online portal. Here you can fill out all necessary information for check-in. You will need valid travel documents, like a passport, to be able to travel. You can get the specifics of what you need for your voyage under your reservation.

Carry On Luggage

Carry-on luggage is allowed, and I would recommend this, even if it is just a large bag. You will want to carry on a swimsuit if you want to be the first to hit the pool and snag lounge chairs. Pack all necessary medications and/or medical devices. All your required travel documents, wallet, electronics, jewelry, door décor if you are someone who partakes in that tradition, and whatever else you would like to have with you on your first few hours on board. It can take some time to receive your luggage so keep what you need and anything extremely important or valuable on your person.

Embarkation

Congrats! You made it to embarkation day! You arrive at the cruise terminal at your scheduled time. Your large luggage will be taken for you and you will take your carry on.

Then you will join the line the attendants tell you to join. Typically, you will be grouped according to your boarding time. The lines look long but typically move at a decent pace.

Security is like the airport. Your carry-on will be scanned, passports checked, etc.

Once you are through security and are cleared for boarding you get to step on to the gangway and be greeted in the most Disney fashion.

After Boarding

You and your travel companions will be greeted by the cruise staff and asked your names/how you would like to be introduced. Then, on the microphone they will say “Disney (insert vessel name here) welcome aboard the (insert name) family!” Everyone will clap and you can start your day on board!

Then you can head to your room where you can pick up your room key and gift! (Gifts are only given after your first sailing).

Welcome to your room! Isn’t she lovely? You can drop off your carry-on and unpack if your luggage is there already. But I would save that for later because depending on the time, the buffet is open, and drinks are already flowing! You can also go grab food at the quick service locations immediately. Or go and enjoy the pool! Start your vacation right away.

Pro-Tip: The best time to unpack is after the Sail-A-Wave Deck Party.

What to Do on Board on Embarkation Day

Today is the day where the staff are most available to answer all the questions you may have and to book whatever it is you were waiting on.

Dining Assistance

Dining managers are out in full force to get certain things sorted for you. Find out at guest services where the location is if you need something regarding dining changed, this includes specialty dining reservations.

Dining managers are out in full force, and you can get in line to get things sorted and all your questions answered.

• If you need to change your dining rotation.
• If you need to change your dining time.
• If you need to add dietary requests.
• If you want to make or cancel reservations at any specialty dining locations.

Kids Programing Assistance

Visit any of the Youth Clubs to receive all the information you need. Any of the helpful counselors can assist you.

• You will learn the ins and outs of the youth programs.
• Once registered, your younger children will receive their Oceaneer Bands.
• You will learn how to check them in and out and designate who is allowed to pick them up.
• You can walk around the space with them to help acclimate them. Be sure to do this because the bulk of the voyage, it will be strictly kids only. (Note there are open house hours where you may join them)

Take your pre-teens and teens up to Edge and Vibe where you can check out their space and meet a counselor or two. These locations don’t require the kids to be checked in or out by an adult.

Spa Assistance

This will be your time to tour the spa if you feel so inclined. You will take a guided tour, and they will tell you about the treatments they offer. Do them if that sounds nice to you. But if you just want a tour, know that it is also a sales pitch.

On our honeymoon, my husband and I booked a couple’s massage that was incredible.

They often host a raffle that day which you can enter for free. The prize always changes. But here you can sort out anything you need to.

This is when you can grab passes for the Rainforest Room. This is where the nice aromatic steam rooms, saunas, warm stone loungers, and rain showers are located. They are very enjoyable.

But if you enjoy free, like I do, there is a dry sauna and comfy non-heated loungers in the gym locker rooms.

The spa is attached to the gym so you will see this on your tour. You may also sign up for any personal training needs!

Guest Services and Port Adventures Help

For any help you may need regarding excursions, booking, canceling, questions, head to the Port Adventures desk.

Guest Services will be your place for all other information you need. Including information about the payment card you have on file, problems with your room, etc.

A lot of people will be visiting these desks today. But, unlike the other places, both counters are open to help you for the duration of your cruise. I would go and get help here on any other day. Unless it is vital you go on day one, save it for when the lines are short.

Pro tip: If you are feeling nauseous due to severe weather, go to Guest Services for some free anti-nausea medication. They have helped me in my time of need, and I’ll never forget it. 

Muster Drill

Before setting sail, you will attend your muster drill. This is your safety drill and where you will meet in case of an emergency. You simply go to the meeting location you are assigned to (You can find this on your key to the world card or app) and learn all about the safety you will need to know. This can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the promptness of guests on board. Everyone must be checked in before starting so it can be a timely process.

Sail-A-Wave Deck Party

All your questions have been answered. All the experiences you wanted to book have been booked. You have gone through your safety drill. It is time to set sail!

Head to the top deck from the Sail-A-Wave Party. In this dance show, you will see some familiar characters and your cruise director. Enjoy a fun drink and feel the excitement grow around you. The anchors will rise, and the ship will leave the dock.

At the blast of “When You Wish Upon A Star” your vacation has officially begun! Get ready for no cooking, cleaning or worrying about your to-do list.

Unpacking

This is where I would recommend you unpack your belongings. The only other thing you need to do today is go to dinner at your assigned time. After the deck party it is more than likely that your bags have already arrived at your room. Bags fit nicely under the bed so store them out of your way since cruise rooms are on the smaller side.

You can change for dinner and enjoy your evening. There will be scheduled programing so be sure to check out your app to see all that is happening on board!

Dinner

Welcome to your first night of dining! You can find the first restaurant you will start at on your Key to the World Card or on your navigator app. This is when you will meet your service team who will be with you the length of your voyage.

At the end of your meal, they will be giving you important information such as:

• If you need to change your clocks if you are traveling to different time zones.
• Which dining location will be serving breakfast and lunch.
• Where you will be dining the following evening.
• Information about gangway times for port days.

If you have any questions regarding any of that, your dining team and guest services are great resources. As always, the bulk of this information can be found on the app. You can also find info on the TV home screen in your room.

All important information will also be delivered to room, such as excursion information if you have booked something through the cruise.

I hope I have answered any of your questions about the ins and outs of embarkation day! If you would like to check out a full dining guide for the Disney Magic, be sure to check out our post. Enjoy your cruise. Have a joyous journey!