Embarkation Day Questions (1st time on DCL)

[Duke07]

My first sailing on DCL is coming up - June 5th on The Wish and I have a few questions about embarkation day which I could use some help with. Thanks!

1. How long prior to your port arrival time can you arrive (I plan on driving and parking at the port)?

2. Are there boarding group numbers for each arrival time or is it for all the arrivals. Example - is it boarding group 13 for just the 12:15 time slot or is that number for all time slots?

3. Any tips on parking at the port? Is it better to park on-site or at one of the off-site lots?

4. Since I'm a first timer, predictably everything was booked up and I have nothing planned. Not even Royal Gathering which I was shut out of despite attempting at midnight 30 days out. What's the best strategy to book things once I'm there? I'm hearing conflicting advice like go on the app immediately at the port and check and/or go to guest services and/or go to the venue of what you want to book.
I'd like to try for Palo (brunch or dinner), BBB for my 4 year old and wife, and Royal Gathering.

5. What's the best lunch option once on board? Is it Marceline's Market (or too crowded), Festival of Foods, or the table dining (think it's Arendelle)?

6. Is the line for Aquamouse that first day typically much shorter?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My first sailing on DCL is coming up - June 5th on The Wish and I have a few questions about embarkation day which I could use some help with. Thanks!

1. How long prior to your port arrival time can you arrive (I plan on driving and parking at the port)?

2. Are there boarding group numbers for each arrival time or is it for all the arrivals. Example - is it boarding group 13 for just the 12:15 time slot or is that number for all time slots?

3. Any tips on parking at the port? Is it better to park on-site or at one of the off-site lots?

4. Since I'm a first timer, predictably everything was booked up and I have nothing planned. Not even Royal Gathering which I was shut out of despite attempting at midnight 30 days out. What's the best strategy to book things once I'm there? I'm hearing conflicting advice like go on the app immediately at the port and check and/or go to guest services and/or go to the venue of what you want to book.
I'd like to try for Palo (brunch or dinner), BBB for my 4 year old and wife, and Royal Gathering.

5. What's the best lunch option once on board? Is it Marceline's Market (or too crowded), Festival of Foods, or the table dining (think it's Arendelle)?

6. Is the line for Aquamouse that first day typically much shorter?

1. Port Arrival Time is the time DCL is expecting you to arrive. I believe you can get there a little earlier than that to park, but you won't be entering the terminal until then.

2. Boarding numbers start at 1 at the beginning of boarding and run consecutively until everyone has one.

3. We prefer on-site parking when we drive.

4. Yes, try the app before boarding, while in the terminal. Or head for the location once onboard to see if there is space, or a wait list.

 

[erionm]

3. Any tips on parking at the port? Is it better to park on-site or at one of the off-site lots?

Due to the Port Arrival Time system DCL is currently using, many (if not all) of the off-site parking lots are not currently providing service to the Disney terminal.

 

[Duke07]

4. Yes, try the app before boarding, while in the terminal. Or head for the location once onboard to see if there is space, or a wait list.

So, not guest services but the actual venue? For example, go directly to Palo or BBB.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, not guest services but the actual venue? For example, go directly to Palo or BBB.

The app will tell you where to go to book onboard. It can change from cruise to cruise.

 

[CamColt]

I have moved this to the Main Cruise Board for you. You may get more replies here.

 

[Dug720]

BBB for my 4 year old and wife,

Pretty sure they only makeover kids. Unless you're thinking Pirate Night - then I think they do adults? But not positive.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

As others have said-

#1- it’s a port arrival time so arrive then

#2- the numbers roughly coincide so the earlier lower numbers line up with the earlier arrival times

#3- park at the port. Yes it’s a bit more but the last thing you’ll want to do after you get off is to drag your luggage on and off a shuttle that may or may not be on time vs having a porter put them in your car. Plus why are you bookending a $$$$ trying to save $50?

#4- you’ll head to different spots for those- Palo will typically be the restaurant, BBB is in the location when it opens and gathering is guest services

#5- depends how you want to start if you want to eat and move on do the Market or Festival- if you want to relax and have a quieter start do the sit down. We typically do the sit down

#6- depends? It’s often not open until a few hrs after embarking so while it’s usually quieter it’s not guaranteed

 

[dreamer17555]

You’ve already gotten some amazing answer so I’m going to add on and not repeat.

Palo, in particular might be rather difficult to get if not impossible for brunch.

BBB only does kids. But there is a salon on board for your wife.

I personally would eat at festival of food after hitting the aqua mouse. The line grows very quickly for the aqua mouse and the buffet is absolutely insane on embarkation day. Plus festival foods is actually really good.

I would also not sweat it if you can’t get Palo or BBB. They are nice add-ons, but you do not need them to have an amazing cruise.

Happy sailing!

 

[Duke07]

Pretty sure they only makeover kids. Unless you're thinking Pirate Night - then I think they do adults? But not positive.

You’ve already gotten some amazing answer so I’m going to add on and not repeat.

Palo, in particular might be rather difficult to get if not impossible for brunch.

BBB only does kids. But there is a salon on board for your wife.

I personally would eat at festival of food after hitting the aqua mouse. The line grows very quickly for the aqua mouse and the buffet is absolutely insane on embarkation day. Plus festival foods is actually really good.

I would also not sweat it if you can’t get Palo or BBB. They are nice add-ons, but you do not need them to have an amazing cruise.

Happy sailing!

Thanks. BBB would be for my child only (my wife would just be bringing her).

 

[RedHead0186]

As others have said-

#1- it’s a port arrival time so arrive then

#2- the numbers roughly coincide so the earlier lower numbers line up with the earlier arrival times

#3- park at the port. Yes it’s a bit more but the last thing you’ll want to do after you get off is to drag your luggage on and off a shuttle that may or may not be on time vs having a porter put them in your car. Plus why are you bookending a $$$$ trying to save $50?

#4- you’ll head to different spots for those- Palo will typically be the restaurant, BBB is in the location when it opens and gathering is guest services

#5- depends how you want to start if you want to eat and move on do the Market or Festival- if you want to relax and have a quieter start do the sit down. We typically do the sit down

#6- depends? It’s often not open until a few hrs after embarking so while it’s usually quieter it’s not guaranteed

#4-I think usually reservations for Palo are not at the restaurant. There's usually a central dining services location that takes care of both MDR seating times and Palo/Remy/Enchante reservations. For the Wish it's been Luna (it was when I sailed a couple weeks ago), but of course, as @PrincessShmoo said, it can change, so check the app. But I've never seen/heard of specialty dining reservations being at the restuarant.

 

[JWG]

Line up and attempts to get a Palo reservation was at Luna Lounge near the forward elevators for us. That could change, check the navigator app from the terminal on Disney WiFi to confirm. As soon as the ship closes out the prior cruise you will be able to see where to go.

If you want a shorter aqua mouse line, do that first and then eat at Festival of Foods. We prefer the sit down lunch, but if you do that the aqua mouse line is likely long by the time you’re done.

Also, room service should be available once the rooms are (usually 2p on the Wish).