Cruising is a great way to vacation but for anyone unfamiliar with the boarding process, the first day of a cruise can be stressful. Cruise lines call the boarding process, embarkation. Embarkation is a fancy word for getting you and your stuff aboard the ship. This post will breakdown the first day embarkation process of a Disney cruise and help you better understand some of the things you will encounter at the cruise port. I have included as many pictures as a I can so when you arrive for your first Disney cruise you can embark like a pro.

When you first arrive at the cruise port, in this case, Port Canaveral, you will need to have your cruise documents, driver's license, and passports in an easily accessible place. NEVER pack your cruise documents in your luggage. Keep them on your person or in a small carry-on that will not be checked with your other luggage. If you don't have the proper documentation you will NOT get on the ship. 

Most cruisers arrive at Port Canaveral from the airport or from a Walt Disney World Resort. If you ride Disney transportation to the port, Disney will handle your luggage so make sure you have everything you need in your carry on before you check your bags. You won't see them again until late afternoon onboard the ship.  If you drive to the port like I do, (I live an hour away, seriously, how awesome is that) you will need to check your luggage with a porter. If you drive yourself, you can park your car at a local park n ride or in the parking garage at the port. I recommend the port because I think it's safer and more convenient. The parking garage is located right next to the Disney cruise terminal and the rates are reasonable. 

After you park or get off the bus, you will enter the terminal building. Security will check your cruise documents and identification before you enter the building. Once inside, you will go through a security screening that involves walking through a metal detector and scanning your carry-on items. Don't be one of those people that holds up the line because you have metal objects in every pocket and forget to take them out.

TIP: At the time of this article, Disney allows guests to bring on a limited amount of alcohol and bottled water. I definitely recommend bringing a small case of bottled water if you can. It is nice to have some cold water in your stateroom and bottled water is not cheap on a cruise ship.

After you clear security, you need to proceed immediately to registration/check-in. The cast members at registration will check your cruise documents and passports and make sure you have the required documentation to board the ship. They will also take a photo of you for security purposes. The check in process takes only a few minutes after you reach a representative. The line can get long but moves quickly. After everything is done, you will be given your "Key to the World" card, a stateroom number card wth your boarding number, and a daily itinerary.

Your Key to the World card is very important. It serves as both your stateroom key and your credit card for any purchases while on board. TIP: The lights in your stateroom will not turn on without your Key to the World card. When you enter your stateroom, insert your card into the slot next to the light switches to make them work. 

Your Key to the World card has a lot of useful information on it. (The picture above has the name removed.) Everyone always asks the meaning of the capital letters after the dinner time. Let's break it down. The time after "dinner" (5:45) is the time that you should arrive at your dining room. There will be a ticket in your stateroom that will detail your dining room locations. The letters below that (ERAERRA) are the first letters of the dining rooms in the order that you will visit them. Seven letters for a 7 day cruise, three for a 3 day cruise, etc. The letters in the photo, ERA, stand for the three dining rooms on the Disney Fantasy, Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace, and Animator's Palate. The table number is the table where your host will seat you for dinner. You will sit at the same table number every night. Don't worry about trying to find it. When you arrive at the dining room, show them your card, and they will escort you to your table. The number at the bottom (23) is of little concern to you. It is the number of the check-in counter you registered at when you first arrived at the cruise port.

The other big questions are the meaning of the letters after the ship's name and under Captain Mickey. The letter, "M" in the above photo, is your age status, "M" for minor and "A" for adult. The large letter under Mickey Mouse, "F" is your muster station. More on than later.

Click here for a complete explanation and uses of the Key to the World card

The Personal Navigator is a daily itinerary that lists all of the events happening on the ship that day. It also comes with a more detailed itinerary that lists the hours for all of the shops, lounges, bars, eateries, and events on the ship. You will receive a Personal Navigator at check in and every evening for the duration of your cruise. Your Personal Navigator with the next day's itinerary is placed in your stateroom each evening during your turn down service.

TIP: Check the Personal Navigator and Voyage Navigator for special deals when your first receive it at the cruise port. Many times there are offers for free or reduced cost that are only available if you sign up on the first day of our cruise. A popular one that we always use is free internet minutes, only available is you sign up on the first day. 

TIP: For those of you with kids, after you get checked in, consider signing your kids up for the clubs while you wait for boarding to begin. The line can get very long and moves slower than the check-in line so if boarding has already commenced, skip it and just sign them up at the club entrance later that day. If your kids have allergies, like mine, don't worry, the clubs are accommodating and they will accept and store an EpiPen while your child is at the club. TIP: Make sure your EpiPen is not expired otherwise they will not accept it.

For those of you with older kids, young adults under 18, consider signing a Debarkation Authorization for Minors form, which will allow your child to exit the ship without you. This is useful at places like Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. If you are cruising with a larger family or are occupying multiple staterooms, the form is required to allow children to exit the ship with adults from a different stateroom. Example: You child wants to get off the ship with a grandparent staying in a different room.

Click Here To View Photos Of Disney's Castaway Cay In the Bahamas

When the ship has been cleared by customs, boarding will commence. There is normally a short, informal ceremony involving a "family of the day." Boarding numbers are called in order. When your number is called, grab your stuff and go! Note: the boarding numbers are group numbers, not individual numbers. There may be 100 people or more with your same boarding number.

Once on the ship, most people head straight to the elevators. Be prepared to wait a little. If your carry-ons are light and you have the leg strength, take the stairs up to your destination. It will be a lot less crowded. Your room will not be ready until the time indicated on your boarding card. Disney is very precise with the time so don't expect your room to be ready early. My advice is to head up to the main deck and have lunch at the buffet and grab a table either inside or out on the deck. Some people prefer to snag a place in one of the lounges.

TIP: If you have kids, pack their swimsuits in a carry on (or wear them under their clothes) and let them hit the pools and waterslides. If your boarding number is low and you are on the ship before noon, the pools and slides will be empty. On one cruise, my kids and I rode the AquaDuck 6 times in a row with no wait. That won't be the case after day 1. Important: bring a change of clothes in your carry-on because your luggage may not be delivered for several hours. This is especially important when you cruise in the winter months. The water is warm but sometimes the air temperature is not. Your kids will thank you for the dry clothes and you'll thank yourself when they aren't grouchy at dinner. TIP: Don't pack beach towels. They take up a lot of room in your luggage and there are always plenty of clean towels near the pools, slides,  and lounger areas.

When your stateroom is ready, make your way to your room and check out your new accommodations. Don't worry if your luggage hasn't arrived yet. It takes the crew until early evening to deliver all the bags. Your luggage will be set out in the hallway near your stateroom door. Again, don't panic if you have 4 pieces and only 3 are delivered. It takes time to sort through all that luggage and get everything to the correct room. 

Here is a great TIP for finding your room: There are 3 main stairwells on the Disney ships. Forward (front of the ship), Mid (middle), and Aft (back of the ship) Anyone remember Joe Pesci's remarks about this from Lethal Weapon? Remember which stairwell is closest to your room. Even more important, remember the emblem over your room number. The emblems are different on the left (port) and right (starboard) sides of the ship. Remember your emblem and you will never go looking for your room on the wrong side of the ship. 

The last step in the embarkation process is the muster drill. This is a required drill where all passengers are shown the emergency evacuation process. The drill is required by law so don't get nervous and starting having flashbacks of Rose and Jack. The drill is announced well in advance so there are no surprises. When the drill takes place, follow the directions given by the crew members outside your stateroom and remember to bring your Key to the World card. Some cruise lines require you to bring your life preserver to the muster drill but currently Disney does not. They tell you 10 times not to bring them but there is always someone who doesn't listen. Don't be that guy!

Well, thats about it. After the muster drill, most people make their way back to the room or up on deck for a drink and some food. The ship usually departs around 5pm and your cruise is underway. Congratulations, you made it through the embarkation process, now enjoy your cruise. 

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