Cruise Timeline
There is a specific timeline that you need to be aware of when booking a Disney Cruise Line cruise. This includes Paid In Full (PIF) date, My Plans Booking date, and Online Check-in Date.
What You Need to Know
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The first important date is your Paid In Full date (PIF). Most sailings five nights and shorter will have a PIF date 90 days out. Most sailings six nights or more have PIF dates 120 days out. Concierge and certain types of room categories will have varying dates that include full payment at the time of booking.
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The next date that will need attention before cruising is the “My Plans” date. The number of days this occurs prior to embarkation is dependent on your Castaway Club level status. When this window opens you can book experiences such as alcohol tastings, specialty adults only dining, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Small World Nursery (for children under 3), cabana rentals at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, and other select ship activities. Port excursions or Port Adventures can also be booked at this time through the cruise line. These are experiences that take place off the ship at port stops. There are ways to book excursions outside of the cruise line that are sometimes cheaper, however, excursions booked through DCL ensures the ship won’t leave if your excursion is delayed on its return to the ship.
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Online Check-in date is also dependent on Castaway Club level. (typically 30–40 days before sailing) During online check-in, you will need to submit travel documents such as your passport/birth certificate, security photo, and travel details. You will also set up your onboard expense account. One of the other parts to the online check-in that many cruisers will want to secure as soon as possible is the Port Arrival Time (PAT). This is the time that you can arrive at the cruise terminal to begin the process before boarding. Many cruisers want a PAT that is as early as possible so they don’t have to wait to enjoy the ship. It is important to note that your PAT is not the time you will board the ship, it is when you arrive at the terminal to start security screenings and check-in. You will need to show documents and your boarding pass that was secured during online check-in.