Embarkation Day on a Disney Cruise Part 2

As we discussed in Part 1 of this article, Embarkation Day is perhaps the most exciting day on your Disney Cruise.  You step onto the ship, and you know your vacation is really starting.  As your party’s name is announced, crew members in sharp white uniforms applaud, and then you’re in the beautiful atrium of your Disney Cruise ship.  What should you do now?  Whatever you want!

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Well, mostly.  You can’t go down to your stateroom until about 1:30 because the stateroom attendants are still making them perfect for you.  You have to go to the Assembly Drill.  Other than that, you can do as you please!  Below are a list of 10 things you may want to do:

1. Snag Some Reservations

Palo, Brunch, Disney Cruise
Be sure to make adult dining reservations as soon as possible if you want to dine at Palo or Remy.

If you didn’t book them ahead of time, reservations may be a priority for you.  For example, if you wish to make reservations for Palo or Remy, those slots go fast, but you might be able to get one.  Check your Navigator for the location.  You also might want to change your dining assignment, make spa reservations, get free tickets for a character meet, make Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reservations, or book a port excursion or beverage seminar. 

Many of these are best taken care of online before your sailing, but if that didn’t work out, you should make them right away for best availability.  It’s worth noting that the spots for the Rainforest Room in the spa currently can’t be booked ahead of time.  For those, you’ll need to visit the spa on embarkation day. When in doubt about where to go, head to Guest Services on the main floor of the Atrium.

2. Eat Up!

Cabanas Buffet
Embarkation lunch at Cabanas Buffet. Can you tell she’s excited?

Assuming you’ve got the reservations taken care of, lunch is a great next step.  The buffet at Cabanas is where many people head.  We enjoy this, but sometimes it can be crowded.  Lunch will also be served in one of the main dining rooms (check your paper Navigator or the Navigator app to find out which one) and the on-deck food stations are generally open as well. 

Pro Tip: There’s endless free soft-serve ice cream available on deck.

While you are eating, you will likely be approached by a crew member offering adult beverages for purchase.  The cocktails tend toward the fruit-juice-and-rum end of the spectrum.  I am not a particularly sophisticated cocktail drinker, and I think these are tasty and fun, so we often get one to share.  A crew member will probably also offer to sign you up for a beverage package for wine or beer.  Only you can decide if this is a good value for you.  You should know that this is not your only opportunity to sign up for a package, and the crew members graciously accept a polite “no thanks” and move on if you aren’t interested.

3. Hit The Kids Clubs

A girl slides down the Slinky Dog slide in the Oceaneer Club on the Disney Wonder
Slinky Dog slide in the Oceaneer Club on the Disney Wonder

All of the youth clubs have an open house for the first afternoon on board, so it’s a great time for everyone to explore them.  If you need to register your child or get a magic band for the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12) this is a good time.  If the line is long at one of those, you might send someone to check the line for the other.  Since they interconnect, it doesn’t matter which line you wait in.  Siblings who aren’t old enough (or who are too old) for these clubs may still come in to explore during open house time.

If you have an older child who is ready for the Edge (ages 11-14) or the Vibe (14-17) you may want to explore those as well.  Your tween or teen is more likely to return there later if they’ve seen what it’s about and had a conversation with one of the friendly counselors.

Even as an adult I like the opportunity to see all these kids clubs, but I also consider it an investment in my future adults-only time.  Once the kids are comfortable at the clubs, the adults have a lot more options.

4. Pool Time

Many kids look forward to the pools and water play areas more than anything else on a cruise.  If you’ve packed swimsuits in your day bag,  there’s no reason you and the kids can’t start swimming and using the water slides right away even if your luggage hasn’t been delivered yet.  On the Dream and the Fantasy, you may be able to get in a ride on the AquaDuck before lines get too long.  If you are on an Alaska cruise, Embarkation Day may have the best swimming weather of the whole trip.

5. See A Movie!

The Buena Vista Theater starts showing movies before the ship even leaves the port. Check out the Navigator App for details.

6. Explore the Ship

Cruisers smile as the climb steps to the upper decks.
Exploring the ship is great thing to do your first day.

Embarkation Day is a great time to explore your Disney Cruise ship.  In addition to wandering on your own, a walking tour of the ship is generally offered at a couple of times.  You can check your Navigator under Fun For All Ages for times and location.  Under the Adults section of the Navigator you will also see times for the Spa Open House where you can usually enter a raffle for free Spa treatments.

7. Move In

After 1:30 (on most sailings) on Embarkation Day of your Disney Cruise you are welcome to go down to your stateroom.  If you want to take pictures of your stateroom, do it now before you unpack, your kids change out of swimsuits, and the stateroom starts to look like an actual living area for real people.  Later, you can pretend your stateroom looked pristine the whole time, and there will be no photo evidence to the contrary.

You can decorate your door as part of moving in to your stateroom.

If your luggage has arrived, you can start unpacking.  Your stateroom host or hostess will usually introduce him or herself.  It’s a good time to tell them any preferences you have such as making up the top bunk in some cabins, putting bed rails on a certain bed, or getting doorstops for adjoining cabins. 

8. Assembly Drill

The assembly drill has changed quite a bit since the Cruise Line reopened from the Covid shutdown, and it may continue to change. Instead of a ship-wide alarm and everyone going to their assembly stations at once, expect something a more low-key. The current requirement can be fulfilled through the Navigator app. Each party finds the assembly station and takes a picture to prove they know where it is. Check your Navigator app after boarding or watch the informational video on your stateroom television.

9. Embarkation Deck Party

Adventures Away! Deck Party, Disney Cruise Line
Adventures Away! Deck Party, Disney Cruise Line

If you ever watched The Love Boat (Come on, admit it!) you probably saw images of an embarkation deck party.  Your Disney Cruise starts with one too.  This will be midship, over the top of the Goofy Pool, and will include the Funnel Vision screen.  Some people stake out spots as soon very early. Prime spots are around the stage or on the deck above.  A good pro tip is to bring ear plugs.  Not only is the party pretty loud, but you can often snag a last-minute spot right next to the speakers where no one should go without hearing protection. 

The party can be a fun way to get pumped up for your vacation and is an opportunity to see the characters dancing around.  The ship will sound its horn, and the cruise will “officially” start even though you may not actually pull away from shore during the party.  Having seen the deck parties a few times, it’s not something I really need to do anymore, but check it out if it sounds fun.

10. Sight See

Embarkation Day, Disney Cruise Line, San Diego
Leaving San Diego, California.

The cruise ship gives you a unique vantage point to see your embarkation port.  We thoroughly enjoyed seeing both Vancouver and San Diego when we were in port and as we sailed away.  Try Deck 4 or the upper decks for great views.  Sadly, this does not seem to be endlessly entertaining for kids, so you may not get as long to look as you wish.  Getting free soft serve ice cream on deck may buy you a little more time.

Have you experienced Embarkation Day on a Disney Cruise? What did you do first?  Please be sure to scroll down to leave a question or comment.

For more articles about the Disney Cruise Line, please click here.

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