How to Complete Online Check In for Your Disney Cruise

Online Check In Days vary by Castaway Status. Your confirmation email and your Navigator App will tell you when your check in date is.

Your Disney cruise is getting closer, which means it’s almost time for one important pre cruise task: online check in.

Online check in opens before your sail date and needs to be completed before you arrive at the port. I always recommend setting aside a little uninterrupted time to do this, and making sure everything is ready before your window opens. A smooth check in makes embarkation day much easier.

Before you begin, gather the following for each guest in your stateroom:

  • A passport or a photo of a birth certificate and government issued ID

  • A recent color headshot from the shoulders up

  • Basic contact information for each guest

Having everything ready ahead of time will save you frustration once check in opens.

Step by Step: Disney Cruise Line Online Check In

Step One - Log in to your Disney Cruise Line account and confirm your reservation is linked correctly.

Step Two - Once your reservation appears, select Online Check In.

Step Three - Inside your reservation, you will see a checklist of required steps. Start by clicking Guest Information.

Step Four - Enter the required information for each guest. This includes addresses, phone numbers, passport details, and uploading both passport photos and a headshot for every person in your party. Be sure to save and continue after each guest.

Step Five - Set up your onboard account. You will choose who has charging privileges and connect a payment method. Save your selections before moving on.

Next, complete the Traveling with Children section. Here you will indicate who your children are allowed to debark the ship with and complete Youth Club registration for each child.

Step Six - Answer the flight information questions.

Step Seven - Select your port arrival time. I always recommend choosing the earliest available time. This allows you to board sooner, enjoy lunch onboard, and start the fun right away.

Step Eight - Review and agree to the terms and conditions, then complete check in. You will receive a Port Arrival Form with a QR code. Save it to your phone wallet and also print a copy if possible. Technology does not always cooperate on embarkation day.

Important Things to Know

Check in opens at 12:00 AM Eastern Time on your assigned date. The system can be glitchy right when it opens, so if you are comfortable waiting, checking in early in the morning often goes more smoothly. Online check in must be completed no later than 72 hours before sailing.

Once your documents are submitted, Disney will review them. About a week before your cruise, you will receive an email letting you know whether everything is approved or if corrections are needed. Even though you upload documents online, you must still bring the physical documents with you to the port.

During this same window, you can also book ticketed onboard experiences such as the Royal Gathering, a popular princess meet and greet. These tickets are extremely limited and go quickly. You can find them in the Cruise Plans section of your account where excursions are booked.

Online check in is one of the most important steps in preparing for your cruise, but once it’s done, you can relax knowing you are officially ready to sail. If you run into questions or want help walking through the process, just let me know. I’m always happy to help.