Boarding a Disney cruise is one of the most exciting moments of any holiday, but it can also be noisy, crowded and a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. In this guide, we’re walking you through exactly what really happens on Disney Cruise Line boarding day – using our day-one experience on the brand-new Disney Destiny as a real-world example.

Most Disney ships follow a similar embarkation process, so whether you’re sailing on Disney Wish, Fantasy, Dream, Treasure or Destiny, these steps and tips will help you arrive prepared, relaxed and ready for the magic to begin. And if you’d like a closer look at the ship itself, we’ve also created a complete tour and guide to Disney Destiny.

Before You Travel to the Port

We started our boarding day at Walt Disney World and travelled just over three hours down to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. If you’re doing something similar, our guide to the best ways to travel between Orlando and Miami compares driving, coach services and trains, including timings and costs.

Complete Online Check-In Early

Disney Cruise Line opens online check-in 30 days before your sailing. Complete it as soon as possible to secure an earlier port arrival time and earlier boarding group – this makes a huge difference to how much of the ship you’ll get to enjoy before it gets busy.

Print Your Key Documents

You’ll have most things in the Disney Cruise Line app, but we always bring printed copies of:

Boarding passes
Luggage tags
Travel insurance details
Visas or ESTA confirmations

If your phone dies or the app hiccups, you’ll be glad you did.

Pack the Right Items in Your Carry-On

Your checked luggage may not reach your stateroom until late afternoon. Pack anything essential in your hand luggage, including:

Passports and ID (have these to hand)
Money and Credit Cards
Medications
Valuables and electronics
Chargers and power banks
Swimwear and a change of clothes

Arriving at Port Everglades

After dropping off our rental car, we had the choice of the port shuttle or an Uber. Traffic around the port can be heavy, especially when multiple ships are embarking, so allow extra time. If you’d prefer a car-free option, the Brightline train is an increasingly popular way for cruise travellers to reach South Florida.

ID Check at the Port Entrance

You’ll need to show photo ID at the main port gate. Keep it in a pocket or small bag for quick access – don’t bury it in your luggage.

Inside the Disney Cruise Terminal

The terminal experience is very much like an airport: check-in first, then security. It’s busy, loud and full of excited families, so don’t worry if it feels a bit chaotic.

Step 1: Bag Drop

Before you head into the terminal, you’ll drop your checked luggage with the porters outside. Make sure your Disney luggage tags are attached — and if you don’t have them or forgot to print them, don’t worry. The port team can write new tags for you and attach them to your bags. Just have your cabin number ready.

Anything you hand over here will be delivered to your stateroom later in the afternoon, so remember to keep all essentials in your carry-on.

It’s customary to tip the porters here in US ports, as they’re not Disney staff and rely on gratuities. A couple of dollars per bag is standard, but always go with what you’re comfortable with.

Once your bags are taken, you’re free to head inside the terminal to begin the check-in process.

Step 2: Check in

Inside the terminal, you’ll be directed into different check-in lines based on your cabin type and loyalty status. Concierge guests and those higher up the Castaway Club tiers usually have their own priority lane

Once you reach check in, A Cast Member will review:

Your boarding pass
Your passport and/or visa (have a copy of your ESTA ready)
Your payment method for onboard charges
They will also take a photo of you for security

You will not get your cruise card (Your Key to the World card) here It will be waiting for you outside your stateroom door. Until then, your printed boarding document or phone-based QR code acts as your temporary cruise card.

Step 3: Security Screening

Your hand luggage goes through a scanner, and you’ll walk through a metal detector – exactly like airport security.

Step 4: Boarding Groups

You’ll wait in a large seating area until your boarding group is called. Ours was Group 8 on Disney Destiny, and numbers were called steadily, just like zones on an airline.

If you’re travelling with children and have a later arrival time, pack snacks, games or something to keep them occupied as you could be waiting a while and there is not much in the terminal.

Boarding the Ship

Once your group is called you can proceed to board the cruise ship.

Photo Spot

First, the ships onboard photographers will offer you to have a photo taken. You can decide later if you want to purchase it, or simply decline and continue to the ship.

Scanning Your Boarding Pass

You’ll need to scan your boarding pass or QR code one last time before stepping onto the gangway.

The Atrium Welcome

Disney Cruise Line always gives guests a warm welcome, but Destiny takes this up a notch. As we stepped inside, our names were announced, characters appeared on the balconies (Spider-Man greeted us!) and the atrium’s Marvel-inspired design really set the tone for the ship.

This is also the moment emotions run high. Take a breath and enjoy it before rushing off to explore.

Where to Eat on Boarding Day

The Buffet Will Be Packed

On every Disney ship, the buffet is the busiest place on embarkation day. Everyone is onboard at the same time, cabins aren’t ready, and everyone’s carrying bags. We always avoid it for this reason.

Better Alternatives

On Disney Destiny, we headed straight to Mickey’s Festival of Foods on the open decks. No queues, great food and a far calmer atmosphere. Disney also offers a sit-down embarkation lunch in one of the main dining rooms, which is perfect if you want to relax after travelling.

Get Familiar with the Disney Cruise Line App

The app is essential. It shows:

Your dining rotation
Your muster station
The daily schedule
Onboard spending
Port times and all-aboard times

Download it before your trip, log in early, and check that everything looks correct before you reach the terminal.

When Cabins Are Ready

Cabins usually open around 1:30 p.m. on Disney ships. On Destiny, the announcement hadn’t even gone out yet but the ropes were down and guests were allowed into the stateroom corridors.

If you’re still deciding on your room, our complete Disney Destiny cabin guide runs through every category and layout.

Luggage May Arrive Later

Don’t be surprised if your luggage arrives in stages throughout the afternoon. Some bags appear quickly; others take several hours. This is completely normal across the fleet.

Muster Drill on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line still performs an in-person muster drill. You’ll be called to your muster station later in the afternoon – ours was inside the Worlds of Marvel restaurant on Destiny.

It’s warm, busy and not exactly the highlight of the day, but it’s over quickly and it only happens once.

Exploring the Ship (Without Burning Out)

Every Disney ship is designed to be explored, but a brand-new ship like Destiny brings even more excitement. The bars and lounges fill up quickly on day one, and popular venues may have queues. This is totally normal.

Pick one or two spaces to visit and save the rest for later. Sailings are rarely as busy again as they are on embarkation day

Disney Destiny Aquamouse — *Expect long lines for water slides and bars*

If you’re travelling with kids, boarding day is also when the youth spaces hold their open house. Adults are allowed inside during this time, and even if you don’t have children with you, it’s worth having a look – the theming and activities are genuinely impressive. If your children are sailing, this is the perfect moment to get them registered, meet the counsellors and sort any questions before the clubs switch to secured programming later in the da..

Explore Kids Clubs on First Day — *Explore the kids clubs on boarding day,*

Sailaway Party

Disney Cruise Line does one of the best sailaway parties at sea. Destiny’s “Let’s Set Sail” show features Mickey, Minnie, Moana, Tiana, Marvel characters and that iconic Disney horn. If you prefer something quieter, your balcony is the perfect place to enjoy the moment from a distance.

Ending the Day

By dinner time, you’ll probably feel the combination of travel, excitement and sensory overload. Don’t feel pressured to do everything. Unpack, enjoy your evening meal and take the rest of the night at your own pace.

If you’re new to the cruise line, our Ultimate Guide to Disney Cruise Line and our article on the seven things we love most about Disney cruises are great places to continue exploring. You can also browse all of our Disney posts on our Disney Cruise Line hub page.

Embarkation day on a Disney cruise is energetic, slightly chaotic and incredibly magical once you know the rhythm of it. With the right preparation and a realistic understanding of the day, you can skip the stress and start your holiday exactly as you should – excited, relaxed and ready for adventure.

Disney Cruise Boarding Day Guide: What Really Happens (Using Our Disney Destiny Experience)