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Are you excited about your upcoming cruise? You should be! If this is your first time sailing, you may have many questions about what to expect. Read as many articles as you can to prepare yourself. These cruise embarkation tips should help answer some of your questions. They are a great way to explore new destinations and a fabulous way to bring large groups together for reunions. Cruises are great.
Cruises are a great way to explore new destinations and a fabulous way to get large groups to reunite.
Since most readers are based in the United States and Canada, the information provided will focus on the cruise lines that are the most popular in these ports. Remember that your cruise line’s website offers information tailored to your experience.
What is Embarkation Day?
Embarkation day is a fancy name for the day you board your cruise ship. While subtle differences depend on which port you are leaving from or what cruise line you’re sailing on, general embarkation procedures are pretty similar across the board.
Remember that most cruise ships turn around on the same day. Just like planes arrive at a gate, de-board, are quickly “fixed up,” and re-boarded, so are cruise ships.
Today’s cruise ships carry thousands of passengers, so the turnaround process is a little lengthier than that of a plane. Most cruise ships disembark (passengers get off) between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. The crew cleans and prepares for the next group of passengers in the few hours between sailings.
12 Cruise Embarkation Tips
Tip 1: Download Your Cruise Line’s App
The first thing you want to do after booking your cruise is to download the cruise line app to your phone. The cruise line’s app links you to having the best time on your sailing. They provide you with a daily schedule, the ability to order food, reserve shore excursions and specialty dining, and even check in!
Tip 2: Arrive at Your Departure City Early
Consider arriving at your departure port the day before your embarkation day to avoid the stress of a delayed or canceled flight or connection. This will give you plenty of time to arrive at the port. On embarkation day, many cruise lines offer transportation from the airport to the cruise port. Still, you can also consider whether arranging your transportation may be more cost-efficient.
Tip 3: Know your Boarding Time!
Each cruise line has different embarkation times depending on when the ship is expected to sail. It may be as early as 10 am or start closer to noon. Your cruise app or email will show your particular check-in time. All passengers must be onboard the ship no later than an hour (some two) before sailing time. Do not be late! The ship will leave without you!
Prepare to wait in long lines, especially if you’re sailing at a popular time of the year and arrive at the same time as the crowd. Frequent cruisers (VIPs in the cruise line’s loyalty program) and suite passengers often benefit from skip-the-line or early embarkation.
PRO TIP: Check in on the app and use the QR codes to avoid long lines.
Tip 4: Bring Important Documents
The cruise line will send you paperwork to complete ahead of time through your online account. Use your cruise company’s app to complete the online check-in for faster boarding.
If you don’t have the app or cannot use the check-in process online, bring the important documents to expedite the embarkation process.
- Don’t forget your passport (or appropriate identification if your cruise doesn’t require a passport)
- Arrange a visa if needed (depends on your nationality and where you’ll be visiting)
- The credit card you’ll use for expenses (you can pay using a different manner before disembarkation)
- Printed luggage tags (porters usually have tape or a stapler to attach them if you haven’t and extra tags if you didn’t print them)
Tip 5: Decide What to Do with your Luggage
You can choose whether to carry on or check your luggage. If you choose to carry on yourself, you will need to keep it with you until your stateroom is available. Checked baggage may not arrive until after dinner.
If you check your luggage, pack a backpack or small carry-on bag with anything needed for your first few hours. I’d suggest your bathing suit and sunscreen (the cruise line provides towels), a change of clothes, and any medications you’ll need for that first afternoon and evening.
Tip 6: Don’t Pack Prohibited Items
No matter which option you choose, keep in mind that many items cannot be taken on a cruise ship and should, therefore, be left at home. This includes items you may not have thought of, such as extension cords, irons, and steamers.
There are specific limits to the type and amount of alcohol that may be brought aboard (typically two bottles of wine or bubbly per cabin). If you bring something else, the cruise line will confiscate it and return it to you upon disembarkation. Most cruise lines also limit how much soda can be brought onboard.
Your cruise line’s website is the best source of specifics for your sailing. For reference, click here for some popular cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity.
You should not bring any illegal substances aboard. This often includes marijuana and other drugs, even if you are sailing from a state or country that allows their possession.
Tip 7: Waiting for your Stateroom
Access to the staterooms is generally barred until 1:30 pm or so. You’ll be able to enjoy food and drinks as soon as you board, so start enjoying from the get-go! Remember that your fellow cruisers will be doing the same, so be patient and expect some craziness in the first few hours.
PRO TIP: Depending on your cruise line and status, the main dining room may be an option. Enjoy lunch here, where it will be less crowded and more relaxed.
On some cruise lines, you’ll receive your sign and sail card right away, while on others, they’ll be waiting in your cabin. Your sign and sail card is the only thing you’ll need to carry with you while on the cruise ship. It is both your stateroom key and your charge card. Know your stateroom number, many cruise lines allow you to make purchases using your stateroom number before you get your card (we also had to show our boarding pass on our most recent sailing).
Tip 8: Going to Your Stateroom
On some cruise lines, you’ll receive your sign and sail card right away, while on others, they’ll be waiting next to your stateroom door or inside your cabin. Your sign and sail card is the only thing you’ll need to carry while on the cruise ship. It is both your stateroom key and your charge card. This is probably the best time to meet your cabin steward and introduce yourself.
Know your stateroom number, many cruise lines allow you to make purchases using your stateroom number before you get your card (we also had to show our boarding pass on our most recent sailing).
Tip 9: Book and Reserve!
Eat, drink, and tour the ship! This is your opportunity to get yourself oriented to where things are on the ship. If you haven’t purchased a drinks package and have changed your mind, this is your opportunity to do so.
Tour the spa, fitness center, and other amenities that your ship offers. This is the perfect time to book spa treatments and specialty dining if you can’t do it on the app. Register for the waverunner, climbing wall, or other specialty areas, by signing waivers and learning how to access the activity later.
This is not the time to approach the guest services desk as they are frequently mobbed while the ship is in port with people begging for stateroom upgrades and dealing with other emergencies. If your question can wait, go during a quiet time instead.
Tip 10: Complete the Muster Drill
Before every embarkation day sailing, an emergency drill is carried out before leaving port. ALL passengers must participate. This is easier than it sounds!
First, watch the muster drill information on the TV in your stateroom. Next, show up at your muster station, usually a number or letter. A crew member will scan your ship pass, so don’t forget to pick it up in your stateroom before you go. Failure to do this process will lead to your name and cabin number being announced throughout the ship.
Tip 11: Watch the Sail Away
Weather permitting, you should enjoy the sail away at every port, but it is a great big party on your departure day. Enjoy seeing your ship cruise away as you prepare to explore new locales. Grab a drink, bring your camera, and enjoy the party!
Tip 12: Settle In for your Journey
Whether your cruise lasts two days or much longer, take the first evening to settle into your new surroundings. Unpack, explore, enjoy, and relax!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON CRUISE EMBARKATION DAY TIPS
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or back to cruising from a long break, these embarkation day tips should help make the first day of your cruise vacation go smoothly. These tips will ensure you start your vacation on the right foot and enter vacation mode faster!
Looking for inspiration on where to go on your cruise vacation? Check out these great things to do when arriving at different Carribean port destinations.
Read these additional cruising tips:
What about you? What cruise embarkation tips would you share?
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.