Embarkation

zaxanon6

26 Mar, 2022

Embarkation

At the Port

Boarding usually occurs from ~11am until 90 minutes before sailing.

  • The busiest times are the first 30 minutes and the last ~2 hours
  • Some cruise lines assign arrival times/windows. Try to be on time; they’re trying to prevent the entire ship’s worth of passengers from all trying to get onboard at the same time (not a good way for anyone to start their trip).

Generally, you’ll drop off your checked luggage outside the terminal

  • Your bag will be scanned and delivered straight to your cabin
  • Keep anything you’ll need in the next few hours in your carry-on bag (e.g. medication, a swimsuit for the pool, your passport, etc.). Sometimes checked bags don’t arrive at your cabin until after dinner.
  • Make sure your checked bag has a ship luggage tag attached. If you didn’t print them in advance, you can fill out a tag with the porter. Consider adding a second tag to the bag; they sometimes rip off in transit.

Inside the terminal (or sometimes onboard the ship), you’ll:

  • Show your passport or other accepted ID. On some cruises, they will keep your passport for customs inspections in your destinations.
  • Get a photo taken (so the ship can confirm your identity each time you come back onboard at your ports).
  • Set up or confirm your onboard payment method.
  • Get your cruise card (which is also your stateroom key and charge card onboard the ship).
  • Get instructions about boarding.

If you have an electronic boarding pass

  • Save a copy or a screenshot to your phone in advance, just in case there’s no wi-fi or cellular signal at the terminal.
  • Consider printing a paper backup (or have a battery charge pack for your phone)

Be aware that taking photos is usually prohibited at security checkpoints. Some locations take this more seriously than others. Ask if you’re uncertain a photo is okay; you don’t want to start your vacation with a visit to security.

First Day Onboard

Staterooms generally aren’t ready for passengers until 1-2pm

  • If you’re onboard earlier than this, relax in a public area or grab lunch.
  • Try to avoid the busy area and elevator bank where everyone enters the ship.
  • Some ships will let you drop off your carry-on in your stateroom even if it isn’t ready. Be quick and kind to the stateroom attendants (they’re still working hard to make everything perfect for you).

Before the ship departs, there is a mandatory Safety/Muster Drill

  • This explains emergency procedures on the ship
  • Some cruise lines have virtual muster drills where you watch a video on the TV or your device, then visit your muster station.
  • Some cruise lines require passengers to gather in their muster stations for a live safety demonstration.
  • Regardless of the method, pay attention to the information in the safety briefing. In the unlikely event of an emergency, it may save your life.
  • Note: “muster” = emergency assembly. “mustard” = a hot dog topping.