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Cruising 101- Tips for Easy Embarkation

Writer's picture: Trey TracyTrey Tracy
Passengers lounging on a cruise ship

 If it’s your first time cruising, you likely have a lot of questions and might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. While embarking on a cruise for the first time is thrilling, it’s quite different than setting off on any other type of adventure. One of the primary differences between cruising and land-based vacations centers around getting on and off the ship.

 

As a travel advisor, I love helping the cruise curious find the perfect ship and cruise line. I also love providing them with tips and tricks that simplify the process and make it far less overwhelming. I’m chatting all about embarkation and getting off/on the ship during port days. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to simplify the process.

 

Easy Cruise Embarkation: Tips to Simplify Boarding

 

Girl overlooking balcony on cruise

Embarkation is the term cruise lines use to talk about the process of passengers and crew boarding the vessel for its next sail. For first time cruisers, this can seem overwhelming, but it certainly doesn’t have to be, if you follow the tips and tricks below along with all directions from the crew at the cruise terminal.

 

Embarkation tip 1: Check in as soon as possible

In the technological age, it’s much easier to go ahead and schedule your embarkation check in time early. Your check-in time will be a window of about half an hour in which you’ll arrive to the port and begin the check-in process. Completing the online check in process as early as possible typically means being assigned an earlier arrival time.

 

Early arrival times are fantastic because they offer extended time to enjoy the ship. Additionally, the ship is less crowded during the early arrival windows because everyone hasn’t boarded yet. This means you can leisurely enjoy a meal, explore the ship, and get your bearings earlier in the day. Getting a lay of the land is highly beneficial for first time cruisers who aren’t as familiar with the process.

 

Embarkation tip 2: Fly in the day before embarkation

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen first time cruisers make is flying in on embarkation day. Unfortunately, flights can get delayed or cancelled. If you intend to fly in and drive to port on embarkation day, this leaves little to no margin for error and could result in missing the cruise entirely. Flying the day before allows you to wake up and enjoy a leisurely simple morning prior to boarding your cruise.

 

Additionally, even if things go smoothly with flights, you may feel rushed. Feeling rushed can often lead to forgetfulness, stress and emotions running high. Creating some margin by flying in the day prior allows you to be mindful ahead of boarding time and make sure your belongings are exactly where they need to be.

 

Embarkation tip 3: Complete what you can ahead of time

Technology has really allowed cruise lines to maximize time and make things more efficient. In our post COVID world, most cruise lines require a health check in twenty-four to forty-eight hours prior to boarding. Most times this process takes less than ten minutes and asks fairly simple questions about your health and if you’ve had any major symptoms of illness in the past few days. It’s important to answer these questions honestly. Answering as soon as possible also ensures there won’t be a lag during check-in because you have to complete the screening.

 

Most cruise lines have also moved portions of their mandatory safety briefing online. While you’ll likely be required to check in at your muster station with a crew member once onboard, complete the available portions of the briefing prior to boarding so you can spend your time onboard experiencing all your cruise vessel has to offer!

 

Embarkation tip 4: Arrive at your scheduled arrival time

If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough, it’s arriving at your scheduled time. This is especially true if the ship is considered large or a mega ship. When people arrive outside of their arrival window (either too early or too late) it creates bottlenecks within the system that can be difficult to fix. Arriving on time, or about ten to fifteen minutes prior to your check-in time is tremendously beneficial and the crew and other passengers will silently thank you.

 

When considering time, make sure to account for parking if you drove. This can be a lengthy process depending on the parking situation. When you work with an advisor like myself however, I can provide suggested arrival times, parking information, or even schedule a private transfer to make embarkation simple.

 

Embarkation tip 5: Clearly label luggage and plan your carry-on

The final embarkation essential is clearly labeled luggage and a well-thought-out carry-on. Prior to packing, check the list of prohibited items for your cruise line and make sure you don’t pack anything that will have to be held until you return. Certain items like hairdryers above a certain voltage may surprise you, so it’s always wise to keep the list handy as you pack.

 

Luggage tags from the cruise line can be printed out ahead of time and placed in tag holders you can purchase from amazon. This is something I am happy to provide recommendations for as it will the luggage process much simpler. Additionally, you’ll be dropping labeled luggage other than your carry-on off with a porter prior to boarding. Tipping several dollars per bag is customary in this situation.

 

When it comes to your carry-on, it’s essential to consider what you’ll need prior to seeing luggage again. Your passport and ID need to stay with you, but also consider what you’d like to do upon boarding the ship. Often, early boarding times allow you to scope out a lovely spot by the pool, so we suggest including a swimsuit, cover up and sunscreen among your carry-on essentials. Finally make sure to keep things like medication with you. While things normally run quite smoothly, delays do occasionally happen, and you don’t want essentials like medication to get lost.

 

Tips for Ports of Call


Cruise ship in port

A cruising highlight for many is the opportunity to explore various ports of call. Getting an opportunity to enjoy and experience multiple destinations is one of the most exceptional aspects of cruising. However, it’s essential that you keep several things in mind as this can be an easy time for things to go sideways.

 

Port of Call Tip 1: Bring your sea pass and photo ID

When leaving your stateroom to enjoy a port of call, make sure you have your seapass and a photo ID like a driver's license. Your sea pass may be called something else depending on your cruise line, but it typically serves as your room key and onboard identification. The crew will make sure you’re aware of the card they’re referring to, and announcements will be made multiple times to ensure you don’t forget the card.

 

People’s mistake here tends to be remembering the seapass but forgetting a photo ID. While you’ll be allowed to board the ship at the end of your day, it often requires hassle and extra security checks. The additional process can be stressful, so take the time to do a quick double check that you have both items before setting off on your adventure.

 

Port of Call Tip 2: Be mindful of your surroundings

This may go without saying, but being mindful of your surroundings is essential when you’re visiting ports of call. I typically suggest packing a bag you can carry in front of you like a fanny pack or crossbody bag. While placing your items on your back or in your pockets, may seem convenient, it can be a recipe for disaster in crowded spaces where you might not notice if something goes missing.

 

If children are joining you, set up a system and communicate with other adults so there are always eyes on younger group members. With new sights and sounds, it can be tempting for little ones to wander off, so make sure adults are aware of the children’s location at all times.

 

Port of Call Tip 3: Arrive with time to spare

My final tip is to return to the gangway with time to spare. The last thing you want is to be left in port and need to find an alternate route home. This is a headache no one wants to experience and is one that can also be avoided by returning to the gangway with some margin.

 

Additionally, I recommend only scheduling excursions with the cruise line itself. These excursion companies communicate with the cruise line directly and can advise them if a group is running behind. This isn’t the case however, if you plan an excursion that isn’t affiliated with the cruise.

 

It’s no secret that embarkation and ports of call can present unique challenges and feel overwhelming for first time cruisers. However, if you follow these tips, I can assure you you’ll have a much smoother experience.

 

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