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Wanting to know exactly what to do on your cruise embarkation day to not miss anything important? This post will discuss an exact step by step guide of what to do before your cruise embarkation day and what to do the day of.
From transportation and having required documentation, to setting reservations and doing your safety meeting, there is a lot that goes into embarkation day on a cruise.
In this post you will get a step by step guide of everything you need to remember to have and do to make sure your cruise embarkation day is a success.
Follow this guide, make a note for future use of what you’ll need and get ready to have a fantasic time on your cruise!
This post is all about embarkation day on a cruise.
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Pre Embarkation To Do List
1. Make sure you have your check in time set
Cruise lines usually offer check in between 14-45 days before your cruise. You will need to see what your specific cruise line’s rules are.
Make a note of that date. When it is time to check in you’ll want to pick an early check in time.
Not only is it great to get on the ship earlier when it’s more empty but it also smart to pick an early time in case of delays for your ship.
If your ship is late at getting into port or letting people off the ship there may be tons of people through security just waiting in the crusie terminal. To prevent further waiting you will want to pick the earlier time vs a later one.
2. Print off your boarding documents
The cruise will have some type of paperwork for you to bring on boarding day. You will want to print this off to have a physical copy the day of your cruise.
I suggest bringing a folder to have all of your important documents in such as the boarding paperwork, vaccine card if you need it, and your passport or other identification.
Having it all organized in a folder ready to go will speed up your process in the terminal instead of digging through your bag for your passport etc.
I would also suggest making an album in your phone of the paperwork screenshotted so you have a backup.
3. Pay for priority boarding (optional)
Some cruise lines offer special perks to give you priority boarding and more.
One example, Royal Caribbean has their VIP pass, formerly known as The Key that allows you to board before other cruise passengers.
This is a paid cost though so you might not be interested in it but it is an option.
4. Prebook add ons
You’re going to want to prebook as much as possible for your cruise to save money and to make sure what you want is available.
First you should book your hotel if you are traveling the day before. Look for a hotel that offers free parking with a shuttle if you stay one night before your cruise.
If you don’t go that route or don’t need a hotel, prebook your parking at the port or nearby. Make sure you have a spot reserved so you aren’t worried, driving around the city trying to board your cruise.
You also should look into prebooking drink packages, shore excursions, internet, entertainment and more.
You will get a better price on all of those add ons if you book them beforehand compared to booking them on the cruise ship.
Entertainment you usually don’t have to pay for but some ships allow you to reserve you spot such as Oasis class ships on Royal Caribbean.
If you wait to try to get a seat once onboard, you might miss it. Not all ships require reservations for entertainment so don’t worry if you don’t see that as an option.
5. Put an Apple AirTag in your suitcase that you’re checking at the port
I highly suggest buying and putting an AirTag in your luggage that you are leaving at the front of the port to be later brought to your room.
A lot of people do deal with their bag getting lost or put at the wrong room. Having an AirTag will help you be able to see exactly where your luggage is in the event it is lost.
6. Pack a small bag with your essentials
You will want to leave your large luggage at the front of the terminal but you still want to have a small bag with essentials to carry around with your on embarkation day.
You’ll want items such as:
-Boarding Documents
-IDs
-Medications
-Swim suit
-Sunglasses
-Phone charger
-Sunscreen
Here are some bag examples and cruise essentials you may want:
1. Large tote
2. Beach Tote
3. Passport holder
4. Sunscreen
5. Visor/Hat
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Embarkation Day
1. Make sure your check in is complete
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There are different steps to the check in process from adding a photo and credit card to answering health questions.
Before you arrive at the terminal you need to make sure you have everything finished so your security check in is as efficient as possible.
2. Drop off your luggage
Once you are parked or dropped off at the terminal it is time to drop off your luggage.
Make sure you have a luggage tag on every piece of luggage you are leaving with the staff at the front of the port.
You can print off the tags the cruise line provides you with once you recieve your boarding documents or you can have the porters attach a paper one right there.
For added security I would print them off yourself and get a luggage tag cover. The paper ones can easily be ripped off and the last thing you want on vacation is your luggage lost.
Here is a luggage tag cover from Amazon you could buy:
I would also recommend bringing a couple dollars to tip the person who takes your bag from you.
A lot of people think these people work for the cruise line but they are actually a seperate company who really appreciate when you give them a tip for their work.
3. Go through security
Once inside the cruise terminal you will go through several steps before getting on the cruise.
There are always a couple check points where people will looking at all of your boarding documents and IDs so don’t put them away after the first time because more than likely you’ll have to show them again.
You will have to go through a few lines and usually up some stairs and/or escalators along these checkpoints.
You and your bags will go through a metal detector like the one at an airport.
Again someone will check your boarding paperwork and IDs. This will be the final check to get you on the cruise.
Depending on the cruise line you will either be able to walk on the ship after this or they will give you a boarding group number that you’ll have to wait to be called before you can board the ship.
They have several bathroom stops and some terminals also offer water.
Some terminals will also check your wine or champagne bottles if you are on a cruise that allows you to bring them.
There will also be photo opportunites when walking to board the ship if you would like to take a photo. You’ll be able to purchase them later onboard.
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4. Do your safety meeting
This step will depend on what time you board and also if there is a set time for everyone to do this or if it’s just due by a certain time.
If you have an early boarding time with several hours before you have to go to your muster station to check in I’d suggest going to get some lunch, get a drink and then do your meeting.
If you’re boarding later in the day you 100% want to go do your safety meeting first because it is required for everyone and they will find you. (lol) After that you can get something to eat and drink.
5. Book everything you haven’t prebooked
I do suggest to prebook as much of this as possible but if you haven’t, now is the time to do it.
You will first want to make reservations for the specialty dining restaurants if you plan on eating at them during your cruise.
You should do this first to try to get the preferred dining times dor the duration of your cruise.
If you have not booked shore excursions, I would do this next to make sure you get one you want to do and aren’t left with just a few choices.
If you have to prebook some entertainment (varies ship to ship) I would do this now to make sure you get a spot and don’t miss out.
Last, buy things like a drink package, internet, etc if you haven’t already.
6. Fix any problems
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This is not a regular occurance but sometimes you will notice mistakes after boarding your cruise and you need to take care of them immediately.
A common one could be an incorrect dining time or maybe your entire party isn’t linked to the same table.
You will need to go to the main dining room and speak to someone to get this fixed.
7. Explore the ship
Exploring the ship on embarkation day is always fun and really important.
You will want to explore the ship on your cruise embarkation day because the ships are large and have a lot to offer.
It would be unfortunate to find your favorite bar or an activity you didn’t know the ship even offered because you didn’t explore the entire ship early on in your cruise.
You can also watch a ship tour on YouTube before your cruise to make yourself familar with the layout and what your cruise has to offer.
8. Meet the crew
Once you gain access to your stateroom you will most likely see your stateroom attendant running around in the hallway that first day.
Introduce yourself and if you have requests go ahead and let them know what you need.
Remember to be nice, these people work very hard for very long hours and deserve kindness.
9. Grab drinks along the way
As you’re going through these cruise embarkation day steps be sure to stop off at a couple bars and grab a drink.
My favorite on a cruise is a pina colada. Very basic but there’s just something about boarding a ship for a vacation and having a tropical drink in hand.
This is also a good time to check out a few bars and bartenders to find your favorite one.
10. Take part in the sail away party
On every cruise they have a sail away party on the pool deck as your cruise begins and is pulling away from the terminal!
Listen to music, hang out in the pool or hot tubs, drink, or dance!
11. Have fun
The most important one of all, HAVE FUN! You are on vacation after all.
Take advantage of everything your cruise has to offer, stare at the ocean, relax in the hot tub, make new friends and more!
Follow this list and your cruise embarkation day should go smoothly!
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