First Time Cruisers Guide to Embarkation

You’ve done it! You’ve booked your first-ever cruise, it’s paid for and you’re all packed - but now what happens?

If you’ve never been on a cruise before it can all seem a bit daunting - you may know your way around an airport, but a cruise terminal is new to you.

Let me take you through the initial stages from when to arrive, through check-in right up until you sailaway.

Before you leave home

Documentation

In the days before your cruise you will need to check-in online (you will have been sent a link by your travel agent or cruise line).

You will need to provide passport details (or other permitted ID) for everyone travelling in your party. Make sure it is valid for the duration of your cruise, with at least six months remaining after your return, and that you have any visas required for your ports of call.

You will be asked to register a credit card for onboard purchases - all cruises are cash-free - everything will be charged to your cruise card. Contact the cruise line if you are planning to settle your bill in cash to check what their arrangements are for this.

You may also be asked to upload a passport-style photo (you are allowed to smile for this one). This serves as facial recognition when you swipe your card each time you come and go on the ship. The final step is to complete a health declaration form confirming you are fit to travel and haven’t been in contact with any contagious illnesses.

Download (and print) your cruise tickets and luggage labels. These will be emailed to you once you have completed the online check in procedures.

Luggage Labels

You will only receive luggage tags electronically (unless on an ultra-luxury cruise). Print out and follow the folding Instructions - it’s a bit like origami - and attach your labels to any luggage you will be checking in. You can either staple them or buy clear plastic covers from Amazon. Personally, I also print extras to attach to my hand luggage in case in my excitement I leave them somewhere.

Your luggage labels are really important as they show which deck of the ship you are on, which section (forward, mid-ships or aft), and your cabin number, all of which are required to ensure your luggage arrives safely.

Luggage

Exactly as for any overseas trip, it is absolutely essential that you have your passport accessible (or other ID you have logged with the cruise company). Do NOT pack this in your checked luggage (more about that below).

There is rarely any luggage limitations on a cruise - the only restrictions will be on fly-cruises determined by the airline. When packing, do bear in mind that your luggage will need to be stored in your cabin. Cases usually fit under beds but if you have too many they may have to sit in a corner somewhere.

Prepare your carry-on bags carefully, making sure you have essential documentation and medications to hand. Additionally, you might want to keep valuables such as jewellery on you. Your luggage may not reach your cabin for sometime after you board, so you may also want to pack a swimsuit (you will be provided with pool towels), a change of clothes for dinner (although it will be casual dress so you don’t have to change), or anything else you might need immediately.

Check out my packing tips for things you may never have thought about taking with you!

Arrival at the Cruise Terminal

This will depend on what type of cruise package you have booked - cruise-only, fly-cruise package, or independent fly-cruise.

Cruise only

Let’s start with cruise only where you are sailing from a home port. Your cruise documentation will state an embarkation (boarding) time. It is not advisable to arrive sooner than this time, as it is unlikely that you will be allowed to board any earlier, and there are few facilities at cruise terminals other than seats and toilets, with nowhere to get refreshments apart from a water fountain. Boarding usually commences at around 12 pm.

All guests will be met by baggage handlers at the entrance to the cruise terminal. They will check that your luggage is labeled and take it from you to put into containers for dispatch onto the ship. All luggage will be security scanned before it goes onboard but you aren’t involved with that.

If arriving by car, you should be able to drop your luggage before parking your car in your pre-booked car park.

Once you have handed over your luggage you will be directed into the cruise terminal building and asked either to take a seat, or join a queue for physical check-in. You may see a shorter priority check-in queue which is reserved for suite or loyalty club passengers - cruise day goals! When you reach the check-in desk, your passport and documentation will be checked, credit card swiped and your photo taken for security. You will then be given your cruise card* and excitingly invited to board your very first cruise, with a short stop for the first of many official cruise photographic momentos. Just before embarking you will pass through security where your hand luggage will be scanned, after which you can begin your exciting walk across the bridge or up the gangway onto your ship.

* Your cruise card is not only your cabin key, it is also your ID, and onboard currency - any purchases made, including drinks, shop purchases, spa treatments etc. will need to be signed for or your card swiped. Many people attach their cards to a lanyard to keep it handy and safe. If on a Princess Cruise or Virgin Voyage the cruise card is replaced by either a medallion (Princess) or a band (Virgin Voyages) which contain all your info digitally plus unlocks your cabin door the wonders of the technology.

Read more about Princess Cruises Medallion here: https://cruiselowdown.com/blog/2019/5/7/princess-news-ocean-medallion

Fly-Cruise Package

On some fly-cruise package tours, notably to the Caribbean, once you have checked in at your departure airport you won’t see your luggage again until it arrives in your cabin. However, do check your documentation for individual instructions, in case you do need to collect your own luggage on arrival. You will pass through immigration and look for a cruise line representative who will direct you to your cruise transportation. You may be given another health declaration form to complete on your journey to save time at the port.

Upon arrival at the cruise port you will be directed to check-in which might be in a marquee rather than a purpose-built cruise terminal. The process from this point will be the same as for cruise-only.

Useful to note - if you have booked a flight-inclusive package and your flight is delayed, the cruise line will be aware of the situation and make suitable ground arrangements for you, where possible delaying departure of the ship.

Independent Fly-Cruise Passengers

For those who have booked independent flights, you will check-in at the airport as for any other flight. It will be your responsibility to collect your luggage upon arrival and make your own way to the cruise port. From that point onwards the procedure will be the same as for cruise-only.

A word of warning, if avoidable try not to book flights for the same day you cruise. Should there be any delays the ship won’t wait. It is your responsibility to get to the port in plenty of time for embarkation. If you miss the ship you will either have to make your own arrangements to join the ship at the next port or pay for accommodation.

Embarkation

Once you have cleared security you will head up to the ship (just follow the signs). At the top of the gangway you will be asked to use hand sanitiser (this is important on a ship to avoid passing on germs, and you will be expected to do this A LOT on the ship).

Your cruise card will be scanned - your details and photo appearing on security’s screen to confirm your identity. You will then find yourself in the heart of your floating hotel and you are free to explore, eat, drink or even swim if you’d like. You are officially now on your first cruise and your holiday starts now.

Crew will be there to greet you and direct you to your cabin, if available. Oftentimes you will need to wait for an announcement to tell you when cabins are ready which is sometimes mid-afternoon, as they have to be cleaned and prepared between the previous passengers disembarking and new guests boarding.

Note: On recent P&O Cruises we have found that the first thing you are directed to do as you board is to head to your Muster* Station which will be shown on your cruise card as a letter. I must admit we found this a little bit aggravating, especially if you are carrying a lot of hand luggage or wrestling children. However it is an important aspect of cruising and will not take long to do.

* More about ‘Muster’ below.

Various departments will be offering extras for you - for example the spa crew offering tours and deals on treatments, or bar staff will be trying to encourage you to buy a drinks package. All of these things will be available later if you just want to move on.

TIP! It is worth downloading and studying the ships deck plans in advance to work out the location of bars and restaurants.

Better still, make sure you have downloaded the ship’s app if they have one (you won’t need WiFi to use it) and check out the daily programme.

If an app is unavailable, head to Guest Services/Reception to grab a daily itinerary - usually available on the desk.

Food

Most people are ready for lunch by the time they board so check out which restaurants are open. The buffet (normally on one of the higher decks) will be heaving as most people head here first. Consider choosing a different venue for your first meal onboard if you want to avoid the crowd - just check what is open and when. The calmest place will be in one of the main dining rooms (MDRs) if available. Other less formal options include the pool grill or pizzerias. It will depend on your cruise line/ship as to what’s available.

Accessing Your Cabin

Once your cabin is available, you can explore your home-away-from-home. You may find that some or all of your luggage has been left outside, but you may have to wait a while. Your cases won’t always arrive together so don’t panic.

Your cabin steward will come to introduce themself as soon as possible - he/she will be responsible for cleaning your cabin each day. They will advise you where your muster station is and any other useful information you need to know.

On your bed or desk area you will find a card detailing your dining arrangements - your main dining room location, whether you are early, late or freedom dining. If early/late traditional dining it will also state your table number. If anything is incorrect or you wish to make changes you should go down to the restaurant and speak to the restaurant manager as soon as possible.

Muster Drill

It is maritime law that all cruise lines are required to conduct a Muster Drill at the start of the cruise. The Muster Drill is carried out so that all guests are aware of what to do, where to go, and basic instructions to follow, in the unlikely case of an emergency.

Often this can be completed on a mobile App or by watching a recorded version on your in-stateroom TV, however it is usually mandatory to physically visit your designated Muster Station at some point prior to sailing to register.

The details of your designated muster station is printed on your cruise card (it will usually be a letter or number). Details of where the muster station is located, and the quickest way to get there is printed on a diagram on the back of your cabin door.

Ensure you watch the muster drill on the app/tv and attend in person as instructed or you will be chased up. On some ships there may be an actual drill where the alarm is sounded and you have to to go to your muster station immediately (you will be told whether or not you need to take your life jackets, which are usually to be found on top of your wardrobe).

Sailaway

Your ships departure is always very exciting.Traditionally departure is around 4 or 5pm, however timings will vary by itinerary.

Many guests like to be up on deck to celebrate the departure, and the start of their cruise holiday, at a Sailaway Party. So grab a drink and wave at the onlookers on shore.

Your First Dinner

The dress code for your first evening onboard will be casual, although you can be more formal if you wish. unless you have previously pre-booked a speciality restaurant, you can either dine in the main dining room (MDR) or if you want more flexibility and informality head for the buffet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there is something amiss with my cabin?

It will depend what the problem is. For example, if the bed configuration is wrong you can tell your cabin steward who will sort it out when you are at dinner. The quickest way to resolve any major issue will be to ring Guest Services to explain the problem.

What if I need to change my dining time or table size?

You can try ringing the restaurant or go in person to speak to the restaurant manager. It won’t always be possible to change times or to change from traditional to freedom/anytime dining, but every endeavour will be made to accommodate you.

What if my luggage doesn’t arrive or some bags are missing?

Embarkation day is extremely busy and so it can sometimes take some time to get cases to their rightful owners. However if they haven’t arrived by early evening you can contact Guest Services to let them know. They will ask for a description of the missing pieces and will locate them as soon as possible. It rarely happens that bags go missing and it’s usually just that the luggage label had detached.

I hope you have found this useful, but should you still have questions just leave me a comment or email me and I will try my best to answer your queries.

Cruising is my favourite thing to do and I’m sure it will soon be yours. In the meantime, let me be the first to wish you Bon Voyage.

First-Time Cruisers 101 - What to Expect on Cruise Day