Boarding the Ship

Getting on the Ship

• Bring your cruise documents, identification and passport with you. Do not pack them in your luggage, hand carry them!
• Make sure you have your credit card when you check in. The cruise line uses that information to make your cabin key card.
• You always want to hand carry your personal belongings, medications and cameras when you board so you will not be without them in case your luggage arrives late.
• Because of the excitement of the cruise don’t try to be the first one at the pier. There usually is no entertainment or food.
• My suggestion is to plan to get to the pier around 10:30-11AM. Shortly after you go through security and check in they will start boarding. At check in you will be issued a “key card”. This is your life line on the ship. It is used as a boarding pass, room key and it will cover all purchases you make. Don’t lose it!

On the Ship

• After you get on the ship they may recommend that you proceed to the cafe on the upper decks for lunch.
• Your state room most likely will not be ready at this time, but they will announce when it is. Remember the reason for this is they have to vacuum, clean and sanitize all state rooms and hallways before the new passengers can enter. You would not want to go to a dirty room.
• You will be asked to go to a staging area for the muster drill before sailing. This is a mandatory drill and everyone must attend. If there is an emergency on board you will be thankful you attended the meeting.

Keeping in Touch with Home

• Calling from your room phone can be extremely expensive, up to $15/min. Make your calls from shore with a calling card. Check with your cell phone company before making any cell phone calls. Roaming charges add up quickly. Texting is another option that may be less expensive.

Luggage

• When you go to your cabin, your luggage most likely will not be in your room. With up to approximately 4,000 or more pieces of luggage to handle and go through security, it takes time. Your luggage most likely will be delivered early to mid afternoon prior to sailing.

Packing Tips

• Don’t over pack! You don’t want to get off the ship and have to purchase another piece of luggage to take all your trip souvenirs home with you.
• Packing can be stressful. Check out the weather and include rain gear in case of showers. If you’re cruising in the winter months, depending where your home base is, take heavier clothing to get to the pier. Leaving out of the north east in January is cold. I remember the crew shoveling snow off the deck. It’s ok though, the weather usually gets warmer in a day or so.
• Your cruise line will mail you special luggage tags before your cruise. Make sure they are on your luggage prior to boarding the ship. All luggage is x-rayed by the cruise company for security, just like in an airport.
• Since you might not see your main luggage for a few hours, arrive dressed for your first day on the ship. You might want to take a jacket or sweater just in case it’s chilly.
• It is not necessary to pack hand soap, shampoo, body wash or hair dryers. Check with your travel agent or cruise line. Most cruise lines provide them.
• Your empty luggage will fit under your bed. There is not a lot of extra space in your cabin.
• The only cash you will need on board is when you visit the casino or you go shopping on shore. If you have any charges on your account that you do not agree with, you should check with the purser’s desk. They will check it out with you.

ID

• If you just recently got married, make sure your passport and drivers license names are current. If not, you might not be able to board the ship. The cruise line must have your current ID.

Photos on Board

• If you take your own camera along, remember to take extra batteries. They can be expensive on the ship or at some port shops.
• You can get professional photos taken on board the ship with your friends or family for an extra cost. Ask them to create a folder for your photos so you can have time to decide without searching through the photos all the time. Also, they usually offer special deals that could include some free photos.

Debarkation

• On the last day of the cruise in the early morning you have three choices:

– You can leave your luggage outside your stateroom the night before and it will be gathered up and taken to a holding area after the ship arrives in the port. You will be able to get your luggage after you leave the ship.

– You can take your luggage off the ship yourself during early debarkation.

OR

– Some ships offer to transport your luggage directly to the airport if you are flying home. They do this for a small charge.