31 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Every Cruiser Needs to Know

It’s here, your cruise embarkation day! It might just be the most important day of the entire trip. Don’t be stressed or worried though. With our 31 expert cruise embarkation day tips, this initial day will be a breeze, and you will be steps ahead of your fellow cruisers!  

Before we get started, if you are completely new to cruising, you might have some questions.

What is Embarkation Day on a Cruise?

The term embark means to board a ship. So embarkation day is just that, the day the ship is accepting new cruisers for the next voyage. On your itinerary, embarkation day will be marked as Day 1. Once all cruisers are successfully on the vessel, the ship will set sail for its next destination, or the first port of call.

What Time Does Embarkation Day Start?

There is no set time at which embarkation day starts for all cruises. The time of the embarkation varies based on the cruise line and region.

Although, for the most part, cruisers are usually allowed to begin boarding in the late morning, typically between 11 am and noon. Many cruise lines will begin processing cruisers around 10 am, so they are checked in and ready to get onboard once the ship is cleared.

Of course, these times are just general references. Several factors can affect the time that embarkation actually starts. For instance, if the ship is delayed docking earlier in the morning, embarkation can be delayed to give previous passengers time to disembark. 

Keep in mind that cruise lines require cruisers to check-in pre-cruise and select an embarkation time. So, it is possible that your embarkation time will be later. On most cruise lines, the latest cruisers can embark is between 3 pm and 4 pm, depending on the ship’s departure time.

Virgin Voyages is one cruise line that purposely starts embarkation later in the day. They usually start processing cruisers until 12:30 pm, with the first guests not getting onboard until 1 pm or later. This means the ship’s sail away is also scheduled for later in the day.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: BOOK NOW TO SCORE THE LATEST CRUISE DEALS!

Our 31 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips

Now that you know the process, it is time to ensure you make the most of this first day of your cruise. Honestly, ensuring embarkation day is smooth sailing starts weeks before the launch of your cruise.

Do Pre-Cruise Check-In Early

After booking your cruise, we highly recommend you download the cruise line’s app. This will be essential once you board the ship. You can use either the app or the desktop version of the cruise line’s website to complete your check-in process. Either way, do it as soon as it is available.

Most cruise lines let you check-in 30 to 45 days prior to sailing. The earlier you sign in, the better embarkation time you will receive.  

During check-in, you are able to select an arrival time, load security photos of your travel party, and complete other requirements like inputting passport info.

Upgrade to Expedited Embarkation

Several cruise lines offer the option to upgrade your embarkation experience. These services allow guests to get on the ship even quicker. Of course, they do come at an additional cost, but it might be something that you want to consider.

Royal Caribbean’s The Key, is a program that includes several benefits. One of these perks is priority embarkation. It also includes priority tendering and disembarkation, along with internet and an exclusive welcome lunch.

Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line offers Faster to the Fun. Again, this offers guests the ability to be among the first on the ship. It also provides priority access for tendering and disembarkation, among other perks.

If you must truly be among the first on the ship, we suggest you check to see if your cruise line offers one of these upgraded options.

Pre-Purchase Packages and Shore Excursions

We can’t stress this cruise embarkation day tip enough. Before boarding the ship, make sure to purchase cruise add-ons. Among the additional costs not covered in your cruise are items like shore excursions, drink packages, WiFi, and specialty dining.

While many might not need or want any packages, almost all cruisers have plans to do something while ashore at the ports of call. You can book these tours through the cruise line or directly with local tour operators. Waiting too long to book your shore excursions might lead to sold out tours and disappointment.

Likewise, if you have your heart set on dining at a specific up-charge restaurant, be sure to make your reservations well in advance as popular times do book up quickly. Similarly, if you want to purchase to a drink package, do so before the cruise. Buying it pre-cruise will usually save you money.

Finally, if your cruise line allows you to pre-book entertainment reservations before boarding the ship, do that as well. The fewer things you need to worry about on embarkation day, the better.

Plan Your Cruise Embarkation Day Outfits

You want to ensure that you have comfortable, region-appropriate outfits for that first day of your cruise.

Honestly, we always plan something fun, but also functional. It is okay to don that loud Caribbean shirt or make matching t-shirts for the whole family. After all, you are officially on vacation.

Just make sure that the outfit fits the destination. If you are cruising to Alaska, shorts and a t-shirt probably won’t cut it.

Likewise, you will probably do a good amount of walking and standing during your cruise embarkation day, so you will want comfortable footwear.

Arrive at the Homeport a Day Early

Many individuals will be traveling miles to reach the ship’s departure point. If that is the case, we strongly encourage you to arrive a day early.

We always fly in the day before our cruise. This ensures there is extra time in case of travel delays or issues with transportation.  

You don’t need the added stress of arriving the day of your cruise, or the chance of missing the ship due to flight cancellations.

While this has always been true, it’s more important now than ever before. Plus, it gets your vacation started a day earlier!

Print and Adhere Luggage Tags

Most cruise lines don’t send luggage tags to your home anymore. So, you will need to print and adhere your luggage tags to your checked bags. We use these convenient luggage tag holders to ensure the tags stay in place on the bags.

Of course, you can staple the paper tags to your bags as well at your pre-cruise hotel. Either way, make sure you have these in place before heading to the port. Again, it will save you time and make boarding the ship more efficient.

Arrive to the Terminal on Time

Since the cruise restart, cruise lines have been enforcing port arrival times more. So, one cruise embarkation day tip is to arrive to the terminal close to your port arrival time.

It is okay to get there a little early, but not an hour or more early.

If you arrive too early, you may be ushered into separate lines and made to wait outside until your designated check-in time. Thus, if you have a later arrival time, don’t rush to get to the port.

If you want to get your vacation started as soon as possible, make sure to complete that pre-cruise process ASAP to snag an early time!

Check Larger Luggage with Porters

Don’t try to lug those two 50 lb. suitcases on to the ship with you. If you have larger luggage, you should check it with the porters located outside the cruise terminal. By doing so, your bags will be delivered directly to your stateroom prior to sail away.

If you choose to take larger items onboard with you, just remember that you will be responsible for them for the next several hours. This means lifting them onto the security conveyor belt, wheeling them up the gangway, and lugging them around the ship until the cabins are ready.

Trust us, you don’t want to do this!

Have All Documents Accessible

Leaving our larger suitcases with the porters upon arrival at the cruise terminal, we do bring carry-on bags, typically backpacks or tote bags, onboard the ship with us.

In these carry-ons, we ensure we have some cruise essentials. These include copies of our boarding passes (even though we have the digital versions as well) along with receipts for prepaid items like drink packages just in case.

Paper copies are a great back up, as your phone signal may be spotty in the terminal building.

You will also need your passport (or a birth certificate and government issued ID) during the check-in process. Be sure this is on your person and not in the bag you just left with the porter! Some itineraries might require other additional documentation besides your passport, so have that handy too.

Using the cruise line’s app during this process will definitely save you time. Having completed the health questionnaire and loaded your security photos ahead of time, you can zip through the check-in process on embarkation day.  

Pack Necessary Items in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag

Once you check your bags, you won’t see them for a few hours. So, make sure your carry-on has necessary items. Beyond the documents mentioned above, you will want to pack other cruise essentials in this bag.

Some things to include are any required medications, electronics like laptops or digital cameras, and chargers for your devices. It might be smart to pack some toiletries, like toothpaste and a toothbrush or a hair brush in case you need to freshen up. And, don’t forget any necessities for the kids.

We also bring a refillable water bottle to use throughout the trip. Not to mention, a bathing suit, suntan lotion, and sunglasses. Don’t worry, you can leave the beach towels at home!

Pack Two Bottles of Wine in Your Carry-On

Most cruise lines allow cruisers to bring two bottles of wine per cabin onboard. Others, like Carnival Cruise Line, also allow a limited number of non-alcoholic beverages. Check the cruise line’s website for accepted items. Then, be sure to pack them in your carry-on bag.  

If you pack the wine in your checked luggage, it might be confiscated by the cruise line.

Do know that many cruise lines charge corking fees for bottles of wine that you bring onboard the ship. So, you might not be saving as much money as you think.

Avoid Packing Prohibited Items

Along the same lines, you will want to check your cruise line’s website to ensure what items you can and can’t bring onboard the ship.

This goes for both your carry-on and checked luggage. Don’t try to bring anything onboard that is prohibited by the cruise line as it WILL get confiscated and delay getting your luggage.

Bottles of liquor or other alcohol, besides the bottles of wine, are usually not allowed. Along with typical contraband (e.g., firearms, illegal substances), most cruise lines do not allow irons, steamers, and hotplates. Incense and candles are prohibited as well.

Don’t Head to Your Cabin Right Away

You are finally onboard and can’t wait to see everything. Well, resist the temptation to go to your stateroom. Odds are, your cabin will not be ready yet.

Most cruise lines do not allow access to staterooms until between 1 pm and 2 pm. This gives the housekeeping staff time to clean and change over the rooms from the previous sailing.

Again, this is another reason checking your larger items is so worth it. Of note, some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, do allow guests to drop off carry-on items but most do not.

With your manageable carry-ons in tow, it is now time to take care of any loose ends.

BOOKING BONUS: SCORE ADDITIONAL PERKS WITH LAST MINUTE CRUISE DEALS!

Sign Into the Cruise Ship’s Intranet

You already have the cruise line’s app, so now you can sign on to the ship’s WiFi. This WiFi (and the ship’s app) works even if you didn’t purchase an internet package. The app will still be vital throughout the week, and may even come in handy in a few minutes.

If you did purchase a WiFi package, it is worth setting it up now as well. Depending on which WiFi package you purchase, you will be able to check email, surf the web, post on social media, and even stream movies and music.

Book Entertainment Reservations

Depending on the cruise line and ship, you may need reservations to see some of the shows. If you were not able to do that pre-cruise, you should do it right now. The popular shows and ideal showtimes fill up quickly.  

Often, there will be a designated spot to book entertainment reservations, like a Box Office or a kiosk in the promenade. Some cruise lines offer touch screens throughout the ship that let you book these shows as well. Or, you might even be able to claim your reservations right in the cruise line’s app.

It doesn’t hurt to ask a crew member near the boarding point where and how you can make these reservations. Once you know, take a few minutes to review the schedule and book those must-see productions before they sell out.

Make Last Minute Dining Reservations

With shows secured, you should confirm any dining reservations. If you have a dining package, some cruise lines don’t let you make reservations until you are on the ship.

Or, if you made a last minute decision to dine at a specialty restaurant, or need to change a pre-cruise reservation, we suggest you do that sooner rather than later on embarkation day. By the end of the day, most of the highly coveted dining times and restaurants will be full.

If you are doing traditional dining and want to change the dining time, you should also do that early on embarkation day. Most cruise lines have a specific kiosk for such dining changes as well.

Check the Daily Schedule

The cruise ship’s daily schedule will become your best friend over the course of the week. This magazine lists all of the day’s activities, events, dining times, entertainment, and live music throughout the ship.

Often, there are paper copies of the daily near Guest Services or other venues like the coffee shop. Unfortunately, many cruise lines are doing away with leaving paper copies of the daily in your stateroom each evening.

But, the good news is the daily is always in the palm of your hand, or your pocket. Almost all cruise lines’ apps will provide the same information, which is updated every day.  

So, before you head off to explore, check out what events are on..

* This article was originally published here