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It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. You’ve counted down the days, packed up the essentials and sorted your spending money. Now you’re ready to set sail, flick that “holiday on” switch and enjoy yourself.
If you’ve never cruised before, however, there’s more to your first day than simply rocking up to port and stepping onboard.
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Before you can hit the sun loungers, there’s a whole embarkation day to enjoy ahead of your voyage.
For all first-time cruisers out there, we’ll guide you through what you can expect from embarkation day and how you can prepare for it so that everything goes off without a hitch.
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Basically, embarkation day (sometimes known as boarding day) is the first day of your cruise.
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Arriving at the cruise terminal, it’s a straightforward process, but there are a few things you can do before and during it to make sure it’s as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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Think of embarkation day as the cruise equivalent of boarding a plane.
After arriving at the cruise terminal, you’ll make your way to a specific check-in point. Congrats, embarkation day is well and truly in motion. Once you reach the check-in desk, you’ll be asked to present the following:
Passport
Tickets and other travel documents
Any necessary visas
Travel insurance details
A credit/debit card linked to your onboard account
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You’ll then be asked to set up your onboard account and receive a key card for your stateroom. Say cheese because you’ll be having your photo taken for your account profile. This is so the ship can confirm who you are every time you get off and on the ship.
Some cruise lines might issue you with a wearable device instead, giving you access to your stateroom or suite and functioning as your card so that onboard expenses can be added to your account.
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You might have heard the term muster drill used in relation to embarkation day. It’s a key part of the process and is a legal requirement under maritime law. Essentially, you’ll be asked to gather in a specific part of the ship at a certain time, where you’ll be guided through the onboard safety procedures.
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You’ll be informed about all the details, including what you need to take along with you, during the embarkation process.
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If you’ve travelled a long way to your cruise terminal, then the weather may be different to what you’re used to back home.
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So why we’d say keep it casual, be aware that things might be colder or warmer than usual, so be ready to dress accordingly. No one wants to be stood in a queue while it’s cold or baking hot!
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Fly in a day early
If you’re having to fly to your port, then consider doing it a day early. This way you can deal with any potential delays or cancellations in good time without having to stress about whether you’ll make it to the ship on time. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to have a nice, relaxed breakfast too.
Get cash in advance
Likewise, if you’re flying to a foreign country, be sure to have your cash on you before you do so. Getting your spending money at the airport is always a bit of a risk: there’s a chance its ATMs might not be working, and it’s rare you’ll find competitive exchange rates there anyway.
Be prepared to queue
Aiming to get there early? Be prepared to queue – and then some. Keep everyone’s patience levels low by preparing for all that standing around as best as you can. Bring snacks and drinks, pack entertainment for the little ones, and if you don’t fancy standing for long periods, bring a travel stool or folding chair. You can even strike up a conversation with other passengers – find out what they’re doing and get a bit more inspiration going ahead of your travels.
Have your documents in order
Sounds obvious, but we can’t stress this enough: make sure you have the right documents on you at all times. Do this before you even leave your house; the last thing you want is to reach the port only to find that’s as far as you can go.
Don't attempt to smuggle anything onboard
This goes without saying. Want a stress-free embarkation? Make sure you’re familiar with what you can and can’t bring onboard – unless you fancy a long conversation with the ship’s security.
Avoid the buffet
We know you’ll probably be hungry by the time you’re onboard, but try to steer clear of the buffet for the time being. Chances are, everyone will have the same idea and the place will be heaving. Wait a few hours for things to calm down before sitting down to treat yourself.
Embarkation day complete – now it’s finally time to sink into that sun lounger and look forward to the trip of a lifetime.
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Not booked your cruise yet? What are you waiting for?! Go here to see the brilliant cruise deals we have on offer.
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