So you have booked a cruise, your packed and the day has come. Below we explain the boarding process. Boarding a cruise ship is a little different to a going on other holidays.
Before the cruise – 90 days out
Double check departure date, time, place, flight bookings, and all medical and dietary issues have been completed online. Your passports need to have six (6) months expiry date remaining (after your cruise ends). You cruise booking name need to be exactly the same as your passport (yes this is really important for security pre-boarding checks – we have heard of people being denied boarding as a name was incorrect).
You may need to select a boarding time on the cruise line online system.
On the Day – Before Leaving Home
What to pack – see David Buckingham’s list (link=> http://www.gdbucko1.magix.net ), or our post about what to pack (coming soon); after packing, check your bags. You will have two categories:
- checked luggage (bags you will give to the cruise line prior to checking in), and
- carry on bags (bags you will carry on when you get on the ship).
You cruise line will give you paper bag tags that you staple to the main handle of your checked luggage. These tags do not need to go on your carry on bags. They tell the stewards that carry your checked bags to your cabin, which cabin to put your bags in (which is why your carry on bags do not need them – you will carry them to your cabin).
You will need to carry some things with you, including:
- Passport,
- Tickets (although these are not absolutely necessary anymore), and
- Credit Card (or other method of payment).
We also suggest that you do not put these items in checked bags:
- Soft Drinks (cruise lines require these in your hand luggage)
- Computers
- Camera
Note – Checked bag weight limit is 32kgs – up to two bags per person is OK with most cruise lines. Carry on luggage must be able to be carried by you, and must fit through the x-ray machine.
Arriving at the Cruise Terminal
Plan to arrive at the terminal close to your check in time and take your bags to the Bag Drop area. You will not get a bag receipt. If you do not have a health questionnaire collect one at this time. Then wait for your check in time.
Check in
At check in, you will need to present your tickets, passports and credit card (if paying by card). Sometimes your photo will be taken here however some ships now do just as you get on board.
When check in is completed, you will be given a boarding group number, cruise card and outgoing passenger card (for customs). If you have a lanyard, you can attach you cruise card to your lanyard.
Just wait until your boarding group is called – they should be able to tell you how long, you may have time to visit a shop or complete your customs outgoing passenger card, but do not go away too far.
Once your boarding number is called, the next steps are:
a) Security: You will go into a secure area and your passport and cruise card will be quickly checked as you go in (to make sure you are the person who checked in). You may be waiting here for 5 minutes to an hour, depending on how quick/slow the next steps are (i.e. if they have problems with passengers in front of you). This may involve two or three stages depending on the cruise and location. One part will involve a baggage x-ray and metal detector, just like an airport.
Be aware, you are not allowed to take the following items through security or onto the ship:
– water or bottles (most cruise line do allow up to 12 loosely packed cans of soft drink – not alcohol)
– Alcohol (although Princess does allow one bottle of wine each)
– Any prohibited item (just like an airport – common things picked up by security include large knifes and irons)
b) Customs: Customs will do a check just like at the airport. You will need to present your passport and answer any questions.
If you have any GST to be refunded, look out for the desk, it’s usually tucked in a corner (hard to see) and if you miss it, you usually cannot go back.
c) Boarding Photo
Most cruise line now take your boarding photo before you get on the ship. It’s not compulsory, but you do not have to buy the photo. We suggest you let them take the photo and make a decision to buy the photo later.
d) Gang Plank
The last step is to walk along some form of gangplank – well its not actually a plank, most likely a nice sturdy covered walk way. If the gangplank is steep and you need assistance, don’t be afraid to ask, someone from the ship will help you (you do not want to fall over and injure yourself before you even get on the ship).
And then you are onboard => see our post about what to do after boarding:
Mobility Impaired
If you need assistance or are mobility impaired, let the port staff know at check in, you will be guided to a special area and assisted aboard the ship. It’s a good idea to let the Cruise Line know before you arrive (at booking if possible) so that they are expecting you and can make the necessary arrangements.
Other Tips
- If boarding takes a long time, it’s usually due to some passenger or computer problem, be patient, the staff want to get you on board as quickly as they can.
- Do not rush through boarding, it gets very busy and usually takes a good 30 minutes. I have seen people pushing to get in front of others in the check in process – my advise is let them push in, your cabin will still be there if you are a minute later.
- Don’t forget to check your cruise line website – some cruises and cruise lines have specific instructions relevant to a particular cruise or cruise line that you may need to be aware.
Have I confused you
Don’t worry, when you get to the terminal, just find a staff member, explain you are new to cruising and ask politely what to do.
We hope you found this helpful?
Can you think of anything else for boarding, or have we missed anything or got something wrong, if so please leave a comment below.
If you would like us to post on another interesting topic, please let us know what topics you would like.
Regards
Lynda Barry
CruiseReview.net.au