Learn 2 Cruise

Your bags are packed, you’ve checked in online and you’re ready to cruise! As you leave the house, make sure all your travel documents are in one place. This means your passport, identification, transfer vouchers, cruise tickets, itinerary and any directions you may need to get you to the ship. I suggest you plan on arriving as early as the cruise line will allow. The cruise terminal will be less crowded and it gives you time to explore and familiarize yourself with the ship. Refer to your cruise final documents for embarkation times. Also if you haven’t done so already this is a great time to put on the luggage tags provided by the cruise line. You may already have your own tags on your luggage and that’s great, but you MUST use the cruise lines tags too! You should have received these in the mail with your cruise final documents about 2-3 weeks prior to your sailing date. These tags are usually brightly colored and are personalized with your name, sailing date, ship name and stateroom number.

Get to the Ship

If you are arriving by plane and have arranged transportation to the ship with the cruise line (which I highly recommend) be sure you have your transfer vouchers ready for pickup. A representative from the cruise line will meet you at the baggage claim area and get you on your way to the ship. If you arranged your own transportation to the cruise ship make sure you have accurate directions and allow a little extra time for traffic. For first time cruisers keep in mind that if you are not at the cruise terminal and checked-in within 60 minutes of the scheduled sailing time you are late and the cruise ship will NOT wait for you! At this point most cruise lines will consider you a canceled passenger and you are mostly likely under 100% penalties therefore you will not receive a refund! The government requires the cruise lines to submit a manifest within 60 minutes of the scheduled sailing time. Over the years I have yet to see the port authorities and cruise lines allow passengers to board past the scheduled departure time.

Cruise Terminal and Luggage Procedures

As you approach the cruise terminal you will find it’s similar to the airport. Very busy and lots of people. If you are being dropped off, the rules of the airport apply to the cruise terminal. Get out of the car, get your luggage and get moving! Port authorities will be patrolling making sure no one is parked at the curb for more than 5 minutes. If you are driving yourself and leaving your car behind check with the port in advance for availability, parking security and cost. The Port Everglades in Broward County Florida is the ideal to place to cruise out of. More cruise lines, more sailings and more itineraries depart from here that any other port in the world. They have 11 full-time large and air-conditioned passenger terminals, two patrolled, secure, covered parking garages, efficient drop-off areas and parking ramps, covered walkways and elevator/escalator access to gangways, shuttle service to distant terminals, and my favorite…vehicle-to-ship porter service for baggage. It’s great not to have to lug around heavy bags while you’re standing at the check-in line. As the porters grab your luggage be prepared not to see it for another 3 or 4 hours later. All the luggage is collected, scanned and loaded onto the ship. It’s then delivered to your stateroom later that afternoon. That’s why using the cruise lines’ luggage tags is a MUST! In addition I always tell people to keep a carry on with them filled with a change of clothes, a swimsuit and any medications you may need. Now you can enjoy the ship right away and not have to wait for your luggage to arrive. If this is your first cruise, don’t worry your bags always get to your stateroom, sometimes it just takes longer than you expect. Always tip the porters. They work hard and often in hot conditions lugging everyone’s bags from shore to ship. I suggest at least $1-$2 per bag.

Check-in Time!

Once inside the cruise terminal look for your cruise lines name. Larger cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean will have their own passenger terminal. Once you’ve spotted your cruise line’s check in station join the many other eager passengers waiting to board the ship.
If you are booked in a suite or a frequent cruiser keep your eye open for VIP lines. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Plus members of the Crown and Anchor Society are eligible for a priority check-in and access to a private departure lounge. If you’re not a “VIP” don’t panic. Just be sure to complete your online check-in at least 4 days prior to your sailing date and print out your cruise vouchers. This will make check-in at the cruise terminal a breeze. If you don’t fill out the online check-in you MUST arrive at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time and you will have to complete these forms in the cruise terminal, the hot crowded and often chaotic cruise terminal. This is not a good way to start your vacation.

At check-in you will need to provide the credit card that you registered when you completed your online check in. This credit card will be linked to an Identification card that you will use for the duration of your cruise. For example Celebrity Cruises call their cards Sea Passes. The card will have information on it like your name, ship, sailing date and sometimes your stateroom number. This is the only card you need to have with you while on the ship. It’s used for all onboard purchases at the spa, lounges, bars, shops and for pool side cocktails if your cruise is no all-inclusive. Don’t forget at the end of the cruise you still have to pay the bill! An itemized statement will be slipped under your stateroom door listing all of your charges for your time onboard. In addition all gratuities will be added to this account too. I’ve witnessed many friends and family get carried away and are completely shocked when their eyes meet their lengthy bill. Cruise lines create a fun and friendly atmosphere on every square inch of the ship allowing you to easily forget how much you are actually spending. My advice is to have a limit in mind before you get on the ship. Gather your receipts at the end of each day just so you will know when you are getting close to your spending maximum.

All Aboard!

Once all the paperwork is done you’ll begin your trip up the gangway and onto your home at sea for the next week. The crew will greet you, scan your cruise identification card and snap a quick picture of you so they can verify your identity when you return to the ship from any ports you may visit. While entering Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner and Seabourn Spirit, I remember both times being greeted with a glass of champagne and directed to my stateroom by a warm and friendly staff member. As I made my way through the spacious and well decorated ship I kept thinking, I could really get used to this!

If you’ve taken my advice mentioned earlier in this article you will be one of the first guests onboard and can now take advantage of your early arrival. Most cruise lines will have a light lunch available and you will have first dibs of the pool side chairs. Or if you aren’t ready to relax this is a great time to explore and familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship. Either way you are now onboard and ready to set sail for a week of fun, sun and adventures at sea.