You’ve planned, dreamed and bragged on Facebook – it’s time to go! Now what?
Packing – less is more.
The ship will provide spa quality shampoo, conditioner and soap.
Think of the days and what you’ll be doing each day. Plan appropriate clothing and shoes. Do not count on wearing your flip flops every day.
Look at the attire required for dinner. In the dining rooms pants, skirts, nice shirts and shoes are required. Swimwear is not allowed anywhere but the pool, so bring a coverup. Most ships have a formal night or two, which are optional, but know you cannot dine in the dining room in your jeans on formal nights. Some lines have special dress party nights, so make sure you pack something for the party!
Finally, don’t put the cruise line tags on your cases until the morning of your cruise. They can get torn off by the airline and they are important at the pier.
Arrival at the port – organized chaos
If you’ve booked with us, we will have offered you transportation to the port. Sometimes its shuttles at the hotel, sometimes you’re just close enough to walk. If you live close enough, there is limited parking at most piers. However you get there, your first trip to a cruise port can be overwhelming.
As you arrive you’ll be met by porters who will unload your bags and direct you to check in. These friendly folks will get your bags to the right loading door. Typically a gratuity of $1/bag is appreciated.
After they take your bags, you’ll be directed through security and on to the check in desk. There are lots of signs and cruise line representatives to help you, just ask! You may have to wait for your group to be called, so be ready to have patience.
At the check in desk all passengers will need to have their passports, paperwork and get a picture taken. You will receive your key card, which is your door key, ship’s pass and allows you to charge things on the boat.
When your group is called, you’ll cross the gangplank and board the ship. They will take your picture frequently! You are always welcome to refuse, but some of our best photos are the ones where we were stopped for a picture.
Some lines will have your cabin ready, some will not, but the cabin halls will be crowded with staff bringing all the bags to the rooms. They will leave your bags outside of your stateroom when they come up. There’s always a sail away party of some kind, so don’t worry about the bags, just start your vacation!
Going onshore – what to take
Passports/travel documents are necessary if you end up missing the boat for any reason, so if you are taking a shore excursion that isn’t sold by your agent or cruise line, we definitely recommend taking your passport with you. If you are wandering on your own, stay close to port or head back early. If you decide to take your passports with you, keep them safe and hidden. If you need to leave the cruise for any reason, you will need your passport to get home.
Cash is king in popular ports and in the Caribbean they will prefer your American dollars to pesos or other currency. Make sure you understand the conversion rate, as restaurants and other establishments may list prices in the local currency and you might get burned in the end. That being said, common sense dictates that if you are flashing a wad of cash, you are asking to be pickpocketed, so use judgement. Bonus – if you don’t take the money off the boat, you can’t spend it all on souvenirs at the first port.
You will need your cruise ship card to get on and off the boat and pier.
Before leaving the boat make sure your clock is set to SHIP TIME, which is not always local time. The difference between the two can mean making the ship and flying home on your own dime.
Disembarkation – time to go home
Most cruise lines will require that you pack up your suitcases and put them out in the hall the night before your arrive back in port. Remember to keep tomorrow’s clothes out! You can choose to carry your own bags off, but this decision can’t be changed in the morning. You will be given colored tags for your luggage based on your group.
You will be given a disembarkation group time based on when you need to be off the boat. If you have booked with us, we will make sure you have enough time to get to the airport, but if you have booked your own air, don’t book anything first thing in the morning. Even the earliest off the boat can be as late as 8 am.
Unless you carry your own bags, you will have to find your bags in the baggage claim area in the terminal. It will be sorted by tag, and, like the airport, you’ll have to find your own and take it out.
You will have to pass through some kind of customs. If you are returning to your home country, you will have a form to fill out about what you purchased abroad and it doesn’t usually take long.
Contact us to help plan your dream cruise.
Photo copyright Celebrity Cruises Pictured: Celebrity Edge