Once you book your cruise, you can generally sit back and relax until your sailing date, although there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to preparing for your cruise.

• Once you book your cruise, put two important dates on your calendar: your final payment date (if you did not pay in full at the time of your booking) and your check-in date.
• The cruise line will remind you repeatedly via email, but you will not want to miss your final payment date because, if you do, your booking will be canceled and your money paid to that point forfeited.
• Your check-in date is when you go online to “check-in” for your cruise by entering details about yourself, like your passport or ID info, emergency contact, etc. Many cruise lines open up check-in 30 days before your sailing, and the reason it’s important to check in as soon as possible is so you can secure your preferred arrival time. This is the window of time that you will arrive at the cruise terminal to embark. Many cruisers want on the ship as soon as possible, so they check in the second check-in opens so they can secure the morning time slots.
• The cruise line will email you detailed cruise documents as a .pdf, and this can be overwhelming as it’s often 15+ pages of small print information. The important part of this is 1) your boarding pass and 2) your cruise luggage tags.
• Your boarding pass is generally a QR or barcode you use at the cruise terminal, which an employee scans to allow you to embark. Most cruise lines have these on the app, but it’s always a good idea to have a hard copy, too, especially as cell signal is often iffy at crowded cruise terminals.
• If you plan to check your luggage at embarkation, you’ll need to print your luggage tags and affix to your bags. While cruise lines might technically have luggage restrictions, it’s exceptionally rare for them to enforce any it, so generally, anything goes in terms of how many bags you bring and check (or carry on, if that’s your preference).
• Be sure to download the app for your cruise line in advance. This will be an important hub for information during your cruise, providing access to your account charges, ship time, cruise schedule, and all other important details of your sailing. Most apps are not fully functional until you’ve embarked and are connected to ship Wi-Fi.
• Packing for your cruise is mostly like packing for any other type of trip, with a few exceptions. Get my free ultimate cruise packing guide to ensure you don’t forget any essentials, or cruise-specific things (like magnet hooks and a non-surge extension cord).