embarkation

For some new cruisers, the cruise embarkation process may seem a bit overwhelming, and they may be curious about how to handle their luggage when getting on the ship. First, let’s define embarkation. Cruise ship embarkation is the process of passengers boarding the ship before departure, typically involving security checks, document verification, and for some cruise lines, the issuing of room keys. It often starts with guests arriving at the port, checking in their luggage, and proceeding through a series of checkpoints before finally stepping onto the vessel. Disembarkation is the process of getting off the ship. When preparing for embarkation, cruisers must make sure they have the proper documentation and decide how they will handle getting their luggage on the ship: self-carry your own bags or let the cruise line handle it by checking your bags. But first, let’s talk about some basics of cruise ship embarkation. The Joyway 20″ Expandable Carry On Spinner Suitcase (Dress: Women’s Multicolor Faux Wrap Dress How Long Does Cruise Embarkation Take? This is a difficult question to answer because it varies so widely, depending on factors such as the size of the ship, the efficiency of the port, and the number of passengers boarding. Generally, it can take around 25-35 minutes, barring any issues like technical problems or delays in the prior cruise getting disembarked. Cruisers with priority status or who purchase priority perks, like Carnival’s Faster to the Fun or Royal Caribbean’s The Key, for instance, may enjoy a faster process. The time to cruise embarkation may also depend on your boarding time window. Some cruise lines, like Princess for example, do not have dedicated boarding times for cruise passengers, but many do. For those requiring boarding time slots, each cruiser’s boarding time is generally determined during the online check-in process before their cruise. What is Online Cruise Check-In and When Does it Open? Most cruise lines require online check-in, and check-in can open 30-120 days prior to your sailing date. When you book your cruise, make a note of the online check-in date and mark it on your calendar. Why? Because if you’re one of the first to log in and check-in online, you’ll have first dibs on your preferred cruise boarding time (assuming you’re sailing a cruise line that requires a boarding window). As slots fill up, only the less desirable ones are left available for those who delay in completing their online check-in process. The cruise check-in process online typically involves passengers logging into their cruise line’s website and providing necessary personal information, travel documents, and preferences. This also often includes selecting a boarding time. After completing the online check-in, passengers receive boarding passes and instructions for embarkation day, expediting the process at the port. Pro-tip: Some cruisers delay the online check-in because they don’t feel like dealing with all the documentation requirements, like entering passport information. But… you don’t always have to complete everything at one time. My advice is to do online check-in the day it opens to make your preferences, namely with your preferred boarding time, save your check-in progress, and then return later to do the rest. Cruise Embarkation & Boarding Times There is no best time, as everyone’s circumstances vary. If you fly in to your cruise same-day for example (not advisable), and have an early flight that gets you to the port city at 9 am, you’ll likely want to board the ship in the morning. If you’re driving to the port and don’t plan to arrive until 1 pm at the latest, you’ll want to select an afternoon time. If you fly in the day before your cruise and are coming from a port city hotel, you may have more flexibility as to when you want to board the ship. Further, your individual preferences come into play. If this is your first cruise, or you don’t have the chance to vacation frequently, you likely want to maximize your time on the cruise ship and may desire to board the ship as soon as possible. If that describes you, and you can make it to port early, select one of the earliest time slots, which usually start no sooner than 10-10:30 AM, depending on the cruise line. Keep in mind that an entire ship of cruisers must disembark your ship, and then the cruise staff must turn around the ship very quickly to welcome the new group of embarking cruisers getting on just hours later. Generally speaking, most cruisers clamor for those early time slots, so those go quickly once online check-in opens. Which Cruise Ship Boarding Time is Best? However, if you’re like me and cruise often, you may prioritize convenience over my time on the ship. I know that the earlier slots are in hot competition and that morning and early afternoon are the busiest times at the terminal. I also know that most cruise line staterooms aren’t open until 1:30 PM, and I don’t want to deal with checking my bags or lugging them around on the ship for hours while I wait for my room to open (more on that in a moment), so I personally aim for a 2-2:30 PM boarding time. That’s my sweet spot, as I can then avoid most of the crowds at the terminal and walk right onto the ship and into my stateroom, carrying my own bags, and get unpacked and settled right away, which is a huge benefit. Boarding at a later time, however, does have a downside. Because it’s generally at a time after most folks eat lunch, you’ll either need to eat before boarding (versus enjoying a free meal on the ship), or you’ll delay lunch and eat once on board. Unfortunately, this time period is when the buffet and lunch spots are quite crowded. While there’s no general best time to board a cruise ship, there may be a best time for you and your wants and needs. So consider these and determine the best time slot for you. Then be sure to select that boarding time frame just as soon as your cruise line’s online check-in opens to ensure you can