Search
Close this search box.

embarkation

Disney and Carnival cruise ships at the cruise port in Nassau, Bahamas
Advice, Cruise Tips

What’s a “Mustard Drill”?! Decoding the Language of Cruising

Cruise lingo can make cruising a bit intimidating for a cruise newbie. If you’re a first-timer or still somewhat new to cruising, it can be helpful to learn the “language of cruising.” Here are some common cruise-specific terms that will help you as you make your booking and once you set sail.   Aft and Forward, Port Side and Starboard These are sections and directions of a cruise ship. Knowing these terms is crucial for navigating the ship. “Aft” refers to the back of the ship, while “forward” indicates the front. “Port side” is the ship’s left side when facing forward, and “starboard” is the right side. Understanding these terms will make it easier to find your way around. For a deeper dive into these concepts, check out my post about understanding these terms and navigating a cruise ship.  Disembarkation Disembarkation is the process of getting off the ship. It happens both on port days, when you get off the ship to explore, and also reflects the final step of your cruise journey, the final disembarkation at the end of your cruise which involves getting yourself and your luggage off the ship and passing through customs. Read my post here to learn more about final disembarkation, what’s involved with it, how long it takes, and the pros and cons of luggage handling options. The term “debark” is synonymous with disembarkation, and both are commonly used in cruise lingo, although “disembarkation” is generally the more commonly used term. Embarkation Embarkation is the process of getting on the ship (you and your luggage). This involves checking in at the port, going through security, and finally boarding the vessel. The embarkation process can be exciting as it marks the beginning of your cruise adventure. It also can be a little chaotic, especially for a newbie, and feels like navigating TSA at an airport. For tips about how to ensure a smooth cruise embarkation, and the pros and cons of carrying on your luggage yourself versus checking it, read this post. Main Dining Room (MDR) Embarkation is the process of getting on the ship (you and your luggage). This involves checking in at the port, going through security, and finally boarding the vessel. The embarkation process can be exciting as it marks the beginning of your cruise adventure. It also can be a little chaotic, especially for a newbie, and feels like navigating TSA at an airport. For tips about how to ensure a smooth cruise embarkation, and the pros and cons of carrying on your luggage yourself versus checking it, read this post. Related: Learn the 5 Secrets to Maximizing Your MDR Experience. Muster Drill A muster drill (not “mustard”) is the required safety briefing conducted by all cruise lines before the ship can set sail. During this drill, passengers are instructed on where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Attendance is mandatory, and it’s a crucial part of ensuring everyone’s safety on board. If you try to skip it, the cruise line will hunt you down like a dog, so don’t even bother trying.  Port Day A port day is when your cruise ship docks at a port, allowing passengers to disembark and explore the destination. Port days are filled with excursions, sightseeing, shopping, and dining opportunities. Each port offers a unique experience, from cultural tours and historical sites to beach outings and adventurous activities. Port days provide a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the beauty of new places before returning to the ship for the next leg of your journey. Learn more about what to expect for port days, and how to prepare for them. Sea Day A sea day is a day during your sailing when your ship does not call on a port and you do not leave the ship. Sea days offer the perfect opportunity to explore the ship’s amenities, relax by the pool, indulge in spa treatments, or participate in onboard activities and entertainment. Stateroom Your cruise room isn’t just a “room”; it’s a stateroom — sometimes called a cabin. Staterooms come in various categories, from inside cabins with no windows to luxurious suites with private balconies. No matter the type, your stateroom will be your cozy home away from home during your cruise, although some staterooms may be better for some people than others. In my post here, I explain the differences between various stateroom types and categories. Related: Learn 3 benefits of an interior stateroom. Steward This is your stateroom attendant, sometimes mistakenly called a “Stewart.” A steward is a crucial part of the great cruise experience. They provide personalized service and ensure your stateroom is clean and comfortable. Stewards often go above and beyond to make your stay special, learning your preferences and addressing your needs promptly. Tender Port Due to narrow channels or shallow water, large cruise ships cannot always navigate to a pier. In these cases, they anchor in the ocean and use smaller boats, or “tender boats,” to transport passengers from ship to shore. Tendering can add an element of adventure to your port visits and offers a unique perspective of your destination from the water.  Decoding the Secret Language of Cruising By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll feel more confident and prepared as you embark on your cruise adventure. My video below also explains these things in a bit more detail. https://youtu.be/lswylTJa13Q

Cruisers embark and disembark simultaneously at the Port Tampa Bay cruise port
Cruise Tips

Cruise Embarkation and How to Handle Luggage

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

Sign up to Receive My Newsletter

Drop in your email here to catch up with all of my latest cruise updates and recommendations. As a special bonus, once you sign up you’ll receive my Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide FREE!


Subscription Form for body section

This will close in 0 seconds

Scroll to Top
Get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planning Guide

Sign up for my weekly cruiseletter for insider tips and info.