These are especially for first-time cruisers, just to give you a better idea of what to expect and how to make the most of your cruise.
Embarkation
CruiseStarter will send you instructions on when and how to do your online check-in. Definitely do this – it will speed up the embarkation process when you arrive. You can also review and book shore excursions, and other amenities.
Most cruise lines will require you to select an arrival time for the terminal when you do your online check-in. Earlier slots tend to fill up faster so you should do your online check-in soon after it becomes available. Typical arrival times begin around 11 am or noon, until about two hours prior to the scheduled sailing.
When you arrive at the terminal you will drop off your large bags with a porter. You may have had the option to print your own luggage tags and affix them on your bags — doing this will speed up your entry into the terminal; but don’t worry if you haven’t done this as the porters can tag your bag or tell you where to go to get them tagged. (Pro tip: get clear-plastic reusable luggage tags from Amazon to slip your printed ones into.) And don’t forget to tip your porters! (Who, by the way, are not cruise line employees, but contractors hired by the port.)
During the Cruise
Each night, your stateroom attendants will leave a newsletter for the next day’s events. Read this newsletter before going to sleep, and figure out what you’d like to do the next day. It’s good to have a plan in place by the time you wake up the next morning! But remember, you’re on vacation – feel free to change it if you’d like. Most cruise lines also make their daily events available on a mobile app — even if you didn’t purchase a Wi-Fi package you can still connect and view the events, as well as make reservations for specialty dining, shore excursions, etc.
If you opted for traditional dining with set dining assignments, stop by the dining room on the first day and ask where you’re sitting. If you’re not satisfied with the table location or the size, the staff *may* be able to re-accommodate you. (I stress “may” – please be understanding if they cannot.) If you have preferences, ask about your table mates – for example, if you’re a couple traveling alone and prefer not to sit at a table with children, ask the dining room staff if there’s a spot open at another table with only adults. Or if you’re traveling solo, ask to be seated with other solo travelers.
Most ships have specialty restaurants for a fee, and reservation may be made in advance. If you have a strong preference for a particular dining time, it will be easier to book in advance.
Cruise lines will offer optional shore excursions at each port of call. Independent tours can be done with local operators available at the pier or pre-booked online for considerably lower prices. However, cruise lines guarantee that they will hold the ship for you should one of their ship-booked excursions run late — and this simply won’t happen if you get stuck somewhere on your own and can’t make it back to the ship in time. So, do your research and book independent tours with caution.
Debarkation
No one wants the cruise to end, but it’s a reality we must face. You’ll hear a lot of instructions about leaving your luggage outside your door before you retire on the last night (the ship’s staff will move your bags into the terminal for you to claim) – but you do not have to do this if you don’t mind lugging your own bags off the ship when you leave. I’ve found it to relatively easy to take my own bags off, and I don’t have to worry about accidentally packing something that I needed on the last morning. But if you’re one who doesn’t travel lightly, you may appreciate the option to have your bags delivered into the terminal.
The ship’s buffet area is always crowded on debarkation morning. If your ship is offering served breakfast in the dining room on this morning, I recommend eating here instead. No tripping over carry-on bags from passengers waiting for their luggage numbers to be called.
Finally, give yourself enough time to get off the ship and on to your next destination, especially if you are flying home. In addition to getting off the ship with a couple thousand other people, you also have to go through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And if you need to take a taxi from the terminal, there may be a queue of other passengers. From my experience, give yourself at least two hours to go from ship to an available taxi/rideshare – you may not need all this time, but you’ll be glad you have it!