What is the <span title="embarkation/disembarkation">embarkation/disembarkatio...</span> like for a cruise?

Question

what is the boarding terminal like and such? also how early should you be there before the ship is set to leavE? what can you do on the ship while it is still in port?

Answer 1

I always suggest that passengers arrive at the ship by about noon if you can.  Normally ships begin the boarding process about noon and you can board then even if your cabin is not ready.  They try to have them all cleans but some may not yet be ready by noon.  You should ALWAYS get to the ship at least an hour before the time to sail. Some cruise line request that you be there 90 minutes ahead because all of the cruise lines have to present a complete passenger manifest to Customs officials an hour before departure.  If you have not completed the pre-cruise check-in information (on line or by mail) you need to be there two hours before departure.

The terminals will vary quite a bit.  Some, like those in Florida are nice and about like a small airport terminal.  Some others, like Boston, are no more than a warehouse that you pass through.  The nicer terminals, like LA,  will have rest rooms, maybe a TV screen or two, and even a snack counter.

Passengers arrive at the port by various means.  Some take the cruise line&#039;s bus. Some take a taxi from the airport. Some drive to the cruise port. I have done all three. If you take the &quot;transfers&quot; bus provided by the cruise line, they will have a representative meet you at the luggage claim area and help you get to the bus. Some cruise lines will even retrieve your luggage and take it to the bus, based on the luggage tags that you should put on before you check your bags.

If you drive to the port or take a taxi there will be porters at the pier who will take your bags (except carry ons) and take it to the ship&#039;s gangway to be put aboard.

Check in at the cruise ports goes like this.

-You arrive at the port by car or bus and drop your luggage with a porter who works for the port, not the cruise line. So tip the guy a couple dollars at least. These people put all of the luggage in carts based on the luggage tags on your bags. The porters take your bags to the ship&#039;s doors and there ship&#039;s personnel send then through a scanner, one bag at a time just like at the airport, with someone watching content. I don&#039;t know for sure but my bet is they have dogs sniffing for bombs and other stuff too. Then your bags are delivered to your cabin door; but usually not until much later in the day about 5:00 PM.

Meanwhile you get in a line where they check first to see if you are even supposed to be there; many cruise lines use a self print pass that says you are to sail at that date and time.

-Then you get in line to go to a window to have your passport and other paperwork checked and to give your credit card so they can set up your on board cruise account.

-Then some cruise lines take your photo at the check in desk and other will take it at a different location as part of the check in process.

-Then they issue you your cruise card which serves as your room key, pass to get off and on the ship in ports and your charge card for everything you buy on ship.

- Then you and all of your carry on things (including handbags, camera, cell phone, and all packages) go through a scanner just like at the airport.  Everything you are carrying goes on a belt to go through an X-ray machine, just like at the airport.

-When you clear the scanner/x-ray machine you head to the gangway and there some cruise lines take your photo (those that did not at the check in desk). The photo is an image that is on the magnetic strip on your cruise card so that when you enter or leave the ship they have your photo as well as your name.

Then there is usually another line to have  a photo made of you boarding the ship.   Some cruise lines will have a poster or mural for you to stand beside or in front of for the photo.

Now all of the foregoing may vary just a little by cruise line but that&#039;s been the process when I have cruised with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, NCL and Princess.

When you first board the ship lunch will be ready for you in the buffet , whatever its called on your ship.  In addition, the bars will be open for drinks, and  gym,  pools and hot tubs will be open for use.  The shops and casino will not be open but you can walk through it and upon first boarding is a good time to tour the ship.    

After all passengers are aboard and before the ship leaves the pier there is  a mandatory safety (lifeboat) drill.  Every passenger MUST go to their cabin and the the life vest provided and then go to the Muster Station (place on the ship) indicated on the back of your cabin door.  All of the crew, including your room steward, will be helping you find your way to the proper location.  This drill lasts about 15 to 20. After that the ship sets sail with music and dancing on the top decks around the pools.

DISEMBARKING:  The evening before your cruise ends you will receive another set of luggage tags for your bags. You need to pack your bags, put the luggage tags on and put them outside your room by about 2:00 AM so that the ship&#039;s staff can start taking the bags to the lower floor to off load the next morning.

You may also receive on the morning of the departure a copy of your bill that was charged to your credit card. If you want you can go get a copy of your account from the purser&#039;s desk at any time.

People are allowed to depart the ship in categories; usually based on those with the earliest flights. Some cruise lines use a process called &quot;Express Walk-off&quot; for people who want to just leave first and carry their own luggage. I have used that when I drive to the port so I can get started driving right away.

When you luggage tag color is called you proceed from the ship, scanning your cruise card on the way out. Then go claim your luggage which will likely be spread out in a big room, or on a revolving luggage belt, depending upon the port. Then you go through Customs and Immigration, turning in the Custom&#039;s card given you the night before. Then you board your bus, or car, and you are off to the airport or home.

Answer 2

First you go into this big building and drop off your luggage. Then you get in a line which moves pretty well. You get up to the counter, a person looks at you cruise papers and may give you a form to fill out if you did not do it on line. They check your credit card and Id.  They then give you your cruise card.Then off to the ship you go. When you first get on the ship, they take your picture, check your carry-on with xray and then you can go to your cabin or where ever you want to go. Most people will find there cabin first, then get something to eat in the buffet. For disembarkation, you are called according to your luggage tag color. You get these the night before. The ones with early flights go off first. The last ones to leave are locals that live near the port. Everyone is off the ship by about 10am. By noon, the new passengers start coming aboard. Most people get on the ship about 2 to 4 hours before the ship leaves. I do not know if you have to be on the ship 2 hours before it leaves as I have never heard of this. I have seen people coming on board 1/2 hour before leaving.

Answer 3

everyone needs to be on the ship approx 2 hours prior to sailing and you can get there starting around 11a ( some ports will let you board and other will make you wait ) but once you get onto the ship you can go to the Lido deck and have lunch and then begin to explore.....i have been on some ships where you can immediately get to you rooms but other you have to wait until 1:30ish...the day you get on the ship, especially before it pull out is great for finding your way around and checking out what the ship has to offer....have fun

Answer 4

You have to be on board at least 2 hours prior to sailing. Embarkation is the happy part of the cruise.  Once on board you can do anything you want to.  Most people first thing they do after finding their cabin is EAT.  Disembarkation is the saddest part of the cruise because you are leaving your fun vacation behind.