How to cruise through embarkation day
Holidays are supposed to be all about relaxing but every traveller knows sometimes the first day of travel can be filled with a lot unnecessary stress.
Follow these tips to prepare well for embarkation day on your cruise.
1. Know what time embarkation starts and ends
This is an essential piece of information that you can’t avoid getting wrong. Be careful not to confuse this time frame with departure time as it is usually later than the cut-off time for checking in. Be sure to give yourself a 30-minute buffer from when check-in finishes.
2. Show up either early or late
Most cruisers want to utilise their time onboard and show up right when check-in begins. If you want to avoid excessively long queues, either show up very early or come closer to when check-in finishes. If you are a frequent cruiser, see if you are entitled to any check-in privileges such as going to the VIP queue or a comfortable lounge.
3. Dress appropriately for queues
Be sure to have a change of clothes, jacket or hat handy in case the weather on embarkation day is unfavourable. Also make sure you have a bottle of water and snacks so you can stay energised while waiting in line to board.
4. Have your documents in order
The worst travel mistake you can make is forgetting a crucial document at home. Before you leave home, confirm that you have all the official documents you need for the trip including your cruise tickets and passport. Be sure to remember your cruise line luggage tags, too.
5. Know your cabin number
When you have a lot on your mind it is easy to get on your cruise ship only to realise you forgot your cabin number. Most cruise lines don’t print your cabin number on your cruise card for security reasons. One helpful way to remember your cabin number is to dial the number on your phone so it appears in your call list before arriving on the ship. Then you can check the number any time you need a reminder (you just have to make sure your phone is on you).
How do you prepare for embarkation day? Share your tips in the comments below.