Some people cruise often, even several times a year.
Unfortunately, others can’t afford to travel that often and end up cruising less frequently.
In these cases, you’ll likely want to make the most of your time on board and you’ll want to get on the ship as soon as possible.
But how can you get on the ship before the other passengers? Sometimes there are long lines at the terminal and you end up waiting several hours.
In this article, I will give you some interesting tips that allowed me to be one of the first on the ship.
Check-in Online as Early as Possible
Many cruise lines allow you to check in online. This way you can already enter your passport details and add a payment card that can be linked to your on-board account.
Consider that all these things you will do from home will allow you to spend less time during the embarkation procedure.
When you check in online, pay attention to one thing. Some cruise lines will let you choose a time slot for embarkation. Of course, if you want to board early, choose the first one available.
Many of the early slots fill up quickly, which is why you should check in as soon as you can, usually a few weeks before the cruise.
Carefully Plan Your Journey to the Port
Another key thing is to arrive at the port at the right time, this is why you should carefully plan your journey to the port.
I don’t know how far your home is, but try to take into account any potential delays or unforeseen circumstances, especially if you need to use multiple modes of transportation.
Usually, if you have to take a plane it is recommended to arrive at the port the night before and sleep one night in a hotel near the port.
That way you will already be on site and can be among the first to board the ship.
The schedule varies depending on the ships, so it’s difficult to make estimates. Keep in mind that the staff must first disembark the passengers who have finished their vacation before boarding the new ones.
I strongly recommend that you read the article on the best time to arrive for cruise embarkation.
Keep Everything Ready
To smooth up the whole process, you should have everything ready and in order for boarding.
The most important thing is your personal documents: have your ID or passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary documents readily accessible.
In addition, check everything in advance so that there are no problems with security checks. Do not bring these 10 items that are always confiscated when boarding cruises.
Other Things That May Affect Embarkation Time
Other things can affect boarding time. For example, usually, passengers who travel in suites or have high status with loyalty programs might have priority boarding.
You also have to consider the amount of people that are present when boarding the ship.
Cruises that depart during off-peak seasons or days (like mid-week) may have fewer passengers, making it easier to be among the first to board.
In addition, to avoid setbacks and delays, always check the 20 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts.
