Embarkation Day Guide

Embarkation Day Guide: What to Expect When You Board Your Cruise

Embarkation day is finally here. After all the planning and packing, this is the day you walk onto the ship and your cruise actually begins.

aerial photography of white and blue cruise ships during daytime

Before You Leave the Port
Arriving at The Cruise Terminal
Check in and Security

Step Onboard
Complete the Muster Drill
Enjoy the Sail Away Party

IN THIS GUIDE

There are a few steps to get through first, but knowing what to expect makes the process much easier.

Before You Leave for the Port

Make sure your travel documents and cruise check-in information are somewhere you can easily reach them.

Do not pack important documents, medications, valuables, or anything else you may need immediately in luggage that you're handing over at the terminal.

Cruise lines may also assign or recommend an arrival window. Check your cruise documents for the instructions for your particular sailing.

Arriving at the Cruise Terminal

When you arrive, you'll usually have an opportunity to hand larger bags over to port luggage handlers.

Make sure your luggage tags are attached correctly.

Keep your embarkation day carry-on with you. Your larger luggage may not arrive at your cabin until later in the day.

Check In and Go Through Security

The exact process varies by cruise line and port, but you'll generally show your travel documents, complete any remaining check-in steps, and go through security before boarding.

Once you're cleared, it's time for the part you've been waiting for.

Step Onboard

You're officially on vacation.

Depending on when you board, your cabin might not be ready yet. That doesn't mean you have to sit around waiting.

This is a great time to start exploring.

Grab lunch, walk around the ship, find the pool deck, locate your dining room, or simply find somewhere outside and enjoy the fact that you're finally onboard.

Complete the Muster Drill

Every passenger must complete the ship's required safety procedure.

The process varies by cruise line and ship. Some parts may be completed through an app or cabin television, while other steps may require visiting your assigned muster station.

Follow the instructions provided onboard and get it done early so you can move on to the fun stuff.

When Your Cabin Is Ready

Once cabins are available, you can finally check out your home at sea.

This is a good time to:

Make sure everything in the cabin looks right
Put valuables in the safe
Meet your cabin attendant if the opportunity comes up
Check for information left in your cabin
Start unpacking once your luggage arrives

Your checked luggage may arrive separately, so don't worry if all your bags aren't outside the door immediately.

Explore Before Sailaway

Embarkation afternoon is a great time to learn your way around.

Find the restaurants you're interested in, check out the entertainment venues, locate the elevators closest to your cabin, and see what's happening around the ship.

You don't need to memorize everything. You'll probably still discover new places several days into the cruise.

Enjoy Sailaway

There's something special about watching the terminal slowly disappear as the ship heads out to sea.

Find an outdoor deck, grab a drink, listen to the music, or watch from your balcony if you have one.

Your cruise has officially begun.

Little Cruise Tip

Pack your carry-on as though you won't see your checked luggage until that evening. Include medications, documents, chargers, sunscreen, a swimsuit if you want to use the pool, and anything else you'd be unhappy waiting several hours for.