Embarking on your cruise should never be a stressful experience. After eagerly anticipating your voyage, it's time to unwind! With a bit of preparation, you can kick-start your cruise in the best possible way.
Here's how to guarantee a stress-free embarkation day on your cruise.
Get documentation and passports ready
Dependant on the cruise line online check in normally opens a few weeks before embarkation to allow you to complete important information and download a boarding pass. For P&O online check in opens 21 days before departure and you will need to complete this to print your boarding pass and receive your embarkation time.
Luggage tags may also need to be printed and attached. We recommend these reusable luggage tag holders which fit most cruise line tags.
Passports must be in date and have been issued less than 10 years before the day of embarkation with at least 3 months left before the passport expiry date as at the date of disembarkation.
Checklist:
• Boarding passes
• Luggage labels
• Travel Insurance with emergency contact telephone number.
• Any documents required for countries you are visiting.
• A pen in case anything needs to be completed at the terminal.
Make reservations before your cruise
It’s not about having to spend the first hour onboard frantically trying to book excursions, dining or a spa appointment so make sure to book ahead of time.
Most cruise lines offer the ability to prebook activities online or over the phone before embarkation. For P&O excursions & spa treatments can generally be booked from time of booking with dining & entertainment 14 days before departure.
Get to the port a day early
We live around 2 hours from Southampton and travel there via 3 motorways which can sometimes be very unpredictable. Therefore, we prefer to travel to the port a day earlier to ensure we remove as much risk as possible.
Flight delays or cancellations are frequent, and unexpected traffic congestion on the road can significantly lengthen your journey.
There is often a good of hotels around ports. Southampton in particular has some good choices within walking distance of the terminals – the Moxy, Novotel & Holiday Inn are all good options. Plus, adding an extra day to your trip will provide some extra time to explore the port.
Pack an embarkation day bag
To make embarkation day a breeze, packing a lightweight cruise carry-on bag is crucial. However, be mindful not to overstuff it. You'll likely have to carry it around for a few hours before your room is available, so avoid anything bulky or heavy.
As onboard shops are not normally open until half an hour after leaving the port and luggage may take some time to reach your cabin its important to consider what you’ll require with you.
Carry-on checklist:
Valuables
Electronics
Charger lead/battery
Medication
Sunglasses
Documentation & Passports
Get to the cruise terminal on time
Embarkation day for you is also disembarkation day for the last group of passengers. This means that passengers will still be getting off the ship that morning.
Boarding thousands of passengers in such a short space of time can cause various problems therefore many cruise lines will give you a boarding time to arrive at the terminal for your cruise. If you get to the terminal too early, you may have to wait for some time before you’ll be allowed to board.
Whatever you do, don’t show up late on embarkation day. If you don’t get on the ship by all-aboard, it can (and will) leave without you. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the cruise terminal in case you run into any delays.
Drop off your luggage
As soon as you arrive at the terminal you’ll be able to drop off your luggage so make sure you have those luggage tags attached.
Ship’s crew will deliver your bags to your cabin several hours after you drop them off. Luggage is usually left outside your cabin door so ensure valuables are taken in your carry on.
Grab some lunch
The buffet is often one of the busiest places on the ship during embarkation. It’s got a good selection of food plus plenty of seating and access to the lido deck.
Alternatively, if you prefer somewhere quieter why not try the main dining room for lunch (if open) or if you’re on Arvia or Iona try the Quays.
Find your cabin and meet your steward
Your cabin will usually be ready to access in the mid-afternoon. Once you arrive, expect a visit from your room steward, who will greet you and help you settle in. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions or make requests such as extra hangers or a bucket of ice. If you forgot to make arrangements for bed configuration, your steward will be happy to assist you with pushing the beds together or pulling them apart.
Read your Horizon/Daily Program
In your cabin, you'll receive a daily program every evening that provides details for the following day. However, on embarkation day, your daily program will contain information about that day's events and sailaway options.
Take a few minutes to read through the program so you can plan your day accordingly. Keep an eye out for any embarkation day specials, such as discounts for specialty dining or spa treatments and raffles.
Attend your muster station/drill
Attending your muster station and/or drill is mandatory for all passengers, and it's a vital safety briefing. For P&O you must attend your muster station as soon as you board and then watch the safety drill video in your cabin. MSC however muster all passengers at once. Usually later in the afternoon of embarkation you will be required to watch the safety video and then attend your muster station (check your daily program for times).
Your muster station is usually marked on your cruise card.
Explore the ship
Embarkation day is a great time to spend an hour or so exploring the ship and discovering what it has to offer.
Take note of venues which interest you, maybe the theatre for shows or a quiet spot to enjoy a coffee. The lifts closest to your cabin are normally the anchor point for each deck and you can use these to help get your bearings.
Find your sailaway spot
After exploring the ship hopefully you’ll have found a good spot for sailaway. Alternatively, check your daily program for sailaway activites happening around the ship. P&O often have several events suited to different tastes from chilled to party. Other cruise lines such as Princess and Royal Caribbean have big parties on the lido deck.
Alternatively, sailaway can be a good time to get have a relaxed meal in one of the dining rooms or specialty restaurants. For those with a balcony cabin why not take the opportunity to relax and enjoy sailaway from your own private space.
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