Embarkation Day

Imagine this, your cruise leaves today. You're full of excitement and anticipation, and maybe you're a little nervous. That's okay; it's perfectly normal to be anxious when you're not sure what to expect. We'll guide you through everything you need to do before you get to the port, all the way through day 1 onboard.

1. If you live near your port, I’m jealous—you already know the route, the timing, and can practically roll out of bed ready to board.

   For the rest of us, there’s usually a long drive or flight before the vacation even begins.

   Rule #1: Always arrive early.

   Plan to get there at least a day ahead. Travel is unpredictable, and arriving early gives you a safety net against delays. It’s far better to spend an extra night near the port than risk missing your ship—because it won’t wait..

   No matter how you’re getting to the port—Uber, taxi, or driving yourself—get there early! Remember, you’re not the only one setting sail; a few thousand of your new cruise buddies will be arriving too, and those lines can stack up fast. Bonus: the early birds snag the best parking spots and skip the dreaded overflow lot shuffle.

2. Phew—you made it to port! Time to drop those bags and officially kick off vacation mode. Pull up to the drop-off area, let the porters work their magic (tip them, they’re the MVPs of embarkation day), and keep your day bag with all the must-haves: passports, meds, swimsuits, phone chargers… the good stuff.

   Once you’ve parked and locked up, fire up your cruise app—service can get spotty once you step inside. You’ll go through a quick security check, flash your boarding pass and ID/passport a couple of times, and if you checked in early on the app, you’re golden. (If you didn’t, no worries—it just might take a few extra minutes.)

3. Say “cheese!” Cruise line photographers are usually waiting with a fun ship backdrop. There’s no pressure to buy the photo later, but you might kick yourself if you skip it and then want that first-day memento. Bonus: Sometimes they add a banner or the ship’s name for that perfect “I’m officially on vacation” moment.

   If your boarding group isn’t ready yet, you may be herded into a waiting area—use this time to skim the daily activities, watch the safety video on the app, or start plotting your first drink of the trip.

4. And then… the gangway! That glorious bridge to paradise. Show your boarding pass one last time, step aboard, and boom—you’re officially on cruise time.

   First things first: muster drill. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s for your safety, so don’t skip it. Your app (or any friendly crew member) will point you in the right direction.

5. After that? The ship is yours. Need to sort out dining, drink packages, or accessibility requests? Hit Guest Services early. Otherwise, explore, grab a bite, snag a poolside lounger, and soak it in.

6. By 1–2 p.m., your stateroom should be ready—time to drop your bags, grab your key card, and get settled.

7. When sail away rolls around, the party kicks off on the pool deck, or head to the aft for that unbeatable view of the port fading into the horizon.

   Vacation: officially activated.