Getting aboard the ship for your cruise can be a surprisingly convoluted process. You’ve already paid, and yet there is more to be done before you can truly start your vacation. Fortunately, there are things you can take care of in advance that will speed your way to great cruise memories.
Arrive Early and Stay at a Port Canaveral Hotel
One of the easiest ways to have a smooth embarkation is to arrive for your cruise a day early. Arriving a day early, and staying in a hotel near Port Canaveral, you avoid all the stress associated with travel delays that could cause you to miss your cruise. Before your cruise you can book a Snooze and Cruise package that includes your hotel stay, port transfers and either airport shuttle or cruise parking and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your travel plans are already handled by professionals.
Travel Documents
The first thing a cruiser needs to have handled in order to expedite their embarkation is to have their travel documentation in order. For US citizens a passport that doesn’t expire until six months after their last date of travel is strongly encouraged. However, it is not strictly speaking, a requirement. Cruises that begin and end in the same US port (in what Homeland Security calls a closed loop) don’t require a passport, only that you have a valid ID and some proof of citizenship along the lines of a birth certificate to embark. Cruise line policy may vary and require you to have a passport regardless of the legal technicalities. Regardless, it is likely easier to get hold of a passport than it is to acquire the alternative documentation.
While cruising without a passport is technically feasible, there isn’t much to recommend it. You may not be able to disembark at foreign ports, and even if you can the ship may not let you back aboard. It would also mean that if an emergency occurred at home you would have to wait until the ship returned to the US rather than go to the nearest airport to board a flight. Having a passport makes cruising far simpler and vastly expands the range of activities available to you when calling on a port.
Children under 16 on a closed loop cruise do not require a passport or photo ID. They do need to bring along a state certified birth certificate. Cruises that return to a different US port than the one they left from will require a passport even from minors, including infants. The required forms and a list of documents needed to get a passport for minors you’re traveling with is available from the state departments travel website.
Non US citizens, whether residents or not will need a copy of their passport and a visa that allows multiple entries into the US. This will vary from one country of residence to the next, and cruise travelers that are citizens of different countries will want to check visa requirements with US border controls and with the local consulate.
Notably, the cruise lines take no responsibility for counseling their passengers about the required travel documents. While the cruise lines provide guides online its a good idea to go directly to the appropriate government entities with your questions. Showing up without the appropriate documents will result in your cruise leaving without you, and no chance for a refund.
Online Check In
All of the cruise lines sailing out of Port Canaveral offer the option to complete an online check-in. Given that the alternative is filling out the forms in the cruise terminal and then waiting for the forms to clear it’s recommended that you take advantage of this option in order to expedite your boarding.
The cruise lines also all have a similar approach when it comes to baggage. There are size and weight restrictions to what you may carry on yourself, and if you exceed them you’ll have no choice but to check your bag with a curbside porter. It is recommended that you and the other passengers in your party carry a small day bag containing what you’ll need to enjoy the time between checking your bags, and seeing them again in your stateroom. The contents are up to you, but any medications needed as well as the aforementioned travel documents should be in your carry-on rather than checked.
A cruise contract is also a standard feature of the pre-cruise paperwork. It is a standard piece of paperwork where you agree to the terms and stipulations of the cruise line. This is a legally binding contract, and it is suggested that you pay more attention to it than you do when signing off on the End User License Agreement that comes when you download software. Examples of the contract are available for reading online for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney. It’s worth perusing before reserving as you will have to bring a signed copy with you, along with your boarding pass in order to board.
Boarding the ship is straightforward as long as you have all of the forms ready and correctly filled out. While all of the cruise lines do have similar processes and policies they are different enough to trip up the unwary. It is recommended that you take the time to familiarize yourself with each cruise line’s individual policies.
Carnival Cruise Lines
To board a Carnival cruise ship you must present your boarding pass as you enter the terminal. You will then pass through baggage screening. Your bags will be x-rayed. Bags larger than 24 by 16 inches will not go through the x-ray machines and must be checked with a porter outside of the terminal. You’ll be reunited with it in your stateroom, but if your carry-on bag exceeds these dimensions you may end up on the ship for a period of time without the things you want. Potentially a serious problem if your carry-on contains heart or other medication. Its advised you be certain of your carry-on will pass through.
From there you will proceed to the counter and present your proof of citizenship and ID, fill out your Sail & Sign Application, and present your boarding pass. The Sail & Sign card allows you to make purchases during your cruise, serves as a state room key, and allows you to re-embark if you step off the ship in port or at ports-of-call. From there you have a welcome aboard photo taken which you can purchase, as well as a required security photo. Once these are done you’re allowed to embark aboard the ship.
Royal Caribbean
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship requires you to present your boarding pass as you enter the terminal. You will then pass through baggage screening. Depending on the port or the terminal this may be as simple as passing through a metal detector, or a full x-ray check of your packed baggage. You’re checked bags will be left with a porter and undergo a separate security screening. While you’ll be reunited with your bags later, its a good idea to pack a small carry-on bag that you can keep with you.
From there you will proceed to the counter and present your proof of citizenship and ID, fill out the required paperwork if you neglected to do so online, and present your boarding pass. In return you’ll receive a key card, like Carnival’s Sail & Sign this allows you to make purchases and re-embark if you step off the ship in port or at ports-of-call in addition to letting you into your room. Once this is done you’re allowed to step on-board the ship.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
In spite of Norwegian Cruise Lines “free-style cruising” motto the line has a similar check-in process comparable to other cruises. Security and customs are inflexible taskmasters that frown upon free spirits. The only luggage limit is for two bags per cruiser that weigh no more than 50 pounds each. As always you should arrange for a small carry-on bag that contains the items you may need in the time before you’ll be reunited with your checked baggage.
Once you’ve passed the security screening you’ll proceed to the counter and present your travel documentation. In return you’ll receive a key card for your stateroom. It fulfills the industry standard role that most key cards do, and serves as a purchase card, and security pass as well as unlocking the door of your stateroom. It is worth noting that anyone who has ever cruised on a Norwegian Cruise previously is automatically a member of Latitudes, and has a special embarkation line. From there it’s a simple matter to board the ship.
Disney Cruise Lines
Disney does things a bit differently. Partly because of the need to accommodate those combining a Disney World vacation with a Disney cruise. For instance an embarkation number is assigned when you fill out the paperwork online, and it determines the time you’re allowed to board. This is because around 1:30 PM on the day of embarkation several buses will arrive from Disney World and disgorge a throng of eager cruisers. Divvying up embarkation by numbers is a way to deal with the sudden surge in numbers.
The first step is to hand off your bags to the porters at the curb, being sure to retain a carry-on bag and your travel documentation. From there you pass through metal detectors and a security screening. You present your documents at the front desk and receive your stateroom keys. At which point your free to…cool your heels until your boarding group is called. The only way to get around a potentially long wait is to have priority and be part of boarding group 1, or arrive close to the time you’ve been assigned. On the plus side the Disney Cruise Terminal offers limited seating, along with cartoons to keep the kids entertained. Another big plus is that when it finally is your turn to board you’ll be announced in the atrium like you were royalty. It’s a a special way to begin a voyage.
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