What do you have to do before going on a cruise?

11 Things to Do the Week Before You Cruise
  1. Pack for Your Cruise. ...
  2. Check In Online and Double Check Your Documentation. ...
  3. Get COVID Tests (If Applicable) ...
  4. Get Your House in Order. ...
  5. Money Matters. ...
  6. Plan Your Ports of Call. ...
  7. Make On-Board Reservations — And Don't Forget Celebrations. ...
  8. Post on Cruise Critic.




People Also Ask

Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail.

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  • No smoking indoors or on balconies. ...
  • No underage drinking. ...
  • No sneaking drugs or alcohol on board. ...
  • You must attend the safety drill. ...
  • Report your symptoms on the health form. ...
  • Return by all-aboard time. ...
  • No guests in crew areas. ...
  • No diapered kids in the pools.


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Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship.

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Do not attempt to arrive earlier than is permitted. However, arriving later in the day (but before the designated cut-off time) can speed up the boarding process. It is always recommended to arrive at the pier at least 3 hours prior to the departure time. If you are late you risk being denied boarding.

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While most people focus on the exciting activities, delicious food, and beautiful scenery a cruise vacation offers, few think about what happens to their luggage before boarding the ship. If you're planning to go on a cruise, you might be wondering whether cruise lines check your luggage. The answer is yes, they do.

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It's important to note that if you board very early, your cabin may not be ready yet as they're probably still cleaning from the last cruise. Once settled in, or if your cabin isn't ready, it's time to explore the ship and check out everything there will be to do throughout your trip.

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1. Drop your bags in your cabin. Depending on your cruise line, you may be able to access your cabin as soon as you board, at least to drop off your bags. By dropping off your cruise carry-on bag and other items, you can explore the ship and have some lunch, without the hassle of carrying your luggage with you.

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Shelf-stable snacks like chips, pretzels, protein bars or any other items packaged in sealed wrappers are permitted on every major cruise line. Just stick with store-bought goodies including candy, savory snacks, cookies or granola bars instead of whipping up a batch of homemade muffins or sandwiches to bring with you.

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15 First Time Cruise Tips
  1. Research Your Ports in Advance. ...
  2. Don't Tip Double on Alcohol. ...
  3. Pack With Space in Mind (and Consider Only a Carry-On) ...
  4. Take Yourself on a Ship Tour on Embarkation Day. ...
  5. Board Your Ship As Soon As You Can on Embarkation Day. ...
  6. Pick a Cabin That Works for Your Cruise Needs.


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The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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Many first-time cruisers don't realize that they won't be able to go directly to their staterooms upon boarding. Pass the time while you wait for your room to be ready and for the ship to set sail by enjoying lunch on the Lido Deck of the ship. This is a great way to make sure you aren't starving by dinner time!

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Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids. On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited.

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Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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The average time for a cruise ship to spend in port is around 8-9 hours. It is most common for ships to dock early in the morning and sail away late afternoon. Some stays will be as little as 4 hours or as long as 3 days.

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To avoid crowds and experience cooler temperatures, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May and September or early October. Most Mediterranean cruises sail in the summer months, when the sun and sand in coastal ports are at their peak and cities come alive with activity.

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Immigration officials will often come onboard cruise ships to check documentation and the process of keeping the passports centrally makes it much easier and faster for the cruise line and passengers. It's worth noting though that on the majority of cruises the cruise line will not keep your passport.

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While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport.

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Expect to pay extra for certain restaurants and food items, including room service on some cruise lines, special menu items like surf 'n' turf or a la carte snacks like pastries and sushi. Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, bottled water and freshly squeezed juices all come with a price.

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