You've selected your ship and are heading to the pier.
Off in the distance, your ship looms enormous on the horizon. Now what happens? If you've never cruised before, the process of boarding ship may appear to be a bit scary, although it doesn’t have to be.
Here’s what you can expect.
If you’ve arranged transfers through the cruise line and arrive at the pier by bus, you’ll next see your bags in your stateroom. When arriving by car, your bags are checked and taken aboard by handlers. Since your luggage won’t arrive in your stateroom for hours after you board, it’s a good idea to have a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry on bag for changing into comfortable clothes immediately.
Inside the pier, depending on the cruise line, registration can take minutes or hours. In any case, be prepared to wait in at least a short line. You can speed up the process by having all the forms the line has sent you filled out in advance.
You'll be directed to a line that has the first initial of your last name, although in some instances it's cabin number. If you are in a suite, ask if there is a special line for VIP guests. Frequently, there is a special line for those who are physically impaired, so be sure to ask if you need extra assistance.
When you reach the head of the line, you’ll register, establishing a shipboard account with either a credit card or cash. In some cases, you’ll receive your dining room table assignment (on some ships, you’ll get this from the maitre ‘d after boarding). You'll typically be given an onboard spending card that on some ships doubles as your room key. You will use the card instead of cash during your entire cruise, so don't lose it.
After you register, you'll be posed for the first of many pictures, taken by the ship’s photographer. You're under no obligation to buy the photo, which will be displayed later on the cruise at the photo shop in case you do want to buy it. If you’re tired, harried or just stressed, this photo may be the worst one taken of you on the cruise But it may serve as a lovely reminder of why you needed this vacation in the first place!
Either before or after boarding the ship’s gangway – please, not gangplank! -- you'll be asked to put your carry-on bags in an airport-style x-ray machine (your bigger bags will have already been taken away by porters) and you'll have to walk through a screening machine too.
On some ships, a crew member will warmly greet you and escort you to your cabin but on many others, you’ll be pointed toward the bank of elevators for reaching your cabin. A tip isn’t required, but many passengers do tip a dollar when personally escorted. Don't worry if it seems like a maze getting to your cabin – you’ll find maps near elevators and escalators and one in your stateroom as well.
Shortly after you arrive at your cabin, your cabin steward will introduce him or herself and explain the various cabin amenities and controls you should know about, as well as the time and location of the ship's fire safety drill, required to be held within 24 hours of sailing. Let the steward know if there is anything amiss (e.g., you have double beds when you want a queen size) or if you have any special needs. If the cabin itself is not what you thought you booked, request to speak to the ship's hotel manager immediately.
In all likelihood, your bags won’t arrive for hours, so grab a change of clothes from your carry-on if you want to change. Scout out your stateroom and see if the TV works, flush the toilet (the big whoosh is normal on ships), take a look at the notebook-like menu of services, and check out the lifejackets (which you'll have to bring to the drill).
But chances are, you’ll be eager to explore the ship immediately and you’ll have plenty of time to explore your cabin. Check out the daily program, head for the buffet and see who your fellow passengers are.
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