A cruise combines accommodation, transport, dining and entertainment in one journey. Knowing a few essential steps lets you spend your first day enjoying the sea instead of luggage and procedures.
After booking
Check that passenger names on your confirmation exactly match travel documents. Verify the route, dates, cabin category and purchased services. Contact the sales team promptly if you notice an error.
- Verify each passenger's first name, surname and date of birth.
- Note the payment schedule and balance due date.
- Confirm the departure port and embarkation window.
- Notify the team of dietary, accessibility or health needs in advance.
Arriving at the port and boarding
Arrive for the check-in time in your booking documents, allowing for unexpected traffic. Large bags may be delivered to your cabin after collection, so keep passports, medicines, valuables and essentials for the first hours in your hand luggage.
- Attach your luggage labels visibly.
- Have identity and travel documents ready at the checkpoint.
- Listen to the instructions about your ship card or access document.
- Follow mandatory safety instructions before going to your cabin.
Good idea: Download your booking document to your phone and keep a copy in your hand luggage, as internet access may be unavailable at the terminal.
Your first hours onboard
First locate your cabin and assigned muster station, and learn how to use your ship card. Then check main restaurant hours, the daily activity programme and any shore-excursion meeting points.
- Find your emergency muster station.
- Learn how to use your cabin safe.
- Check the daily programme and restaurant hours.
- Review your phone's roaming and flight-mode settings.
Daily life onboard
The daily programme brings together shows, sports, children's club hours and port information. Before booking potentially paid specialty dining, spa, shore excursions or communication packages, confirm prices and cancellation conditions.
On port days, follow the announced all-aboard time. Always check daily announcements for any difference between local and ship time.
The final evening
Disembarkation instructions and luggage collection times are announced on the final day. If handing over large bags, keep clothes, medicines and documents for the next morning in your hand luggage. Check your account before leaving the ship to resolve questions onboard.