The beginning of each vacation can set the precedence for the whole journey. This is could not be truer for a cruise vacation, as there are a few steps before embarking on that journey.
Here are the steps to take from the moment you leave your home until you say, ‘Home Sweet Home.’ I will also give you some helpful bits of knowledge I have gained along the way.
Before Your Cruise–
- If you are flying to catch your cruise, be sure to check with the airline for baggage allowances and charges.
- I would suggest that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to the flight’s departure. The lines through security can be very long.
- Once you reach your final destination you will need to collect your luggage from baggage claim. Once you have your bags, you will either locate your cruise line representative (they will be holding up a sign or wearing a lanyard to identify themselves) to direct you to the cruise line’s shuttle or catch a cab.
- If you prefer to take the cruise line’s shuttle, you will need to arrange this in advance with your agent. The cost of transfers will depend on where you sail from and which airport you fly into. If you speak with an experienced agent, we will let you know if it advantageous to use the cruise line shuttle or to catch a cab. For example, if you are sailing from the Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades) pier and are flying into to the Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) airport, I would suggest on getting a cab. It is only a 10 – 15 minute ride and costs roughly $15 each way for the cab, not per person. Whereas, the cruise line’s transfers can cost roughly $30 per person round-trip.
- Once you are at the cruise terminal you will drop your larger ‘checked’ luggage off with one of the cruise porters (like the skycaps at the airport). They will tag your bags with your deck and cabin number. Then you will proceed through security, just like the security at the airport, with your carry-on items.
- TIP: Be sure to pack all of your medication in your carry-on luggage. Also, pack a change of clothes, as you may not see your checked bags until well after the ship has departed, usually about an hour or two after it’s pulled away.
- Depending on what time your ship is scheduled to depart will determine what time you can start boarding. If you are taking a Caribbean cruise, most of those ships depart between 4-6pm. You can start boarding around 12noon. Faster check-in time is around 2pm. You MUST be onboard and checked-in no later than 90 minutes prior to your ship’s departure time. To expedite this process, make sure you have completed your pre-registration.
- If you happen to get onboard early, you may or may not be able to go directly to your cabin (they will still be cleaning and getting it set up for your stay). If you cannot, go ahead to the buffet for lunch!
At the End of the Cruise–
- On the last day of your sailing, I would highly recommend you go to the disembarkation presentation. They have them on every sailing and will go over the custom and immigration forms that will be in your cabin, as well as what to do with your luggage. I have been on 10 cruises and I go to each and every one of those presentations, only because something could be different from the previous cruise.
- In a nutshell, you will pack up your ‘checked’ luggage and place it outside your cabin door on the last night of sailing. The crew will pick them up, usually around 11pm.
- Upon disembarking the next day you will first go through customs, then proceed to the baggage claim area.
- After you have retrieved your luggage you will either go to the appropriate airport shuttle (cruise line shuttle) or go to the cab line.
- When reserving your return flight be sure to allow enough time for all of this, including the allotted time for airport security. I usually tell my clients to allow at least 5-6 hours after the ship is scheduled back.
You might like:
- Don’t Miss the Boat–Your Cruise Line Transfer Guide
- Let’s Fly
- Cruise Tips: What to Pack for Your Cruise
- Cruise Pre-Registration
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