embarkation day carnival cruise

27 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

You've planned your cruise, and now it's embarkation day. You can't wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. You're on vacation – woohoo!

Not so fast. You might be ready to cruise, but the ship's crew still is getting the ship ready, having just disembarked last week's passengers.

You must go through the ship's pier-side check-in process, which can take time. Remember, you are one of thousands of people entering a floating city at basically the same time. As with any other secured structure, you can't walk right onto a ship.

The best way to start your cruise is to arrive at the pier expecting some lines and minor hassles — and perhaps a bit of chaos — and then be thrilled if you don't encounter any of them. Keep a level head and look forward to good times once your sailing gets underway.

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Here are some dos and don'ts to help make embarkation day as hassle-free as possible.

DO check that you have the necessary paperwork and documentation

The cruise line will send pre-cruise reminders explaining what to expect at check-in, including health and safety procedures. It will outline which documents, IDs, QR codes or other electronic receipts you must have ready.

However, it's your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. I like to print out and bring paper copies of documents as a backup to electronic documents.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

DON'T arrive at the pier early

Many cruise lines assign passengers a staggered time to arrive at the pier. Arrive early, and you'll just have to wait — often, outside in the hot sun, without access to water, restrooms or other necessities. Arrive at the pier as close as you can to your scheduled time, but don't freak out if you are a few minutes late. You won't be turned away.

DO hand over your big suitcases

As soon as you arrive at the pier, porters will be available to take your large suitcases, which will be delivered later to your cabin. (Dock workers expect a small tip for the service.) Without your luggage, you'll have your hands free for the rest of the embarkation process. Make sure your suitcase is tagged with your name and cabin number, ship name and sail date.

DON'T relinquish your carry-on bag

In your cruise carry-on , pack your medications, valuables, documents and anything else you will need until your luggage arrives in your cabin. Since you're likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also might want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. If you've come from a cold-weather place, pack shorts, flip-flops and your bathing suit so you don't have to wait for your suitcases to arrive before you hit the pool.

DO be prepared to go through security

Once you prove (through your paperwork or electronically) that you belong on the ship, you will go through security. The setup is similar to an airport. You put your belongings on a screening belt and walk through a metal detector. You won't have to take off your shoes but will have to remove belts and bulky jewelry and clear your pockets.

DON'T try to sneak any banned items onto the ship

Your carry-on items will be inspected via an X-ray machine at the security checkpoint, and your checked bags might be searched before they're delivered to you. While most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a small amount of alcohol, soda and bottled water for consumption in their cabin, make sure you have not gone over the cruise line's allowance for bringing your own beverages on board .

Cruise lines have specific rules for other banned items, which you can find on your line's website. These items will include weapons, fireworks, flammable liquids, candles, clothing irons, incense and anything else that produces a flame. Royal Caribbean also bans martial arts gear, baby monitors and extension cords, among other items. Carnival bans handcuffs.

DO freshen up

After your flight or drive to the port, you will want to freshen up because the fun begins at the embarkation pier. You'll find both official and unofficial photo spots at the terminal. Smile for the shipboard photographers, who will have a backdrop with the ship's name or picture set up, or take your own photos.

DO pause and look up as you enter the ship's atrium

Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. You've arrived at your floating home for the week. It's OK to stand in awe.

DON'T expect to be able to go right to your cabin

Depending on when you arrive, cabins might not be ready, as the crew needs to clean and straighten them after the previous guests have left. It's best to stay out of the way of the cabin stewards and instead find a place for you (and your carry-on luggage) to hang out until the ship announces all cabins are ready.

DON'T follow the crowds to the buffet

As the boarding process begins around noon and continues well into the afternoon, many people arrive hungry. Crew members often direct passengers to the buffet — but experienced cruisers know there are other, often less crowded, options.

On Carnival Cruise Line ships, go directly to celebrity chef Guy Fieri's poolside Guy's Burger Joint and indulge in a decadent burger or fries. If you're on one of the newer or recently updated Carnival ships, there's also the embarkation day treat of Fieri's pork butt, chicken and Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese served on the promenade (or Deck 10 on Carnival Sunrise).

Royal Caribbean fans in the know make a beeline to the Park Café for Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwiches, an embarkation day rite of passage. A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also might be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch.

DO head to your cabin when it's ready

Your big bags might not have arrived at this point, but you can drop your carry-ons and take a look to see that everything is to your satisfaction. Your cabin steward likely will stop by to say hello. This is a good time to ask how the air-conditioning, TV and safe work and to ask for any extras you might need, such as more towels, pillows and hangers, or to have the bed split from a queen into two twins. The steward will also let you know how to keep in touch if you need anything extra throughout your cruise.

DO read the safety instructions and check life jackets

Safety instructions will be posted on the back of your cabin door. Look there for the number of your assigned muster station in the event of a shipboard emergency. You'll find life jackets in your closet or elsewhere in the cabin. If you are traveling with kids, now is the time to make sure there is an appropriate infant or child life jacket in addition to a life jacket for each adult. If there isn't, alert your cabin steward.

DO watch the safety video

It used to be that everyone on a cruise ship was required to gather on embarkation day at their assigned muster station, listen to a safety briefing and be checked off a list as having been briefed. As a result of COVID-19, and a desire to keep crowds at a minimum, many cruise lines have moved to e-muster drills.

You are required to watch a video on your cabin TV or cruise line app that tells you what to do in the event of a fire or other shipboard emergency. Your smart TV or app will record that you have watched the video. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. Those who skip this step will hear their cabin numbers called out over the PA system, which can be embarrassing.

DO make sure the kids understand the safety procedures

Eyes might roll, but now is the time to talk to the kids about the danger of climbing on any railings or standing on balcony furniture. Remind them that other people on the ship are strangers and that they should use the same caution they would at home. Establish rules for how much freedom children are allowed to have on board, where to leave messages for each other and how to reconnect if you get split up on the ship.

DO go out to explore the ship

You'll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. You might find a ship deck plan (map) in your cabin, or one might be available at the purser's desk or in the cruise line's app. It's fun to find not only the main spaces but also the hidden pools, hot tubs and other treasures you'll want to return to throughout your sailing. It's fun to do the exploring as a family.

DO sign the kids up for cruise ship camp

While you're exploring, stop by the kids' centers and sign the kids up for the onboard kids program. Staff will be on hand to welcome your progeny and show them around the play spaces and hangouts available just for them. Your kids might need to get bracelets marked with their muster station in case of emergency.

Related: Best cruise ships for kids

DO stop by the spa and fitness center

If you plan to do spa treatments or have hair and other beauty appointments during your cruise, now is the time to book them (if you haven't booked them in advance). Take the spa tour and sign up for the raffle — you could win a free treatment.

If you like what you see in the soothing thermal suite — which typically has hot and cold treatments — sign up now as spaces often sell out. Put your name on signup sheets for fitness classes, as these also fill up quickly.

DO take time to veg out

You don't need to do everything your first day, so if you spot a perfect spot in the sun or shade, rest your weary bones. Fun times are ahead; a little cat nap might be in order.

DON'T assume drinks are free

As you wander, especially out on deck, smiling crew members will be carrying trays of tempting and colorful icy drinks, maybe even decorated with sweet little umbrellas. Go ahead and grab one if you want — just understand you will be charged for the welcome drink.

DO watch your alcohol consumption

We get it, you bought a drinks package (in which case the above drink is included), and you want to make the most of it. But do you really want your first day on board to result in an unpleasant morning after? Better to pace yourself and drink lots of water between adult beverages.

DO take time to unpack

Once you've got the lay of the land, you probably want to unpack and get ready for your first evening on board. Don't put your luggage directly on your bed's duvet; use the luggage mat provided. Find a spot for everything because cruise cabins can quickly become cluttered. When you're finished, stow your suitcases under your bed.

DO call if your luggage hasn't arrived

It takes time to deliver thousands of suitcases to thousands of cabins. But if it's getting close to the time your ship is set to leave the pier and your suitcases have not arrived, alert your cabin steward. (If you've had a last-minute cabin change, look for your luggage by your original room.)

DO take your seasickness tablets

If you are prone to seasickness , plan to take your first pills a couple of hours before the ship is scheduled to leave the pier. They need time to kick in.

DO turn off your cellphone

To avoid costly roaming charges, you will want to keep your cellphone on airplane mode. To keep in touch with those at home and brag about your trip on social media, consider buying a shipboard Wi-Fi package . Crew members will be on hand on the first day to help you log in and connect.

DON'T forget to figure out dinner

Perhaps you plan to head to the main dining room the first evening or want to go casual at the buffet. Consider the option of specialty dining . These intimate, for-a-fee restaurants can be hard to get into (reservations are required) but are usually not as crowded on the first night of the sailing. Plus, some lines will thank you with a complimentary or discounted bottle of wine.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

DO check out the daily program

You'll find a list of all the daily activities printed out in your cabin, on your cabin TV or on the shipboard app. Take a look and see what's in store for your first evening aboard.

DON'T miss the sailaway party

This is the first big activity of your cruise and not to be missed. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd you'll be with for the week. Plus, watching the land disappear as your ship heads to sea is a dreamy experience. You're off to new horizons. Grab a drink and toast the official start of your cruise vacation.

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• Cruise Tips / Cruising / Embarkation and Debarkation

Cruising Carnival: 10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day

by Prof. Cruise · Published April 19, 2022 · Updated April 19, 2022

Having just debarked from a spring break cruise on the Carnival Panorama where there were more children peeing, I mean swimming, in the main Lido pool than fish in the sea below them, I’m here to report that the days of low occupancy cruising on Carnival are officially over.  Good for shareholders and the future of the cruise industry.  Bad for those of us who have grown accustomed to no lines, waking up at 10am to a wide selection of vacant, prime loungers, and dining rooms so empty they feel like Applebee’s at 3pm on a Monday during a blizzard. 

If you’re booked on an upcoming Carnival cruise you should anticipate large crowds and take steps to minimize waiting in line and packed venues.  In that spirit, today’s lecture will cover my pro tips for a fast and smooth embarkation.  Because embarkation should be all about embarrassing your kid with uncoordinated 90’s dance moves across the threshold and gorging on buffet cake, not spending hours waiting in line to check in, only to wait in line to board, only to wait in line to eat lunch standing up because you can’t locate an empty table.  So, here are my…

10 Pro Tips For a Fast and Smooth Embarkation Day on your Carnival Cruise

1. complete your pre-cruise documents online, pre-purchase add-ons, and enroll your kids in camp ocean..

As soon as you’re booked on your Carnival cruise, you can log in to your Carnival account online (or create an online account at Carnival.com if you don’t have one already) and begin filling out your pre-cruise documents.  You can also pre-purchase excursions, internet, beverage packages, specialty dining, spa appointments, and more. Pre-purchasing add-ons can save you time (and sometimes money) on embarkation day. You can also enroll your kids in Camp Ocean (Carnival’s onboard kid’s club or as I always think of it, FREE BABYSITTING) online in advance which will save you from standing in line to do so on embarkation day.

2. Check in online at midnight EST 14 days prior to your sail date.

Okay so who else, when flying on Southwest, goes online to check in 24 hours and 5 minutes before your scheduled departure time in order to hit the “check-in” button on repeat until either your finger falls off or you score a spot in the A group without having to pay extra?  Me too! 

And, if so, you’re already well trained to check in properly for your cruise!  Just like on Southwest, the sooner you check in online for your cruise on your designated check-in date, the earlier your assigned arrival time will be at your embarkation terminal and the earlier you’ll get to board your ship.  The key is to pull up your reservation online and look to see when your check-in date is – it’s usually 14 days prior to the sail date.  Then, regardless of where you live in the world, set your alarm for 11:55pm Eastern Standard Time on the night before your check in date (so because I live in Seattle and we’re on PST, I set my alarm for 8:55pm on the night before my listed check-in date).  Then pull up your reservation and keep refreshing the page until it allows you to check in at midnight. 

Once checked in, print your boarding passes and luggage tags.  Secure your luggage tags to your bags in advance using packing tape or staples or you can purchase special plastic protective tags online HERE :

Bonus tip: Do not print your boarding passes double-sided.  Each person’s boarding pass should be printed on a separate sheet of paper.

3. Download the Carnival HUB app.

Once onboard, you’ll need the Carnival app to check in for dining, pull up menus, and to access the daily schedule (hard copies of the “Fun Times” are no longer provided to staterooms – although a hard copy schedule can still be requested at Guest Services). The app can be used onboard without purchasing an internet plan. Simply connect to Carnival wifi after you board and launch the app.

4. Download and complete VeriFLY.

If you hunted and pecked your way to flunking out of secretary school in the 1950’s and have grudged against technology ever since or forcefully reject anything that resembles a vaccine passport, “a vaccine passport dressed up in a Carnival whale tale is STILL a vaccine passport,” you’ll probably hate the VeriFLY app, but hold your nose and download it anyway.  Or have one of your grandchildren download and complete it for you (just make them promise not to tell any of your Facebook friends).

The app will allow you to upload your vaccine card, negative Covid test, and health questionnaire in advance, meaning you won’t have to show them at the pier. 

You’ll receive an e-mail from Carnival five or so days prior to your cruise with instructions on how to download and use the app. Here’s the e-mail I received:

5. Avoid arriving under two hours prior to sail away.

Unless you’re considering a career as a cruise ship luggage porter or are trying to squeeze in one last pre-cruise Crossfit workout, don’t arrive under two hours prior to your ship’s sail away time.  Why?  Because instead of being able to check your large luggage pieces with a porter who will transfer them onto the ship for you where they will be delivered to your stateroom door, you will be responsible for transporting all your luggage through security, up the ramp, onto the ship, and to your cabin.   

6. Pack your carry-on bag wisely.

If you’re new to cruising, you may not realize that your stateroom won’t typically be accessible to you until 1:30-2:00pm and your checked luggage may not be delivered until late in the afternoon or early evening.  That means it’s important to pack your carry-on bag wisely.  There are 3 categories of things you should think about when packing your carry-on bag. 

• Essential items.  Play out the worst-case scenario here – your checked bags get lost and you never receive them.  What are the items you absolutely must have to survive for the length of your cruise and to get home afterward that are not available to purchase in an onboard shop?  Think passport/birth certificate, insurance card, credit card, prescription medications, cell phone, computer, any items you may need for work, etc.
• Anything you’ll need to enjoy the ship from the time you board until your stateroom is ready.  Want to hit a hot tub or pool right away?  Make sure to pack a swimsuit in your carry-on bag (or wear one under your clothes). Want to relax with a book? Stash one in your carry-on. Want to sample every cake on the buffet (always me)? Better pack some extra loose buffet pants and Tums.
• Any allowed beverages you plan on bringing onboard. Carnival currently allows one bottle of wine and up to a dozen cans or boxes (12 oz or less) of sparkling water, soda, energy or protein drinks, juice, and milk per person. Note that no plastic bottles of water or other beverages are allowed. All beverages MUST be packed in your carry-on bag or carried onto the ship with you. DO NOT pack beverages in your checked luggage.

7. Do not pack prohibited items.

You can read about my experience trying to bring a prohibited item onboard a cruise ship in a hard-hitting piece of long-form journalism entitled, “ What Kind of Idiot Brings a Skateboard on a Cruise Ship? ” It’s a true story and a cautionary tale about how showing up at the embarkation terminal with a prohibited item can cause serious stress and delays. Familiarize yourself in advance with the list of prohibited items on Carnival HERE and NO NOT chance bringing any of them.

8. Eat first and avoid the buffet later in the afternoon. 

The longer you wait to eat lunch after boarding, the more crowded dining areas will become. My advice? Head straight for lunch after embarkation and avoid the buffet later in the afternoon (check on the app to see which alternative complimentary dining venues are open – there were quite a few on my recent sailing onboard the Panorama including the Mongolian Wok and pasta restaurant).

9. Check in at your muster station early.

At 9 years-old and having cruised dozens of times, my son still pronounces “muster drill,” “mustard drill.” And I’ve never corrected him because parenting can be so thankless and I feel like I deserve the small internal chuckle this gives me every time I hear it. And for those who also hate mustard (I can’t tell you how many times I ordered a “classic grilled cheese hold the mustard” at the deli on the Panorama last week), it used to be an apt analogy. But the miserable muster drills of the past are now relegated to stories veteran cruisers tell new cruisers over dinner, something akin to “I walked a mile in the snow uphill both ways.”

Modern day mustering on Carnival consists of watching a brief safety video, visiting your muster station before sail away where a crew member will briefly demonstrate how to correctly wear a life vest, and some instructions played throughout the ship over the loud speakers from the captain right before sail away. It’s quick and easy, but will be even easier if you don’t wait until the last minute.

10. Make reservations, visit guest services, hit popular attractions, and take photos.

Assuming you’ve followed all my prior tips, you should have been among the first to board, eat cake, I mean lunch, and visit your muster station. So now what? Now you can make reservations for activities that may fill up fast (such as the Skyzone on some Carnival ships), visit guest services if necessary (for example if you need to request a crib for an infant or toddler), and hit popular attractions and take ship photos before the crowds arrive! On embarkation day onboard the Panorama, my son and I reserved all the sessions he wanted for Skyzone (they did fill up fast – so do this early!), played miniature golf and basketball, rode the Skyride, and hit the waterslides all without lines and crowds.

I hope these tips will minimize waiting, lines, and grumpy husbands, I mean children, and lead to a smooth beginning to a most wonderful Carnival cruise. Please feel free to offer any tips you think I missed in the comments so we can all learn from each other!

And with that…

Class Dismissed.

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I’m baaack! Would you believe I’m cruising on exactly the same day to Alaska this year, just on the Spirit this time? Dragging my sister along too. Actually, it was her idea. We’ve done one out of NOLA and have one coming up out of Galveston in 22 days (totally counting) before that though. Honestly, as wonderful as Alaska is, I am also super excited to check the Spirit off my list because getting to Australia is not likely for me until I retire. We managed the Splendor already; our first cruise in 2010. AND….WHO THE HE!! PUTS MUSTARD ON A GRILLED CHEESE?????? ew.

Hi Deana! I’m booked on the Spirit to Alaska this season too! It would be awesome if we happened to be on the same sailing! A sister cruise should be so much fun for you two. Enjoy your cruise from Galveston – that’s one of the few places I’ve never cruised from. You’ll have to let me know how it is. Seriously, mustard on a grilled cheese? It’s kind of funny though, I ordered about a dozen grilled cheese sandwiches for my son on the Panorama and after the first 3 or so, the crew member making them told me, “I never put mustard on these anymore unless requested because nobody likes it.” LOL. There are a few things on every cruise line that make no sense to me – that one’s on my Carnival list.

[…] Homework (10 points): Read, “Cruising Carnival: 10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day.” […]

[…] Carnival Panorama with kids (or kids at heart)? Read my review of the Sky Zone. Then check out my 10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day on Carnival. You can also find all the Carnival dining and bar menus with prices […]

[…] NEW Carnival Menus, Updated May 2022! Guide To Complimentary Dining Venues On Carnival: Menus, Food Pics, And More! Carnival Panorama Inside Cabin Tour and Review Everything You Need To Know About Carnival’s Sky Zone On The Panorama Cruising Carnival: 10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day […]

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Embarkation Day on a Carnival Cruise

• Post published: November 22, 2021
• Post category: Carnival / Cruise Tips
• Reading time: 13 mins read

The day to leave is finally here.  Hopefully you’re already in your port city (or at least close by).  What next?  Wondering what you should you expect on embarkation day on a Carnival Cruise ship?  What are the best things to do on the cruise ship after boarding? What is open on embarkation day?  

Below are 14 tips and tricks for getting on board and what to do (and not do) once you’re there. 

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that, at zero extra cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

1.       Choose an early check-in time

This is more of a before you board tip, but probably the most important one.  When you choose, book and pay for your cruise, this first day is included in the price of your cruise.  If possible, pay attention for when the check-in process opens and select an early check-in time.  This allows you to get the most for your money and enjoy your first day on board!   

2.       To porter or not to porter? 

That is the question.  This is the cruise ship version of if you should check your bags. This is just my opinion, but if you get to the ship before 2:00 you should check your bags with the curbside porters.  Usually the luggage arrives within a few hours if you have an early check in time (see tip #1)  and that means you don’t have to carry it around with you before your stateroom is open.  If you have large luggage sometimes you have to check it because it won’t go through the scanners.  But if your luggage isn’t huge and you are getting on board after 2:00 we usually just carry it on and drop it in the room on the way to the buffet. 

3.       Eat lunch

I always say I’m heading for a salad first and to Guy’s next for a burger…but I usually skip the first part of that and end up with a burger in my face before I know what happened.  But there are plenty of options for lunch.  Guy’s Burgers, the buffet, sandwiches, pizza, etc.  If you have multiple people, plan a strategy for getting your food and finding seats.  The buffet will never look this chaotic again for the rest of your cruise.  Get a drink, take a breath, and try to find the fun in the chaos.  

4.       Wait to go to your stateroom after 2:00

If you try to get in before 1:30 the doors to the hallways are closed and the rooms are still being cleaned, but after 1:30 they should be available.  But it is easier to wait until a little later because they are often still putting the finishing touches on the rooms in the one o’clock hour and I don’t like to bug my room steward that early in the trip. 

5.       Introduce yourself to your cabin steward

Because he or she can make or break your cruise.  We have had cabin stewards who were amazing about always showing up with those extras you ask for and some who could never quite make it with them on time. Start your trip off right with a good introduction with your cabin steward.  

6.       Get a fun ship

Or a Pina Colada.  Maybe a mojito.  How about a beer?  Or…whatever you want.  You’re on vacation after all.  

7.       Tour the ship

There is a ship map on the Hub App (they used to give you an actual ship map, but I haven’t seen those in a long time!).  But unless you are looking for something specific, take some time on the first day to just walk around the ship.  Tour each deck with venues and see what is where.  Find the closest bar, restroom, stairwell, restaurant, etc. to your room.  Figure out where guest services and the theater are.  Find your dining room.  Just spend a half hour wandering around.  You will be grateful later that you did.   

8.       Download the Carnival Hub App

The Carnival Hub App allows you to use ship wi-fi to do certain things while you are onboard.  You can use it for the ship map, itinerary, restaurant hours, and you can even pay a small fee to add the chat feature while you are onboard.  The app downloads for free and then you can use it on the ship wi-fi for free to look at things like your map and onboard activities. (Remember to keep your phone on airplane mode to avoid pesky roaming charges!)

9.       Complete the safety briefing 

This isn’t really a choice.  You can delay, but you can’t get out of it and they will hassle you until you show up.  Safety briefings have changed dramatically since the return to cruising.  They used to be a long, painful process of standing outside in the heat and not really listening to the information presented.  These days most cruise lines have moved to safety briefings that are on their app and require you to watch some videos and check in at your muster station. This is a much better process!  

10.   Take in the views as you sail away

As the ship leaves port, there is a sail-away party on the lido deck with music and dancing and great people watching opportunities.  Or you can find the hidden decks at the front of the ships to be able to watch in the calm atmosphere with just a few others.  You might also want to watch off the back of the ship to get some great photos of Miami or whatever port you’re leaving.  

At least stop by the sail-away party though.  It’s your decision if you want to join them in the wobble or the electric slide, but you should at least stop by to see the commotion. 

11.   Go to the main dining room for dinner

You can go in the clothes you go on the ship in.  You don’t have to dress up.  Just show up to meet your servers for your cruise (if you have a set dining time) and to enjoy the food your ship has to offer.  Remember – order at least two appetizers.  Because, why not?  You’re on vacation. 

Read more about food on Carnival here .

12.   Unpack your luggage

Put those pesky suitcases in your closet to use as a dirty-clothes basket especially if your trip is more than 4-5 days.  Find a home on the counters for anything you will need daily.  Remember there are drawers typically both in the vanity table and in the closet.   

13.   Watch the sunset

This is one of the prettiest moments on board a cruise ship and one of the best times to take photos of the water, so bring along your camera (or phone) and join your shipmates in taking photos in the direction of the sunset.  

14. Start having fun 

There are always tons of things to do in the evening of embarkation day on a Carnival Cruise.  There is usually a welcome aboard show in the main theater.  This will give you an idea of what future theater productions will be like and give you some introduction to the important people on your cruise.  Most Carnival Cruises have martini tastings in the Alchemy Bar in the evening on embarkation day.  This is a fun activity where you can guess which martini is which and try some fun flavors. (Helpful hint: It comes with about 6 mini martinis – you can share if that seems like too much for you.) 

Shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues are all open on the first night.  Carnival wants to get you into the spirit of fun, so drink that extra cup of coffee with dinner and make the most of your first day aboard!  

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Know before you go.

What to Pack & Bring

What items am i not allowed to bring.

Carnival Cruise Line Prohibited Items, Exemptions and Other Considerations

Carnival Cruise Line prohibits  weapons, illegal drugs and certain items that could interfere with the safe operation of its ships or compromise the safety and secure environment of its guests and crew.  Carnival conducts security scanning of all luggage and reserves the right to confiscate any item, which in Carnival’s sole discretion, is deemed dangerous or can pose a risk to the vessel or its guests. Items will be removed and disposed of and no compensation will be provided.   

We suggest all luggage be unlocked before turning it over to the porters in order to avoid any inconvenience or delay in delivering the luggage to your stateroom. For additional information, please refer to the terms and conditions of the  Cruise Ticket Contract . 

Before you pack, please take the time to review the following.

Prohibited Items

• Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, marijuana, cannabis and cannabis derivatives such as Cannabidiol (CBD) items which may be labeled as medical marijuana. While certain CBD products used for medicinal purposes may be legal in the U.S. based on state and local laws, they are not legal under U.S. federal law and in all the ports we visit and therefore are also considered prohibited items. 
• All weapons and any item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon: firearms (including replicas, imitations and their components), spears or spear guns, crossbows, crossbow bolts and long bow arrows; blunt weapons, including knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, clubs, coshes, batons, flails or Nunchaku; sharp pointed weapons, including throwing stars; air, BB, pellet pistols or rifles, stun devices and tasers, any projectile-weapon, including paintball guns, etc.
• All items containing incapacitating substances, such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable
• All ammunition
• All explosives, including imitation explosives and devices
• Fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics
• Flammable substances and hazardous chemicals (e.g., petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners)
• Compressed gas tanks, bottles, cylinders including dive tanks, propane tanks and aerosol cans (Refer to Exemptions)
• Alcohol (hard liquor) and beer
• Wine or champagne beyond the allowable limit of one 750 ml bottle per adult (21 years of age or older). Port, Vermouth, Sherry and other fortified wines cannot be brought on board even in the allowable limit.
• Non-alcoholic beverages in containers other than a can or carton; excessive quantities per person (over 12 cans/cartons per person); excessive size per can/carton (over 12 ounces each)
• Electrical and household appliances containing any kind of heating element, such as irons, clothes steamers, immersion heaters, heating blankets, water heaters, coffee machines, hot plates, toasters, heating pads, humidifier, etc. (All Carnival ships offer valet laundry service for a nominal fee, and most ships (excluding Carnival Firenze, Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Venezia) also provide facilities with ironing boards and irons.)  
• Knives, scissors and open razors. (Recreational dive knives are allowed but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise. Large scissors used by scrapbook and quilting enthusiasts are at times permitted with prior notification from the Security Services Department but are held on board in the same manner as dive knives.)
• Handcuffs or other restraining devices
• Self-balancing hover boards and air wheels
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), communication scanners, wideband receivers, satellite phones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers. 
• Satellite disk, routers and other internet related equipment  
• Curtains, drapes or hanging room dividers
• Boom boxes/large radios
• Candles and incense
• Helium filled balloons 
• Inflatable kiddie pool
• Any footwear with wheels, such as, Heely’s type shoes
• Kava  
• Surfboards, boats and canoes 
• Fish of any kind; if fish are caught during an excursion, they must be shipped home

Exemptions and other considerations

• Aerosol cans containing personal grooming products are allowed 
• Personal grooming devices such as hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, shavers, and other electrical devices, such as fans (no larger than 12" in diameter), power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed when used with proper caution.  However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned on debarkation morning
• Guest must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces. Bluetooth, portable and wireless speakers are only permitted within your stateroom and must be used respectfully and at reasonable sound levels and times of day. Carnival reserves the right to amend this policy for the comfort and enjoyment of our guests.  Please check your pre-cruise notifications for your specific cruise. Large speakers/radios are always prohibited on board and will be confiscated.
• Medical gas bottles/oxygen cylinders are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition,but cannot be packed in baggage. Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to Guest Services and stored in a designated safe area
• CPAP machine will need to be packed in carry-on luggage. Carnival carries distilled water, which can be purchased either pre-cruise (Carnival’s Fun Shops at 1-800-522-7648) or on board by contacting Room Service.  Guests bringing their own distilled water, must hand carry along with their CPAP machine
• Small, personal-sized coolers no larger than 12” x 12” x 12” for the purpose of housing, small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage
• Pets/live animals:  Only qualified service dogs trained to perform a specific task for a guest with a disability are allowed
• Flowers and plants:  Only permitted if ordered through Carnival.  Flowers/plants cannot be taken off the ship at any port
• Musical instruments: Are allowed, however, if a noise complaint is received, the instrument will be confiscated and returned to the guest on debarkation morning
• Ham radios/amateur radio equipment
• Google-type glasses are permitted on board in public areas, but cannot be worn at any gangway operation
• Digital Cameras/Camcorders, DVDs/VCRs, USB sticks, iPods, Nintendo/X-Box Play Units cannot be used with the TV in the guest stateroom or suite as the connection ports are disabled
• Due to concerns for food safety and contamination prevention, any food items brought on board must be pre-packaged and unopened.  Homemade items or pre-cooked foods are not allowed.  We are unable to provide food preparation, refrigeration or storage for personal food or beverage items
• Seashells may be brought on board if they appear to be clean and sanitized and do not have the odor of a living organism

Items  for Port Use Only The following items may be brought on board, but can be used off the ship, while in port only. All items must be stored in the guest’s stateroom.  

• Drone(s) are allowed, but must be held in the custody of the Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for PORT USE ONLY.
• Snorkel gear
• Skateboards
• Fishing rods
• Tennis rackets
• Roller blades or skates
• Metal detectors
• Beach chair
• Boogie Boards (maximum 42 inches in length)
• Portable Folding Bicycles (maximum 20 inch tires)
• Floatation devices:  For the comfort of all our guests, rafts, tubes and floatation devices other than those used as life preservers (water wings) cannot be used in the swimming pools on board
• Collapsible wagons - For the safety of our guests, the wagon cannot be rolled onto/off the ship during embarkation and debarkation and cannot be rolled off/onto the ship while in port  

Please Note : It is the responsibility of the guest to check the local laws of each port as Carnival will not be responsible for confiscated items by foreign governments. I tems  that cannot be taken off the ship in the United States The following items cannot be taken off the ship in the U.S. during the cruise or on debarkation day. U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) performs agricultural inspections to protect the U.S from potential carriers of animal and plant pests or diseases that could cause serious damage to America's crops, livestock, pets and the environment.

• Animal products 
• Unsealed food items
• Fruits and vegetables
• Agriculture and horticulture products
• Plants/cut flowers
• Ship property

Can I bring bottled water on board?

Carnival’s  Liquor and Beverage Policy states that guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles.

We know some of our guests are accustomed to bringing on board their own supply of bottled water, so for your convenience, bottled water can be pre-purchased prior to your cruise by visiting  www.carnival.com/funshops .  Water will be delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day. Bottled water may also be purchased on board by contacting Room Service. Once on board, your purchase is non-refundable; you may take home any unopened bottles.

$14.95 USD (plus an 18% delivery fee) for a 12-pack of bottled water (16.9-ounce bottle/500-ml bottle)

$4.50 USD (plus an 18% delivery fee) for 1 large bottled water (50.72-ounce bottle/1.5-liter bottle)

$24.95 USD (plus an 18% delivery fee) for 8-pack of bottled water (50.72-ounce bottle/1.5-liter bottle) 

Carnival carries distilled water which can be purchased either pre-cruise or once on board. For pre-purchase, please contact our Fun Shops department at 800-522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET. For purchase on board, please contact Room Service. Should you wish to bring your own distilled water with you, it must be hand carried along with your CPAP machine.

What travel documents do I need to bring?

Non-U.S. Citizens - click  here

Canadian Citizens - click  here

U.S. Permanent Residents - click  here

U.S. Citizens 

Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. Even though a guest has completed registration using Online Check-in, it is still the responsibility of the guest to present the required travel documents at the time of embarkation. Guests should check with their travel agent and/or government authority to determine the travel documents necessary for each port of call. Any guest without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of proper travel documentation.

Except where it is a mandatory requirement, Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport book.  The passport book must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. This will enhance the debarkation experience as delays may be expected upon return to the United States for those without one. Additionally, this will enable guests to fly from the United States to meet their ship at a foreign port should they miss their scheduled port of embarkation and allow guests who must disembark the ship before their cruise ends, due to an emergency, to fly back to the United States without significant delays and complications.

U.S. Domestic Cruises

For cruises that begin and end in the same U.S port, the following WHTI-compliant documents are acceptable for cruise travel. Please note that if the cruise visits Colombia or Greenland, a passport book  (valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel) is required . A passport card with the same validity is also acceptable for cruises to Colombia.

U.S. Passport Book

• U.S. Passport Card
• State Enhanced Driver's License
• Certificate of U.S. Naturalization
• Native American Indian Card
• US-born citizens may also use a birth certificate (issued by a government agency) and accompanied by government-issued photo ID; a Mobile/Digital version of a photo ID is not an acceptable form of identification.

A passport book (valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel) is required for cruises that visit Greenland.

A passport book or passport card  (valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel)  is required for the following cruises:

• Cruises that begin and end in a different U.S. port
• Cruises that visit Colombia, provided they depart from and return to a U.S. port

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises

U.S citizens are required to carry a passport book, valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. Guests are not required to have a Schengen Visa or other visas.

Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Transpacific Cruises

U.S citizens are required to carry a passport book, valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.  Visas and/or specific travel documentation may be required for some destinations.

All persons are required to carry a valid, unexpired U.S. passport for air travel to or from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix). 

Effective May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require every state and territory resident to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or enhanced driver’s license, to go through airport security and board a flight within the U.S.  If you will be flying to one of our cruise homeports within the U.S. on/after this implementation date, please ensure you have an acceptable document for your air travel. Visit   www.tsa.gov/real-id  for more information.

Note: All guests must still have WHTI-compliant travel documents (proof of citizenship and/or appropriate visas) in order to cruise.  

Names on Travel Documentation

It is important that the guest's full name (first name and last name) on the cruise and airline tickets be the same as the guest's unexpired, government-issued photo ID that will be used for travel identification. In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest's photo ID because of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required at embarkation, such as a marriage certificate, marriage license or legal name change court document. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

Note: For guests about to or recently married, we strongly recommend that, if the unexpired government-issued photo ID is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name).  If the reservation was made in the married name, but the unexpired government-issued photo ID is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required at embarkation, such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding. 

Traveling with Minors

When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original, signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security. 

Citizens of U.S. Territories and Commonwealth

Guests will follow the same travel documentation requirements. U.S. Territories and Commonwealth include: Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John), America Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

U.S. citizens may present a valid, unexpired U.S. passport book when traveling via air, land, or sea. The passport book must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.  

Guests may apply for passports at passport-acceptance facilities nationwide. For information about U.S. Passports, visit  www.travel.state.gov . 

Expedited passport services are also offered by VisaCentral. For more information, visit  www.visacentral.com/carnival  or call 877-559-4875 and identify yourself as a Carnival Cruise Line guest and mention ‘Carnival Account 75020’ for discounted rates on VisaCentral service fees. 

The U.S. Passport Card

The passport card cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States.

U.S. citizens may present a limited-use, wallet-size passport card. The passport card will only be valid for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.

State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)

The State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States.

Several states are working with the Department of Homeland Security to develop an EDL for U.S. citizens residing in their states. This document will denote both citizenship and identity and will facilitate the entry process at land and seaports of entry. The words ‘Enhanced Driver's License’ as well as the American flag will appear on the license. The following states issue this type of WHTI-compliant document: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.  

A driver's license with a gold circle with star cutout in the right upper corner is a Real ID driver's license; it is not an Enhanced Driver's license and cannot be used as proof of citizenship but can be used as picture identification. A Mobile/Digital version of an EDL is not an acceptable form of travel documentation.

Original Certificate of U.S. Naturalization and a Government-Issued Photo ID

The Certificate of U.S. Naturalization (form N-550 or N-570) is a document issued by the U.S. government (USCIS) as proof of a foreign-born person who has obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization (a legal process of obtaining a new nationality). Photocopies of the original document are unacceptable. A Mobile/Digital version of a photo ID is not an acceptable form of identification.

Native American Indians

These cards cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States.

• Form I-872 American Indian Card
• Enhanced Tribal Card (when available)

Traveling with a Birth Certificate AND Photo Identification

Birth Certificate Information

The following are acceptable:

• An original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics
• A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified.
• Birth Certificate Card
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Internationally adopted children (under the age of 18): If the adoptive parent was not issued a birth certificate, we will accept as proof of citizenship, a Certificate of Citizenship by the U.S. and adoption paperwork. A Certificate of Citizenship is issued by the U.S. once the adoption is finalized.
• Guests may obtain a copy of a birth certificate by contacting: The Department of Health and Vital Statistics at:  www.vitalchek.com . If the guest has laminated their birth certificate, it is acceptable.

Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010, are not valid forms of proof of citizenship and are not accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo ID with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.

Photo Identification

An unexpired government-issued photo ID is required of all guests 16 years of age and older. A Mobile/Digital version of a photo ID is not an acceptable form of identification.

• Driver's License (a temporary Driver's License with photo is acceptable)
• Driver's Permit
• School/Student ID (acceptable for guests 16/17/18 years of age)
• Government-issued identification card including a U.S. Military ID with photo (city/state/federal)
• Government-issued Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST) - for photo identification use only

Unacceptable Forms of Documentation

• Copies of any WHTI-Compliant document
• Driver's License as the only proof
• A Mobile/Digital version of a photo ID
• A temporary driver's license (paperwork without a photo ID)
• Voter's Registration Card
• Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST) - may be used for photo identification use only
• Baptismal Papers
• U.S. Military ID as the only proof
• A Dependent Military ID that is issued to the spouse and children of military personnel is not acceptable
• U.S. Military Discharge Papers
• No Record of Birth certificate: a certificate issued by the Department of Health and Vital Statistics showing that they have no records on this person
• Hospital certificate, hospital-issued birth notice, Certificate of Live Birth, live record of birth or announcement of birth

How much luggage can I bring?

Guests who are scheduled to arrive at the terminal before 1:30 PM, usually check their bags with a porter so they can be free to enjoy lunch on Lido Deck before access to their stateroom is granted. Checked baggage service is only available until 2 hours before the ship's published sailing time (printed in the cruise documents).  Guests arriving after this time will be responsible for taking their bags on board.   Each checked suit case and carry-on suit case should not weigh more than 50 pounds, and when lying flat, bags must not exceed 16 inches high by 24 inches wide (the length of the bag is not a factor). For security screening purposes, all luggage should be unlocked. Oversized luggage and locked luggage may cause delivery delays.   Personalized luggage tags are included in the guest’s Electronic Documents (available once online check-in is completed). It is not necessary to print the tags in color. Carnival luggage tags must be affixed to your baggage prior to arriving at the terminal.  Additional tags can be obtained at curbside from the porter. Porters will re-tag any luggage tag with a TBA cabin assignment.    Curbside porters are customarily provided a $1 tip per bag.  They are not employees of Carnival and should a guest experiences any problems, they must report it to porter management on site. Since the screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security screening process, large coolers are not permitted as carry-on or checked luggage. Small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches, for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage. Airline Luggage Restrictions If traveling by air, guests are encouraged to contact the airlines directly to determine luggage restrictions and fees.   

What should I pack?

To help you plan, on cruises of 3-5 days, please limit your luggage to a maximum of one bag, per person. On cruises of 6 days or longer, no more than two bags, per person. Each checked bag and carry-on bag should not weigh more than 50 pounds and, when lying flat, bags must not exceed 16 inches high, by 24 inches wide (the length of the bag is not a factor). For security screening purposes, all luggage should be unlocked. Oversized luggage and locked luggage may cause delivery delays.  

You must personally carry-on any boarding documentation (passports, visas, I.D), valuables, medications and items which require special handling or that you need access to while your checked luggage is being delivered. And don't forget your personal toiletries (travel size or standard container size).

There are a number of must-pack items that we recommend every cruiser consider when preparing for a Carnival cruise.  Before you get started, check out our What to Wear section and research the weather forecast for the ports you’ll be visiting to determine exactly what you will need to bring.  In addition, here are some other recommended items: 

• Collapsible daypack or bag
• Rain jacket or poncho and/or small umbrella
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Translation and guide books
• Books and magazines
• Binoculars (to see the beautiful wildlife in Alaska)
• Phone chargers

Checked baggage service is only available until 2 hours before the ship's published sailing time (printed in the cruise documents). Guests arriving after this time will be responsible for taking their own bags on board.

What Not to Pack

In order to maintain a safe and secure environment, Carnival prohibits certain items on board, such as weapons, candles, irons, alcohol, or other dangerous goods. Carnival conducts security safety scanning of all luggage and if prohibited items are found, they will be removed and disposed of and no compensation will be given. Please review our list of Prohibited Items before shutting your suitcase.

What to wear?

Cruisers love the fact they “only have to unpack once”.  And while your destination, itinerary and personal style will dictate which outfits you bring, we want to share our guidelines and suggestions.  A Carnival ship has it all, from fine dining to casinos and shows to sunbathing, so here are some tips on how to dress to play or party.

Daytime:  Casual and Comfortable

Casual attire is the order of the day when the sun is up, which can include:

• Shorts, capris, khakis and jeans
• T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses and tops
• Summer dresses
• Exercise and athletic gear, lightweight sweater, pull-over or jacket
• Bathing suit, cover-up, hat or visor
• Comfortable rubber-sole flat shoes, sneakers, water shoes or non-slip boat shoes with traction

Please note : Select activities and shore excursions may require closed-toe shoes. Footwear with wheels is prohibited on board our ships.

Evening:  Cruise Casual to Cruise Elegant (Sharp & Chic) 

As we head into the evening, the dress code takes on multiple definitions, depending on your plans, the venue or the event.

Most nights, the dress code in the main dining room(s) for everyone is Cruise Casual:

• Men and boys: sports slacks, khakis, jeans, tailored dress shorts and collared dress, casual or polo shirts
• Women and girls: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans, blouses and tops
• Kids:  Take a cue from the adult dress code, but at a kid-level
• Not permitted: cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, exercise and athletic gear, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
• For itineraries 6 days or longer, bring your legwarmers, shoulder pads and neon-colored outfits for the ‘80s Rock-N-Glow Deck Party and a white outfit for our epic White Night Party.

On certain special nights, our main dining rooms celebrate our Cruise Elegant festivities and we invite guests to enjoy a special night out in a sharp and chic way.

• 5 days or shorter cruises will have one Cruise Elegant evening
• 6 days or longer cruises will have two Cruise Elegant evenings

On longer cruises, the first Cruise Elegant evening is scheduled for the second or third evening of the cruise.  Depending on itinerary, the next Cruise Elegant evening is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise. 

Cruise Elegant attire can include:                                      

• Men and boys: dress slacks, dress shirts, and sport coats (suggested); some men may even choose to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo
• Women and girls: dresses (party or cocktail), pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; some women may also wear evening gowns
• Kids: Take a cue from the adult dress code, and think school dance or nice party clothes
• Not permitted: jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, sportswear, exercise and athletic wear, shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire 

A good rule of thumb is to dress for a special occasion.

The Steakhouse  and Rudi's Seagrill dress requirements follow the dress code specified for the main dining room(s). 

The Lido Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a more relaxed dress code than the main dining room(s); however, please respect that the Lido Restaurant is not the pool area. Shirts, bathing suit cover-ups and footwear should be worn at all times.  Please dry off completely as wet floors are a safety hazard.

Casinos, bars, retail shops, lounges and theaters are frequented by guests who dress according to daytime to nighttime standards. Basic rules still apply no matter the time of day – no swimsuits, wet clothes, or bare feet.

Please Note :

• All guests are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are respectful to fellow guests. Specifically, items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendos/suggestions. In addition, clothing and accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, hatred, or violence in any form.  
• In some ports of call, it is against the law for anyone, including children, to wear army-style camouflage clothing or carry items made with camouflage material. Ports include (but not limited to) The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica and St.Lucia. Before traveling, please check local laws of each port to ensure compliance with regulations.

Carnival Journeys and Holidays

• Carnival Journeys cruises feature a Throwback Sea Day in which we go back in time to relive the ‘80s during the day and the true elegance of formal evening and the original Captain’s Celebration at night. Guidelines for elegant evening apply, and formal gowns and suits/tuxedos are encouraged.
• Carnival knows how to celebrate! Feel free to bring a special outfit for our “Ugly Sweater Contest” in December, “Frightfully Fun” Halloween cruises, or to show your team spirit when there are big sporting events. Please note that costumes with full masks are prohibited, but half masks are allowed.

Eating & Drinks

What is carnival's liquor & beverage policy.

The policy below is for cruise departures from the U.S.; for cruises sailing from Australia, click here . 

Drinking Alcohol On Board

The minimum age for the purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the bars, lounges and gift shops is 21 years of age. Carnival reserves the right to request ID prior to the purchase of alcohol and refuse the sale of alcohol to anyone. 

Bringing Liquor and Beverages On Board - Embarkation

Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages that are packaged in glass or plastic bottles.

On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception - at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, all liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided. Guests sailing with us on back-to-back cruises are entitled to bring the same quantity as stated in this policy, per cruise. The additional quantities will be stored for safekeeping at the start of the first cruise and will be given to the guest as each following cruise begins.

* Port, Vermouth, Sherry and other fortified wines cannot be brought on board. 

Corkage Fee

Should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, specialty restaurant or bar, a $15.00 USD corkage fee, per 750-ml bottle, will be charged. A corkage fee is a charge that is assessed, at time of service, for every bottle that is served and not bought on the premises.

Bottled Water

For convenience, guests can purchase bottled water prior to the cruise and it will be delivered to the stateroom on embarkation day. Bottled water may also be purchased on board by contacting room service. Once on board, the purchase is non-refundable and guests may take home any unopened bottles.

To ensure we have an ample supply, please visit The Fun Shops™ at  www.carnival.com/funshops  to place your order before your cruise.

Distilled Water

Carnival carries distilled water which can be purchased either pre-cruise or once on board. For pre-purchase, please contact our Fun Shops department at 800-522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET.  For purchase on board, please contact room service. Should you wish to bring your own distilled water with you, it must be hand carried along with your CPAP machine.

Guests are prohibited from bringing large coolers since screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security process. However, for the purpose of carrying small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12” x 12” x 12” are permitted as carry-on luggage.

Purchasing Liquor Pre-Cruise through The Fun Shops

All products sold containing alcohol have a limit of two products per stateroom. On 7 day and longer cruises, there is a limit of one bottle of hard liquor per stateroom and on shorter cruises, pre-cruise purchases are limited to wine, champagne and beer (no hard liquor). A ‘pack’ or ‘package’ is considered one product.

Alcohol purchased pre-cruise through The Fun Shops for on board consumption is designed for in-stateroom entertainment only. Guests cannot take items with them to public areas. Only wine or champagne that is ordered through The Fun Shops can be served in the dining room or Steakhouse. If the item is not consumed on board during the cruise, the guest may take it home provided the bottle has not been opened. 

Our CHEERS! Beverage Program must be purchased for each adult (21 years of age or older) assigned to the same stateroom.

Purchasing Liquor at Ports of Call and On Board at The Fun Shops All alcohol purchased ashore or in The Fun Shops will be stored for safekeeping until the end of the voyage. Items are to be collected in a designated lounge on debarkation morning. Liquor may be subject to Customs duty if it exceeds allowable amount.

While in port, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less per person.

What is the Cheers! Beverage Program?

CHEERS! is an all-inclusive beverage program that allows guests to enjoy a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages by paying a flat daily rate. Guests must be 21 or older to purchase CHEERS! and each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program.

Our CHEERS! beverage program includes a great variety of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a wide selection of high quality brand-name spirits and wines by the glass.  

Before your cruise:  CHEERS! can be purchased at  www.carnival.com/funshops  or by contacting The Fun Shops department at 800-522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET. Cut-off for pre-purchase online is 11:59pm ET, the evening prior to the cruise departure. Although we are not able to process the Carnival Gift Card for Fun Shop orders by telephone, you may use a Carnival Gift Card when purchasing CHEERS! online.

• Cruise Itineraries (6 days or more):  $59.95 USD, per person, per day plus 18% service charge
• Cruise Itineraries (5 days or less):  $69.95 USD per person, per day plus 18% service charge

On board your cruise:   Once on board your cruise, CHEERS! can be purchased at bar locations.

• Cruise Itineraries (6 days or more):  $64.95 USD, per person, per day plus 18% service charge
• Cruise Itineraries (5 days or less):  $74.95 USD per person, per day plus 18% service charge

Included in the price of your cruise, served in the main dining room and available 24/7 in the Lido Restaurant: non-bottled water, lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, hot chocolate and non-specialty coffee and tea.

To view a sample of beverages prices for individual drinks and CHEERS! Q&A's, click here .

CHEERS! includes:

• All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer (including self-serve beer stations - PYOB) and wine and champagne by the glass, with a $20.00 USD or lower menu price, per serving
• Sodas (including specialty sodas), zero-proof frozen cocktails (including smoothies) and juices
• Specialty coffees and hot tea served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and coffee bars
• Milkshakes, where available
• Energy drinks
• 500-ml bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages served in bars and lounges
• Packaged water in the dining rooms and specialty restaurants
• 25% discount off the menu price for any spirit, cocktail or wine by the glass, costing above $20.00 USD, per serving
• 25% discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle
• 25% discount off beverage seminars and classes

CHEERS! excludes:

• Beverages promoted and sold in souvenir glasses
• Bottles of liquor
• Beverages offered at the gangway
• Beverages offered through room service and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs
• Beverages purchased off the ship at any port of call, including Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays
• Sharing cocktails, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets
• Beverages offered through enomatic wine machines
• Freshly squeezed orange juice served in the Havana Bar
• Main Dining Room freshly squeezed juice 
• All other beverage-related programs including merchandise, cigars and cigarettes

Program Restrictions:

• Guests must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors
• Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program
• CHEERS! is non-transferable
• Guests must purchase the program for the entire cruise; this program is not offered on a per day basis
• If the program is purchased prior to the cruise, it is refundable up to 9:00pm ET, the evening prior to the cruise departure.  Otherwise, CHEERS! is non-refundable
• Price adjustments (up or down), implemented on the day of sailing, replace any previously advertised price
• Only one drink at a time may be ordered, there is a 5 minute wait time between orders and sharing is not permitted. No double shots as that is considered ordering two drinks at once
• Guests may purchase a round of drinks for themselves and friends. One drink will count towards the CHEERS! program and the remaining drinks will be charged to a guest’s Sail and Sign® account
• Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks, per 24-hour period (6:00am - 6:00am). Once the limit is reached, the guest will not be served ANY additional alcoholic drinks 
• Program only applies to onboard purchases
• All bottles and cans will be served opened
• Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason
• Program is inclusive of VAT, if and as applicable.
• Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to a guest folio when this program is used within US waters. The tax is based on the state's tax structure and the cost of the individual drink purchased (not the daily program rate). For example: if the drink price is $5.00 USD and the tax is 10%, the  guest's Sail & Sign® card will be charged $0.50 USD for tax. This applies to all US ports (embarkation home ports and ports-of-call)
• Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise (starting at 6:00am) for voyages departing from our Texas, New York, and Virginia home ports. Drinks purchased on the first day of the cruise will be charged to the guest's Sail & Sign® card in the usual manner. When purchased on the second day of the cruise, guests are charged for the remaining days only (cruise duration less one day)
• For guests who pre-purchase CHEERS!, it will be activated upon boarding the ship (except for ships sailing from Texas, New York, and Virginia – activation will occur at 6:00am on the second day of the cruise). Guests are instructed to proceed to the bar, once on board, to receive a sticker which will be placed on their Sail & Sign® cards
• Group bookings (consisting of a minimum of 16 adults) can purchase CHEERS! prior to the cruise by contacting Group Event Planning (all adult guests in the group must purchase the program; all minors in the group must purchase Bottomless Bubbles program)
• For pre-purchase orders, a message card will be placed in guest’s stateroom on embarkation day referring the guests to the Casino Bar to activate the program
• CHEERS! is not offered on 2-day cruises, charter cruises and beverage purchases made at Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in The Bahamas.

Is there a beverage package for soft drinks?

Sail refreshed with Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles™ unlimited soda program! Enjoy the ease and convenience of paying one flat price for thirst-quenching fountain soda and juice all cruise long!

Pre-Cruise and Onboard Prices: 

• Kids (17 years of age and younger): $6.95 USD per person, per day plus 18% service charge
• Adults (18 years of age and older): $9.50 USD per person, per day plus 18% service charge 

Bottomless Bubbles can be purchased online at  www.carnival.com/funshops  or by contacting The Fun Shops™ Department at 800 522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET. Cut-off for pre-purchase online is at 11:59pm ET, the evening prior to the cruise departure. Bottomless Bubbles can also be purchased on board at bar locations.

Australia and Transpacific Cruises: For pricing and age restrictions, please contact our International Desk, Monday through Sunday, 7:00am-6:00pm AEST, at 1 300 385 625 (from Australia) and 0800 442 095 (from New Zealand).  If you are calling from the U.S. or Canada, please contact 'The Fun Shops' Department at 800 522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET.

Currently, we are not able to process the Carnival Gift Card for Fun Shop orders by telephone. If you wish to purchase Bottomless Bubbles with a Carnival Gift Card, you may do so online at www.carnival.com/funshops

Upon purchasing Bottomless Bubbles, a sticker will be placed on the guest's Sail & Sign® card. In all areas where beverage service is offered, guests may show the Bottomless Bubbles sticker and receive a glass of the carbonated soft drink of their choice. Juices may also be requested. One 16-ounce glass will be served at a time (10-ounce glass for juice) and only to the guest whose name appears on the Sail & Sign card with the Bottomless Bubbles sticker attached.

The following beverages are offered through Bottomless Bubbles ( flavors may vary ):

• Soft Drinks/Soda
• Juices: Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tomato Juice, Pineapple Juice and Grapefruit Juice

Bottomless Bubbles excludes:

• Non-alcoholic beverages other than soda and juices listed above
• Bottled water
• Specialty coffee
• Beverages offered at gangway while debarking
• Beverages offered through room service or the interactive TV system (where applicable) or other in-stateroom beverage programs

Please note: The following beverages are included in the price of your cruise and are served in the main dining room and 24/7 in the Lido Restaurant: non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea and non-specialty coffee and tea. The following beverages are available through Room Service at no additional charge: juices (orange, tomato, apple or grapefruit), regular or decaffeinated coffee, hot tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, regular and skim milk.

The following restrictions apply:

• Price adjustments (up or down) implemented on the day of sailing will replace any previously advertised price.
• Only one beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time. There is a 5 minute wait between ordering drinks.
• Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces).
• No sharing is permitted and is non-transferable. Guests or family members who would like to enjoy soft drinks through this program must purchase their own sticker.
• Program is non-refundable.
• Program is only applicable for onboard purchases; program cannot be used for beverage purchases at Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in The Bahamas.
• Applicable state and local sales taxes will be charged to the guest's folio when this program is used within US waters. The tax is based on the state’s tax structure and the cost of the individual drink purchased (not the daily program rate). For example: if the drink price is $2 and the tax is 10%, the guest’s Sail & Sign card will be charged $0.20 for tax. This applies to all US ports (embarkation home ports and ports-of-call).
• Europe and transatlantic cruises: Program is inclusive of VAT, if and as applicable.

What are my dining options?

Guests may choose from three different dinner seating options. By popular request, all dining rooms are smoke-free.

Assigned Seating - Early Dining and Late Dining This dining option offers guests a pre-set dining time for the duration of the cruise as well as the same table assignment each evening in the Main Dining Room. Guests who choose this option will not be able to reserve 'Your Time' open seating once on board.

'Your Time Dining' Open Seating 'Your Time Dining ' is offered fleet wide.  Guests are seated on a first come, first served basis depending on party size and in most cases, are accommodated within 20 minutes. Advance table reservations are not accepted . Guests using Carnival's HUB App can check-in for 'Your Time Dining' ahead of time or check-in when they are ready to go. The App will alert the guest when their table is ready as well as the table number in the dining room displayed on the App screen. All guests must be present in order for the party to be seated. The table will be held for 10 minutes. 

At time of booking, guests will be able to confirm their preferred dining choice. If their preference is not available, they may confirm an alternate time and be waitlisted for their preferred choice - there is no guarantee a waitlist will clear. When possible, waitlists will be cleared prior to the sailing and guests will be notified by email. Parties traveling together who are waitlisted together will be cleared on the same dining time. Cross-referencing bookings does  not  guarantee parties will be eating together. They must be confirmed on the same dining time to ensure they will be able to dine together. For those guests who choose Early or Late dining, the assigned dining room and table number will be printed on the guests' Sail & Sign® card which they receive when they check-in on embarkation day.  

In addition, guests may opt for casual bistro dining in the Lido Deck Restaurant or dinner in the elegant  Steakhouse Restaurants  serving fine quality prime steaks and other dishes in an intimate, upscale atmosphere; as well as  Cucina del Capitano ®, a casual Italian restaurant. Other dining options offered are  The Chef's Table ,  Bonsai Sushi , and  Ji Ji Asian Kitchen ®. Please note, specialty dining options have an additional charge. To see if your ship features these options, please  click here .

Parties greater than 8 guests may need to be accommodated at several tables and the wait can sometimes be more than one hour. We highly suggest that parties of 8 or more guests choose an assigned seating to assure sitting together at one table or several tables close together.

NOTE:  Menu items (excluding Steakhouse Selections) are complimentary in the main dining room.  Guests can order a second entrée and keep in mind they can also request half portions if something looks too enticing to pass up.  If a third entrée is ordered, a US$5 charge will be assessed.

Getting to and from Port

Does carnival provide transportation from the airport to the cruise port terminal.

Carnival Cruise Line offers ground transportation between select airports and cruise ship terminals. These services are only available on the day of the cruise and immediately after the cruise. We do not offer airport transportation for cruises sailing from the following embarkation ports: Norfolk, Virginia: Baltimore, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; Brisbane, Australia and Sydney, Australia.

Purchasing transportation can be done through Manage My Booking  on  carnival.com  or by contacting Carnival Reservations up to 2 days prior to the sail date.  You will need to provide your flight information in Online Check-in at the time of purchase. Your flight details are provided to the transportation company to assist in expediting your transportation to the pier.  It is your responsibility to update Carnival with any changes to your flight schedule to ensure you are met by the transportation company.

Transfers can be purchased in four easy steps:

> Log in to access My Cruise Manager

> Click 'Shop' located at the top of the web page, then select 'Airport Shuttle'.

> Once on the 'Transfers' page, make your selection.

> After you have made your transfer purchase, return to Online Check-In and provide flight itinerary.

For the flight guidelines (latest airport arrivals and earliest return flights) and additional information about airport transportation services, click here . 

How do I get to my cruise port terminal?

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Cruise Maryland Terminal at South Locust Point 2001 East McComas Street Baltimore, MD 21230

Website: www.cruise.maryland.gov

Parking:   www. cruise.maryland.gov/Pages/content/parking-rates.aspx

Directions:   www.cruise.maryland.gov/Pages/content/directions-location.aspx

Google Maps:   View Map

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Port of Charleston Union Pier Terminal 32 Washington Street Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Website:   www.scspa.com/locations/cruise-terminal/

Parking:   www.scspa.com/cruise-parking/

GALVESTON, TEXAS

Port of Galveston Cruise Ship Terminals 2502 Harborside Drive Galveston, Texas 77550

Website:   www.portofgalveston.com

Parking:    www.portofgalveston.com/91/Cruise-Parking--General-Information

Directions:    www.portofgalveston.com/90/From-the-North-West

Google Maps:     View Map

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Jaxport Cruise Terminal 9810 August Drive Jacksonville, FL 32226

Website:   www.jaxport.com

Parking:   www.jaxportcruiseparking.com

Directions:   www.jaxportcruiseparking.com-directions/

Google Maps:  View Map

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Long Beach Cruise Terminal at the Queen Mary 231 Windsor Way                        Long Beach, California 90802  

Website: www.visitlongbeach.com/plan-your-trip/cruise-terminal-information/

MIAMI, FLORIDA

PortMiami 1015 North America Way Miami, Florida 33132

Cruise Terminal D - 1435 North Cruise Boulevard Cruise Terminal E - 1265 North Cruise Boulevard Cruise Terminal F - 1103 North Cruise Boulevard

Website:   www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-transportation.asp

Parking:   www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-information.asp

Directions:   www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/directions-transportation.asp#directions

MOBILE, ALABAMA

Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal 201 South Water Street Mobile, AL 36602

Website:   www.shipmobile.com

Parking:   www.shipmobile.com/parking/

Directions:   www.shipmobile.com/directions/

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Port NOLA - Port of New Orleans Erato Street Cruise Terminal 1100 Port of New Orleans Place New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Website:   www.portnola.com

Parking and Directions:   www.portnola.com/cruise/parking-directions

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

New York Manhattan Cruise Terminal 711 12th Avenue at 55th Street New York City, New York 10019

Website:   www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/

Parking:   www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/parking/

Directions:   www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/directions/

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

Port of Norfolk Decker Half Moone Cruise Center One Waterside Drive Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Website:  www.nauticus.org

Directions and Parking:  www.nauticus.org/cruise-parking-directions

PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA

Port Canaveral Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 A-Side North Cruise Terminal #6 – 9241 Charles Rowland Drive B-Side South Cruise Terminal #3 – 220 Christopher Columbus Drive

Website:   https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Port

Parking and Directions:   www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Cruise-Parking,-Directions-Rates

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Port of San Francisco The Embarcadero Pier 27 | Pier 35 San Francisco, CA 94111

Website:   www.sfport.com/

Parking:     https://sfport.com/maritime/cruise#tab-12453-pane-2

Directions:   www.sfport.com/james-r-herman-cruise-terminal-pier-27-0

Google Maps: View Map

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Port of Seattle Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 2001 West Garfield Street Seattle, WA 98119

Website:   www.portseattle.org/places/smith-cove-cruise-terminal-pier-91

Parking:   www.cruiseseattleparking.com

TAMPA, FLORIDA

Port Tampa Bay Terminal #3 815 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602

Website:   www.porttb.com/cruise

Parking:   https://www.porttb.com/parking

General Questions

What do i need to do to get on board.

All guests must complete their Online Check-in process no later than midnight (Eastern time) prior to their sailing date. During online check-in, you will be asked to select an arrival appointment. This is the time that everyone in your stateroom should be at the cruise port terminal. Please arrive promptly within your Arrival Appointment to reduce your wait time in line. At check-in, you must present your boarding pass, picture ID and citizenship documents (including any necessary visas).  Due to security protocol, last minute bookings made within 24 hours of sailing will require guests to undergo a secondary screening. 

Guests who are scheduled to arrive at the terminal before 1:30 PM, usually check their bags with a porter so they can be free to enjoy lunch on Lido Deck before access to their stateroom is granted. Checked baggage service is only available until 2 hours before the ship's published departure time. Guests arriving after this time will be responsible for taking their bags on board.  Lunch is served on Lido Deck from boarding until the commencement of the safety briefing. Final Boarding :  In preparation for departure, all guests must be on board by the Final Boarding time printed on your boarding pass or you will not be permitted to sail. 

What are Service Gratuities?

It is customary for our guests to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff in appreciation for their hard work and exceptional service. 100% of your gratuities are distributed to the crew who you interact with, such as your stateroom attendants, dining and culinary services staff, as well as other members of the onboard team who work behind the scenes to enhance your overall cruise experience. Applying this charge automatically streamlines the recognition process and ensures our crew will share in your generosity.   

To help you plan, we have provided the recommended onboard gratuities guidelines.

• Standard Staterooms: $16.00 USD per person, per day
• Suite Staterooms: $18.00 USD per person, per day

You may pay this daily gratuity in two different ways:

Gratuities can be added at the time of booking or anytime up to the sail date. Guests who booked directly with Carnival may add their pre-paid gratuities on Carnival.com. If a guest booked with a travel agent, they may contact their travel professional to add pre-paid gratuities to their booking. Prepaid gratuities are reflected in the 'Miscellaneous Charge' field on the confirmation and in the guest's E-Documents. 

Sail & Sign ®

If guests have not pre-paid their gratuities, the recommended, per person, amount will be posted to their Sail & Sign account on the second to last day of the cruise. Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while on board. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, gratuities may be adjusted after they have been posted on the guest's account, while on board. Gratuities, as posted on a guest's Sail & Sign account, will be considered final after a guest disembarks and no changes will be made after the cruise.

Additional Information

• Gratuities are assessed on all guests, with the exception of children under the age of 2.
• Gratuities apply regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or open seating dining.
• For beverage purchases, an 18% service charge will be added to the bill.
• An 18% service charge will be added to the cover charge for the Chef’s Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki as well as the nominal à la carte fee at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse and Seafood Shack; additional gratuities can be added at the guest's discretion.
• A gratuity may be extended to room service staff as service is rendered.

Thank you for your generous recognition of our onboard team. Our crew works hard to provide you with a great vacation and takes pride in being part of the best team in the cruise industry.

Can I get WiFi on board?

To keep you connected while at sea, all ships provide satellite internet access at our internet cafés and through the bow-to-stern ship-wide Wi-Fi network.

What kind of plans do you have?

Social Wi-Fi Plan  

• Access the most popular social websites and applications including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat and the most popular airline sites.
• Does not include access to most websites, email, video and music streaming services (i.e., Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora), iMessage, Skype, cellular-network-dependent Wi-Fi calling and FaceTime services.

Pre-cruise:  $15.30 USD, per day   Onboard:  $18.00 USD, per day

Value Wi-Fi Plan  

• Access popular social websites, email and applications including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat and the most popular airline sites as well as news, entertainment (not including streaming sites), sports, weather, banking and finance. Post pictures of your trip and make your friends jealous (using the faster speeds of the Social Plan).
• Does not support Skype or video and music streaming (i.e., Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora), cellular-network-dependent Wi-Fi calling and FaceTime services.

Pre-cruise:  $19.55 USD, per day Onboard:  $23.00 USD, per day

  Premium Wi-Fi Plan

• Premium Wi-Fi plan provides access to all sites under the Social and Value Plans at the fastest possible connection (3 times faster than the Value Plan). Supports apps like Zoom, Skype and Team video calling, where coverage allows.
• Does not support video and music streaming (i.e. Hulu, Spotify, Pandora); Netflix can be viewed through your Netflix account/app. Cellular-network-dependent Wi-Fi calling and FaceTime services are also not supported.

Pre-cruise:  $21.25 USD, per day Onboard:  $25.00 USD, per day

*Pricing is based on cruise-long plans and are subject to change without prior notice.

Guests can upgrade from one plan to another and use multiple devices, per plan, including their smart phone, laptop or the shipboard internet café, but only one device can be used at a time.

How to purchase a plan?

Pre-cruise:  Pre-purchase internet plans at a discounted rate online via the 'Manage My Booking' tab on carnival.com or send as a gift to family and friends through The Fun Shops™. Guests must purchase a plan that covers the entire duration of their cruise. Plans may be pre-purchased online up to 11:59pm ET, the day before embarkation. Daily plans are available for purchase on board.

On Board:  Turn on your device's Wi-Fi feature and access the Wi-Fi settings to receive instructions on how to purchase our plans.

What restrictions are there?

Please note that as our services are carried via satellite, there are a few limitations compared to your home network.

• Only one device at a time can connect to Wi-Fi
• Satellite internet speed may vary depending on location and time of day
• Access to certain sites such as mature or violent content is blocked
• VPN connections are not supported.  Discuss your VPN limitations with your company’s IT department if you are planning to work while sailing. We are not able to change your settings on board
• Pricing for plans purchased pre-cruise vary from plans purchased at time of sailing
• No refunds after plan is activated on board

What are some tips to improve the experience?

• Once on board, turn on airplane mode and connect to Carnival Wi-Fi. By using airplane mode in settings, you avoid roaming fees charged by your carrier
• To benefit from faster speeds, turn off background app data services and updates
• Wi-Fi enabled laptop and mobile devices
• Power supply for each of the devices you are bringing with you
• Data cables to transfer pictures

Do you have public computers on board?

Publicly accessible computers (Microsoft Windows based) with standard internet browsers, are available 24 hours a day. These may be used with your existing internet plan.  MS Office or other specific software is not offered and you may not install your own software.

Does Carnival have a mobile app?

To download the Carnival HUB™ App, look for the Carnival HUB App on Google Play and iTunes to download. You can also download the app from Carnival's website by clicking here .

Which ships offer the Carnival HUB App? 

All ships are Carnival HUB App capable.

Where do the features of the app work?

Some features are available before your cruise but more functionalities become available once on board.

What does the Carnival HUB App do?

The following features are available at the touch of your fingertips:

• Share your cruise countdown
• Purchase gifts, WIFI, spa services, shore excursions and more
• Make dinner reservations
• Complete Online Check-In

During Your Cruise

• Onboard Chat (fee applies)
• ‘What's Happening’ Daily Events
• Food and Drinks
• Account Management
• Kids and Teens
• Reserve select shows, spa services, shore excursions and specialty dining
• All your reservations are added to your planner to help you manage your day
• Reserve restaurants ahead of time or check-in if you’re ready to go
• View food and drink menus via QR scans
• Casino features and special events 
• Lounging by the pool? Order food for delivery
• Learn about onboard safety and navigate to your assigned muster station to check-in with a team member upon boarding
• Check into a virtual queue and skip the line! We'll simply notify you when it's your turn

And more...

What is the app name? How can I download it?

To download, look for the Carnival HUB App on Google Play and iTunes. You can also download the app from Carnival's website by clicking here .

Is the Carnival HUB App free?

The app is free to download and use on board. For $5.00 USD per user, for the voyage, the HUB App offers chat.

Do I need internet access to use the app? Do I have to pay roaming?

No internet purchase is required. The app works only with the ship’s free Wi-Fi. To access sites and services outside of the HUB App, guests will need to purchase one of the Wi-Fi plans. To avoid carrier imposed roaming charges, turn on airplane mode while on board.

How do I log into the Carnival HUB App? Where can I find my folio?

You may log in before your cruise using your Carnival.com account or your booking details. To log on, once on board, you will need your folio number (found on your Sail & Sign card) and date of birth.

Can minors use chat?

Chat access is limited to ages 13 years and older. For safety reasons, parents and guardians must give consent within the app for guests 12 years and younger to activate onboard chat.

What devices does the app work on?

IOS/Apple iPhone versions supported: IOS 12.0 and up

Android/Google versions supported: 7.0 (aka Nougat) and up

Can I use my tablet to run the Carnival HUB App?

Although the app is not optimized for tablets, it will function on both Android and Apple tablets.

What is Carnival's Tobacco and Marijuana Smoking Policy?

Smoking is a fire and safety hazard on a ship. Consequently, it is strictly limited to specific exterior deck areas.  All guests are expected to adhere to the following safety guidelines:

• All staterooms and suite accommodations, including outside balconies, are NON-SMOKING. This policy applies to all forms of smoking, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes and marijuana.
• Carnival recognizes that some state and local governments in the U.S., and in the destinations we visit, might allow marijuana use. However, Carnival Cruise Line follows U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of recreational/medicinal marijuana and other illegal controlled substances. 
• Any violation of this policy will result in a $500 charge, per violation, posted on the guest’s Sail & Sign® account and may also result in the disembarkation of all guests in the stateroom. 
• Guests who are disembarked for violating our policy will be responsible for all financial charges and expenses to return home, and no refund of their unused cruise fare will be provided. Additionally, they may be prohibited from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line in the future.

Casino rules: There is no smoking in the casino unless seated and playing. It is not allowed at the casino bar or in the entire area when closed.

Our smoking policy is included in Carnival's  Cruise Ticket Contract .  Follow the link for   ship specific smoking areas .

In keeping with U.S. federal law, the minimum age to purchase tobacco products is 21. This policy is for U.S.-based itineraries/ships only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a guest is caught smoking in a stateroom or balcony?

They will be assessed a $500 charge, per violation, on their Sail & Sign® account. Information on this charge is included in Section 8 of Carnival’s Cruise Ticket Contract. The assessment of this charge does not allow a guest to continue smoking in his/her stateroom. If a guest is found to be in violation of our smoking policy, all guests in the stateroom may be disembarked from the vessel and risk not being allowed to sail on Carnival in the future.  Guests will be responsible for all financial charges and expenses to return home, and no refund of unused cruise fare will be provided. 

What should guests do if they smell tobacco in areas where smoking is not allowed, or marijuana in any area?

Guests who are concerned about other guests violating our smoking policy should contact our onboard Guest Services team, so we can address the situation. This will help avoid uncomfortable situations between guests.

What if a guest has a letter from a doctor saying that they are allowed to use marijuana for medicinal and/or therapeutic purposes?  Why is that prohibited?

Illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, marijuana, cannabis and cannabis derivatives such as Cannabidiol (CBD) items which may be labeled as medical marijuana are not allowed on board. While certain CBD products used for medicinal purposes may be legal in the U.S. based on state and local laws, they are not legal under U.S. federal law and in all the ports we visit and therefore are also considered prohibited items. 

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips and Secrets You Need to Know

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What to Expect on Your Cruise Embarkation Day

If this is your first cruise, or even if you’ve cruised before, you’re probably wondering what to expect on your cruise embarkation day. There have been a few changes as cruises have restarted, and this is especially true for the first day of your cruise.

In this post, you’ll find 25 cruise embarkation day tips, to make your first day as perfect and stress-free as possible.

I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions including how early you can board your cruise ship , what to wear on embarkation day , where to eat lunch and more!

What is an Embarkation Day?

Simply put, embarkation day is the first day of your cruise, when you will embark your cruise ship. Cruise embarkation day is also be referred to as boarding day. While it’s a busy day and there are embarkation procedures to be aware of, it’s also the start of an amazing vacation ahead!

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25 Tips for a Perfect Cruise Embarkation Day

Excited for the first day of your cruise? Here’s how to make your embarkation day enjoyable and stress-free!

1. Complete Pre-cruise Online Check-in & Health Forms

Before you even get to the cruise terminal to board your cruise ship , remember to complete your online check in on the cruise line website or app. There’s important personal information to enter that needs to be done prior to your cruise.

As well, you’ll want to know the current cruise line health protocols, vaccine requirements and ensure you have all the documentation you need.

2. Print all Your Documents

Print your cruise documents including boarding pass and luggage tags and be ready for your cruise embarkation day! Do this as early as possible to avoid last minute stress.

Related post:   Cruise Luggage Tag Holders (order by cruise line)

3. Pre-purchase Beverage Packages and Shore Excursions

While you can purchase a drink package or shore excursions on the cruise, it’s often easier and even a little bit cheaper to book these things on the cruise line website before you board.

However, if you’re not sure which shore excursions you want to take, don’t stress. There will be a crew member working at the shore excursion desk once you board your cruise ship.

4. Arrive on Time

While in the past I recommended arriving at your cruise port early so you could board your cruise ship as soon as possible, this is no longer the case. As you complete your online check in, you’ll be able to choose an arrival time. By having embarkation day time, there’s less crowding in the cruise terminal and cruise lines can comply with the health and safety measures.

If you’d like more information about the Cruise Boarding Process, I wrote this post that I think you’ll find helpful.

5. Drop Off Your Luggage

Once you’re at the cruise terminal, drop your luggage off with the porters. It will be sent to the cruise ship and delivered to your cabin a few hours after you board.

Don’t forget to keep your documentation and passports on you, and not in your checked luggage!

Cruise tip: Have a few dollars handy should you want to tip the porters .

6. Bring an Embarkation Day Bag

Since your luggage won’t arrive at your cabin until later in the day, bring a cruise carry-on bag for the first day of your cruise. Whether you bring a small piece of luggage as a carry-on, a backpack or a small duffle bag, it’s a must!

Things to pack in your embarkation day include medication , valuables, laptops and tech items , sunscreen and a change of clothes.

Read more: Cruise Carry-on Bag Packing List (all the essentials)

7. Dress Comfortably

One of the most common questions people have when going on a cruise, is what to wear for embarkation day . The first day of a cruise is pretty casual, so dress comfortably. T-shirts and shorts are fine, as are light sundresses or rompers.

If you’re going on a Caribbean cruise you may want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes or pack a change of clothes in your cruise carry on bag .

Related post:  25 Fashionable Cruise Outfits for Ladies (affordable cruise wear)

8. Welcome Aboard Photos

After check in, expect a photo opportunity just before boarding. The ship’s photographers will have a backdrop set up where you can take an official embarkation day photo!

Cruise tip: If you’d rather not take a photo, simply walk past the photo booth. There’s no obligation to purchase a photo.

9. Walk up the Gangway

There’s something special about walking from the cruise terminal after checking in and onto the gangway to board your cruise ship. You’ll pass your cruise card or Medallion (for Princess cruises) , hear a lovely little “bing” and be welcomed onto your cruise ship!

10. Enjoy a Glass of Champagne or a Cocktail

Every cruise line is different, however some cruise lines offer a glass of complimentary champagne as you embark on your cruise ship. This special touch is one of the things we enjoyed onboard Celebrity Cruises .

Alternatively, you might be offered a Pina Colada or other frozen cocktail, however it will likely not be complimentary.

11. Don’t Expect to Go to Your Cabin Right Away

A surprise for many new cruisers , your cruise cabin probably won’t be cleaned and ready as you board your cruise ship. Often this means waiting an hour or a bit longer before you can head to your stateroom and put down your bags. However, you can still eat, drink and explore the ship while you wait.

12. Find the Perfect Place to Eat Lunch

On embarkation day, there’s often more than once place to eat lunch, although it might not be widely promoted. The obvious place to eat is the buffet, however you can expect it to be crowded as most people aren’t aware of the other options.

Often the main dining room will be open for lunch, and you can have a nice sit down lunch while you wait for your stateroom to be ready. There are also casual restaurants open including the pool side grill and cafes.

Cruise tip: Research your cruise ship before your cruise to see what restaurants are most recommended on embarkation day. For example, Central Park Cafe on Oasis Class ships is a “best kept secret” as is Alfredo’s on many of Princess Cruises ‘ Royal Class ships.

13. Safety or EMuster Drill

If you’ve cruised in the past you’ll remember the muster drill, the important safety briefing where we all grouped together at our muster stations at a specific time on embarkation day. While the safety briefing remains, the muster drill has changed.

Most cruise lines now have the safety information or EMuster on their cruise line App, available to view on your phone or mobile device, as well as your stateroom TV. Procedures may vary, however in most cases you can watch your safety briefing on your phone over lunch and then head over to your muster station to check in with a crew member.

Cruise tip: Do your safety briefing as soon as possible after you embark so that you can enjoy your day without interruptions before sailaway.

14. Check out Your Cabin and Drop off Your Bags

By the time you’ve eaten lunch and done your emuster, your stateroom will likely be ready. Check out your cabin, and if you want to take a photo or video, go ahead. It will look as perfect and welcoming as it will ever be, so now’s the time.

While you’ll want to drop off your bags and freshen up, try not to spend too much time in your cabin now, as there’s still so much to do and see on your cruise ship before sailaway.

15. Put Your Valuables in the Cabin Safe

It’s important to take a few minutes to put your valuable items into the cabin safe. This can include your money and wallet, jewelry, passports and even your keys.

Since any cruise purchases will be put on your onboard account, there’s no need to walk around with a wallet or purse. It’s a great feeling and just one of the reasons cruising is an amazing and pretty stress-free vacation !

16. Meet your Cabin Steward

On a cruise you’ll have a cabin steward or attendant who will clean your stateroom daily, as well as ensure you have everything you need to be comfortable in your cabin.

Upon embarkation day, your cabin attendant will introduce themselves. Take a minute or two to chat, however keep in mind that this is a very busy time for them. If you have requests, now is the time to ask.

Here are some suggestions based on things I ask for on every cruise.

1. More hangers please

2. Please empty out the mini-bar fridge items

3. Please keep ice bucket full each day.

4. You may also need a mattress topper or extra towels.

Related post: Cruise Lingo You Need to Know (cruise terminology)

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

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17. Check the Daily Planner or Cruise Line App

Cruise ships have a daily planner that’s usually available in a print version and on the cruise line app. On the daily planner, you’ll find a schedule of daily activities that are available, as well as entertainment options, opening hours for the gym, spa, restaurants etc.

However, on your cruise embarkation day, you will receive a planner that is more of a general overview of the big things that you can look forward to during the rest of your cruise.

This will include big productions shows, audience participation game-shows (such as Love and Marriage), and special guest entertainers such as comedians and illusionists. This will help you to plan your time on your cruise week as you look ahead.

Cruise Tip: Bring a highlighter so you can mark things you really want to do and plan for right in the planner. 

18. Use the Cruise Line App

Cruise lines are relying more on the cruise line apps to help you get ready for your cruise. The cruise line app is a great place to find out information, view and book activities and even use to message other cruise passengers.

While it’s not a necessity to have a smart phone on a cruise, it can add more convenience.

Related posts:   21 Things You Need to Know About Ocean Medallion

Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion: Updates & New Features

19. Explore the ship

Cruise Lines will give you a little folding map of your ship and the decks. This is a great time to walk the whole top deck and view the sports deck, walking track, the pools from the very front to the very back.

You may want to take a tour of the spa or fitness centre and even some of the lounges. Some cruise ships will have ship tours and scavenger hunts, which is a great way to explore the ship on the first day of your cruise.

20. Register at the Kids Camp

If you have kids, one of the most important and first things to do after you board your cruise is to visit the kid’s camp.

If you have not registered your children online before your cruise, do this now. However, even if your kids are signed up, it’s a good idea to confirm in person during the opening hours of the kid’s club on embarkation day.

You’ll have a chance to meet the staff and you and your children will feel more comfortable. Plus, since the kid’s club has an open house style welcome during this time, your kids may even meet some new friends. Even teens may meet other kids their age, which will make it easier for them to come back for activities.

21. Make Reservations

Sign up for reservations for specialty restaurants, adult only areas, spa appointments, and shows if you have not done so online before the cruise. Soda and drink packages can be purchased as well.

Don’t forget to check out the fitness centre and sign up for any classes that interest you. Some will be included with your cruise , while others will have an additional charge.

Cruise tip: Save money during your cruise by the embarkation day promotions on spa treatments.

22. Relax by the pool

If you can’t wait to hang out by the pool, this is a great thing to do on embarkation day.

Change into your bathing suit and grab a lounge chair, and take in the fun cruise atmosphere! If the weather is hot and sunny, we love to order a frozen cocktail and relax by the pool before Sailaway.

23. Unpack Your Luggage

It can be easy to have a few drinks and get caught up in the fun of the first day, and put off unpacking your luggage. However, one of the best cruise embarkation day tips I can give you is to take some time in the late afternoon to unpack and get your cabin organized.

By this time your luggage will likely have been delivered to your stateroom. Hang up any cruise outfits that are likely to wrinkle . I like to hang as much as I can, which is why I ask for extra hangers.

Using packing cubes may cut down on how long it takes to unpack your clothes, as you can often unzip them and place the entire cube onto a shelf.

Related post: 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

23. Put your Phone on Airplane Mode

This is a very practical cruise embarkation day tip – make sure to put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise ship sails away from the embarkation port. Cell phone plans are not usually applicable in International waters and the charges can be enormous.

Related:  15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Information Mistakes to Avoid

25. Enjoy Sailaway!

What happens at Sailaway?

As your cruise ship sails away from the shore, it’s a special moment that’s celebrated on a cruise! Weather permitting, you can expect a Sailaway party on the Lido deck complete with a DJ or live band. The cruise director and entertainment staff will be host a Sailaway party, and guests are encouraged to dance and have fun. Prizes may even be awarded to participants.

Alternatively, you may prefer to have a drink and people watch or even take in the sailaway from your private balcony.

However you choose to enjoy sailaway, make sure to take it all in and know that this is the beginning of a wonderful adventure ahead!

Video: Embarkation Day Cruise Tips – 15 Must-Do’s Between Boarding and Sailaway

Here’s a video about things to do on Embarkation Day, that might be helpful if you’d like to know more. If you enjoy cruise tip videos on YouTube, I’d love it if you’d subscribe to our channel .

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Recap: 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips and Secrets

Cruise embarkation day is the most highly anticipated days of a cruise vacation. After all, this is the first day of the vacation you’ve probably been planning for months.

However, there are a lot of things to do on embarkation day, and it might feel overwhelming. In this post we’ve gone over 25 cruise embarkation day tips and secrets to having a stress-free and perfect start to an amazing vacation.

What tips do you have to make embarkation day even better? Please let me know your tips and questions in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!!

P.S. If you’ve found this post helpful, don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or save for later on Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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35 Comments

I have never been on a cruise but your post makes that first experience very simple and manageable. These are tips which every beginner should read and know before embarking. Thanks for the useful write-up, Ilana!

Thanks for your comment. I am glad to know that you found the tips helpful! First cruise planning can be overwhelming for sure – glad you found this useful!

Another thing to consider, in the first couple of days on board, is the shopping as Princess gives a 10% discount in the shops then, Do spend the time doing research before you buy so you know if you are getting a good deal! If you are at the Elite loyalty level, you get 10% all of the time. But they apply one of the 10%’s first, then take the second one from that, so you get only 19% off in total. Neither applies to the spa services or products.

Right now Ilana, I think I hate you!! We are set for our forth Celebrity cruise in January, 2019, from Singapore and you have me reminiscing of the coffee, pastries and fine service and there are still five months to go(o; I’m only kidding, my dear about my feelings towards youy, honest!

You had me worried for a second, lol! I see you’ve come across my Celebrity Reviews – oh yes absolutely so wonderful! What an amazing adventure waiting for you in just a few short months! Thanks for taking the time to leave me such a fun and sweet comment!!

Thanks for these tips. My first Carnival Magic cruise coming up. So excited and some anxiety at the same time. I have my tips list and will enjoy every moment!

I’m glad you found the tips helpful! I’m super excited for you and hope you have a fantastic time!!

Thanks for taking the time to comment and happy cruising!

Ileana, Have you been on a cruise to Alaska? My husband and I are going in May 2019, it will be our first cruise. Melissa

Hi Melissa,

No I haven’t done that yet, but its on my wish list! Since we live in Canada, we are very drawn to hot weather when we cruise. However we are starting to see things differently and will likely cruise to Alaska in the next year or two. I do have a couple of posts on my blog about Alaska, both from Alaska experts, that you might enjoy.

https://lifewellcruised.com/top-5-reasons-why-everyone-needs-to-go-on-a-cruise-to-alaska/ https://lifewellcruised.com/5-practical-alaska-whale-watching-tips-you-need-to-know/

Have fun planning your cruise!

First cruise coming up, good tips, thank you!

That’s so exciting! Glad it could be helpful!

Have a wonderful cruise,

Is there any way you can make these printable? They are really helpful, but I’d like a printed copy.

I’m so glad you found these tips helpful. I don’t have them available as a download right now, but love your idea and will look into doing this in the future. For now, are you able to print it as is?

Wishing you a great cruise!

I agree with you, except! I am not a pool type guy. We always get a suite (Haven) and they are always ready. Plus you have priority boarding and are escorted to your room. Reservations are made for you for lunch. All my cruise packages, shore excursions, and the like are already paid for. Tickets are in room we sort them by date. We grab a glass of wine and ready for a wonderful time. Our next one is in May to Iceland on NCL Star.

Sounds like a great reason to book a Haven suite!! What a pleasure and great way to start the cruise. Hmmmm, you’re giving e some future ideas, lol.

Thanks so much Russell for your great comment and suggestion!

Awesome reminders and tips, thanks for sharing. Do you have any tips on gratuity?

Glad the embarkation day tips could be helpful. In regard to gratuities, personally we tip the suggested amounts by the cruise line. We do sometimes leave an additional amount especially to our cabin steward, as we’ve had some that have gone above and beyond.

That said, gratuities and what to give are a personal decision, and I respect that. Here’s an article I have about tipping both for cruise ship staff as well as off the ship if you decide: https://lifewellcruised.com/cruise-tipping-guidelines/

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

This is great thank you for all the great cruises tips. I will be sharing with my clients.

Glad this could be helpful Jennifer!

The last cruise I went on in September 2019, I foolishly stored my medications (I am diabetic) in the bathroom on an open shelf. When I returned to my cabin after dinner the first night, my meds were gone. I went to the ship’s infirmary to try to get replacements for my meds but only was provided with some of them. Lock up your meds!

Oh my! I hadn’t really thought about medication storage and being cautious of this. Thanks for sharing your story!

We have, unfortunately, had to cancel 2 cruises for 2020, but hope to make our November 2020 cruise, pending a covid-19 vaccine as we are both “high risk”. We have been fortunate to cruise to many world destinations including Europe, North and South, Mediteranean, most of the Orient, Hawaii, Panama, transatlantic and 2 trips to South America with one more to go. I have 1 tip for you. I use 2 fabric type “over the door” organizer (mine are shoe type), one for the inside of the bath door for toiletries, the other for the front of the storage shelving door where you store clothing and where I put all my shoes (I know I pack too many but that’s me) If it is too long it can easily be folded up under and pinned. This keeps the floor of the closet neat and I can find the pair I need quickly. I pack all my toiletries in a zip lock bag (doubled) and lay it between my packed clothes rather than pack the organizer before arrival. I find it lays flat this way and never had a problem with leakage. Hope this helps someone.

This is definitely a tough year in so many ways, and certainly for cruising. I absolutely LOVE your tips, and as an overpacker and shoe lover, I can see how this would work well.

Thanks for sharing that, and all the best as we move forward the next few months and cruise again.

CHERYL is correct. I have always locked my meds especially since I was young when my own family member came over and stole my meds. In my last cruise, I found prints of my stick on bra on the closet doors. I left it out that day. I noticed when my the room got steamy and I saw the imprints on the door. I looked at the bra and noticed it unusually dirty with dust once i removed the paper I stick them to. I always keep my bra clean. I was so mad. Keep your meds locked up even if they seem nice.

Oh gosh. This definitely isn’t something I’d think happens often, but you’re right it’s good to be aware and careful.

Thanks Sandy for your comment,

Rereading many old cruise posts. Hard to believe my last cruise will be a year in September. Have had 2 cruises canceled. Have one booked for May 2021. Rebooked to Iceland, hope it goes. Also put a Cruise Next deposit on a Ocean to Ocean through the Panama Canal at end of October. I won’t put any money on it till I know we are going. Another thing I like to do is go to one of the finer restaurants for late lunch/ early dinner. Followed by getting the perfect spot on deck. So I can start my cruise with pictures of us, ship, and city. As we pull away from the dock and start a great cruise. Thanks for all you do. Keep up the good and fine work you do.

It’s definitely been too long since we’ve all last sailed, Russell. I’m so sorry you had 2 cruises cancelled! The upcoming cruises sound great, but I agree better not to book too much before you know if it’s sailing.

It’s a great idea to have a good meal at one of the sit down restaurants. Thanks for the embarkation day tips!!

Other Cruise lines may do this as well, but if you eat your first night’s dinner in a specialty restaurant on Carnival, they give you a bottle of wine. We had a choice between a red or a white wine and that was as specific as we could choose. We chose the white which was a very nice Chardonnay. We were sailing out of NOLA knowing we would be sailing back to that great city where we had booked a few nights post cruise. Both of us prefer to arrive early to our port city, but the ship’s schedule and our work schedules made that impossible for that trip.

Great tip! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Never gave a thought to putting my medication in the safe. So glad I read about these issues. Thank you for helping to prevent a potential problem by creating a forum so that information can be shared. It can be life threatening for some of us to be without our medicines.

I hadn’t considered it myself, so I’m definitely thankful that other readers mentioned it. It’s true that medication is as valuable (if not more so) as jewelry and passports.

Hi Again Ilana!

you see I am hooked on your posts now 🙂

curious as to why you would request for the mini bar items to be cleared….. hmm. for real. lol! So as to not tempt you? or to make space for something which I can’t figure out yet.

Thanks so much! Lol, sometimes I like them removed so that we don’t take them, by “mistake”, but also so I can put in my own water bottles, items from the buffet (maybe juice or a carton of milk), or even have room for chocolate covered strawberries or another “dessert” that we may have had in our cabin that wasn’t eaten. I may put my wine bottles in too if I have. If you don’t need the room or use the mini-fridge, I would not empty it.

So many great tips helping me navigate my first cruise, I cant wait the 20 weeks I have left.

Very exciting! So glad the information is helpful.

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How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 15, 2020  - Last updated: July 6, 2023

If you’re a first-time cruiser, you might be wondering what is embarkation day on a cruise? Embarkation day is a cruising term meaning the day you get on board the ship. It’s a super-busy day for both passengers and crew, and it can be a lot of fun!

Embarkation day doesn’t have to be stressful. You’ve been looking forward to your cruise for a while now, right? You deserve to relax! With these tips and a little planning, you can get your vacation started off right.

You’ll arrive at the cruise terminal, drop your bags and then proceed to the check-in desk before boarding the ship. Once you’re on board, you’ll have so many opportunities for fun (or for lounging and doing nothing) before the ship leaves port.

But, there are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure your day (and the rest of the cruise) goes smoothly. Here’s how to make sure you have the best embarkation day on your cruise.

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. For more info, please read my  Disclosure Policy .

Have all your documents ready

You’ll need to check in online at least a couple of days before your cruise to print your boarding documents and luggage tags. Don’t leave this until the morning of your cruise, because access to the online portal will shut down when the ship files its passenger manifest.

Be sure you have your documents printed and in an easy spot to access. I put mine in a small folder in my carry on bag, along with my passport and any tickets and receipts for the cruise. This makes check-in a breeze, because everything is in one place.

Tip: Have a couple of pens in your purse or carry on bag for embarkation day. Some cruise lines still use paper health questionnaires, and there are never enough pens to go around!

Make reservations before your cruise

When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to do is waste your time standing in long lines. Same goes with being stuck on a long phone call to the shore excursions desk to make a reservation when you just want to enjoy your cruise.

If you want to book shore excursions for your port days, specialty dining, or spa reservations, take care of these before you leave home. You usually don’t need to wait until you’re on the ship to make reservations!

Most major cruise lines allow you to make some reservations online or over the phone before your cruise. In the event that you have to wait until you board to book something you really want to do, be sure to do it as soon as you can on embarkation day. Popular specialty restaurants and activities can fill up quickly.

Tip: Want to know what I do before every cruise to save time, money, and aggravation? Read my 37 Cruise Tips: What to Do Before Your Cruise

Get to the port city a day early

My number-one tip for cruisers is always to get to the city that your cruise is leaving from a day early. If you’re flying or have a long drive ahead of you, it really makes sense to get to the area at least the day before embarkation day.

Flights are often delayed or canceled. Or, an unexpected traffic jam on the highway can cause your journey to take significantly longer than you planned.

Play it safe and plan to arrive early, so you won’t have any unnecessary stress on the day your cruise leaves. Plus, adding an extra day to your vacation will give you time to explore the port city!

Tip: Don’t skip buying travel insurance for your cruise that covers travel delays and cancellations.

Pack an embarkation day bag

Packing a lightweight cruise carry on bag is a must for embarkation day. Just don’t fill it up too much! Remember, you’ll probably have to carry it around for a few hours until your room is ready, so you won’t want something heavy or bulky.

I like to throw in all the necessities I’ll need on day one, like sunscreen, a swimsuit and a swim coverup . I also make sure that any valuables like jewelry and electronics go in the bag, along with any medications I’ll need access to before our luggage is delivered to the stateroom. It can take several hours for your luggage to arrive, so don’t leave things you’ll need in your suitcases.

The shops on board the ship won’t be open until you sail into international waters, so think carefully about what you’ll want to have with you on that first day.

Tip: If you want to learn more about what should go in your embarkation day bag, my article What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry On Bag explains it all. I’ll even send you a free printable PDF to make packing super-easy!

Don’t get to the cruise terminal too early (or too late)

Unless I’m doing some last-minute sightseeing in port, I like to get to the ship as early as I can to get my cruise started ASAP! But getting there too early often means you’ll be doing a lot of waiting around.

Many cruise lines will give you a window of time that they recommend you show up at the terminal for your cruise. In my experience, they’re often very lenient with cruisers arriving a little early—to a certain extent.

Embarkation day for you is also disembarkation day for the last group of passengers. This means that passengers will still be getting off the ship that morning. Plus, the cruise ship needs to be cleared by the port authorities before new passengers are allowed to embark.

If you get to the port too early (like 10 or 11 AM), you’ll probably have to wait for some time at the terminal before you’ll be allowed to board. Unless you have priority boarding, it’s a good idea to wait until about midday to get to the cruise terminal.

Whatever you do, don’t show up late on embarkation day. If you don’t get on the ship by all-aboard, it can (and will) leave without you. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the cruise terminal in case you run into any delays.

Tip: If you’re sailing on Carnival, you can buy a Faster to the Fun pass to skip those long embarkation day lines.

Drop your suitcases with a porter

Unless you feel like dragging your bulky suitcases around for the first few hours, drop your suitcases with a porter before you enter the cruise terminal.

Porters will usually come right up to your vehicle as you’re unloading your bags. So, it’s a good idea to attach your luggage tags to your bags before you leave for the terminal. You can staple the paper tags around your suitcase handles, but I prefer attaching them with waterproof luggage tag holders so they won’t fall off.

Be sure to tip your porters! They’re not employees of the cruise line, so they don’t receive any of the automatic gratuities that you pay. A dollar or two per bag is fine, based on the size and weight of your luggage.

Ship’s crew will deliver your bags to your room several hours after you drop them with the porter. (They usually leave them in the hallway outside your door, so don’t pack any valuables in your checked luggage).

Enjoy a relaxing lunch

If you can, avoid the buffet for lunch on embarkation day! Many newer cruisers don’t realize that there are other options for lunch, so the buffet is always super-busy. Add in the fact that most people are dragging their carry-ons around with them at lunchtime, and you’ll see why it’s much more relaxing to eat somewhere else.

Many cruise lines have at least one other dining venue open for lunch service. Some ships will have a main dining room open, while others offer quick-service options.

Check your daily planner to find out which venues are open for lunch on embarkation day.

Tip: If you’re planning your first cruise, my article What New Cruisers Don’t Know About Cruise Food & Drinks will get you up to speed with dining on board.

Find your room and meet your steward

Sometime in the midafternoon, your stateroom will be ready to access. Your room steward will often be eager to meet you, so expect a knock on your door while you’re getting to know your new home away from home on your cruise.

This is a great time to let your steward know if there’s anything you need, like extra hangers, a bathrobe, or a bucket of ice. Your steward can also push the beds together or pull them apart if you forgot to request this previously (or if they made a mistake and set them up wrong).

If you have guests in your stateroom who’ll be sleeping on a pull-out sofa or a pullman bed, let your steward know what time you want them to make up the bed. I like to have them do it while we’re at dinner (we tend to eat late), so the bed isn’t taking up too much room as we’re getting ready.

Read your daily newsletter or planner

There’s so much to do on a cruise ship—it can be overwhelming if you don’t have a plan! On some cruise lines you’ll get a newsletter in your room that tells you everything you’ll need to know for the following day. But on embarkation day, your newsletter should be in your stateroom with all the info for that day, plus an overview of all the fun you can expect on your vacation!

Recently, many cruise lines have suspended delivery of the paper daily planner. You can now find the planner right on the cruise line’s smartphone app, or head to guest services to pick up a paper copy.

Be sure to take a minute or two to read it over, so you can plan what activities you’d like to do that day. Be on the lookout for any specials they’re offering for embarkation day. You’ll often see discounts for specialty dining that are only available if you make a reservation for that evening.

Also look for specials at the spa. Some cruise ship spas will offer first day discounts and drawings for free services if you attend their embarkation day open house.

The planner will also tell you what time each of the dining venues and bars will be open that day.

Tip: Download your cruise line’s app before you sail—when you have internet access at home or at your hotel. You can use the app on the ship without Wi-Fi, but you won’t be able to download it without a connection.

Check what you need to do for muster drill

You won’t have many responsibilities once you step on board your cruise ship. But on embarkation day, you’ll have just one: muster drill.

Muster drill is a mandatory safety briefing that all passengers need to attend. On most cruise lines today, the briefing consists of a safety video you can watch on the app or your stateroom TV followed by a short, in-person demonstration at your assigned muster station.

Muster stations are assigned by your stateroom location. Your muster group is usually printed on your cruise card, and also on the back of your stateroom door. If you’re not sure where to go, just ask any crew member.

Some cruise lines still have muster drill for all passengers at the same time. It’s usually in the midafternoon, and restaurants and bars will temporarily close during this time. Your newsletter will list the muster drill time—don’t be late!

If you miss muster drill for some reason, there will be a mandatory makeup session, usually the next morning. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires that all passengers attend the safety briefing (even kids and babies) within 24 hours of sailing.

Missing the makeup drill usually means that you’ll be involuntarily disembarked at the next port, and you’ll have to find your own way home. Not fun!

Visit the kids’ club

If you’re cruising with your kids or grandkids, you’ll want to visit the kids’ club that’s available on most major cruise lines. Check your newsletter to see what time the club will be open for open house or to register your kids for the rest of the cruise.

Older teens might not be too thrilled about a kids’ club, but encourage them to visit on embarkation day to meet other teens. Even if they never go back to the club, it’s an easy way to meet new friends their own age at the beginning of the cruise.

You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips

Explore the ship

Especially if you’re cruising on a mega-ship, it will take some time for you to get to know everything the ship has to offer. I like to take an hour or so to just explore the ship on embarkation day.

While you’re exploring, keep an eye out for venues you’d like to return to during your voyage. I always make sure to look for quiet places to relax, lounges with comfy seating, and of course where I can get my specialty coffees!

I also like to find the restaurants, theater, and quieter pools just so I know where they are for later on. On many large cruise ships, you can only access certain locations from a particular set of stairs or elevators. Finding out these little quirks is always part of the fun on embarkation day.

Tip: You’ll sometimes get a small map of the ship when you check in, and there are also maps posted around the ship, usually near the elevator banks. If you’re lost, don’t be afraid to ask a crew member – getting from point A to point B can be confusing on your first day!

Unpack your suitcases

Unpacking your suitcases doesn’t sound like a fun thing to do on embarkation day, but you’ll thank yourself later if you take care of it early.

Getting everything stowed will make a small cabin feel so much roomier. Even small staterooms have ample closet, drawer, and shelf space for you to organize your clothes and toiletries.

I like to use packing cubes for smaller items. I just take the cubes out of my suitcase and put them in a drawer. So easy and quick!

If you hang your dressier clothes right away, they’ll have fewer wrinkles when you need to wear them. Plus, you can just stow your empty suitcases under the bed to make it easier to walk around (and easier for your steward to clean your room).

Tip: If you’re worried about how to keep your clothes looking pressed, How to Prevent Wrinkled Clothes on a Cruise has all my best tips and hacks.

Find a spot to enjoy sailaway

If you followed my tip to spend an hour or so just exploring the ship, I bet you spotted some perfect places for enjoying sailaway. Leaving port on embarkation day is always a festive event!

If you want to be right in the action, the Lido deck near the main pool is always exciting. That’s usually where the sailaway party is, and it’s always the busiest spot when the ship leaves. Partygoers can grab a drink from the pool bar and enjoy live music and dancing in the sunshine.

But if you’d rather find a quieter location to watch as the ship heads out to sea, you’ll have tons of options. Some cruisers enjoy finding a comfy chair by the window in the library. Others prefer finding a small bar in an out-of-the-way location to have a celebratory cocktail away from the crowds. Have a balcony stateroom? Sailaway is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy your own private space.

Happy cruising!

You may also like: What Should You Wear on Embarkation Day on a Cruise?

What are your favorite tips for embarkation day on a cruise? Let me know in the comments below!

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Jenn | By Land and Sea

Sunday 13th of February 2022

Cruise embarkation day is always so much fun! Thanks for the great tips to have things run smoothly

Monday 14th of February 2022

Hi Jenn, isn't embarkation day always so exciting? I love exploring a new ship and the fun of the sailaway party!

I have never been on a Cruise so this is great info on what the first day would be like!

Hi April, thanks for reading! I hope my embarkation day tips are helpful on your first cruise :D

Awesome list of tips for embarkation day! My favourite is unpack early. I love to get all that type of stuff out of the way quickly so I can focus on the fun!

Hi Bea, I like how you think! I always force myself to unpack early so I can relax and have fun too :)

Saturday 12th of February 2022

I wish I didn't get seasick because cruises always look so fun. Great tips in this post! Some of these are good tips for hotel stays as well.

Hi Fern, seasickness is the worst! I've cruised with lots of people who tend to get seasick, and I wrote an article with all the best tips I've collected: How to Avoid Getting Seasick on a Cruise Check it out!

Great tips for how to enjoy embarkation day - I didn't know about muster drill! Hope I get to use these tips on a cruise soon.

Hi Jenn, I hope you get to use them on a cruise soon, too! Thanks for reading:)

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Eating options on embarkation day

By babygrljaz , January 20, 2022 in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

What time do they start serving lunch on embarkation day? Or what is open at early embarkation? We usually don't board until after 1 but this time we decided to try early. Just wondering if we should get breakfast on the way or just wait til we're onboard. 

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You can technically board at 10 am at the earliest, provided that they are not still disembarking the prior cruise. 

Everything that's normally open for lunch when you board at 1:00 should be open if you board earlier. We usually opt for the earliest boarding time and everything's been open for us.

1 hour ago, DrSea said: You can technically board at 10 am at the earliest, provided that they are not still disembarking the prior cruise. 

Check-in may start at 10:00am and then you will board when they call your boarding group. I doubt if any ship is ever boarding at 10:00am.

1 hour ago, mondello said: Check-in may start at 10:00am and then you will board when they call your boarding group. I doubt if any ship is ever boarding at 10:00am.

I am chronically late and have never checked in on time, lol

7 minutes ago, DrSea said: I am chronically late and have never checked in on time, lol

Me too! I'm always in the 12:00-1:30 crush. I want every minute of the hotel I paid for.

Most things will be open for you to eat at once you embark. 

3. big chicken

not much for vegetarians. 

Knights on the Beach

Vegetarians can't eat cheese pizza?   😉

ProgRockCruiser

3 hours ago, stellarose said: Mardi Gras   1. lido 2. guys 3. big chicken   not much for vegetarians. 

Guys P&A too, IIRC, on MG, as well as Guy's Burgers.  (Assuming that's what you meant by "Guys".)

The Lido has the usual selections of buffet offerings, which I would have thought included vegetarian options?

Just out of curiosity, which other eating places on board have a good selection of vegetarian options?

I honestly don't know, I'm not a vegetarian, so it's not on my radar.

CUCINA DEL CAPITANO - make a nice veggie pasta!  

ColeThornton

11 minutes ago, BossyKat said: CUCINA DEL CAPITANO - make a nice veggie pasta!  

For some reason your font is tiny.

We normally grab a bite on lido at some point during the embarkation process. Last time on Legend we ended up boarding around 1230 or so.

On 1/20/2022 at 9:34 AM, mondello said: Me too! I'm always in the 12:00-1:30 crush. I want every minute of the hotel I paid for.

We're just the opposite.  We paid a lot more for the cruise than we did the hotel.  The ship has a whole lot more to offer than the hotels do.

3 hours ago, RWolver672 said:   We're just the opposite.  We paid a lot more for the cruise than we did the hotel.  The ship has a whole lot more to offer than the hotels do.

This is the way we look at it as well. If I could be the first to board I would.

Our favorite places to eat after boarding are the pasta bar and Jiji's Asian/Mongolian Wok, both on deck 11 on Vista. Go to the back of the Lido deck, either walk up the stairs or take the elevator there. Pasta on one side of the hall, Asian on the other. Prefer the Asian. Whichever you chose you fill out your choices on a form they give you, stating pasta/noodle, chicken, beef or pork - or all three - all the veggies and the sauce. You wait at your table and they will serve you your food and choice of water, tea, or lemonade, or drink from the bar. So much better than the madness in the Lido buffet or waiting in line at Blue Iguana, Deli, or Guy's Burgers. Try them on other days. Our last cruise we had lunch every day at the Mongolian Wok.

Oh lol, we have NO idea what ship the OP is cruising on.  While it might be Mardi Gras or a Vista-class, it could be something much smaller.   

We also have NO idea if the OP is vegetarian or not; certainly THEY never mentioned it.  

So, the OP will definitely have the options of the Lido buffet -- which actually DOES have a good salad bar, for those who DO want a vegetarian meal.  On some ships Mongolian Wok is embedded as part of the lunch on Lido, and it's a great choice for early embark because the line will still be short.

OP should definitely have the option of Guy's Burger Joint since it is now available on all U.S.-based ships, and also the Blue Iguana, and the Deli (except on the Mardi Gras).  

Ships so equipped will have Guy's Smokehouse and/or Brewhouse open on embark day.  I really like this, too.  (Our hypothetical vegetarian won't, though. 🙂  )  

niktx49's post below is valid on all ships so equipped, EXCEPT for Mardi Gras, where for some reason the Cucina and Chibang (Asian/Mexican) are NOT open on embark day.  Believe me, we made a beeline for the Cucina and were brutally disappointed. 😞   

On the Vista we thought we were the kings of the world enjoying our fresh pasta or stir-fry bowls just up the stairway from the madding crowds on the Lido Deck.  I almost wanted to go play Pied Piper and start bringing people upstairs to the Cucina or Jiji's.  😄   

10 hours ago, nlktx49 said: Our favorite places to eat after boarding are the pasta bar and Jiji's Asian/Mongolian Wok, both on deck 11 on Vista. Go to the back of the Lido deck, either walk up the stairs or take the elevator there. Pasta on one side of the hall, Asian on the other. Prefer the Asian. Whichever you chose you fill out your choices on a form they give you, stating pasta/noodle, chicken, beef or pork - or all three - all the veggies and the sauce. You wait at your table and they will serve you your food and choice of water, tea, or lemonade, or drink from the bar. So much better than the madness in the Lido buffet or waiting in line at Blue Iguana, Deli, or Guy's Burgers. Try them on other days. Our last cruise we had lunch every day at the Mongolian Wok.

Yep!  Can't wait until our next chance, on Horizon in October!  

I am not sure how true this is, however I have read that Guys does offer veggie burgers upon request--they just aren't on the menu 

SNJCruisers

On 1/20/2022 at 2:32 PM, ColeThornton said:   For some reason your font is tiny.

Must have been cold when it was typed.

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You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise?

By The Way Concierge digs into the (surprisingly) complicated rules for travel by sea.

Traveling has always come with complications. Our By The Way Concierge column will take your travel dilemmas to the experts to help you navigate the unexpected. Want to see your question answered? Submit it here .

We’re going on a very short cruise from California to Mexico this spring. Do we need passports for our kids, even if we don’t get off the ship? — Ben, Springfield, Va.

There’s a difference between what you need and what is a good idea to have.

Let’s begin with the first: On most cruise lines and for most itineraries, a voyage that starts and ends at the same U.S. port and stays in the Western Hemisphere will not require any American citizen — child or adult — to have a passport.

These are called closed-loop cruises, and they only need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection . For people under 16, a birth certificate will suffice. Popular cruise lines including Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian detail their requirements and any exceptions online.

A sailing that leaves from one U.S. port and ends at another — or starts in the United States and ends at a foreign destination — would not be classified as a closed-loop cruise. Everyone, including kids, would need a passport in that case.

There are some caveats, warns Teresa Tennant, senior vice president of the travel planning company Cruise Specialists . Some cruise companies, including Holland America Line and Princess Cruises , say that all members of a party must have a passport if minors are traveling with only one adult.

Some other cruise lines, such as the luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises, require a passport for all sailings.

“It’s important to always check with the cruise line, because they can set their own rules that are actually above and beyond,” Tennant said.

Customs and Border Protection also urges travelers to check with their cruise company, travel agent and destination to confirm what’s required to enter foreign countries on an itinerary.

Whether or not you are required to have a passport, cruise lines and experts say it’s smart to have one before setting sail. The task isn’t quite as onerous as it used to be, now that wait times have returned to pre-pandemic norms of six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for the expedited process.

Cruise lines say they strongly recommend that passengers opt for the passport over other forms of identification.

“A passport is the hassle-free, gold standard for traveling between countries,” Royal Caribbean says on its website. “Boarding and disembarking through customs with a passport is usually faster than other types of ID documents.”

The U.S. State Department says travelers might need their passport “in the event of an unexpected medical evacuation or if the ship docks at an alternate port.” Travelers would also need their passports if they showed up late in a foreign port and the ship left without them — which has happened to some U.S. passengers recently.

“You should bring your passport even if your cruise says you won’t need it,” the State Department says on its information page for cruise ship passengers.

Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the news and review site Cruise Critic , said in an email that it would be much more difficult to get home without a passport if someone had to leave the ship.

“In such a case, you might have to rely on help from a U.S. embassy or consulate to return, which can take time,” she said.

Have a travel dilemma for By The Way Concierge? Send it to us here .

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .