virgin cruise embarkation day

Boarding the Ship Early

We all want to get our vacation started as quickly as possible and waiting in the departure lounge in anticipation isn’t the best way to kick off the celebrations. Here’s a guide on how to get on the ship as early as possible.

This guide was last updated on 4 February 2024 by David Todd . If you spot any errors or missing information, please let us know .

Tips on how to board the ship as early as possible

When it comes to starting your Virgin Voyages vacation as early as possible, there are a few ways to ensure you board the ship promptly. Follow these tips to make the most of your getaway right from the beginning:

• Check in ASAP (Early Boarding Time) – Check in is open as soon as you book, keen sailors can get one of the earlier times for free directly in the app.   How to: Go to the Virgin Voyages app > Scroll down to the Check-in section of the app and scroll to the final section “Step Aboard” > Pick a Slot.
• This option is only available for 75 cabins (with 2 people sharing) per sailing.
• Currently, the cost for Splash of Romance is $200 per cabin.
• By choosing this option, you’ll have the opportunity to start your vacation ahead of others.
• If you’re a Sea-Rover or Sea-Blazer , you’ll enjoy the benefits of Deep Blue Extras through the end of 2024.
• Deep Blue Extras provides a dedicated VIP line for sailors who qualify.
• This exclusive perk allows you to bypass the regular boarding process and access the ship sooner.
• Guests staying in Rockstar Suites, the highest level of accommodation, are granted early boarding privileges.
• Look out for dedicated staff members who will assist Rockstar and Sailing Club guests during the boarding process.

Important Early Boarding Information

• Early Boarding Time: Early boarding typically begins around 1:30 PM at most locations.
• Exceptions to App Times: If you qualify you can ignore the scheduled boarding time in the Virgin Voyages app, you can still board starting from 1:30 PM even if the app has a later time. Simply follow the instructions provided by the staff at the port.
• Splash of Romance and Deep Blue Extras Guests: After Rockstar guests have boarded, Splash of Romance and Deep Blue Extras guests will be invited to step onto the ship immediately.

By following these guidelines, you can maximize your vacation time and start enjoying all that Virgin Voyages has to offer as soon as possible. Whether you choose Splash of Romance, are a part of the Sailing Club with Deep Blue Extras privileges, or are a Rockstar Suite guest, early boarding ensures you can begin your unforgettable journey without delay.

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Cruise tips to make your very first cruise truly unforgettable

Five tips to make your very first cruise truly unforgettable.

Get ready to embark on your first cruise by reviewing our important cruise tips that will make your first voyage fun , enjoyable, and memorable, even if you've never cruised before . We’ll be able to get you on your way, from figuring out what to pack in your luggage for your first cruise , to where you want to cruise to, where to book your cabin, and activities to do onboard and shore excursions on your first cruise to make a memorable vacation!

 1. Gather Your Travel Documents

Before you figure out where you want to go on your first cruise, it’s important to make sure that you have the travel documents necessary for your cruise . You can upload your passport to the Virgin Voyages mobile app when checking in after you've booked your cruise.

Depending on where you'd like to travel to on your first cruise, you’ll want to find out the necessary travel documents you’ll need to board the cruise ship on embarkation day, and possibly if you need any documentation to get back onto the ship if and when you go on a shore excursion while at a port of call.

2.  Research Vacation Spots, and how many days you want to cruise

For planning your first cruise , do you want relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both? If you want a beach vacation, find destinations that will cater to your needs, such as our private Bimini Beach on a cruise to the Bahamas . With over 100 destinations you’re sure to find one that fits your budget and vacation vibes.

3. Finding Cruise Deals

For your first cruise, you’ll want to search for “ deals for first cruise ” to find the best time for booking your cruise . Don’t spend too much time shopping around, because cruise deals tend to come and go very quickly, so lock in your discounted rate as soon as you can. If you miss a cruise deal on our website, don’t worry, sign up for our cruise deal email alerts to catch the next promotion.

4. Find your Perfect Cabin Room, and Book Your Cruise

Once you know where you ‘d like to take your first cruise vacation, it’s time to choose the right cabin . If you’re cruising solo, you may want to go with a single person cabin. Regardless there are plenty of cabins to choose from, consider your preference when deciding on cabin type: do you want an inside cabin, one with oceanview, do you want a balcony, do you want upgraded VIP services that come with booking a suite? Virgin Voyages cruise ship cabins are exclusive super-yacht inspired designed to optimize space and views . With our new cruise ships, your cabin will be decked out with gorgeously-designed furnishings and lighting to match your mood!

5. Embrace the delicious uncertainty of the unknown.

Whatever your cruise itinerary, you’re going to sea on the best cruises for adults . Beyond borders and away from your every day, a voyage on our lady ships is a journey as much into yourself as it is to breathtaking destinations around the world. Think about it—you’ve literally and figuratively left it all behind.

Fresh air and fresh opportunities await. So, be open to discovering a new favorite dish, like Pink Agave’s “Hoja Santa” with quesillo de oaxaca, root beer leaf, salsa macha, and pineapple, or The Wake’s salt-crusted dorade fish, expertly finished table-side with caper lemon butter sauce. On your first cruise, be the one who starts a champagne toast around the bonfire at The Beach Club at Bimini. Bounce super high in bungee fitness class even though you’ve never tried it before. Share secrets with seven incredible new friends you met in a vineyard just that day, as the coast of Sardinia slips into the horizon. 

The ocean humbles and inspires, relaxes and invigorates. You may encounter a new you out there. Be open to it.

6. Consider Travel Insurance

Speaking of the unkown, since this will be your first cruise, anything can happen, so it may be best to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy, you never know how it will come in handy.

7. Pack what makes you feel extraordinary — the best version of you, for your first cruise.

So your dream getaway is booked and now it’s time to consider what things to pack for your cruise. Pack essential items, like medications and travel documents, in your carry-on bag to have immediate access. Aside from the usual, tried-and-true essentials (sandals, SPF, sunglasses, etc) — our most important cruise tip is to dress in outfits that make you feel, well, you.

You should be comfortable; there’s no such thing as a dress code on board our cruise ships , we just ask that you wear outfits that make you feel amazing, even at our PJ Party, and for Scarlet Night! That being said, vacation is an opportunity to take risks, so if you feel like digging deep into your closet for those looks that might normally be a little ‘extra’ for your daily life, go for it, because “normal” isn’t a thing beyond the dock, especially on adults only cruise ships .

Think looks that sparkle under the stars, keep you cool in dazzling sunshine, and cause double-takes as you sip a double espresso. Need more inspiration? We’re talking flowing fabrics that billow in the breeze when you’re touring the castillos of San Juan. Satin and silk PJ sets to slip into for champagne toasts during a sunset sail away from Costa Maya. That linen guayabera shirt you impulsively bought on Calle Ocho in Miami? 100 percent necessary. And the swimsuit you wouldn’t dare wear back at home? It’s time. 

But the one cruise outfit idea you absolutely cannot forget: something scarlet, for our inimitable Scarlet Night party that happens throughout the ship one evening on every voyage. To see what we mean, you’ll have to experience it yourself , but trust that there’s never been a more perfect opportunity to show off your authentic style.

8. Download the Virgin Voyages Mobile App

Once you’ve booked your first cruise, download the Virgin Voyages mobile application. Our mobile application is available for both iOS and Android mobile devices. Once downloaded, access the itinerary for your first cruise, check in, and manage your cruise all from the palm of your hand. You’ll also be able to check in ahead of time, reserve dinner at various restaurants, connect with other sailors, sign up for activities and shows and a whole lot more!

Do cruise ships have WiFi? Well, our lady ships certainly do have (free!) WiFi, but they also have an incredible and intuitive app that’s your key to crafting your perfect vacation before you even come aboard. 

Once you’re sailing, the app shifts into serving as something like your personal assistant at sea. Indispensable and always available, it’s the digital destination for every day’s activities…and a shortcut to getting Champagne delivered. Just shake your phone to reveal a (sparkly) secret. Seriously, you won’t regret it.

9.  Board on Time - Arrive a day or two ahead of your departure day

One of the most important tips for a first time cruise outside of gathering your travel documents is to ensure that you board the cruise ship on time to start your vacation. In order to kick start things, plan to be in the port city you’ll be sailing out of at least one day ahead of embarkation. Whether you’re driving to the port, taking a train, or flying in make sure to plan to be there one day before. On the day of boarding, ensure to show up at the cruise terminal 2-3 hours before boarding time. Also, research any additional pre-boarding requirements to ensure you board the cruise ship for your first cruise on time.

10. Head to the Terminal, Board the Ship, and Enjoy Your Journey

Although you may not have expectations, we’ve gone out of our way to provide onboard entertainment, activities, and services tailor made to make your first cruise one you’ll never forget. So have fun, don’t forget to take pictures and post to Facebook, and/or Instagram, take advantage of our free WiFi service, and savior the moments while you enjoy your first cruise!

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Virgin Voyages Tips | 10 Things to Know Before Your First Cruise

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

If you’re sailing with Virgin Voyages, you should be prepared for sun-soaked days, fun-filled nights and flavor-packed meals. But you should also be prepared to do a bit of prep in advance if you want to take your cruise to the next level. In this post, we’ll share our 10 best Virgin Voyages tips to help you get the most out of your cruise.

I recently returned from a 5-day Virgin Voyages Dominican Daze Cruise on the Scarlet Lady . Before this trip, I had only cruised with Disney Cruise Line, and the Virgin Voyages experience was very different. (If you’re interested in how those two cruise lines compare, be sure to check out our post on Disney Cruise Line vs Virgin Voyages .) I learned so many things from my first Virgin Voyages cruise, and I’m sharing it all here.

Follow these tips and you can be sure that you won’t miss out on any of the fun (or food) onboard. The best part about these tips is that most of them can be done before your trip, so by the time you board you can sit back and relax.

Disclaimer: My Virgin Voyages cruise was graciously gifted by our trusted travel advisor, Lauren Quirk, from  Travel With Character . This post is not sponsored by Virgin Voyages or Travel With Character, and I do not receive any compensation in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

1. Complete the “Before You Sail” tasks ASAP.

As soon as you book your Virgin Voyages cruise (or as early as 120 days out), download the Virgin Voyages mobile app and complete the “Before you Sail” tasks. You’ll need the app for a few different things before and during your cruise, so you might as well get it now.

The “Before You Sail” task list has seven steps and takes about ten minutes. It includes things like confirming your passport information, taking a security photo and linking a credit card to use onboard. Most importantly though, this is where you can schedule your embarkation time. (Aka the time you can board the ship.)

It’s important to book your embarkation as soon as possible, because the best boarding times can book up quickly. What are the best embarkation times for Virgin Voyages? The earliest ones, which leads us to …

2. Schedule the earliest embarkation time.

I’d strongly recommend booking the earliest possible embarkation time for your Virgin Voyages cruise. On my cruise, this is 2 PM.

Early boarding has many benefits. Most obviously, you will have more time on the ship, plus shorter queues in the terminal. Most importantly though, early boarding means earlier access to registration for onboard activities. (We’ll talk more about that in tip #6.)

The embarkation experience will vary based on the port you’re sailing from. If you’re sailing from Miami, Virgin Voyages’ Terminal V is very well organized and boarding is quick and orderly. We were scheduled for earliest boarding group, and we were on the ship 20 minutes after we arrived at the terminal.

Boarding times are pretty strictly enforced. There are queues outside the terminal for each boarding time. If you arrive early, you’ll have to wait with your group for your time. You will not be able to board early if you arrive early.

3. Book dining reservations as soon as they open.

Meals are included on all Virgin Voyages cruises. That includes food from all quick service and table service restaurants onboard, as well room service. While all of the food onboard is pretty good, the very best, chef-curated meals can be found at the table service restaurants.

These high-end dining establishments are one of the selling points on Virgin Voyages, but actually getting a table at them takes a little bit of effort.

Virgin Voyages does not automatically schedule any meals for you. That means you’re not guaranteed a chance to dine at every (or any) table service restaurant onboard. You need to proactively make a reservation if you want eat at these table service restaurants.

Dining reservations open up 45 days before your sailing date. The exact time reservations open up reportedly varies, but it is typically around midnight in the departing port’s timezone. For example, if you are scheduled to sail on December 16, 2023 from Miami, your dining would open just after midnight ET the morning of November 1. You could potentially start checking the website in the late evening hours of October 31, around 11:30 PM, because sometimes they open early.

That said, the reservations don’t book up instantly. Unless you have a large party and are really set on a specific restaurant on a specific date and time, you probably don’t need to stay up till midnight to book your reservation. You should definitely plan to book in the morning of the day reservations open, though, for the best selection.

If you happen to miss the reservation window, don’t give up hope. All of the restaurants do have limited space for walk-ups and same-day reservations. This will just take more time and effort. There is also quick service dining available at all times.

4. See if you qualify for Deep Blue Extras.

Virgin Voyages is a relatively new cruise line, so they don’t have an established frequent sailor program just yet. While they build that up, they’re offering a collection of perks to seasoned sailors called Deep Blue Extras through the end of 2024.

Deep Blue Extras are pretty good, too. The perks include a $100 onboard drink credit, $10 per day specialty coffee credit, some complimentary laundry services and a free upgrade to premium wifi. You’ll also have access to a dedicated Sailor Services rep onboard, expedited boarding and a special happy hour.

Anyone who sailed with Virgin Voyages in 2021 (Sea-Blazers) or has sailed twice in 2022 and 2023 (Sea-Rovers) will receive Deep Blue Extras. If you qualify, these rewards will automatically be applied to your next sailing through 2024.

4.5 (Bonus tip!). Don’t tighten your Deep Blue Extras bracelet.

If you do qualify for Deep Blue Extras, you’ll get a special bracelet when you check in at the terminal. This one is a ribbon style bracelet with a one-way clasp — meaning you can tighten it but not loosen it.

If you put this bracelet on, make sure that you keep it loose enough to slide on and off. You don’t actually need this bracelet for anything, and all the perks are connected to your other NFC band. I think this is literally just to demonstrate your status on board.

I slipped mine off right away and just kept it in my purse, but I didn’t actually need it.

5. Use a hair tie for The Band.

When you check in at the terminal, they will give you a bracelet to use during your cruise. The Band is a contactless device that you need to use for pretty much everything on board. It serves as your room key, ID and credit card onboard, and you are required to tap it every time you get on and off the ship.

The NFC device itself is plastic with two attached loops. It is on a rope bracelet that wraps around your wrist twice and attaches with a small metal anchor. As you would expect from that description, the bracelet broke immediately.

Since the tap device is so important for your cruise, I’d recommend bringing a backup bracelet for it. A hair tie is the perfect solution. Slip the hair tie through one of the loops on The Band, and then pull one side of the hair tie through the other side of the hair tie to create a loop knot. Then you can wear the hair tie around your wrist and The Band won’t go anywhere.

Also, any small bracelet that can fit through these loops will do the trick.

6. Sign up for activities in the app as soon as you board.

As soon as you board, connect to the ship’s wifi and open the Virgin Voyages app. At this point, you will be able to see the full itinerary for your cruise and begin signing up for activities. To sign up for an activity, click “Add to Agenda.” (Hearting an activity doesn’t officially sign you up for it.)

Some events are “ticketed,” meaning that there is a cap on how many people can participate. Some ticketed activities have an additional fee (like cocktail classes or coffee tastings), while others are free (like yoga, spin classes and select stage shows). For ticketed events, you’ll need to tap your bracelet in order to enter.

You should sign up for all of your ticketed events as soon as you board, because some ticketed events fill up quickly. If any of these activities are important to you, be sure to check the itinerary and sign up quickly or you may miss out.

Other activities on board (like fitness classes, bingo and parties) are not ticketed. There is no formal cap on who can attend and they don’t check to see if you’ve registered before they let you participate. For these activities, adding them to your agenda is just to keep you organized.

Unfortunately, the Virgin App isn’t great and it’s even worse when everyone is using it at the same time. We experienced the app crashing, spinning and logging us out numerous times on both the basic and premium wifi. So I’d recommend heading to a bar and grabbing a drink for this process so it feels less annoying.

6.5 (Bonus Tip!). Link your party in advance.

Passengers staying in the same room should automatically be connected with each other in the app. That means that anyone in your cabin can register anyone else in your cabin for activities.

However, if you are traveling with friends or family in other cabins, you will need to manually connect them. You can complete this step at anytime, but ideally you should do it before you board. That way, anyone in your party can start booking for the entire party right away.

7. Plan for any in-person registrations.

While most things onboard can be booked in the app, there are a handful of sign-ups that have to be done in person on the ship. These are things with individual time slots, like tattoo and spa appointments and private karaoke registration, and they will be noted as such in the app. If you are set on any of these services/activities, do some research in advance and plan your first day accordingly.

For example, the tattoo parlor opens after the ship has left port and reaches international waters, often around 6 PM. The line for tattoo appointments forms early and gets long very quickly. Appointments on the last cruise day usually book up first, but they’re usually fully booked within a couple hours. If a tattoo is a priority, plan to be there about an hour before it’s scheduled to open for bookings.

Spa appointments book up less quickly, and karaoke spots usually open up daily. There might be other in-person registrations, but these are the three I know about. This is just something else you’ll want to take care of early for the best choice in times.

8. Skip luggage service when you board.

Most Virgin Voyages cruises have a luggage service available at embarkation and debarkation. The exact details vary based on your port, but here’s how it works at Terminal V in Miami.

There is a luggage check location outside the terminal. You can leave your bags here and then they will be delivered to your cabin that evening. The timing can vary, but on my cruise they were scheduled to be delivered by 6 PM.

This service can make it easier to navigate the terminal and board the ship without having to deal with your bags. This can also make security a bit easier. If you do use this service, just make sure you keep everything with you that you’ll need before 6 PM (including swimsuits, make up, meds, etc.)

It’s a good service, but I would actually recommend you skip luggage check when you board.

The main reason for that is because rooms are typically ready as soon as you board. On other cruise lines, that’s not the case, so you want to check your bags so you can enjoy the ship without lugging them around. But on Virgin Voyages, you can usually drop your bags in your room right away. This is easier than having to pack a day bag and then waiting for your bags to be delivered.

The Miami terminal is also easy to pull your bags through. The entire route is accessible by elevator, escalator, and/or ramp, so you won’t have issues with stairs. You do have to go through security, but you don’t have to remove anything from your bags like at the airport. If you have an early boarding time, this process can take less than 20 minutes.

8.5 (Bonus Tip!). Do use luggage service if you have a late debarkation time.

Similarly, Virgin Voyages also offers luggage check service on your debarkation day. You can leave your bags outside your door the night before you disembark, and then pick them up just before you exit the terminal. There is a cutoff time, but it’s usually around midnight.

This service does actually make sense if you have a late debarkation time. Most itineraries allow you to stay on the ship as late as 10:30 AM. However, access to the rooms is usually cut off before that. That means you have to keep your luggage with you.

If you plan to leave the ship late and want to have a relaxing morning, you don’t want to be lugging your bags. In this case, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the baggage service.

9. Pack the essentials.

This is not a complete packing list, but there are a few things you should be sure to pack for your Virgin Voyages cruise.

• Passport. There are some ways around this, depending on your itinerary, but it’s best to have it on you when cruising.
• Scarlet outfit. There are a few cruise parties and events, some of which vary by season, but the highlight of every Virgin Voyages cruise is Scarlet Night. Everyone wears red and there are a few events around the ship. It’s really fun and everyone gets into it, so this is the one onboard event you should definitely plan for.
• Sunblock and aloe. I’m usually pretty firmly in the buy-it-there camp, but that’s not always possible on a cruise ship. The stores onboard are only open when the ship is at sea and they are closed when the ship is at port. You might not always be able to buy these important items onboard when you need them.
• Portable charger . Virgin Voyages offers free wifi for everyone, so you might be on your phone more than you think. Plus, you’ll probably be using the app a lot to check the day’s schedules. A portable charger is nice to have in your bag. There are also many outlets around the ship, so you can also just bring an extra cord to keep with you.

10. Plan your flights properly.

If you are flying on either side of your cruise, selecting the right flight times is a delicate art.

Regardless of what port your sailing from, I would recommend flying in at least one day before you sail. Even if you don’t board until late in the afternoon or evening, I still wouldn’t recommend flying in the same day as your cruise departure. There’s always a chance that your flight gets delayed, you get rerouted, your bags get delayed, etc. You don’t want one bad travel day to cost you your entire cruise if you don’t make it there in time.

That same rule of thumb does not necessarily apply to your departure flight. It’s rare (but not impossible) that your cruise disembarkation will be drastically delayed. You can usually plan to fly out the same day that your cruise is scheduled to arrive. This of course varies based on your specific itinerary and port.

If you’re sailing from Miami, Virgin Voyages officially recommends booking a flight no earlier than noon on your arrival day.

Based on my recent personal experience, though, I would say that you could make a domestic flight as early as 10 AM. My disembarkation was scheduled for 8 AM, but I went down at 7:30 AM and walked right off the ship. There were no lines in the terminal, and I was at the Uber pick-up area by 7:42 AM. I arrived at the Miami airport at 8:02 AM and was through PreCheck security by 8:17 AM.

Everything might not always go that smoothly. However, I just wanted to share an actual timeline to help give you an idea.

Final Bonus Tip: Work with a travel advisor.

As I mentioned before, this trip was graciously gifted by our travel advisor at Travel With Character . We always work with them to book our Disney vacations , but this was my first time working with them on a cruise. I got to experience first hand what it was like to have a dedicated travel advisor help with my cruise vacation, and it was a dream.

They stayed on top of all of the timelines I mention throughout this post, and sent out reminders for each task to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. Not only did they make the cruise planning a breeze, but they also helped plan my hotel and activities in Miami before the cruise, and they quickly found a third-party tour provider when our cruise itinerary changed last minute.

If you want your travel planning to be as stress-free as the cruise itself, I’d highly recommend reaching out to Travel With Character. (And no, they’re not paying me to say that.)

• Virgin Voyages

Embarkation Day Choices

By tbmrt , February 18, 2023 in Virgin Voyages

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So many choices...We love sailaway party on deck ("champagne"), but also thinking of dinner (wine), grog walk and pj party on first day of cruise. Thinking that's alot for embarkation day.  

What do  you do on embarkation day?  

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We did late lunch after boarding and booking shows. Then safety muster point check in.

Went to the sailaway then dinner and the PJ party. But I’ve never done Grog Walk and didn’t feel a need to. 

Personally I think the sailaway is a must do, seeing the ship leave port is nice, also the Happenings cast introduces themselves and there is a lot of free sparkling wine.

First time on VV, and I am curious about this question as well. Following. If these times are accurate, sounds like the sail away party should not be missed from like 530-7, then dinner from idk 730-9, and then if possible the grog walk from 9-11 which goes all the way to the pj party that starts.  That is a crazy busy evening isn't it..

29 minutes ago, mrjefft said: First time on VV, and I am curious about this question as well. Following. If these times are accurate, sounds like the sail away party should not be missed from like 530-7, then dinner from idk 730-9, and then if possible the grog walk from 9-11 which goes all the way to the pj party that starts.  That is a crazy busy evening isn't it..

I’ve never done grog walk so find it a nice busy of sailaway, dinner, change and then PJ party. But if you really want to do grog walk then yes it can be a busy night and you might want to go for a quicker dinner. 

neverendingcruising

The grog walk in the past has ended at the PJ party which is nice. Great way to meet some people on the first night as well. In our experience it was 4 stops and they did little games to drive interaction. 

CruisingWalter

9 hours ago, tbmrt said: So many choices...We love sailaway party on deck ("champagne"), but also thinking of dinner (wine), grog walk and pj party on first day of cruise. Thinking that's alot for embarkation day.     What do  you do on embarkation day?  

Immediately go to The Dock and start enjoying those tapas and a nice cocktail to get the cruise started right.

We didn't do the big sailaway party because we were in Gunbae for dinner when sailaway happened. It was the perfect place to watch Miami sailaway. 

It happened to rain on our cruise so the PJ party was moved to the Roundabout and we didn't go but our friends said it was way too crowded in there so they left. 

The big thing we're doing differently on our second (and third) VV cruises is booking dinner much later on embarkation day. Because we board much later in the afternoon than all the other cruise lines, we were not nearly as hungry when we went to Gunbae. Those tapas at The Dock are just so ridiculously good. So we'll be booking dinner more like 8 or maybe even 9:00pm on Embarkation day. 

We boarded, went to room, went to lunch....later sail away party.  It is good the first and maybe second time.  Didn't really care for the Moet.   I agree with Walter--remember that you won't be having lunch till at least 2pm, so schedule dinner a little later than normal on the first night.

8 hours ago, cantgetin said: We boarded, went to room, went to lunch....later sail away party.  It is good the first and maybe second time.  Didn't really care for the Moet.   I agree with Walter--remember that you won't be having lunch till at least 2pm, so schedule dinner a little later than normal on the first night.

Just an FYI it isn’t Moet at the Sailaway, or most of the other events. Rockstar suite guests get a Moet hour each night, but for the regular guests it’s Saint-Louis, usually the rose  https://www.vivino.com/US/en/saint-louis-88086-saint-louis-rose-sparkling-sparkling-v-rz7bm/w/4603537

just wanted to mention it in case others start expecting Moet when actually it’s just the cheap stuff.  personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

21 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:   Immediately go to The Dock and start enjoying those tapas and a nice cocktail to get the cruise started right.   We didn't do the big sailaway party because we were in Gunbae for dinner when sailaway happened. It was the perfect place to watch Miami sailaway.    It happened to rain on our cruise so the PJ party was moved to the Roundabout and we didn't go but our friends said it was way too crowded in there so they left.    The big thing we're doing differently on our second (and third) VV cruises is booking dinner much later on embarkation day. Because we board much later in the afternoon than all the other cruise lines, we were not nearly as hungry when we went to Gunbae. Those tapas at The Dock are just so ridiculously good. So we'll be booking dinner more like 8 or maybe even 9:00pm on Embarkation day. 

I heard the Old Fashioned  🥃  is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times  😉 .

Wildcatllamas

4 hours ago, Rhea98 said: I heard the Old Fashioned  🥃  is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times  😉 .

I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

21 minutes ago, Wildcatllamas said: I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

Yep. ("OMG! ...)

Fogcityca13

Many quality old fashions on the ship. I even enjoyed the popcorn old fashion at Razzle Dazzle. You can order it without the popcorn. 

16 hours ago, jon81uk said: Just an FYI it isn’t Moet at the Sailaway, or most of the other events. Rockstar suite guests get a Moet hour each night, but for the regular guests it’s Saint-Louis, usually the rose  https://www.vivino.com/US/en/saint-louis-88086-saint-louis-rose-sparkling-sparkling-v-rz7bm/w/4603537   just wanted to mention it in case others start expecting Moet when actually it’s just the cheap stuff.  personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

That would explain why I enjoyed it at the sail away party but didn't like the "shake for champagne" bottle that we got with our booking.  It was "ok" at the sail away, but I really didn't like the bottle; blamed it on my taste changing.

AtSeaWithChris

19 hours ago, Rhea98 said: I heard the Old Fashioned  🥃  is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times  😉 .

So freakin' good in the Test Kitchen. 🙂   But On The Rocks makes a great one as well. 

14 hours ago, Fogcityca13 said: Many quality old fashions on the ship. I even enjoyed the popcorn old fashion at Razzle Dazzle. You can order it without the popcorn. 

Wha?!?!?  I missed that one. Now I have another one to add to my list for April. Thanks!

15 hours ago, Wildcatllamas said: I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

Here's the video. So much food and yet we didn't eat everything. We're planning to hit the meals we missed in April for Scarlet Lady Food Part II - OMG There's More?!?  😂   https://youtu.be/pBolzKvXjMU

On 2/19/2023 at 4:11 AM, jon81uk said: personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

same! and on the past few voyages, they've run out of st louis brut and prosecco, so they've used the st louis rose in whatever sparkling cocktails.  i was kind of skeptical about having rose in an aperol spritz, but it was actually really good!  same with the entertainer drink at on the rocks - supposed to have prosecco but has been the rose for a while.

40 minutes ago, CruisingWalter said: So freakin' good in the Test Kitchen. 🙂   But On The Rocks makes a great one as well. 

i LOVED test kitchens original old fashioned - it had some banana.  sounds gross, but was really freaking good!  the amaretto one's good too, but i'll always remember the OG 🙂

curlstravel

On 2/18/2023 at 6:54 AM, jon81uk said: We did late lunch after boarding and booking shows. Then safety muster point check in. Went to the sailaway then dinner and the PJ party. But I’ve never done Grog Walk and didn’t feel a need to.  Personally I think the sailaway is a must do, seeing the ship leave port is nice, also the Happenings cast introduces themselves and there is a lot of free sparkling wine.

Where did you book shows

2 minutes ago, curlstravel said: Where did you book shows

On the app.   

It can be possible to walk up for standby, but it’s best to book. Fitness classes go first as they have very very low capacity though.

On the app....or you can go to the big red desk on deck 7 or sailor services on deck 5 if you are not able to work the app

1 minute ago, jon81uk said: On the app.    It can be possible to walk up for standby, but it’s best to book. Fitness classes go first as they have very very low capacity though.

There are classes that hold 6 and classes that hold 75+.  The small ones like the bungee class fill quickly.  However...people are inconsistent.  If you want to go to a class and can't get in, go to the location 10 minutes before start time.  If someone doesn't show up, you can get in.

9 hours ago, CruisingWalter said: Wha?!?!?  I missed that one. Now I have another one to add to my list for April. Thanks!

They make it with buffalo Trace and figs, bit sweet but a nice twist.

Our routine:  

• Book meals 45 days out
• Know what shows we want to see in advance and check the app day of embarkation for all the changes
• As soon as we are on the ship, connect to the internet and start booking the shows and classes (like the 80s exercise class) while walking a few feet and waiting at the red stand up tables near the record store where people help you with bookings. Often, you have things booked and don't need their help by the time it is your turn, but best be prepared.
• Go to the room and drop off our bags and watch the muster drill video. Can also go wander and watch the video on your phone wherever you wind up.
• Go to Sip and have some free champagne
• Go to the Dock for a 2 or 3pm lunch (or one of the other restaurants that are open) Have a fancy drink. Walk around and try to meet any of the Happenings Cast we find. If this is your first time on the ship, go to deck 17, then 16, then 15 to explore. Then go to 7,6, and 5 to see the restaurants and venues there. Go see the spa if you are a spa person and sign up for your sessions. See if the Happenings Cast is doing anything in the Roundabout.
• Around 4 (they make an announcement) go to the muster station that is printed on your cabin door and watch them show you how to put on a life vest. Takes 5 minutes.
• Hang out by the pool or rest on your balcony. Meet your Steward.
• 5:30 if leaving from Miami and that is the time, get free champagne on the pool deck or above looking down. Be sure to catch the show there before leaving the area
• 6:45 go back to the room and change
• Go to our pre-made dinner reservations for 7 or 7:15 (have 10 or 15 minute grace period here, but if dining in a group, like at Gunbae, might not want to be late and hold up them filling a table). Or you can get food when you want at The Galley or one of the other non-reservation restaurants. If the cruise is not busy, you can try standby at one of the "fancy" restaurants.
• 8:30-9pm We do a show next which we booked as soon as we got on board. People who like bar crawls can do that instead. But you have to pay extra and you should book that in advance.
• 10:30pm We go back and change into our PJs. and go to the the outdoor (or indoor location if it is closed) at 10:45 and dance and wait for the show portion where we "wake up" The Hostess. Great party and one of many chances to interact with The Happenings cast.
• Go to bed by midnight because we are tired but didn't overdo it yet. If you have the energy, go to the Manor for whatever dance party they have there until 1 or 2am. Casino lovers can also squeeze that in during the evening and into the wee morning hours. Keep checking the App for the daily schedule, or go to Sailor Services and get a printed version so you don't miss anything interesting during the day. In the app, you can mark favorites and they will show up in your personalized list. And be on the lookout for popup things happening wherever the Happenings cast may be wandering or setting up to do something.

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This Cruise Life

Virgin voyages boarding process.

What a whirlwind of a week on board our first-ever Virgin Voyages sailing. We just debarked Valiant Lady in Miami on Sunday, and are excited to share our thoughts after 8 days on board this $700M Lady ship. For those getting ready to board Valiant Lady out of Miami for the first time, we put together this quick Virgin Voyages Boarding Process – and give you tips on how you can get onto the ship even faster.

Virgin Voyages Boarding Pass: Don’t Panic!

If you’ve ever cruised before, you know the drill. Check in, print your boarding pass or save it to your phone, and head to the terminal. But, like everything else, Virgin Voyages decided to do things different! There are no bar codes, no boarding docs or luggage tags, and nothing in the app (other than your itinerary). Don’t panic! That’s all normal. As long as you’ve checked in and completed your health-screening, you are good to head to the terminal!

Getting to the Port

Virgin Voyages is located at Terminal V in Miami. Both Uber and Lyft recognized the terminal, so getting to the port should be fairly easy. As always, plan for Miami traffic. We checked in on both apps at least half a dozen times embark morning as we didn’t want to miss our early arrival window!

While general boarding started at 2pm, we arrived at the port area just before 1:30pm local time. Because of Virgin’s later embarkation start time, it was much easier to get around, and less chaotic in the port area. Virgin Voyages Terminal V is at the end of the Miami cruise port closest to downtown and the address is 718 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132.

We are ON OUR WAY to the port! Virgin Voyages, you’re about to take away these cruisers’ virginity! ❤️ Get your Born Again VIRGIN shirt in our online store soon! Anchors away! ⚓️ pic.twitter.com/ycncc40WG3 — This Cruise Life (@thiscruiselife) November 18, 2023

Bag Drop – Checking Bags

Due to the smaller size of the ship, and the reduced chaos in the port area, the porters were much easier to spot. Unlike other cruise lines, however, the porter asked for our room number. He then wrote our room number on a bag tag that he stapled to the handles of each of our bags.

Cruise tip: Do not remove the bag tag from your luggage as it’s also used for the debark process! The tag does tell you not to remove it for the duration of your cruise, however, we didn’t read that… Thankfully, they’re like airport bag tags; peel back the sticker and you can reattach it to the bag for debark. But just follow the instructions to make it even easier.

Embarkation

From the time I took the below picture (1:32pm) to the time we arrived on board the ship (1:52pm), a mere 20 minutes had passed. This embark process was SLICK!

Because we leveraged Virgin Voyages Match and Sea More Status Match Program, we were able to skip the queues and jump into the exclusive Sailing Club line. Not only did this allow us to get to the terminal right at 1:30 when check-in began, it allowed us to skip all the queues that were already forming for 1:45, 2:00, etc.

Cruise Tip: the “A Splash of Romance” package also provides you with Priority Boarding, so check this out if you don’t qualify for Sea More Status Match.

We joked that Virgin Voyages is the only cruise line we know that employs a “bouncer” to let you into the club. The crew member confirmed our name was on the list, gave me a Virgin Voyages wristband, and sent us into the terminal.

The terminal was still pretty empty at this point, so we skipped all of the empty queue lines inside and made our way directly up the escalator to check-in for passport review.

Passport Review and Check-In

The queue here took longer, but still, maybe only 10 minutes. Check-in was a breeze; the agent reviewed our passports and gave us The Band. Described by Virgin Voyages as, “a sleek wearable technology made from recycled ocean plastic that will unlock voyage adventures for future Sailors,” The Band did not disappoint. From accessing your stateroom, to paying for purchases on board or even on land at The Beach Club in Bimini, this thing was slick. And there’s a series of sayings on each of the bands (I was “Feelin’ Nauti”).

Once we had our newest fashion accessory attached, we headed to the cruise line’s version of TSA Pre-Check. We placed our items onto the conveyor, walked through the x-ray, and collected our belongings on the other side. All in, this process took less than 3 minutes.

From here, we headed toward the ship. One quick tap of The Band to the handheld devices at the terminal door, and we were cleared to board!

First 24 Hours Onboard YouTube

We talk more about the Boarding Process in our First 24 Hours Onboard review on YouTube and provide additional images of the port area, terminal, security check-in process, etc. Plus, we share our thoughts after 24 hours on board Valiant Lady.

Final Thoughts on Virgin Voyages Boarding Process

This was probably the easiest embark we’ve had in a long time. The later boarding time allowed the chaos of the Miami cruise port to die down and the benefit of Priority Boarding is HUGE. I highly recommend reviewing the Sea More Status Match or A Splash of Romance packages. If neither of those apply, keep in mind that booking through Rocky also gets you Priority Boarding.

I’m thankful that there were experienced Virgin Voyages sailors there who guided us to the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club line, otherwise, we would have likely gotten into the longer queue. Keep this in mind if you have Priority Boarding. But don’t try to fake it. The “bouncer” has a list and checks it twice to confirm you’re on it. It was odd that there were no boarding passes or indicators in the app; the employee checking names on a paper list seemed dated, but it actually added to the experience creating the bouncer vibe we joked about.

You can tell the terminal is new. It still has that “new cruise terminal” smell! Everything was clean, crisp, and in working order. Even the bathrooms were pretty!

Check-in took about 10 minutes to get through the queue, and passport review was easy. We received The Band for our wrists and headed through security screening before tapping our wrists on the handheld devices.

All in, 20 minutes from getting to the terminal to being on the ship was amazing, especially considering it was all new and we were taking a TON of pictures and videos.

Excited to hear your thoughts and experiences on Virgin Voyages embarkation process in the comments below!

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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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Cruising on Virgin Scarlet Lady Review – Our First Lady Ship

Since the cruise line’s inception, we’ve been curious about sailing with Virgin Voyages. Finally, we can say we sailed the Virgin Way, which did not disappoint. In our Virgin Scarlet Lady review , we dive into what made this cruise one of our favorites and where it could improve.

The Scarlet Lady is Virgin Voyage’s inaugural ship, making it the flagship of its current fleet of four Lady Ships. It holds a maximum of 2,770 passengers.

When we booked the Scarlet Lady, I didn’t know if cruising the four-year-old ship on a short itinerary out of Miami Cruise Port would be enough to sway us since this would be our first Virgin Voyages cruise. Would I be giving it the best chance? At the time, it was what worked with our schedule, so we went ahead completely open-minded.

We had a fantastic five-night stay on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship. While we booked the Dominican Daze itinerary, visiting Puerto Plata, DR, and Bimini, Bahamas, in the Caribbean, the cruise was the standout destination on this trip. We loved our Virgin cruise. It wasn’t by any means perfect, but it was enjoyable throughout and the best value for a cruise of this class.

Table of Contents

Sailing on Virgin Scarlet Lady Review

This is our first Virgin Voyages cruise and our first time sailing the Lady Ship, Scarlet Lady.

Virgin Voyages Lingo: Lady Ship = Cruise Ship. It comes from the British term ‘Your Ladyship’.

If this is your first time visiting our site, there are a few things you should know as you dive into this review:

• I [Kathy] travel with my husband; therefore, when I say “we,” I usually mean us.
• My husband is sober. So, we are not cruising with the goal of drinking our faces off. But I do like a drink here and there.
• We love to cruise for many reasons , but when we cruise are looking for a great itinerary on a great ship that serves great food, shows, and entertainment.
• The party scene is not for us, but we love great music.

Virgin Voyages App

The Virgin Voyages app has the potential to be amazing. The problem is that it does not work as well as it should. Even though we upgraded to Premium Wi-Fi on the ship, it gets bogged down easily, which is frustrating when you’re trying to make reservations. Have some patience while dealing with it. When it works, it works.

• Download the Virgin Voyages App
• Check-In Using the App : Complete your check-in process as soon as you can get the best check-in time for cruise day. 
• Book Dining Reservations at the 60-Day Mark : Mark your calendar to secure your dining spots as soon as the booking window opens, 60 days before your cruise on the app.
• Use the App for Embarkation Day Check-In : Have the app handy on embarkation day.
• Book Activities Once Onboard : Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi to reserve Shore Things (excursions), Fitness Classes, and Entertainment options.
• Don’t fret if you have issues booking things. You can book many of these things once onboard on that first day, and they will happily work it out for you. Do this first thing you’re onboard.

One of the things we loved about the app was the notifications we received in the messages. You may not have a cruise director, but you have an app to remind you of all your bookings, port information, and the ship’s ongoings.

You can also ‘shake for champagne’ with the app.

Embarkation on Scarlet Lady in the Miami Cruise Port

• Scarlet Lady embarks in Terminal V of the Miami Cruise Port.
• You can drop off your baggage with the porters starting at 9 a.m. They provide the luggage tags. ( Don’t forget to tip them ; they do not work for the cruise line.)
• Boarding does not start until 2 pm, but depending on your check-in time and status, you can start lining up as early as 1:15 pm.

Full disclosure:  We had status matched to Deep Blue Extras with Virgin Voyages in 2023 for 2024. Deep Blue Extras was a status-match loyalty program they offered until the end of 2023. One of the perks is priority embarkation, which allowed us to embark right after the Rockstars. 

Virgin embarks a little differently from other cruise lines. They have a late embarkation process and are strict about arrival times. Because we had Deep Blue Extras, we lined up to get into the terminal at around 1:15 pm. At 1:30 pm, they allowed us to enter the terminal, where we passed through security, checked in, received our Sea Bands, and then an attendant guided us to a comfortable, air-conditioned terminal.

While we waited in the terminal, music played, and MC worked on getting us excited to board and start our cruise vacation. It was unlike anything we had experienced before embarking on a cruise. Usually, we are frustrated with lines and waiting, but this time, we were excited to make it on the cruise.

Before we knew it, we were boarding the ship. Rockstars boarded first, followed by Deep Blue Extras, Splash of Romance, and timed entry groups. The Happenings cast welcomed us on the cruise as we entered the ship.

Embarkation was a breeze, and it was when we truly started to experience the Virgin Way.

The Scarlet Lady Ship is Like a Trendy Boutique Hotel for Adults Only

The Vibe: The Scarlet Lady cruise ship has a cool, chill vibe that is different from your typical cruise experience. It’s like stepping into a modern boutique hotel that’s classy and a lot of fun. The decor is trendy, clean, and vibrant. I wouldn’t call it 5-star luxury, but it’s relaxed, modern, with a touch of luxury, and enjoyable in its unique way.

No Announcements: What a breath of fresh air — no cruise directors or constant PA announcements! We loved that there were no cruise directors or announcements over the PA during our entire cruise. The Captain spoke only for the welcome and muster drill, hinting at the undisturbed peace we’d enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Entertainment and Leisure : The ship sometimes felt like a playground for adults where you could find your inner child by playing board games at the social club, your favorite arcade games, or joining lively dance parties at night. However, you choose to experience it how you want to experience it.

Ample Outdoor Spaces: There was plenty of seating space throughout the cruise ship, not just by the pool areas. The pool decks are small, and there are not enough lounge chairs for everyone.

Quiet Corners : If you want to find a quiet nook, you will. My favorite spot was The Dock, where I could relax with a drink and small bites.

The Layout: Navigating the ship is an adventure in itself, and the layout encourages discovery. Getting lost was part of the charm, leading to new finds. I’m sure there were spots on Scarlet Lady I didn’t get to see.

Photographic Opp: The fun Instagrammble spots throughout the ship made for great photos.

Scarlet Lady’s XL Sea Terrace Cabin

We booked the XL Sea Terrace Cabin on the Scarlet Lady. Initially, we were assigned to a cabin that didn’t even have one of their infamous red terrace hammocks—a chair instead. When we found out, we immediately called, and they kindly moved us to a cabin with a hammock.

So, just be aware that some XL cabins do not have hammocks for security reasons because of their location on the ship. You’ll also find that instead of a glass partition, there is a metal one.

Our final assigned cabin on this Scarlet Lady itinerary was XL Sea Terrace 12322A. It’s located on deck 12, portside (what the “A” stands for), and FWD.

Tip : Always research your cabin # on YouTube or Google to see if you can find photos or videos of the cabin. 

This XL Sea Terrace cabin worked out great for us during our stay. It did have its pros and cons, but the cons are superficial at best and do not stray us from booking it again.

We loved: 

• The bathroom in this cabin category is larger than the regular Sea Terrace, with a separate toilet and rain shower. If you’re tall, you’ll appreciate this shower.
• The mattress was so comfortable, which surprised us since it was a sofabed turned into a bed.
• Located near the forward elevators.
• Quiet area of the ship. Never heard noise overnight. 
• The tablet controls everything in the cabin (except the bathroom light) and where you can order services.
• All the free movies are included.
• They refill the still and sparkling water daily.

We didn’t love:

• Ikea-like decor. Didn’t match the rest of the ship.
• The sofabed situation.
• There was just enough storage for 2 for a short stay.
• No other seating in the room besides the ottoman.
• The cabin is starting to show its wear and tear. 

That said, we’d stay in this cabin again.

Watch Our Cabin Tour On YouTube

Dining on Scarlet Lady

How was the dining on Scarlet Lady? Above and beyond what we expected. 

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that food is my love language. When I booked my cruise on Virgin Voyages, my priority was the food. I couldn’t get to everything within the five nights on the cruise. I did get to dine at five out of six sit-down restaurants, had brunch at The Wake and Razzle, and tried a few things from the Galley.

We loved that The Galley was not a buffet but more like a food court with the option of having servers take your orders. You could make lines, but with a flag raised for service at a table, they came quickly to take your order. Not only was the food made fresh, but I think it also helped reduce food waste and kept people from touching everything.

My final verdict is that Virgin Voyages has some of the best food at sea I’ve tried so far. Almost every meal was like eating at a specialty restaurant. The dining experience was as good as eating at some of my favorite restaurants here in Pasadena. The food was high quality.

The best part is that ALL dining from the 20 eateries is included, except for a few upcharges for extravagant selections like oysters and caviar. Fountain drinks (sodas), teas, and regular coffee are also included.

The downside is making and finding reservations for the sit-down restaurants. You can make reservations on the Virgin Voyages app at 12:01 am EST 60 days before cruise day or on embarkation day; straighten that out immediately.

A few standouts (but not all) of the amazingness we loved:

• Pink Agave: The Ribeye (Bistec Marinero en Escabeche)
• Razzle Dazzle: The Fried Chicken
• The Test Kitchen: The Venison
• The Wake: Steak and Eggs
• Korean BBQ: Spicy Chicken appetizer
• The Daily Mix at The Galley: Spinach and Quinoa Salad
• Well Bread: Chocolate Chip Cookies
• The Sweet Side at The Galley: Pistachio Macaron
• The Social Club: The Pretzel
• The Grounds Club: Excellent espresso drinks
• Like Me Till Ice Cream: Stop by for the flavor of the day
• The Pizza Palace: Pretty Fly For a White Pie

Pink Agave is one restaurant to add to your must-eats.

We missed dining at Extra Virgin (not enough days in our itinerary) but only heard amazing things about it when we spoke to other sailors.

Virgin Voyages Lingo: Sailors = passengers

❤️ Be aware of the food pushers serving you at all the dining establishments. They will ensure you leave happy and full and will not let you leave until you’ve had dessert.

We watched a couple try to sneak out without dessert, and the waitress caught them just in time and lovingly ordered them to sit down for dessert. It was a hilarious moment in which they said they’d stay for a taste and then ate the entire thing.

🍽️ Late-night Eats: Diner & Dash is open 24 hours, and The Pizza Place is open until 1 am.

We will have another post about our dining experience and guide.

The Scarlet Lady Crew

Speaking of food pushers, the ship’s crew we interacted with throughout the cruise couldn’t have been more helpful, happy, and going out of their way to ensure we had a great vacation. Everyone we encountered was nice and ready to assist, from the cabin attendants to the shore things staff. 

On our last night, when hubby decided to get a latte from Sips bar (Grounds Club was closed), the bartender went out of his way to get my husband a to-go cup they normally do not have at the bar. We couldn’t have been more thankful, even though we hadn’t asked him to go out of his way. The bartender replied and said it best, “It’s just the rockstar treatment.” 

Even though we were not staying in the Rockstar Quarters and wearing black bands, we felt we got excellent service throughout our time on the Lady Ship.

Scarlet Night on Virgin

One of the biggest nights on Virgin Voyages ships is Scarlet Night. It is THE NIGHT that everyone looks forward to. This night is a ship-wide event and celebration that starts with sailors dressing in red and transforming the ship into an array of festivities.

The evening is a tribute to the Octopus Goddess of the Sea and the Sailor whose love story captured her heart. 

We are not partiers. We were unsure what to expect, but we dressed in red and went out to experience what made this night so epic. We found out that this night is more than just a party.

The ship COMES ALIVE. 

From deck to deck, you find everything lit up and decorated for the night. Music, entertainment, and live bands playing from one venue to another. Performances popping up when you least expect it.

Later in the night, there is the pool party. It is unlike anything we ever experienced on a cruise. There were dancers and entertainment. The DJ is playing a remix of music from old school to present that would have gotten anyone up to dance at some point. The music was amazing!

It really takes off when everyone jumps into the pool to dance—well, not everyone. Many onlookers and people on the top deck take in the festivities from afar. You can enjoy the night as you see fit.

We watched and danced, but there was no pool jumping – maybe in the future.

We thought the night was EPIC and so much fun. We finally understood the hype.

The Happenings Cast on Scarlet and Entertainment

From day one to the end, The Happenings Cast enthusiastically welcomed us and saw us off. You can always make out who they are bouncing with energy, which I appreciate – it keeps me feeling young. You see them at activities and performances throughout the ship.

We didn’t attend many of the activities and shows. Most of the time, the times did not work for us, and the venue was fully booked. However, we did get to see the Diva playing Karaoke and singing at one of the bars, some other fun pop-up performances by the cast, and the band playing at The Dockhouse, which was good.

Duel Reality:   I booked a reservation upon getting on board. This is a modern tale of Romeo and Juliet with dancing and acrobatics at the Red Room. You must give the show a moment to take off and get into it because you’re impressed by the incredible talent once you do. It was a beautiful and fun show about love and not war.

LOLs Supper Club:  Reservations recommended. This is a comedy club hour with dinner at The Manor, a nice venue. We chose not to eat and only got drinks since we were heading to the Test Kitchen afterward. There were three comedians; the first two were okay, and the last was the funniest. The host was full of lame jokes but funny because they were intentional. 

There is one complaint about the lack of entertainment on the ship. We didn’t see it that way because we like to relax during the day. What we did find is that shows are booked quickly.

Disembarking Scarlet Lady

The 1-2 days before disembarkation, you will receive a notification to book your disembarkation time. You do this through the Shore Things section of the app. We chose a 9:45 am disembarkation and chose to keep our luggage.

We had one of the easiest walk-offs on a ship we’ve ever had. It’s not because we decided to keep our luggage with us but because we got to sleep and disembark the ship at around 10 am.

That’s right—10 am! I fell in love with Virgin Voyages even more. Technically, you have up to 10:30 a.m. to get off the ship, which is not how it’s traditionally done with other mainstream cruise lines.

The Best Value We’ve Booked on a Cruise

Booking the cheapest cruise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best value. That also applies the other way around; booking the most expensive cruise doesn’t mean you’ll have the best cruise.

The value of what is spent may mean something different to you than it does to us. We paid almost $3500 for our Scarlet Lady Cruise in an XL Sea Terrace, which came with a couple of promotions: a $350 bar tab and $600 in sailor loot. Plus, a $100 bar tab for being Deep Blue Extras, $10 a day at Grounds Club, and Premium Wi-Fi for one.

Virgin Voyages includes all dining, entertainment, gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, and Fitness classes in your cruise fare. Their offer is the closest to an all-inclusive experience at sea because they don’t nickel and dime you for specialty restaurants, soda, and every other little thing on the ship.

We spent most of our sailor loot at Shore Things, so Virgin paid for our excursions. They also paid for the Premium Wi-Fi upgrade for hubby. We never spent the bar tab, but believe me, we tried.

With all that they offer, along with the quality of their food, top service, and beautiful ship, this cruise was the best value we’ve booked in a long time.

We will sail with Virgin again as we purchased the My Next Virgin Cruise Voyage while on the ship.

Other Thoughts, Pros, Cons, and Things You Should Know

• Instead of a cruise sea pass card, you’re given a sea band for your cabin and all charges.
• Loved the to-go containers for food in The Galley and The Dockhouse. And the fact that they are reusable and environmentally friendly.
• Love the inclusivity on the ship and the you-do-you motto.
• The casino on Scarlet Lady is too small and situated inconveniently by The Manor.
• The tattoo shop is a surprising and fun addition to a cruise ship. FYI: Their spots get booked up quickly.
• Get to the pool earlier if you want seating and a laid-back vibe. The vibe changes once the DJ starts around 1:30 p.m. Tip: Book a private pool cabana for an extra charge.
• At The Groupie, you can find Karaoke rooms that you can book for up to 10 people.
• If you can’t get into a restaurant, Diner & Dash always has a special meal of the night, such as prime rib and truffle mash.
• The cocktails they offer on board are not typical frozen vacation cocktails. Throughout the ship, you’ll find more mixed and crafted cocktails.

What is the average age on Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady’s demographic includes people in their mid-twenties to the late 60s and above, with a higher representation of adults in their 30s to 40s.

Is there a formal night on Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages does not have formal nights. Instead, the cruise line promotes a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere where passengers are encouraged to express their personal style. Additionally, the cruise line celebrates themed nights such as “Scarlet Night” and “We Fancy Night,” where sailors are invited to dress in red and gold, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Is Virgin Scarlet Lady adult only?

Yes, Virgin Scarlet Lady is for adults only. Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line.

Must-Know Tips for a Successful Virgin Voyages Cruise

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• What Sets Virgin Voyages Apart
• Review of Cabin 12322A on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
• Caribbean Cruise Packing List
• Is the Retreat on Celebrity Beyond Worth it?

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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Scarlet Lady cruise ship review: What to expect on board Virgin Voyages’ 1st ship

Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages ' original cruise ship, takes all your preconceived notions of a cruise ship and turns them on their head.

The ship does not have a buffet or a cavernous banquet-style dining room. Kids are not welcome, but the adults-only ship gives grownups plenty of opportunities to play in both childlike and mature ways. Cruise fares include all meals, soda, basic Wi-Fi and crew gratuities, but it's not a luxury product filled with opulent decor, sedate travelers and a stuffy vibe. Onboard entertainment will include sexual innuendos, F-bombs and queer themes.

Scarlet Lady is not for everyone. But if you, like me, are tired of (or turned off by) the same-old cruise ship formula, this ship might just offer the cruise vacation you didn't know you were looking for.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Overview of Scarlet Lady

The 110,000-ton ship features 1,330 cabins and 78 suites and can carry 2,770 passengers at maximum capacity. That's a lot smaller than the newest ships from lines like Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line . The balance works well; the ship does not feel oppressively crowded, but there are plenty of restaurants, bars and attractions on board to keep you entertained at sea.

Scarlet Lady defies categorization when it comes to pricing, as well. Its cruise fares are more inclusive than your typical mass-market ship, and therefore more expensive than other mainstream lines. But it doesn't have the same vibe as luxury cruise ships that tend to cater to a retired, wealthy clientele, who are less active and not into dance parties or cutting-edge entertainment.

The minimum age to sail Virgin is 18 years old, and the ship embraces its adults-only status . You won't find kids on board, yet you will find board games, an arcade, swings and unlimited pizza and ice cream.

A common concern I've heard is that Scarlet Lady is only for the young and the hip. As a completely non-hip, mid-40-something, I can assure you that isn't true. The target demographic for this ship is more about mindset than age.

If you're someone who likes to go out – to dinner, a show, a bar or a party – this social ship will be for you. Many restaurants have communal tables designed to bring people together, such as Gunbae, where tables exclusively seat six and you're encouraged to join in a drinking game with your newly-met tablemates. The entertainment is top notch, but it's more experimental and modern than the traditional song-and-dance cruise ship shows. Scarlet Lady is not a "read in your cabin" type of cruise ship.

It's also a ship for travelers with open minds, who embrace differences and aren't easily shocked or insulted. Onboard comedians will push boundaries with their jokes. You'll find crew, from entertainers to waiters, who may be gender-fluid, tattooed, pierced or openly gay. While the sex-themed cabaret is gone, the shows do not shy away from sexual or R-rated themes.

I loved this about the ship. Others may not.

What I loved about Scarlet Lady

Hammock on the balcony.

It might seem minor, but the hammock on my cabin's balcony made my cruise.

I often feel that balconies are wasted space. They're great for checking the weather, drying swimsuits and eating room service breakfast – but I rarely spend much time hanging out on them. Usually that's because the chairs are upright and made of metal (or metal and plastic mesh) and the veranda is small, and you can't get comfortable.

Not so with a hammock. I'm 6 feet tall and can fully recline in one of Scarlet Lady's bright red, ethically sourced hammocks. The rocking of the hammock combined with the rocking of the ship at sea, especially early in the morning when the sun was low and the temperature perfect, was incredibly soothing. I found myself plotting how to get more hammock time – rather than simply forgetting I had a balcony as I busied myself around the ship.

Scarlet Lady succeeds in creating intimate spaces onboard a big ship, and I loved all the inviting nooks I found on board. Sometimes, those nooks were tucked-away bars, like the Dock House Bar, just slightly off the main thoroughfare. Or, perhaps they were cute seating areas, like the curtained-off tables at the Sip bar or day beds on the open-air decks.

The public spaces on the ship invite you to grab a friend, a drink and chill for a while. I wished I had time to sample them all.

Entertainment

I'm a Broadway buff, and I always go to the cruise ship shows. Unless they're a real Broadway show (found on the likes of NCL or Royal Caribbean), I'm usually walking out or picking them apart before they end.

Scarlet Lady's entertainment impressed me with its innovation and its quality. The dancers were incredible; they moved about the stage like they were performing on "So You Think You Can Dance" (or other TV dance competition), not in your kid's high school dance recital. "Dual Reality," the Romeo-and-Juliet-themed show, was the first cruise-ship acrobatic performance I've seen that had a compelling plot; so many cruise lines throw dancers on hoops or silks in the air simply because they can. The way the staging and performer interaction engaged the audience was original and brilliant.

The drag show was a hoot, and the DanceShowPartyThing was different than any cruise ship show I've ever seen and a lighthearted fun time. The late-night jazz band at the On the Rocks bar kept the crowds engaged, and the crew knew how to keep the party going on the dance floor at The Manor – whether that was dancing on the stage wings or covering the crowd with a large parachute.

Related: Here's why Virgin Voyages' entertainment is now the best on any cruise

Restaurant concept

I'm not a cruiser who adores the main dining room. I prefer specialty restaurants with their individual menus, decor and vibe. But I also hate paying extra for meals when food is already included. In this way, Virgin's restaurant concept speaks perfectly to me.

Scarlet Lady has no main dining room and no buffet. Instead, you can make dinner reservations at one of its six restaurants, or make a more casual meal from the pizza parlor, food hall, snack bar (featuring wings and hot dogs) or the Dock and Dock House lounge with their mezze menu. I loved that every night I ate someplace different – one night filet mignon at the classy, upscale The Wake, the next experimental dishes at Test Kitchen or communal Korean BBQ at Gunbae.

Food ranged from edible to excellent, but meals were always fun. I felt like I was eating out in a city, rather than at a hotel conference center, and that night-out vibe set the mood for the entire evening.

What I didn't love about Scarlet Lady

Lack of direction.

Scarlet Lady is a ship for independent travelers who don't need their hands held or want to be told what to do by a cruise director (there isn't one). While I loved the lack of announcements over the intercom system or at the end of shows, I did feel like it was easy to miss out on things on board.

No one tells you how the ship works, even though it's nontraditional for the cruise industry. If you don't know to get on board and immediately make reservations for all the restaurants, shows and fitness classes you want, you will find yourself locked out of meals and events you were looking forward to.

The ship has a decided lack of signage; no deck maps or wayfinder screens by the elevator banks, not even the name of bars by their entrances. The layout of the ship is such that certain bars or venues are tucked away off the high-traffic corridors and can be difficult to find. If you do find them, they're usually in a dead end, leaving you to retrace your steps to figure out a way across a deck.

Perhaps if the app were more intuitive, some of these issues could be mitigated. But I, who have successfully employed numerous cruise ship apps, had to ask a crew member to show me where to find deck plans in the Sailor App. In-app room service ordering was glitchy, but my cabin attendant hadn't left me a printout of the menu, so I never tried in-room dining.

I can see first-time and older cruisers being especially confounded by the lack of guidance on board. While more announcements aren't the answer, I'm sure Virgin Voyages could figure out unobtrusive ways to give sailors a helping hand.

I am generally not a fan of cruise ship buffets, but a five-night cruise on Scarlet Lady gave me new appreciation for them .

Virgin Voyages is decidedly anti-self-serve. Neither its ships nor its private beach club on Bimini in the Bahamas offers a buffet. The buffet replacement on Scarlet Lady is The Galley, a food hall with several themed stations. Instead of ordering at the counter, you find a seat, flag down a waiter and put in your order, which will be brought to you when ready.

This concept works well when you have time to kill or the venue is empty. But when The Galley is packed, such as in the morning on a port day, it can take forever to catch the attention of a server and longer than you'd expect to receive your meal. You can find grab-and-go boxes in several locations on board, but the food selection is limited.

I had the same experience at The Dock after a late excursion; several of us waited far too long for a waiter to appear and take our order – even though a server had escorted me outside five minutes prior. As much as I'm not a fan of buffets, sometimes I just want to eat quickly and get on with my day.

Related: 11 things I loved on Virgin Voyages — and 6 I kind of hated

Scarlet Lady cabins and suites

Scarlet Lady offers the usual cruise ship mix of windowless inside cabins, ocean-view rooms with large windows that don't open, cabins with private balconies and large suites. Cruise rooms sleep one to four guests, with twin beds that can be combined into queens and upper bunks. That's basically where the similarity ends.

My room was a Sea Terrace, a.k.a. a standard balcony room. The IKEA-inspired furnishings and mod décor made the room resemble a trendy micro hotel. For example, the bed is modular. On the cabin's long wall, there was a cloth headboard and a narrow white platform with one thick armrest.

Twin beds can be arrayed in various configurations along the platform. I had two pushed together into a queen with one-third of the platform as a bedside table, but a triple could have a third bed jutting out perpendicular from the other two. Or, if you plan on hosting an event in your cabin, or don't like reading on a bed, you can ask your room attendant to strip the sheets and arrange two daybed mattresses into an L-shaped sectional couch.

While practically no one uses the daybed layout, the arrangement means you're sleeping on a couch cushion rather than a plush mattress. My bed on Scarlet Lady was not the comfiest I've had on a cruise, but the sheets and duvet were fine and I slept well.

My room didn't have a sofa as other cruise ships might have. It had one upright chair in the corner and a vegan leather stool under the table that doubled as desk and vanity. The table is next to a unit housing the mini-fridge and two small shelves, but there is no additional storage. Here, you'll also find a touch-screen pad where you can adjust the lighting and temperature of your room.

The only storage is in the closet area, and as in a micro hotel, your clothes won't exactly be hanging behind closed doors. One tall cabinet with a door houses four not-that-deep drawers and shelves, many of which house the safe, life jackets and extra towels. But your clothes will hang from a rack behind a curtain that you likely won't bother to close. In one corner is a luggage stand with two shelves, each with a wicker basket.

The bathroom is tiny and also lacking in storage. You can use the one long shelf beneath the sink or place your items in the small space next to the sink – there are no other drawers or shelves. I kept placing my toilet bag under the elevated soap dish and realizing the soap would drip on it.

The shower has a rain head and a wand and one meager shelf. If you're happy with Red Flower toiletries, you can use the provided dispensers of shampoo, conditioner and body wash, and not have to worry about cramming all your travel-sized bottles onto the tiny surface area.

I didn't find my cabin on Scarlet Lady to be overly inviting or cozy, and I was glad I didn't have to fight for storage space with a travel partner. What saved the cabin was its balcony, or terrace as Virgin calls it.

The 45-square-foot terrace is furnished with two uninviting metal upright chairs and a round drinks table. I wouldn't even bother to sit out there – except for the striking red hammock hung from hooks bolted into the bottom of the balcony above. That hammock was everything. At 6 feet tall, I could stretch out completely and rock with the waves as the ship made its way through the Caribbean. Its presence made a forgettable, utilitarian room desirable and memorable.

If you really want to live it up, you can book RockStar Quarters or Mega RockStar Quarters, Virgin's two categories of suites. These extra-large rooms come with attractions like music rooms, turntables, peekaboo showers with windows to the sea, fully-stocked bars and large balconies. Perks include exclusive access to the Richard's Rooftop sun deck, access to a RockStar Agent (i.e. concierge), priority reservations for dining, onboard events and shore excursions and complimentary access to the spa's thermal suite.

Scarlet Lady restaurants and bars

Scarlet Lady is peppered with restaurants and bars, and it's possible you won't be able to try them all in one sailing. Do your research in advance because some venues are easy to miss if you're not looking for them. Dining and drinking are highlights of your time on board, so you'll want to visit as many bars and restaurants as you can.

Restaurants

The ship takes an unconventional approach to cruise ship dining, with no main dining room, no buffet and no extra-fee restaurants. In this way, your onboard dining experience will feel like a land-based trip, but with fewer Yelp reviews to read. You'll likely eat in a new venue every night, most with an attached bar for pre-dinner drinks, and need to make reservations in advance or take your chance as a walk-in, either early or late. I loved both the food and the variety of options.

You'll want to make your dinner reservations as soon as you get on board. One thing that surprised me was the ship requests you also make reservations for breakfast, brunch or lunch at sit-down restaurants, such as The Wake and Razzle Dazzle. Walk-ins are welcome at less busy times (such as right when the venue opens for breakfast), but I was lightly scolded for not booking in advance. Plan accordingly.

The most highly sought after reservation on the ship is Gunbae, Scarlet Lady's Korean BBQ restaurant. Be prepared to make friends – all tables seat six, and your smaller party will be seated with strangers. That's OK because the communal dining and drinking games (you don't get the full experience if you don't play) aren't as much fun without a group.

Your server will bring the most popular of the appetizer, seafood, meat and dessert courses, though your table can turn down any option, ask for more of a favorite or request the alternatives (mostly vegetarian dishes). All the seafood (shrimp, octopus, etc.) is cooked together in the table's central grilling station, followed by the meat – without a thorough cleaning of the grill. If this bothers you due to allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure you inform the server.

Favorites at our table were the dakgangjeong (crispy chicken), octopus, kalbi marinated beef short ribs and macha tea - black sesame twist ice cream with mini marshmallows and black sesame granola.

Razzle Dazzle is a vegetarian-forward restaurant (with several, no-longer-secret meat entrees ) open for brunch and dinner. At brunch, the spicy avocado toast gets high marks, and the cucumber-melon salad was a refreshing starter. Oddly, the restaurant had no jam for my British-style chocolate-chip scone and I had to make do with butter.

Indulge your inner child and order the coconut milk fairy toast with sprinkles and the loaded cookies mudslide, or take her to the adjacent Red Bar for a popcorn old-fashioned, served in a cup designed to look like the traditional red-and-white striped popcorn bags.

The only negative is that service here can be slow and inattentive.

On the opposite side of Sailor Services from Razzle Dazzle, Pink Agave is the fancier alternative to the Let's Taco Bout It outlet in The Galley. The so-called "elevated Mexican" dishes come in small, medium and large plates, and you can mix and match them and share with your tablemates. If you're feeling adventurous, order the mezcal cocktail topped with crunchy crickets.

I did not have the normal dinner experience at Extra Virgin, the ship's Italian restaurant, due to the themed sailing I was on, but I still got to try some of the venue's popular dishes. Previous cruisers tell me Extra Virgin is a surprise favorite because Italian restaurants are so ubiquitous, but Virgin's version delivers with fabulous dishes. Everyone raves about the meatballs, the pappardelle pasta and the ricotta bomboloni (like Italian donut holes).

The most fun dinner I had was at Test Kitchen. If you like surprises, and you're willing to turn control over your dinner to a chef, you will like this experimental restaurant as much as I did. The menu reads like this:

• Shrimp/Lamb

That's it. You can make adjustments for dietary restrictions, but your waiter will bring out dishes with each of those items starring in it in an unusual way and will announce what you're eating after the plate is set in front of you. The drink pairings are worth the extra fee; you can choose from cocktail, wine, beer or alcohol-free pairings, and they're all superb.

The Wake is the most traditional of Scarlet Lady's restaurants. It's your "get dolled up and eat steak" venue, with a glam vibe and large windows overlooking what else but the ship's wake. Toast yourself with a glass of bubbly while you dine like a king on clam chowder, roasted bone marrow, filet mignon and lamp chops. Seafood lovers should splurge on the extra-fee towers of lobster, oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels and crab. The Wake chocolate mousse dessert was the winner at our table.

The Wake also serves brunch and lunch, but I wouldn't recommend it for breakfast. The menu is tiny and fancy, mostly variants of eggs Benedict, a decadent brioche French toast, steak and eggs and a vegan dish. No fruit, no bacon, no oats. The waiter came around with a tray of off-menu pastries halfway through our meal, rather than when he served our coffee and tea. In addition, the restaurant's position low on the ship and above the engines means you feel and hear the vibration of the ship a lot and all the cups and saucers were rattling.

Scarlet Lady also has a supper club experience called It's a Ship Show, which takes place in The Manor. Virgin describes the experience as a mashup of an old-school variety show and a late-night talk show, with dinner, comedy and music.

The Dock and The Dock House are twin restaurants rocking the Mediterranean resort vibe. The Dock House is an indoor lounge where you and your sweetie can sip cocktails flavored with figs and anise while nibbling on mezze, like beet hummus and watermelon and feta salad, and pretending you're in Ibiza.

The Dock is the outdoor extension, with the same menu; recline on day beds or enjoy a tete-a-tete at low wooden seating areas while you enjoy grilled shrimp and falafel accompanied by cold-pressed juices or energy shots loaded with turmeric and ginger. The food was enjoyable, but it took forever to get served mid-afternoon after a tour.

The ultimate in casual dining, The Galley is Scarlet Lady's answer to the cruise ship buffet . It's more of a food hall with multiple themed stations (noodles, tacos, soup and salad, burgers, etc.) where you order by flagging down a waiter. It can get confusing because you do have to order in person from the dessert and breakfast bakery/yogurt counter and from the popsicle cart, and there are grab-and-go bento boxes, salads, wraps and snacks, which you can eat in conjunction with your sit-down meal or take with you.

The Galley's concept could use some refining, so be prepared. It works well when the venue is relatively quiet; you don't have to queue for food or worry about food sitting around or contaminated tongs. On the other hand, when it's busy and you just want a quick meal before your tour, it can be hard to flag down a server and your food can take 20 minutes to arrive. Plus, there's no option for hot food that you plate yourself and take back to your room if there are no seats because you have to have a table to order food at The Galley. Sometimes you just need those steam-tray eggs, grabbable bagels and premade pancakes, and you don't want a waiter-served meal.

If you're catching some rays and don't want to give up your spot in the sun for lunch, The Sun Club Café is an easy pool deck grab-and-go option for anyone who likes poke bowls.

But the real casual-dining winner is The Pizza Place, churning out oven-fresh pizzas day and night in a light and airy space. I was a fan of the white truffle and egg pizza; the amusingly named "pretty fly for a white pie" also had staunch supporters. Grab a premade salad and take your pie out to the adjacent open-air patio to enjoy it in the Caribbean sunshine.

The pizzeria is located on Deck 7, where all the fun food is. Right next door is the Lick Me Till Ice Cream outpost where you can choose from a changing roster of hand-scooped ice cream and cone flavors. My favorite was the key lime pie ice cream. Down the hall is The Social Club Diner satisfying all your bar food cravings with hot dogs (including vegan ones), chicken wings and soft pretzels. You can also order sweets like cake pops and steal candy out of a jar (except it's not stealing if it's free and meant for you to take).

One of my favorite traditions on land or sea is afternoon tea, and Scarlet Lady offers a surprisingly impressive one at its Sip Lounge. I shouldn't be surprised, given Virgin's British origins, but I figured tea was not hip enough for the line. Tea service does cost extra – more if you want Champagne with your goodies – and I suggest you make it your lunch because it's way too much food for a snack. You get a full three-tiered tray with scones, finger sandwiches and too many sweets for one person to consume in one sitting.

The menu of JoJo loose leaf teas offers a nice selection of caffeinated and herbal teas. (I've been on fancier cruise lines that offered tea bags rather than loose leaf tea.) However, my tea oversteeped as the waiter forgot to leave the chain of the tea ball outside the pot and I couldn't get it out until I drank enough to reach in without burning my fingers.

Scarlet Lady does offer room service for a fee. You can order via the Sailor App. Unfortunately for me, I could not get the room service option to function properly on my phone, so I could neither see the menu nor order in-cabin dining.

Virgin Voyages does not sell drink packages as typical cruise lines do. Instead, you can purchase a Bar Tab in advance, which is onboard credit you can only spend on drinks on the ship and at Virgin's Bimini Beach Club in the Bahamas. Look for booking promotions that include a free Bar Tab of a certain amount or give you bonus money on top of what you prepay.

You will certainly have many opportunities to spend your Bar Tab on board, whether that's wine with dinner, a morning latte or a cocktail at On the Rocks while you listen to live music. Drinking is a key component of Scarlet Lady's nightlife, but as far as I saw, most people embraced the fun but drank responsibly.

Scarlet Lady's Happenings Cast (ie, the entertainment team) lead Grog Walks around the ship that are a mix of pub crawl and icebreaker games so you can meet your shipmates. They do incur an extra fee to cover drinks, but they're insanely popular and sell out quickly. Try to book the one early in the cruise to meet people and get the lay of the lounge landscape.

The two most popular bars on board each night are Sip, the Champagne bar (which also serves wine and cocktails), and On The Rocks, which is central to everything and usually has live music. If you want to get a buzz at a venue that's buzzing, choose one of these for your nightcap.

I loved the tucked-away Dock House Bar for a pre-dinner drink and its outside extension, The Dock, for day drinking while lounging on a sun bed. The Grounds Club is Virgin's nod to Starbucks, with all the caffeine and baked-good carbs you crave.

Restaurant bars of note are Pink Agave, with an enormous tequila and mezcal menu and some excellent margaritas, and the Red Bar at Razzle Dazzle with its crazy concoctions, such as the Popcorn Old-Fashioned (topped with actual popcorn). The Social Club Bar lets you embrace your inner child – if said child could drink alcohol – with alcoholic milkshakes and floats topped with candy and cookies.

Scarlet Lady has all the requisite poolside and sun deck bars, including ones offering smoothies and juices after your indoor or outdoor workout.

Related: We tried every bar on Virgin Voyages and ranked them from best to worst

Scarlet Lady activities

Scarlet Lady doesn't overwhelm you with scheduled activities when the vessel is at sea. Instead, the ship becomes your playground for you to enjoy however you like.

The top decks (15 – 17) are the places to head for fitness, fun in the sun or a combination of both. The Deck 15 Aquatic Club is where you'll find a standard pool and a well-being pool (essentially a large whirlpool), surrounded by day beds and lounge chairs. Additional sun-worshipping space can be found one deck up, including at the Athletic Club Bar at the back of the ship where you can perch on circular sunbeds or a suspended catamaran net with views to the wake below.

If you want to feel like a rockstar, you can rent one of the private cabanas on Deck 16. Each costs $250 for a full day and can be reserved at Sailor Services on Deck 5. Inside, you'll find daybeds for lounging and a drinks cooler prepped with fresh-pressed welcome juices. Your dedicated cabana attendant can bring you towels and food.

On the other hand, if working out is core to your vacation ideals, Scarlet Lady offers plenty of options, but the fitness areas aren't connected the way you think they might be, so look at a deck plan before you throw on your sneakers.

The Deck 15 B-Complex fitness center is divided into two halves: Burn + Bike portside, with a cycling studio and cardio machines, and Build + Balance starboard, with resistance machines and a studio for yoga, meditation and bungee classes. Take the stairs up to the Training Camp group fitness space, where you'll find HIIT classes.

Those are just the indoor options. Outside Training camp is a boxing ring, props for alfresco body weight exercises, a sports court for basketball and an adult playground with swings and a seesaw. Above on Deck 17 is a jogging track and a space for outdoor yoga. Back on Deck 15 by the wellness pool is another open-air workout space – especially good for show-offs since everyone lounging in that area can watch you sweat.

Virgin Voyages is known for its creative fitness classes, such as an '80s-themed workout where crew and guests don legwarmers and neon leotards to set the mood. As with the Grog Walk and prime dining times, group workouts also book up quickly, so reserve them as soon as you can. Also unlike the classes you may have tried on other cruise lines, Virgin's are aimed at active, younger adults, not seniors. You will work hard, and you will be sore the next day.

Scarlet Lady's Redemption Spa is also broken up and scattered around the ship. The main venue is tucked away on Deck 5 on the other side of the elevator bank from Sailor Services, Pink Agave and Razzle Dazzle. You'll find treatment rooms for massages here, as well as the thermal suite.

I highly recommend booking a three-hour pass to the suite and enjoying the sauna, steam room, salt room, mud room and more. There's nothing like taking a cup of mud (which looks like a chocolate milkshake) and rubbing it all over your body (or your partner's – this is Virgin after all) in the company of strangers. You won't need three hours, so consider showing up a bit late to avoid the rush at the beginning of each session.

On Deck 6, men can get a shave at Stubble and Groom, while women can get blowouts for Scarlet Night at Dry Dock. Also here is Virgin Voyages' groundbreaking tattoo parlor, Squid Ink , where you can pay inflated rates for the bragging rights of having gotten a tattoo at sea. For your other bodily needs, The Tune Up offers medispa treatments, manicures and pedicures by the pool on Deck 15.

The Deck 6 casino is a hopping place at night, partly because it's located between The Red Room performance space and On the Rocks Bar, with the entrance to the Manor nightclub just opposite. Beginners and high rollers alike can sign up for gaming lessons or poker tournaments at the WPT at Sea Poker Room in partnership with the World Poker Tour. However, hands down the most fun you'll have gambling on the ship is at Bingo With The Diva, Scarlet Lady's resident drag queen.

Other activities on board include trivia and solo traveler meetups. You can also hit the High Street shops for sundries, logo wear, hammocks, MAC cosmetics, designer clothes and purses, hair and skincare products and alcohol.

Scarlet Lady shows and parties

Scarlet Lady hits it out of the park when it comes to entertainment, both performances and parties. On many cruise ships, I'll go to a show, sit in the back and leave after 10 minutes. On Virgin, I was fully captivated for the length of the performance and often came out raving about the experience. I appreciate how the line has hired diverse performers in terms of race, size and gender expression, and how its shows do not shy away from mature language and sexual themes (both gay and straight).

I was also impressed how the cruise line creates parties and events that everyone shows up for and gets into. On other cruise lines, a deck party might attract a couple hundred guests, but on Virgin's Scarlet Night, pretty much everyone turns out.

Most main performances take place in the multipurpose, rearrangeable Red Room, but more intimate shows take over The Manor nightclub.

Here are some of the entertainment highlights of my five-night Caribbean cruise.

Ships in the Night: The first show I saw on Virgin was my least favorite. To be fair, I only was able to catch a portion of the show. The dancers were killing it, but the one singer couldn't carry the show.

Duel Reality: This engaging acrobatic performance is possibly the best show I've seen at sea, and if it's not, it's in the top three. You will be rooting not only for your team, but for love to conquer all in this original take on "Romeo and Juliet."

DanceShowPartyThing: The show's name says it all. You'll interact with the performers and join them in the Macarena, the stage will move around the room and you might not know what's going on, but it will be fun. If you despise Celine Dion's Titanic "My Heart Will Go On," you'll have a new appreciation after this performance.

Around the World in 90 Minutes: I thought The Diva's drag show in The Manor was under-promoted, but perhaps that's on purpose because the small space was packed with the lucky folks who flagged it on their schedule. I reluctantly left after intermission, but if you want to laugh yourself silly and aren't afraid of being called out by The Diva, you don't want to miss this one.

Scarlet Lady also brings guest comedians and performers on board, and the ones I saw were top notch, including a young Latina pop group called Bella Dose.

Pretty much every night there's a themed party in The Manor or out on deck, but the ones you need to pack for are the PJ Party and Scarlet Night. Scarlet Lady's first-night pajama party is optional, but if you do want to get your Virgin vibe going on day one, pack a pair of party PJs and head to the Athletic Club bar on the first night.

But the event to end all events is Scarlet night. If nothing else, you will want to wear red – whether that's a red cocktail dress or jumper, shirt, accessories or bathing suit. Some folks go all out formal, while others keep it casual. As long as you've got the right color, it's all good. The Roundabout is the place to be after dinner; look out for flash performances and crew members with invitations to secret parties. The entire ship will be out in force.

The actual Scarlet Night party takes place on the pool deck, and many revelers end up in the pool, so plan your wardrobe accordingly. It rained on our Scarlet Night so the entire event was moved into the Red Room, where it basically became a large nightclub with thudding base and not that interesting. The after party moves to The Manor, but I actually preferred hanging out at On The Rocks, listening to the killer band and watching all the outfits go by.

Scarlet Lady itineraries and pricing

Scarlet Lady is currently based out of Miami, where the ship sails four itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Each of the four- and five-night cruises spends a day at Virgin's private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. Other ports of call may include Key West; Cozumel/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya, Mexico; or Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

In April 2024, the ship will sail an epic 14-night transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, which will be Scarlet Lady's homebase at least through October 2024. From Spain, it will sail seven-night itineraries to ports in Italy, Spain and the French Riviera, all with overnights on the party island of Ibiza.

Fares start at $1,426 per cabin for a windowless Insider cabin on a four-night Fire & Sunset Soirees cruise to Key West and Bimini. Sea Terraces with private balconies start at $1,996 per cabin. The price is valid whether you have one or two travelers sharing the room, and does not include taxes and fees. You'll pay extra for the third or fourth person sharing your cabin.

What to know before you go

Required documents

If you're a U.S. citizen on one of Scarlet Lady's round-trip Miami sailings, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo ID to sail.

For the ship's transatlantic crossing and all subsequent cruises from Barcelona, you'll need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date you return back to the U.S.

Green-card holders and non-U.S. citizens will need to check requirements based on destinations visited.

In addition, you will need to check in for your cruise online, fill out the appropriate information and select an arrival time for embarkation day.

Virgin Voyages include crew gratuities in its fares. You are welcome to tip your bartender or cabin attendant extra if you feel they've gone above or beyond, but it's not necessary.

You may want to bring some cash to tip the porters who take your suitcases from the pier to the ship and any tour guides who lead your ship-sponsored or private excursion in port.

Internet access is also included on your Scarlet Lady cruise. Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, and your complimentary access covers two devices logged in at a time per passenger. If you wish to stream music and video, you can pay to upgrade to a Premium Wi-Fi plan, subject to availability.

Carry-on drinks policy

Virgin Voyages takes a reasonable approach to passengers bringing drinks on board. Each guest may bring on board a maximum of 12 sealed 12-ounce or smaller cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages (water, sports drinks, soda, non-alcoholic beer, etc.) and two 750mL bottles of wine. You may not bring liquor or beer.

You must transport these in your carry-on bags. Any beverages found in your checked luggage will be confiscated and returned at the end of your cruise.

If you choose to purchase "specialty liquors" in the ports you visit, you may bring these on board but they will also be held for you until the last night of the cruise. Make sure you adhere to customs regulations about how much alcohol you can bring back into the country from abroad.

Smoking policy

Passengers may only smoke (this includes vaping) in the Deck 6 smoking room outside the Red Room and in a designated outdoor area on the starboard side of Deck 16 by the entrance to Richard's Rooftop.

Guests may not smoke in their cabins or on cabin terraces. Anyone who breaks the rules will be fined $500 and may be disembarked at the next destination, with no refund for missed days on the ship and no compensation for lodging and/or airfare back home.

Virgin Voyages' ships do not have self-service laundry rooms. However, passengers can send individual clothing items out for pressing, washing and folding, or washing and pressing. You also have the option to get an entire bag of laundry washed and folded for a flat rate.

Eco-cleaning (wet washing but with less water and eco-friendly detergent that's easier on fabrics) is also available. Express turnaround (returned by 5:30 p.m. the same day when picked up before 11 a.m.) is available for an extra fee for both regular washing and for dry-cleaning. Non-express items will be returned the following day by 5:30 p.m.

Dry-cleaning is not available on board.

Electrical outlets

All cabins are outfitted with North American, USB and universal (European, U.K. and many other countries) outlets.

A balcony cabin will have two USB ports near the bed, along with a North American outlet. The desk and vanity area have two more USB ports (though one is taken up by the charging cable for the cabin's tablet, which controls the TV, curtains and temperature), two additional North American outlets and one universal outlet.

The bathrooms have no outlets, so you'll have to use electric razors and style your hair at the vanity.

The currency on Scarlet Lady is the U.S. dollar. Before you board, you'll link a credit card to your account (which you can do via the app prior to embarkation day) or put up a cash amount from which you can debit for purchases made on board.

The Band — an adjustable cord bracelet with a scannable device attached — is your room key and charge "card" when you sail. It's also used to scan you on and off the ship when you go ashore. More importantly, perhaps, it allows crew members to locate you when you shake for Champagne delivery.

Passengers will not receive keycards unless they have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive sun deck reserved for cruisers booked in Rockstar Suites.

Drinking age

Although Virgin Voyages' ships allowed anyone 18 or older to sail, the drinking age on board is 21 years when ships are docked in the U.S. In international waters and in places like Europe, where the drinking age is 18, the onboard drinking age is 18.

Virgin Voyages has no official dress code. The line advises passengers to come as they are, whether it's a sparkly dress or jeans and a T-shirt. However, the average passenger enjoys looking chic and trendy, even when dressed down. Most people do change into something a little nicer for dinner, but you won't find any official formal nights on board.

Be sure to bring something red for Scarlet Night, whether that's a red dress, shirt or accessory. (Consider a red swimsuit if you intend to end the party in the pool.) Other themed nights include a pajama party and an '80s bash, so pack accordingly.

Bottom line

Scarlet Lady is the perfect ship for modern, young-at-heart travelers who love cutting-age entertainment, good food, a good party and lots of R&R. It's not the right choice for folks who are conservative minded or easily offended, or longtime cruisers looking for a traditional experience. If you've never cruised because you don't like kids, crowds, banquet-style dining or lackluster entertainment, this might be the ship that changes your mind.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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7 things to do as soon as you board a cruise ship.

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Making the most of embarkation day can set you up for an enjoyable cruise vacation.

If you’ve never cruised before, embarking a modern vessel for the first time can be truly overwhelming. You don’t know what you don’t know, but by not doing certain things within the first hours, you risk spoiling your dream vacation.

The embarkation day process for a cruise is like a streamlined airport experience. Cruise lines provide a time window, usually from late morning to mid-afternoon, for arrival at the port.

Upon arrival, keep your boarding documents and ID ready. Once you’ve dropped off your luggage, cruise staff guide you to check-in where you'll present your ID, complete a health form, and receive your cruise card or wristband.

This card acts as a boarding pass, room key, and payment card onboard. Some lines offer keyless embarkation, allowing direct access to rooms and cards collected at the cabin. Before boarding, you'll go through a security line, albeit less rigorous than at an airport.

Once onboard, make sure to do these seven things as soon as you can. From checking your accommodations to enjoying the iconic sailaway, these steps ensure you maximize your onboard experience right from the start.

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Imessage s lock on america is this really the beginning of the end, drake and kendrick lamar feud timeline lamar drops second diss track 6 16 in la, check your accommodation thoroughly.

As soon as you enter your cabin, inspect everything to ensure it meets your expectations and everything is in working order. Check that all facilities, such as the shower, toilet flush, lights, and electrical outlets, function properly.

If there is anything amiss, this is the time to contact guest services. You should expect a long queue on embarkation day, but the sooner you identify an issue, the higher the chance of a quick resolution, especially if an alternative cabin may be required.

You should check your cruise ship cabin and meet your room steward as soon as you can on embarkation ... [+] day.

This time also gives you an opportunity to stow your valuables in the cabin safe, and freshen up if desired.

Meet Your Cabin Steward

Introduce yourself to your cabin steward . They are key to ensuring your stay is comfortable, and will most likely call on you as soon as they realize you have arrived.

Discuss any specific preferences or needs you might have, such as extra pillows or allergies, or mention if you are late sleepers, for example. If you have any queries about room service or laundry options, now is the time to ask.

Cabin stewards are always professional, but getting to know yours early can enhance your onboard experience significantly.

Book Everything

Modern cruise ships are home to a dazzling range of entertainment and dining options. Early booking is crucial for popular onboard activities, dining reservations, and shore excursions.

In some cases, popular activities may have sold out prior to the cruise. For those that need to be booked on board, visit the relevant information desk or use the onboard app to make all your bookings as soon as possible.

You should also check your allocated dining time, if you are on a ship that operates a fixed dining concept. If you’re unhappy with the allocation, visit the maitre’d to request a change.

Attend Muster

The only absolute must-do on the first day is the muster drill. Prior to the pandemic, many cruise lines still required physical attendance in the theater or other large venue to go through the cruise safety procedures .

Nowadays, almost all cruise lines offer a virtual muster experience. Typically, a safety video is available on the cabin TV (which must be watched before accessing other functions) or even on the cruise line app.

You may still need to attend your designated lifeboat station to have your name taken, but this is straightforward and takes mere minutes.

Take Advantage Of Ship Tours

When you arrive in your cabin, check your daily planner to see if there are any introductory tours or sessions offered by the cruise line.

Embarkation day can be hectic and overwhelming. Join a guided tour to get your bearings.

Ship tours are ideal for first-time cruisers unfamiliar with the ship’s layout and generally how things work on board.

Keep an eye out for embarkation day tours or introductory sessions at the spa, fitness center, or casino. These often include special promotions or offers to kickstart your cruise experience.

Airplane Mode

To avoid hefty roaming charges, switch your phone to airplane mode. While at sea, your device could inadvertently connect to a cellular maritime network , which incurs high costs or data.

Even if you don't actively use your phone, you might accrue a significant bill from background data usage by your apps before you even receive an SMS notification—if you receive one at all.

Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi packages, so consider purchasing one if you need to stay connected. Remember, cruise line apps typically require connection to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, but you can use them without buying an internet package.

Alternatively, use this time to disconnect and enjoy the break from constant connectivity. If so, use the time before sailaway to send some farewell messages.

Enjoy Sailaway

The sailaway party is a cruise tradition not to be missed. On many lines, the top decks will host live music and festivities as the ship departs.

It’s the perfect time to grab a drink, meet other travelers, and take in the stunning views as you set sail on your adventure. If you want to toast the sailaway, be sure to get a drink in good time, as the bars will all be busy.

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11 Rookie Mistakes that will Ruin Your Cruise Embarkation Day

A re you going on a cruise soon? Whether this is your first cruise, or you’ve been on several cruises, there are many common embarkation day mistakes that could ruin your day. To make sure you have a smooth first day, here are the top embarkation day mistakes to avoid. Trust me, you don’t want to make these mistakes!

Cruise Embarkation Day Mistakes to Avoid

1. not printing your luggage tags.

One common mistake that first-time cruisers make is that they forget to print their luggage tags before going on the cruise. This can lead to a lot of unnecessary hassle because you’ll have to fill out luggage tags manually at the cruise port. 

Usually, the cruise port provides porters to take your luggage for check-in. But without your tags, they will not be able to do so. 

Filling out the tags manually can be a stressful experience since you will have to look up your stateroom number. On some cruise lines, such as Princess, you may also need to provide the Luggage Door/Deck number. This can easily become a daunting task, especially when you are in a hurry to board the ship and are trying to find your confirmation documents. To avoid this unnecessary stress, it is best to print your luggage tags ahead of time and attach them to your suitcases.

2. Expired Passport

One common mistake people make when they go on a cruise is not checking their passport expiration date. If your passport has expired or is close to expiration within six months, the cruise line may deny you boarding. 

Most cruise lines require that your passport remains valid for at least six months after the cruise. To avoid complications and the possibility of being denied boarding, it’s important that your passport is not expired. 

You should also check the expiration of other travel documents like your resident alien card (green card) to make sure that it is not expired or approaching expiration.

3. Arriving on the Day of Embarkation

I know many people may be tempted to arrive on the day of embarkation, thinking that they have plenty of time to get from the airport to the cruise port since the ship doesn’t sail until 4 pm, right? But, this is a risky move because a lot can go wrong. 

Your flight can get delayed or canceled, which means you might miss your ship. Flight cancellations and delays have become increasingly common these days. Plus if you’re traveling in Europe, airports can shut down due to strikes. 

To avoid these risks, it’s best to arrive the night before and spend the night at a nearby cruise port hotel. This way, you can board the ship the following day, feeling calmer and less stressed.

4. Not Booking a Car in Advance

It’s a common mistake for first-time cruisers not to book a car in advance to get to the cruise port. They think they can just wing it and get a taxi or Uber to the port. 

But if you’re staying at a hotel near the cruise port, it’s likely that many other guests will also be heading to the same port at the same time. This means that if you haven’t pre-booked your ride, you’ll find yourself competing with others for the same taxi or Uber.

My suggestion is to book your ride to the cruise port ahead of time instead of trying to wing it that morning and scrambling to find a ride. By doing so, you’ll avoid the hassle of waiting and arrive at the port on time and stress-free.

5. Online Check-In

Newbie cruisers often make the common mistake of not completing their online check-in, which can result in a delay in the boarding process. This delay can be avoided by completing the online check-in in advance. 

By checking in online, you will have printed your luggage tags and added all your information to the cruise line’s system. But if you didn’t complete the online check-in, the cruise staff will have to enter all your information manually at the cruise port check-in, causing a delay in the boarding process. 

Instead of enjoying starting your vacation on the ship, you will find yourself standing at the check-in counter, waiting for a long time to be checked in! 

6. Lunch at the Buffet on Embarkation Day

Don’t make the mistake of rushing straight to the buffet for lunch on the first day of your cruise. It’s where everyone tends to go, making it the most crowded place on the ship! 

You’ll have to deal with chaos, long lines, and limited tables at the buffet. Instead, head to one of the dining rooms to enjoy a calmer lunch experience. You might also find other smaller cafes or restaurants open on embarkation day. Just ask the cruise staff. This way, you can have a more relaxed and less hectic meal. Save the buffet for another day!

7. Taking the Elevator on Embarkation Day

One common mistake that rookie cruisers make on embarkation day is that they rush straight to the elevator. Instead of joining the throngs of people waiting for the elevator, I suggest taking the stairs if your carry-on bag is manageable. 

The elevators are the most congested area on a cruise ship on embarkation day, with long lines and stops on every floor. Plus, if you’re traveling with a group, it will be impossible to get everyone on the same elevator. Save yourself the hassle and take the stairs instead!

8. No Minor Travel Consent 

It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re traveling with a minor who is not accompanied by their parents, you’ll need to complete a minor travel consent form before boarding the ship. This is especially important if you’re taking your grandchild on a cruise without their parents. Failure to complete the form could result in delays during the boarding process, so be sure to check with your cruise line to see what forms are required.

9. Leaving Your Passport in Your Check In Luggage

Don’t make the rookie mistake of leaving your passport, credit card, and other crucial travel documents in your checked luggage! Once you hand your luggage over to a porter, it can be quite difficult to track down if you need access to those important documents. 

To avoid any delays during check-in at the cruise port, keep your travel documents and wallet with you in your carry-on bag. This way, you’ll have everything you need within reach.

10. Not Packing a Carry-on Bag

It’s a common mistake for newbie cruisers not to realize that once they check in their luggage, they won’t have access to it until later in the afternoon or early evening. As a result, they often forget to pack items they need immediately such as toiletries, toys, devices, and medications. 

To avoid waiting for your checked luggage to be delivered, it’s best to pack a carry-on bag with all your essentials. I suggest using a small roller bag as your carry on bag.

Make sure to pack essential items like toiletries, medications, toys/devices for kids, and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag. If you’re heading to a warm weather cruise destination like the Caribbean or Mexico, you may also want to pack your bathing suit, goggles, and sunscreen so you can take a dip in the pool or lounge poolside as soon as you board the ship!

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11. Bringing Prohibited Items on the Cruise

It’s common for newbie cruisers to make the mistake of bringing prohibited items on the ship. To avoid any delays in the boarding process, you should carefully review your cruise line’s policy on what items are allowed and what are not. 

Bringing prohibited items on board can cause unnecessary delays that can easily be avoided with a little bit of prior research. Some of the commonly restricted items include hair dryers, extension cords, and liquor. 

It is important to note that different cruise lines have different policies regarding alcohol. For example, some cruise lines allow a bottle of wine or champagne per person, while others allow two bottles. To make sure that you’re fully aware of your cruise line’s policies, it’s always better to check with them before boarding the cruise.

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The post 11 Rookie Mistakes that will Ruin Your Cruise Embarkation Day appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

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Disembarkation: Everything You Need to Know

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 27th, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Make the most of the day in your disembarkation port, which will run all the more smoothly with a little preparation and planning.

Disembarking a cruise ship is not the same as checking out of a hotel on your last day. Disembarkation day is a carefully choreographed event. It has to be, with sometimes 2,000 guests or more and their luggage to move from the ship to the cruise terminal and beyond in a short time.

Your Celebrity Cruises crew are highly experienced in this logistical exercise, though, and will do all they can to make that bittersweet goodbye as easy as possible.

What is a disembarkation port?

A disembarkation port is a port where a cruise ends. Most passengers will leave the ship here, apart from those who have booked back-to-back cruises.

The ship will then be “turned around”—cleaned top to bottom, refueled, and re-provisioned with everything that’s needed for the next voyage.

Once all the disembarking guests have left, after a brief lull, new arrivals will begin to check in, ready for the next cruise.

Typical disembarkation ports tend to be gateway cities with good air and road access, like Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Cape Liberty, New Jersey; and San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

In Europe , disembarkation ports include Barcelona, Rome, Athens, and Southampton, England. Sydney, Australia and Singapore are two of Celebrity’s disembarkation ports in the Asia-Pacific region.

What happens on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day is a busy day on a cruise ship. You’ll be invited to put your luggage outside your stateroom the night before. It will be collected by the crew overnight and will be waiting for you in the terminal when you leave the ship.

You’ll make sure your final bill is settled the day before, pack your carry-on luggage, and have breakfast. When your pre-allocated disembarkation time comes, make your way to the gangway.

You will then identify and claim your luggage in the terminal, clear customs, and take whatever onward transportation you’ve arranged.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

How will I know on board what to expect on disembarkation day?

Towards the end of your cruise, there will be a talk on disembarkation procedures. This will be shown on your stateroom TV, too, in case you miss it. You’ll also find details in the daily program.

You will already have been asked about your arrangements on disembarkation day. These might include a transfer to the airport arranged by Celebrity Cruises, or a shore excursion that ends at the airport.

You may have made independent plans, in which case you will need to add your flight details to the form you’ll be given, or the time your private pickup is booked.

A day or so before the voyage ends, your stateroom attendant will deliver a disembarkation letter and a set of colored luggage tags. The letter will tell you what time you are due to disembark. On the day, you will be called by group number or color code. You should stick to these staggered times to avoid congestion at the gangway.

If you’re not happy with the time you have been allocated, take it up with Guest Services as soon as possible rather than waiting until disembarkation day.

Do I have to put my luggage out for collection the night before disembarkation?

The vast majority of cruisers put their luggage outside their stateroom door, color-tagged and locked, the night before disembarkation. It’s more convenient and practical, as dragging heavy bags into crowded elevators and down a sometimes steep gangway is no fun for anybody.

But if you feel strongly about hanging onto your bag, or are perhaps traveling light with only a small wheelie on a short cruise, you can opt for “self disembarkation”. This usually means you can leave the ship as soon as disembarkation has begun.

How long can you stay on the ship on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day isn’t a time to linger on board as the crew has to work hard to prepare the ship for the next voyage. Normally, there’s a window between around 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for disembarkation. If your flight isn’t until much later, you will be given a later slot in this window, but this isn’t a day to expect to sleep in.

If you’ve booked a back-to-back cruise, you can relax on board during disembarkation day, or join a shore excursion while the new guests are checking in.

You will normally be asked to vacate your stateroom by 8 a.m. so the stateroom attendant can prepare it for the next guest. If your allocated disembarkation time is later than this, there will be public areas on the ship where you can relax with your carry-on before you leave.

Read: The Only Cruise Packing List You’ll Ever Need

How early can you get off?

A ship will usually only have a short distance to travel from its penultimate port to the disembarkation port to account for any delays or weather issues; no cruise line wants to arrive late on turnaround day. So you may find you’re docked alongside very early in the morning.

But the ship has to be cleared by the local authorities before anybody can leave. Luggage has to be offloaded, too.

When you book your cruise, you will be told about the earliest reasonable flight departure time to choose. A very early morning flight, for example, is usually impractical. If you do have a relatively early flight, this will be factored in when disembarkation groups are allocated.

Disembarkation times vary from port to port, but it is unusual for the process to begin any earlier than 7 a.m.

Is there time for breakfast?

Of course! You are still on vacation and will never be sent away hungry. Most of the usual breakfast venues will be open, including Café al Bacio for coffee to go.

Restaurants may be busier than usual as everybody is preparing to leave within the same short timespan, and some people may have already left their staterooms and will be carrying their hand baggage with them.

Read: What Is Food on a Cruise Really Like?

What documents do I need for disembarkation and customs?

You will need your passport and receipts for any duty-free goods you have bought, in case you get stopped at customs. Normally, the ship will have been cleared by the local immigration authorities, but you may still be required to show a passport to officials when you disembark.

If you have already checked in for your flight and feel happier with a paper boarding pass, you can print this out in the ship’s internet center. If you’ve parked your car at the port, make sure you have the receipt and know where it is.

You will also need your SeaPass key card to leave the ship for one last time.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship?

If everybody follows the instructions they have been given and shows up at the gangway when invited, getting off a ship is quick and easy. You should be able to disembark in 15 to 30 minutes, including collecting your baggage in the terminal.

There can be delays, though, and the ship is at the whim of the local immigration authorities. This is another compelling reason for leaving plenty of time between your scheduled disembarkation time and your flight home.

If you have booked an airport transfer or a disembarkation day tour with Celebrity, your transportation will wait until everybody is present.

How do I choose the right disembarkation port for my cruise?

First, to be clear, you can’t choose where to disembark your cruise. Unless there is some kind of personal emergency or you have booked two back-to-back cruises, everybody disembarks on the same day in the same port.

It’s worth thinking about where your cruise ends, though, and what you might want to do to extend your vacation. If, for example, you’ve always wanted to see Athens and you’ve booked a cruise that ends in the Greek capital, you’re not going to actually see Athens unless you extend your stay there. The transfer from the port to the airport will not take you through the city center.

The same applies to Rome and Barcelona . So by all means pick a disembarkation port that you want to see, but bear in mind that unless the ship arrives there the day before the end of the cruise, you will need to add on a night somewhere, or book an evening flight and plan your day carefully.

Can I arrange transportation from the disembarkation port to the airport or other destinations?

Yes, of course. Celebrity Cruises offers airport transfers, which can be pre-booked, either as a group transfer by coach or a private car or van. If you haven’t pre-booked and decide that you would like an airport transfer, this can be done on board through your Guest Account or the Celebrity Cruises app up to five days before the end of the cruise.

In the vast majority of disembarkation ports, taxis will wait to pick up independent travelers. But do your research first; in some instances, the airport is a long way from the seaport. If you disembark in Southampton, England , for example, the drive to London Heathrow Airport is at least one hour and a taxi will be expensive.

What happens if my flight is in the evening?

An evening flight means you have the whole day to enjoy your disembarkation port. But this needs to be planned, as you will most likely have luggage. There’s no fun in going straight to the airport and sitting there for eight hours or so—and your flight check-in will not be open, in any case.

There are various ways to make the most of your time in your disembarkation port. You could go to the airport and deposit your bags in a left luggage locker and then take off for a day in town. This is only practical if the airport is not too far from where you want to go, though.

Booking a day room in a hotel is an option and also means you can freshen up before your evening flight. Be sure to book somewhere that will allow early check-in.

Celebrity Cruises offers tours with airport and sometimes rail station and downtown hotel drop-offs in most ports. In Sydney , for example, you could join a city tour taking in the Opera House and Bondi Beach before being dropped off at the airport.

From Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, Italy , there’s the option of joining a wine-tasting tour in the Italian countryside before heading to the airport.

If your Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver , you could take a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, deep in the forest, that ends with an airport drop-off.

Best of all, you could extend your stay. Celebrity Cruises offers a comprehensive City Stays program , which means everything will be organized for you.

In Alaska , you could pre-book a Cruisetour to extend your vacation, heading off to the wilds of Denali National Park to see a different face of the 49th state.

What are some things not to do on disembarkation day?

• Don’t pack all your clothes in your suitcase and leave it for collection the night before. Nobody wants to be disembarking in their PJs.
• Similarly, don’t pack your travel documents in your checked luggage. Keep them with you as you may need to show your passport in the customs hall.
• Don’t party too hard on your last night; while it’s tempting, disembarkation day is busy and comes with an early start, so a clear head helps.
• Don’t forget the valuables that you put in the safe on the first day.
• Don’t wait until disembarkation morning to check your final bill. If you need to ask questions about your account, this will delay your disembarkation. You can view your statement on your stateroom TV.
• Do not expect to use the ship’s facilities on disembarkation day; this is not the time for a last swim or a workout, and the onboard shops will be closed when the ship is in port.
• Don’t leave your key card in your stateroom. You will need it to leave the ship for the last time.
• Leave the bathrobe. The slippers are yours to take, but if you walk off with a bathrobe, the cost will be added to your account, even after you have left the ship.

Read: Things Not to Do on a Cruise

Ready to plan your next cruise vacation? Browse our itineraries and plan your dream escape.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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Introducing Brilliant Lady to Virgin Voyages’ award-winning fleet

Set to hit the high seas in September 2025, Brilliant Lady is the highly anticipated fourth and final vessel in the Virgin Voyages Lady Fleet. She’s not just a ship but a chance to see the world in a whole new way.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Brilliant Lady’s launch is the opportunity to explore new horizons. With its adapted frame, the ship is designed to navigate new landscapes like the glaciers of Alaska and the vibrant waters of the Panama Canal.

Brilliant Lady's inaugural season will kick off with the ultimate cross-country sea trip before debuting itineraries with exciting new ports like New York, Los Angeles and Alaska.

Let’s talk itineraries:

New York City, September 2025 - October 2025. Brilliant Lady’s journey begins in the city that never sleeps. Following a premiere showcase for New Yorkers, Brilliant Lady will sail to Bermuda and Canada’s Quebec City. Other new ports of call include Maine, Charleston, Boston, Halifax, and New Brunswick.

Miami, October 2025 - April 2026. Warming up for the winter season, Brilliant Lady will embark on a collection of extended Caribbean getaways to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Cartagena. Brilliant Lady will also head back to sailor favorites like Turks & Caicos, Antigua and Grand Cayman along with newcomer Ocho Rios, Jamaica’s most coveted port.

Panama Canal Crossing, March 2026. This epic 16-night voyage crosses from Miami to Los Angeles, sailing south towards Colombia before a jaunt through the Panama Canal. Sailors will then explore Costa Rica, Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Guatemala’s acclaimed Lake Atitlán as well as a final stop in Los Cabos.

Los Angeles, April 2026 - May 2026. Sailors can explore California’s stunning west coast with calls in Baja, Puerto Vallarta, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island and San Diego.

Seattle, May 2026 - September 2026. Departing from Seattle, summer 2026 will take Brilliant Lady to the vast landscapes of Alaska’s breathtaking shores where sailors can spot an abundance of wildlife including bald eagles, orca, seals, bears and humpback whales.

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Sailors previously slated to sail on Brilliant Lady will be given priority access to book a MerMaiden voyage.

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Protect Your Trip »

Cruise packing list: the essentials chosen by experts.

This cruise packing list includes all of the essentials – plus items you didn't know you needed.

Essentials to Pack for a Cruise

Packing for any trip takes some planning, but cruise vacations present a unique challenge – particularly due to limited stateroom storage space and sparse (or overpriced) options for purchasing accidentally forgotten items.

To help you decide what to pack for a cruise, we've curated a list of essentials recommended by cruise experts who regularly sail the high seas. Download the U.S. News Cruise Packing List pictured above to reference while you pack, and read on to learn more about the recommended items and where you can purchase them if needed.

• For packing and planning
• For travel and embarkation day
• For the cabin
• For the ship and shore excursions

Find your perfect cruise

Carry-on bag

Regardless of whether you bring checked luggage, you'll need some type of carry-on bag . Since checked bags need to go through security as they do at airports – and because you may need to wait for your stateroom to be ready, just like at a hotel – you'll want to be able to access any necessities pre-cruise. These might include a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the pools; medications; a bottle of water; and your smartphone, of course. You'll also want to keep your credit card , passport, and any other important documentation or valuables close by. A carry-on backpack works especially well since it can double as a day bag for shore excursions.

Checked bag

While you'll likely want to bring a checked bag, consider sharing one with your ship mate(s) to maximize stateroom storage space. Or, consider bringing medium-sized luggage, such as the The Medium by Away , for checking in.

Read: The Best Checked Luggage Options

Garment bag

Courtesy of Halfday

While many cruises are less formal these days, a garment bag can still be handy for keeping select garments wrinkle-free (since clothing irons are prohibited on cruise ships). Top-rated options include the The Garment Duffel by Halfday and the Briggs and Riley Baseline 22" Carry-On 2-Wheel Garment Bag , both of which double as traditional luggage. If you pack your luggage right, you can make this your only suitcase, in addition to a carry-on bag.

Packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags

Packing cubes are one of the best ways to organize your belongings for travel – especially in a tight cruise ship cabin. Top-rated options include the Veken packing cubes on Amazon (usually priced around $20) and all of the Pack-It Sets by Eagle Creek. The Pack-It Starter Set is especially ideal for cruising since it includes a garment folder designed to minimize wrinkles in clothing. Some cruisers also swear by vacuum-sealed bags , even though they can be a bit more tedious to pack.

Carry-on caddy

Ashley Kosciolek, senior cruise writer at The Points Guy, recommends a carry-on caddy , particularly if you're flying to your embarkation point. "I have a fabric sleeve that slides down over the telescoping handle on my carry-on to provide pockets for my passport, phone, coffee – all the things I used to have to juggle during check-in."

Digital luggage scale

The compact Etekcity scale – approximately $10 on Amazon – can weigh bags up to 110 pounds and help you avoid overweight baggage fees.

Bungee cord

"Especially for travelling with the family, I use a bright-green bungee cord to strap multiple pieces of luggage together," says Aaron Saunders, senior editor at Cruise Critic. "It's a lifesaver when boarding trains or disembarking ships, particularly when you ' re maneuvering a stroller and a little one around, too."

Luggage tracker

Courtesy of Apple

A luggage tracker isn't just useful for air travel. Attach one to your checked cruise luggage to see when it has arrived in your stateroom (or if it's stalled at security). Chris Gray Faust, executive editor at Cruise Critic, doesn't go anywhere without her Apple AirTag after her luggage got stuck in Vancouver for over a week last June. "My AirTag use has expanded beyond my checked luggage, too. I also have AirTags in my handbag, my carry-on, my keychain and my wallet."

Cruise insurance

Due to the unpredictable nature of travel, cruise insurance can be a wise purchase ahead of your voyage. Travel policies can cover unforeseen expenses such as trip interruptions and medical emergencies.

While a passport is often required for cruising, rules can vary depending where you're traveling. Determine whether you need a passport for your upcoming cruise ; if you do, triple-check that you have it packed the day of departure.

Credit cards and local currency

When cruising internationally, consider getting small amounts of each country's currency to have on hand in port. Depending where you go, some local markets may only accept their own country's currency, not U.S. dollars or credit cards. It's also nice to leave cash gratuities for cab drivers, tour guides or servers; in the European Union, 1- and 2-euro coins are convenient and appropriate tips. In ports with vendors that do accept credit cards, be sure to carry a Visa or Mastercard , as some shops and restaurants do not take American Express .

RFID wallet

It's important to protect your travel documents with an RFID wallet like the TIGARI Passport Holder or the ZOPPEN RFID Travel Passport Wallet , the latter of which can hold multiple passports for a family. "Thieves and hackers can steal your credit card information just by using skimming devices," explains Jill Schildhouse, a cruise expert and U.S. News contributor who always travels with her RFID wallet. "And because your wallet wasn't even touched, you won't know it happened until you see your credit card statement."

Medications

Pack more than enough of your prescription medications as well as any over-the-counter medicines you'll need, just in case you encounter an itinerary change or travel delay. While some travelers find it easiest to bring personal medicines in their prescription bottles, others find travel pill boxes to be especially helpful for organization. The Sukuos Weekly Pill Organizer is a well-rated option, with detachable boxes for each day as well as compartments for morning and evening medications.

Sheet masks

Since flying can be so drying for the skin, Faust likes to use sheet masks. "My first step the night before I board (because you should always fly in a day early) is to hydrate with a sheet mask (usually from a Korean brand like Ballon Blanc or FaceTory )," she says. "If I'm meeting up with a friend, I bring an extra sheet mask so our trip starts out feeling a bit like a spa day!"

Magnetic hooks

A surprising fact: Cruise ship cabin walls are made of metal, which means you can optimize your storage space by hanging some of your belongings on magnetic wall hooks. The hooks are perfect for holding bulky coats or boots if you're traveling to a colder climate. You can also use them for wet gear on expedition ships and adventure cruises, or for drying out bathing suits after days at the beach or pool. Purchase a set of magnetic hooks for less than $10 on Amazon .

Like hotels, cruise ships can only provide so many hangers. Bring a few extras from home or pick up a pack from your local dollar store. You might also try packable hangers .

Wrinkle release spray

Whether or not you bring a garment bag, a travel-size bottle of wrinkle release spray, such as Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray , is useful to have on board. If you combine a spritz or two with the steam from your shower, you should be able to smooth out some of the wrinkles in your clothing.

Laundry detergent

"If you don't want to pay for laundry service or spend precious time in the self-service laundry room, bring a small bottle of laundry detergent like Woolite to wash key items in the sink: underwear, bras, quick-dry hiking shorts, bathing suits, etc.," recommends Schildhouse. "Every cruise ship shower has a retractable clothesline you can extend to drape the clothes over while they dry. This can also help cut down on the number of items you need to pack."

Over-the-door organizers

Over-the-door organizers with clear or mesh pockets allow you to find your feminine hygiene products, makeup, jewelry and other small items quickly – without having to hunt through multiple drawers or a tight stateroom closet. It's a good idea to purchase a two-pack like this option by Simple Houseware Store (available on Amazon), since you can also use one to store shoes and maximize floor space.

Courtesy of Poo-Pourri

It goes without saying, but to say it anyway: A toilet spray like Poo-Pourri is a must for your cruise packing list. Any smell – pleasant or not – will travel quickly in small staterooms with small bathrooms. Buy a travel-size bottle to keep in your cabin.

Shampoo and conditioner

Cruise experts agree it's best to bring your own shampoo and conditioner in travel-size bottles, as most cruise ships don't provide separate shampoo and conditioner anymore; instead, they offer all-in-one dispensers. Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, likes to pack her shampoo and conditioner in the popular Cadence Capsules , noting she also uses them for another essential: sunscreen. "These capsules are easy to fill, never leak and have clear labels, which you can customize," she says.

Wine or Champagne

Most major cruise lines allow each guest to bring one to two bottles of wine or Champagne on board, while some luxury cruise lines allow even more than that. Disney Cruise Line also gives guests the option to bring a six-pack of beer instead of wine or Champagne. Be sure to consult your cruise line's policies when packing for your trip.

If you plan to bring wine or Champagne, you'll likely need a corkscrew . While some cruise lines may prohibit corkscrews, others allow them onboard; check your cruise line's policy before sailing. Bringing wine with a twistable cap may be a good alternative.

Portable humidifier

Cruise ship cabins can feel dry – especially in the colder months. A portable humidifier like the GENIANI Erie (around $25 on Amazon) can provide some relief. At about half a pound, this USB-powered device will fit neatly into your checked bag or carry-on luggage. The travel humidifier features two mist settings and has an automatic shut-off option, plus a night light to help you see around your cabin in the dark.

International travel adapter or converter

You'll likely need a travel adapter, since cruise lines homeported in international locales may have different electrical sockets and voltage strengths than you're used to in the U.S.

McDaniel recommends the OneWorld65 Travel Adapter . "I've used a lot of different travel adapters over the years, but this is my favorite. It charges up to six devices at once, has USB and mini-USB options, and works in over 200 countries," she says. "While many cruise ships have U.S. outlets, most usually also have European outlets. This adapter lets me take advantage of that outlet I'd otherwise ignore." She also notes that while cruise lines are getting better about having more outlets on their ships, it never feels like enough to keep your phone, camera battery, tablet, watch, headphones/earbuds and laptop charged (times two or more if you're traveling with others).

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Sound machine

Cruise experts agree a sound machine can be helpful for blocking out the sound of late-night partiers returning to their staterooms (or your snoring spouse). Schildhouse likes the LectroFan Micro 2 for cruising. "It plays non-looping white noise and doubles as a speaker to play tunes while you get ready for dinner."

Tech organizer

Courtesy of Bagsmart

A tech organizer like the BAGSMART electronics organizer case – available on Amazon for about $20 – can store all your cables, plugs, SD cards and earphones in one zippered, compact bag that will fit easily in your carry-on luggage. Despite its small size, it can also hold bulkier items like a small laptop charging cord.

First-aid kit

A first-aid kit is a good thing to have on hand no matter where you go. You can make your own using supplies you already have at home, or buy a premade first-aid kit on Amazon for about $20. While all cruise ships have medical facilities, it's useful to have these items with you on shore excursions, especially those involving active adventures.

Hand sanitizer

Regularly washing your hands and/or using hand sanitizer is essential to staying healthy while traveling, especially on a cruise ship. Stock up on a few travel-size bottles of hand sanitizer (less than $2 each at Walmart) ahead of your trip. If you're looking for something with less alcohol that's also less drying, check out Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer .

If you're a parent, you know that your infant or toddler needs a very specific size – and in some cases brand – of diapers, which may very well be unavailable to you on your cruise ship or in the ports of call. Bring more than enough diapers to play it safe at sea.

Most cruise lines also require that non-toilet-trained infants and toddlers wear swim diapers in the children's water play areas. For the sake of sanitation, kids must be toilet-trained to use the pools on cruise ships.

Many cruisers like to personalize their cabin with stateroom door decor. Not only is it a fun tradition, but decorating the door can make it easier to locate your room, too. You can find lots of fun decor ideas on Pinterest as well as Amazon.

" Duct tape is a life-saver in many situations," says Kosciolek. "I primarily use it to attach my printed luggage tags, but it's also great for mending clothing issues on the fly and fixing broken luggage until you can get it back home."

"As a parent, I like to bring lanyards with sleeves so my kids can wear their keycards and not lose them," says Erica Silverstein, senior cruise editor at The Points Guy. "We hang them on the magnetic hooks I put on the wall, so they don't get lost in the cabin either."

Courtesy of Sea-Bands

If you're prone to (or think you may be prone to) motion sickness on cruise ships, put a pair of Sea-Bands on your cruise packing list. These soft wristbands use acupressure to prevent and minimize nausea and vomiting on board, and they are a reusable, drug-free alternative to traditional anti-nausea medications. You can purchase Sea-Bands on Amazon or at most drugstores.

If you need something a bit stronger than Sea-Bands (or to use in conjunction with them), Dramamine remains a tried-and-true solution for both preventing and treating sea sickness. Choose the Less Drowsy formula to avoid getting sleepy, and consider the chewable tablets (dye-free) if traveling with kids who are prone to queasiness. Many travelers like Bonine as a remedy for sea sickness as well.

Mix-and-match clothing

Pack a variety of mix-and-match items, also known as a capsule wardrobe, for your cruise. To do this, choose a base color – black or navy blue – for your wardrobe. Next, pack plain, neutral-colored items, then add a few patterned items to the mix. Remember to include a variety of styles (T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, rompers and jumpsuits) and also consider reversible clothing and outfits that can easily transition from day to night.

Sports jacket or blazer

Adam Coulter, executive editor of Cruise Critic UK & Australia, recommends packing a sports jacket or blazer. "While cruise lines are getting more casual, what happens if you get that last-minute invite to meet the captain, or there's a meet and mingle where you want to look put together? A jacket will always elevate your elegance (even if you're wearing a T-shirt underneath)," he says. If you're in need of a travel blazer, Bluffworks has some well-rated options; the Gramercy , in particular, gets great reviews.

Themed party attire

Some cruise lines host themed voyages or parties on select nights where passengers can dress up to participate in the fun. You'll want to review your cruise itinerary before you go so you're prepared for the festivities. Bring your buccaneer gear if you're sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line; ships host fun events like Pirate Nights, pirate-themed dinners and a "Pirates in the Caribbean" show. On "The Love Boat"-themed cruises offered by Princess Cruises , pack your platform boots, glittery dresses, bell-bottom pants and halter tops for the line's 1970s-inspired disco party on the deck. No matter the theme, you can't go wrong with a couple of captain hats .

Travel wrap

A travel wrap is a versatile accessory that's useful for any trip – even more so on a cruise ship where it can get chilly when the sea breeze picks up. Available in nearly 10 different colors, J.Crew's Oversized Cashmere Wrap is a timeless staple, albeit a bit of an investment; for something less expensive but well rated, try this off-brand pashmina shawl on Amazon .

Packable jacket

Courtesy of Patagonia

If you're cruising to a cold weather destination such as Alaska, you'll need something heavier than a travel wrap, but not so bulky that it requires additional luggage. Consider a packable jacket that folds easily and compactly; travel experts highly recommend the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket .

Packable hat

If you're headed to the Caribbean or another warm weather destination, you'll want a beach hat to protect your scalp and face from the sun. This packable straw hat by FURTALK (available on Amazon for about $25) is a stylish women's option that features a broader brim and offers UPF 50 sun protection.

Comfortable walking shoes

Courtesy of Allbirds

Even if you never step foot off the ship, there is still plenty of walking to do between bow and stern. Closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps are safer than flimsy flip-flops when boarding a slippery tender into port (if your ship can't dock directly). Check out our recommendations for the most comfortable walking shoes , which include the popular Allbirds Wool Runners and the ECCO Yucatan Sandals .

Water shoes

Depending on your scheduled shore excursions, you might also need a pair of water shoes. For something that's both functional and fashionable, Crocs' Classic Clogs are a good option. While not totally waterproof, the Native Jefferson is a water-friendly, versatile option.

Versatile heels

"Over the years, I've learned that the key to avoiding overpacking is to bring one neutral pair of low heels that match every single eveningwear outfit I've packed – from flowy pants to dresses," says Schildhouse, who loves her Rockport Tabitha 2-Strap Heeled Sandals . "They have a cushioned footbed and shock-absorbing heel so you can dance the night away in the club, and a 3-inch block heel with traction to keep you steady on your feet even if the ship's rocking a bit."

Reusable water bottle

A reusable water bottle is useful for filling up at water and beverage stations on your cruise ship; it's also a necessity for shore excursions.

Bathing suit

Pack a couple of swimsuits for the pools, hot tubs and any shore excursions.

Swim cover-up

Another must-have for your cruise packing list is a swimsuit cover-up or two. These are great for wearing over your bathing suit during days at sea, as well as on excursions – especially if you're going on a Caribbean cruise . Amazon sells a variety of stylish, affordable cover-ups, and you can never go wrong with a classic white button-down shirt .

Dry bags are useful for shore excursions where you're likely to get wet but don't want the same to be true for your phone, camera and other precious items. "I use the Outdoor Research Unisex Dry Isolation Pack   and have never had so much as a drop of moisture enter it, which is important for me – it keeps my cameras, documents and important items from getting wet," says Saunders, adding that it functions as a great everyday backpack when it's not raining.

If you need more than one dry bag, cruise expert Brittany Chrusciel recommends the Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag Set . "Having these dry bags, in a variety of sizes, means I can bring all my gear along during a Zodiac cruise or snorkeling excursion without having to worry about it getting wet."

Waterproof phone case

A waterproof phone case is also essential, especially if you plan to take photos. The Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouches (available in a two-pack) come with a lanyard so you can both protect your phone and wear it around your neck. They are compatible with most smartphones.

"I like to bring collapsible pails, small shovels , inflatable beach toys, a floppy Frisbee or other things to entertain the kids on the beach if we're going to a private island or beach destination," says Silverstein. "If you can inflate your own inner tube, you don't need to rent a floating mat."

Beach towel

"Although cruise lines provide guests with towels to take off the ship on excursions, they are often bulky and sometimes small," explains Chrusciel. "The Surfer Towel folds up to nearly nothing, so it takes up almost no room in your suitcase and is super convenient to pack in a day bag. What's more, its quick-drying technology means that the lightweight fabric won't be soaking wet when you need to pack up for the day and head back to the ship."

Towel clips

"Even though giant plastic towel clips shaped like a flamingo are a bit cringey, they make it easy to find your spot in a sea of sun loungers," says Chrusciel. "They also solve a common cruise problem: keeping your towel securely fixed to your chair while reading or sunbathing."

Reef-safe sunscreen

Courtesy of Badger

When choosing a sunscreen, look for something that's reef-safe; not only are these sunscreens safer for the environment, but they're also better for you . The active ingredients in reef-safe sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of both. Top-rated mineral sunscreen brands include Think , Badger and Raw Elements , all of which also sell lip balm with sunscreen (another essential at sea).

After-sun lotion

You'll want an extra dose of moisturizer if you've been basking in the sun. COOLA makes an after-sun body lotion that cools and hydrates the skin with aloe vera, agave and lavender oil. Previous buyers rave about this lotion, noting they appreciate that the scent isn't overpowering.

A good book

Sea days are the perfect time to kick back and relax with a book you've been meaning to read. Find an oceanfront lounge chair in a shaded area on the pool deck, or grab a cup of tea and settle into a quiet nook indoors. There's no need to pack more than one book, however, as many cruise ships have libraries.

What not to pack for a cruise

Power strip.

Many cruise lines do not permit power strips as they present a fire hazard, while others allow them as long as they are non-surge-protected. Instead of a power strip, purchase a portable charger such as this highly rated one by Anker , which can power up multiple devices at once. This can be especially useful for shore excursions. When packing for your cruise, also think about your luggage: If it has an included charging port, you may not even need to purchase an additional charging block.

Weapons and restraints

Firearms, handcuffs and the like are not permitted on cruise ships. This rule also includes toy guns on most cruise lines.

While most major cruise lines allow guests to pack a limited amount of wine or Champagne per person, they do not permit hard liquor. Of course, those of age can purchase cocktails at any of the bars on board.

Household appliances

Irons and steamers are not permitted on cruise ships, which is why the aforementioned garment bags, wrinkle release spray and packing cubes are recommended for keeping clothing tidy and neat. Coffee makers and mug warmers are also prohibited.

While you can technically bring you own, it's not necessary as hairdryers are available in every bathroom on most ships.

CBD and marijuana

CBD that's derived from hemp and contains 0.3% THC or less is legal at a federal level. However, each state interprets and enforces this law differently; for example, many states require a prescription for it. Due to the ambiguity of the laws, most cruise lines continue to ban CBD in any form.

Marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law, which means you cannot bring it on a cruise ship – even if you're legally able to purchase it in your home state for recreational or medical use.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

For the U.S. News Cruise Packing List, travel writers Gwen Pratesi and Amanda Norcross tapped leading industry experts for their cruise essentials. They regularly update this checklist with new and useful items to pack.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines
• The Best Adults-Only Cruises
• The Best All-Inclusive Cruises

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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