Common mistakes to avoid on embarkation day

It’s the day you’ve been waiting for – your cruise is finally here. 

But, before you start picturing yourself relaxing on the top deck, a glass of bubbly in hand, you need to learn how to master embarkation day.

No, it’s not as simple as getting onboard and following the herd. Show your cruise expertise by beating the crowds – while feeling smug about it.

Do not… arrive hours before your embarkation slot

We understand the temptation – the early bird catches the worm, right? Well, wrong in this instance.

You’ll receive a boarding time from your cruise line, usually via email, so stick to that time as closely as possible. Arriving too early will only guarantee you crowds and extra stress.

If you arrive in your port town early, take advantage of the local coffee shops before you embark or take a moment to snap a picture of your ship. Remember you’re on holiday and leave the stress behind. 

Do not… miss the muster drill

Cruises are one of the safest ways to holiday, and the muster drill ensures that everyone knows what they are doing in case of emergency. Everyone – including children – must attend the muster drill.

If you miss the muster drill, you’ll be invited to attend another drill – but if you don’t attend that, the cruise line has the right to disembark you from the ship. 

A muster drill includes vital information regarding where to go in an emergency, what the different alarms mean, how to put your life jacket on and where it is in your stateroom. 

Usually, this information is available in video form on your stateroom TV, so you can refresh your memory when needed.

Do not… forget to pack a day bag

Part of the smart onboarding experience with a cruise is that your heavy suitcase will be whisked away from you at the port and delivered to your stateroom.

So, with this, you need to plan ahead. Do not leave essentials like medication, water and items to help you freshen up in your main suitcase – pack a day bag. 

We recommend packing medication, keys, travel documents, a change of clothes, swimwear, water and any valuable items in your day bag. It can be a few hours before your luggage is delivered to your stateroom, so be prepared. 

Do not… go to the buffet straight away

We understand the temptation. The smell of hot, delicious food pumping throughout the ship is almost irresistible. But instead of heading over to the buffet in a trance, opt for one of the bookable restaurants that is open on embarkation day.

And this doesn’t have to be an extra-charge eatery. Often, a main dining room with waiter service is available, or casual food places will be open – such as burgers or pizza by the pool. 

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for reduced-fare speciality dining venues, as this is often on offer on embarkation day. It’s much better to be sat with waiter service than battling for a table at the buffet.

Do not… fly the same day as departure

If you need to fly to your departure port, then be sure to do so the day before your departure to avoid any added stress in case of a delayed flight.

After all, a cancellation might mean you miss your ship – and the vessel will not wait for you if you’re delayed. It’s up to you to meet at its next port of call. 

And by arriving the day or two before, you can start your holiday early and absorb some culture from your port city. For example, if you’re embarking in Cádiz, then the cruise port is only a 10-minute walk to the historic heart of this city. 

It’s also worth checking how far away your port is from the accompanying city, as sometimes it can be further away than expected. For example, Rome’s port – Civitavecchia – is around an hour’s drive from the city itself. 

Do not… bring prohibited items

It might seem obvious, but do not attempt to bring banned items onboard. You might think you can sneak an extra bottle of alcohol in your checked bag, but all checked bags (as well as carry-on luggage) on cruise ships are scanned.

Rules of what you can’t bring onboard vary per cruise line, but as a rule of thumb you cannot bring fireworks, explosives, sharp objects, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages (except for your allowance on embarkation day), candles, incense, electric blankets, plants, drones and much more onboard.

If you aren’t sure, your best bet is to check with your cruise line or travel agent. Essentially, if you wouldn’t bring it on a flight, don’t bring it on a cruise ship. 

Do not… forget to turn your data off

Turning off your data should be at the top of your to-do list well before you leave the port. 

If not, you will face hefty maritime charges on your phone bill. These charges can vary from £5 to £10 per MB, and in some cases, they can be significantly higher, so it’s easy to rack up a huge bill. 

If you would like access to the internet, you can buy a package from your cruise line. For example, a Wi-Fi package with P&O Cruises costs between £18 and £24 per day. 

Or, if you’d like to do a digital detox, simply pop your phone on aeroplane mode, sit back and relax.

Do not… miss the sailaway party

As the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow cruisers and celebrate the start of your holiday, the sailaway party is not to be missed. 

We understand the temptation to go back to your cabin and unpack, but for the few hours that the sailaway party is on, you can enjoy a special cocktail (usually at an additional charge), live music and an exciting atmosphere as you pull away from the port. 

Our top tip is to arrive at the party at least 15 minutes before it is scheduled to begin, so you can nab a good seat. This way, you get to choose whether you’re in the middle of the action or observing from afar. 

Do not… forget to download the cruise line’s app

In the modern age, there is an app for everything – including your cruise. 

By downloading the relevant app for your cruise line, your cruising experience will be enhanced. You’ll be able to easily access the daily schedule, book restaurants, spa treatments and excursions all from your smartphone. 

For example, Princess Cruises’ MedallionClass app allows you to make dining reservations, order food and drinks to be delivered wherever you are as well as find your friends and family with the shipmate locator. 

Be sure to download the app before you get onboard, so you can be sure that everything is working and take a sneak peek at the daily activities before your cruise begins. The app will work with the ship’s Wi-Fi. 

Do not… skip meeting your cabin steward

Despite your busy first day onboard, be sure to take the time to greet your cabin steward, who will be looking after you for the duration of your cruise. 

You can share your preferences (within reason of course) – such as ice buckets, extra blankets and pillows as well as additional hangers.

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have about your cruise, as your cabin steward is a fountain of knowledge and will be more than happy to help.

If you’ve opted for a suite, you might even have a personal butler. The same rule applies here too, so do reserve five or 10 minutes to become familiar with each other.

How does it feel to be a cruise expert? Implement these handy tips on your next cruise and send us a photo of your travels via social media (@worldofcruising on Facebook, Instagram and X).