Embarkation Process

[Cravin]

I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that outlines what the embarkation process is. We are sailing on Freedom out of Port Canaveral, can anyone fill me in on what the process is?

[serene56]

Print your fun pass. Go to the pier about 10:30 - 11am

Show your funpass (documents to the gate to let you in to the pier)

 

Give your luggage to the porter- (pay a buck a bag)

go inside== show your documents to the security person=- then go through the scanners then stand in line to check in. You sign for a sign and saiil card--verify it with a credit card- get a board zoning number then wait patiently for your zone number to be called.

 

Once its called-- you head onboard--- they take your sign and sail card and take your photo which attaches to the card.

 

For what its worth-- you can get hundreds of replies here-- BUT nothing will be like you imagine in.

[uppitycats]

I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that outlines what the embarkation process is. We are sailing on Freedom out of Port Canaveral, can anyone fill me in on what the process is?

 

You show up at the pier where your ship is docked. You'll be met by porters who will collect any of your luggage that you want to be put on the ship before you. Make sure your luggage has proper labels on it..and if it doesn't, ask the porters for new luggage tags. They'll have a list of confirmed passengers and blank tags, and can put them on. It's common to tip the porters..but some folks don't.

 

Proceed into the terminal (you'll likely see a stream of people heading that way). Watch to make sure you're heading to the right section of the terminal (your cruise company and your specific ship should be listed in huge signs, with arrows directing traffic.)

 

Get in line. Sometimes a long line, sometimes just a few people, depending on when you arrived.

 

Be ready to hand over your documents .. anything you've printed off from your cruise line (fun pass, confirmation, whatever), your passport, and/or birth certificate and picture ID. And a credit card...or explanation of how you intend to pay for your cruise (cash, traveller's checks, etc.)

 

Be ready to hand over your carry-on. It will be screened just like it is screened at an airport. (But usually you won't have to take off your shoes!)

 

They'll scan your credit card, and confirm that your documents are in order (if they're not, you'll be pulled aside and handed more paperwork to fill out.)

 

They'll return your credit card, documents, and your sign-and-sail card -- the size of a credit card, with your cabin number, dining room assignment, name imprinted on it. They'll give you a "zone number" -- remember the number, because now you wait a bit until they call that number, and then whoever has that number (there will be a large group of you), you'll board the ship.

 

Then you walk onto the ship. Depending on tides and how it's positioned next to land, it might be a long zig-zag ramp, or a straightforward gangway onto the ship.

 

If you have "special status" -- VIP, frequent cruiser (on that line), paid for one of the top-end suites, are a person in a wheelchair -- you'll go to the head of all the lines and be first on the ship. If you're "just a passenger", you'll wait until your number is called! :)

 

If all went smoothly, you're looking at about a 20 minute process. Otherwise -- like on one cruise we were on -- we waited over 2-1/2 hours, as the ship had a nasty case of norovirus with its last "load", and they had to sanitize the entire ship before letting anyone else on! :eek:

[timeforadaiquiri]

When you get to the terminal they will ask that you fill out one more card - the health card.

[timeforadaiquiri]

When you get to the terminal they will ask that you fill out one more card - the health card.

[GTO-Girl]

I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that outlines what the embarkation process is. We are sailing on Freedom out of Port Canaveral, can anyone fill me in on what the process is?

 

Ditto what the others have said and I just wanted to say you are going to LOVE the Freedom!!! :D We were just on her in May and are going again in a little over 2 wks .......WHOO WHOO!!!!!!

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

[GTO-Girl]

I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that outlines what the embarkation process is. We are sailing on Freedom out of Port Canaveral, can anyone fill me in on what the process is?

 

Ditto what the others have said and I just wanted to say you are going to LOVE the Freedom!!! :D We were just on her in May and are going again in a little over 2 wks .......WHOO WHOO!!!!!!

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

[cb at sea]

It's just like checking into a hotel, but your picture is "linked" to your room key....that's all!

[AlanAllyn]

Since you are sailing Royal Caribbean, the document you want is called the "Set Sail"pass. You can print it after you do on-line check in.

 

YOu can also, from that same RCCL site request luggage tags be mailed to you from about 6 weeks before the cruise until two weeks before the cruise.

[goatgoat]

It is very similar to checking in at the airport.

 

If you drive to the pier, you will park your car and jump on a shuttle with your luggage. If not, you will be dropped curbside with your luggage.

 

You give your big luggage to a porter. It will be delivered to your cabin later (Normally before dinner unless you are late getting to the port).

 

You stand in line to check in with your documents.

 

They screen your carry-ons.

 

Main difference is your photo being made and electronically linked to your sign and sail card. The card becomes your room key, your charge card to charge things to your cabin (very little cash exchanges hands on board), a way to track that you have left the ship when you go on shore and your "boarding pass" when you return.

 

It is all quite simple and normally takes 30 minutes to an hour (just like the airport) depending on the time you arrive.

 

Have a wonderful time!

[KarenandBruceG]

It's just like checking into a hotel, but your picture is "linked" to your room key....that's all!

 

 

The room key also serves as your ID for re-boarding the ship while in port and it's linked to your credit card for making purchases. Protect your room key the same as you would any other credit card!

[marshhawk]

Regarding the"health card" you will have to fill out a form that states you are healthy, that you have not been ill in X amount of days, and that you are not carrying any of several diseases.

[cruisingnewb]

Do they not have security and drug dogs during embarkation?

Edited October 24, 2010 by cruisingnewb

[goatgoat]

Do they not have security and drug dogs during embarkation?

 

It is very similar to the airport. Your carryon will go through xray and you will go through a metal detector. Your larger luggage will be screened after it is turned over to the porter. Don't know about the dogs. Could be behind the scenes where luggage screening is happening.

[KarenandBruceG]

Security will be present when you board the ship (every time you board the ship!). I have never seen the drug/explosives dogs while boarding, but that doesn't mean that they are not present. Just as another poster remarked, they are probably working behind the scenes - having dogs sniff you while waiting to board might put some people off. I have seen people who are very afraid of, or even allergic to dogs.

 

 

Wishing you smooth sailing!

:)

[BaumD]

Dogs typically sniff all of the luggage and all of the supplies (food, beverages, TP, cleaning supplies, etc.) loaded onto a ship each week.

[Cuizer2]

Print your fun pass ...

 

If it is the Freedom out of Port Canaveral (as the OP says) then it is the Freedom of the Seas - not the Carnival Freedom.

 

Personally I think the cruise lines should be fined every time they copy someone's name. The car companies don't have this problem. If I say Mustang, you know I mean Ford.

[bubbles61]

We are booked for our first cruise on March 11/11, 9 day Mexican Riveria out of San Diego. Can you tell me what is the best time to arrive to start the boarding procedure:confused: Can someone also tell me should our big luggage be locked when we give them to the porters or should we unlock them:confused::confused::confused: On some posts it says to make sure your luggage is unlocked and on some it says to make sure that they are locked. What is right or proper to do:confused::confused:

[firsttime50]

Once on the ship, what happens the rest of the day of embarkation? Will MDR be open for dinner? Is there like an orientation or anything?

We are sailing on the Enchantment of the Seas in September out of Baltimore.

Mindy

[faz947]

On day of embarkation the Windjammer Cafe is open for lunch. The MDR will be open for my time dining also later in the evening. There will be information in your suite on whats available for you. (Compass Newsletter)

 

The suite televisions also have the RCCL channel available for you.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Cuizer2]

Once on the ship, what happens the rest of the day of embarkation? Will MDR be open for dinner? Is there like an orientation or anything?

We are sailing on the Enchantment of the Seas in September out of Baltimore.

Mindy

 

Once you are on the ship it is time to walk around and explore your new home for the week (or however long your cruise is). Also you can go to the Windjammer (the buffet) and get lunch. If you pack your swim suit in your carry-on you can go swimming if you want. Once your luggage arrives you can unpack and stick the empty suitcases under the bed. Just before the ship leaves there will be a muster (lifeboat) drill. After that is over the normal cruise routine begins. The on board shops and the casino will open once the ship is far enough away from the port. The MDR will be open at its normal time for dinner.

 

Sometimes the cruise director will offer some sort of a ship's tour, however, I never pay any attention to that, as I prefer to tour the ship myself.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Cuizer2

[cingull]

I am also looking for information about arrival time to the port. I suspect this info will be in our travel documents, but so far we have received nothing and I find no information on the Costa site. We are sailing on Costa Deliziosa from Civitevecchia (Rome), which leaves at 7pm. How many hours before stated departure should we arrive? We're taking a commuter train from Rome; I have read that these leave often and do not have to be booked in advance, but that luggage might be difficult to manage. We are staying in Rome the night before and the only Costa shuttle option from Rome picks up at the airport so we are opting to go it alone. We have traveled in Europe before, but never on a cruise.