“I love it when we’re cruisin’ together”
As some of you might know, my husband and I work a couple of days a week as embarkation agents at a well-known cruise line here at Port Canaveral where we check in passengers who are sailing that day. If you are planning to take a cruise, here are a few tips to simplify your check-in and save you possible aggravation and/or complications on your sail day:
- Obtain US PASSPORT. (Give yourself at least three to six months to apply and acquire it.) Presenting a Passport upon check-in will save you time, as well as providing you with a quick and easy process through US Customs when you return at the conclusion of your cruise.
- If you do NOT have a US PASSPORT, don’t fret. Just be sure to bring your BIRTH CERTIFICATE and a government issued photo ID (such as a Driver’s License). Certain northern tier border states have “Enhanced Drivers Licenses” which make check-in smoother. Also — If you are newly married and your check-in documents still show your maiden name, be sure to bring your Marriage License with you. WARNING!!! Do NOT pack any of those documents in your luggage. If you have given them to a porter, they will likely have already been brought onboard the ship while you are waiting to be processed in. If you left your check-in documents in your suitcase, we cannot process you!
- Have your identification documents and Boarding Pass in hand (which you will have already pre-printed at home when you signed up for the cruise) to present to the embarkation agent.
- Arrive at the predetermined time noted on your Boarding Pass. And be prepared for a possible wait at check-in and security. If you are carrying luggage, cases of soda or bottles of wine (as our Cruise Line allows), I assure you, you will be exhausted by the time you get to the ship. Check in everything you can with a porter, and save yourself!!!
- If you require special assistance (wheelchair, CPAP extension cord, special needs such as accommodations for autistic children/adults), be sure to request it when filling out your online check-in form.
- Suggestion: I can’t stress this enough! So I’ll repeat it here: Avail yourself of the luggage porters! They will take your bags and load them onto the ship, saving you the effort. No point in saving a few “tip” dollars to “Lug your Luggage” with you. It is a long walk from terminal check-in to the ship. Let the porters handle it. You’re welcome.
Here are some more helpful tips for travelers, whether by land, sea or air! Bon Voyage!
CRUISE SHIP CAM: Live look at Port Canaveral in Florida
Great info, thanks for the PSA.