Boarding a cruise doesn't need to be chaotic.
If you've never cruised before, embarkation day can feel surprisingly confusing.
Where do your bags go? When can you get into your room? Do you need to print anything? What's a muster station? And why are 4,000 people all trying to eat lunch at the exact same time? 😂
After 56 cruises, here's my simple guide to what actually happens on embarkation day—and what I wish every first-time cruiser knew.
45 Days BEFORE Embarkation Day
STEP 1: Check-In Online
45 days before your cruise, you will be able to check in online. Do you need to check in this early? No. You can check-in online any time up to 3 days before your cruise. There are no real benefits to checking in earlier unless you want to have the earliest possible boarding time (which is not required).
Cruise Actually Tip: Select a boarding time before 11am or after 1:30pm. Avoid boarding times between 12pm-1pm as that tends to be the busiest time(s).
Cruise Actually Tip: Add your boarding pass (also called a “Seapass Card” to your digital wallet. Cell service inside terminals can be unpredictable & you will need access to your boarding pass many times throughout the boarding process.
Up To 45 Days BEFORE Embarkation Day
STEP 2: Print Your Luggage Tags
Log into your Royal Caribbean Account
Locate your upcoming cruise
Click “Luggage Tags”
Print 1 bag-tag per bag you plan to check-in at the terminal.
Cruise Actually Tip: If you want to skip this step, you can. However, if you do not tag your bag yourself, you will need to locate a porter at the terminal and get a tag from them.
24 Hours BEFORE Embarkation Day
STEP 3: Complete Online Health & Safety Questionnaire
The day before your cruise (sometime after 12pm EST), you will be able to complete the online Health & Safety Questionnaire. To do this, open up your app, select “Check In” and “Edit Check In”. The last option will be “Health and Safety Questionnaire”. Answer the two questions.
Embarkation Day
STEP 4: Complete Your Muster Drill Training In-App
When you wake up on embarkation day, open your app and select “Safety” icon. There, you will see the Life Jacket Training video and a recording of the ship’s emergency horn. You need to watch the Life Jacket Safety video and listen to the ship’s emergency horn before you get to the port.
Cruise Actually Tip: If you forget to complete this step, you will still be allowed to board the ship. However, your muster station drill will be substantially longer than other guests who did complete the training pre-boarding.
Embarkation Day
STEP 5: Go To Cruise Terminal & Follow Staff Instructions to Complete Security & Finalize Check-In Process
Cruise Actually Tip: Every port is different. In general, though, Port Security is very similar to airport security. Before going through security, make sure to get rid of any open bottles/cans and pour out any liquids from your water bottles.
Cruise Actually Tip: When it’s time to talk to check-in staff, if you have already checked in online & completed the Health and Safety Questionnaire, this interaction should take 1-2 minutes. You WILL need to present your passport book (not a passport card) or Birth Certificate to Staff at this time.
Embarkation Day
STEP 6: Go Directly To Muster Station As Soon As You Board Ship
Once your board, before you do anything else, go immediately to your assigned Muster Station. Staff will scan your seapass card to verify your safety training status. If you have not completed the online Life Jacket Video and listened to the ship’s emergency horn, the staff will provide you with a live, in-person demonstration. If you did complete those trainings in the app, you will simply scan your seapass card and leave!
Embarkation Day
YOU’RE DONE! GO HAVE FUN!
Some Reminders For Embarkation Day:
💵 Have a little cash ready for the porters.
When you drop off your checked luggage at the cruise terminal, it’s customary to tip the porters. I typically recommend around $2 per bag, and a little more if your bags are especially large or heavy.
🧳 Keep your essentials with you.
Once you hand over your checked luggage, you may not see it again until 3:00 PM or later. Pack anything you’ll need during those first few hours in your carry-on—especially medications, travel documents, sunscreen, and a swimsuit if you want to hit the pool right away.
🚪 Your stateroom likely won’t be ready when you board.
Most staterooms don’t open until around 1:00–1:30 PM. You’re free to start exploring the ship as soon as you board, but the stateroom hallways are usually closed off until rooms are ready. Another reason to keep your carry-on light!
🍕 Everyone goes straight to lunch… but you don’t have to follow the crowd.
One of the first things people do after boarding is head for food, which means the Windjammer can get BUSY. If you’d rather start your vacation with a little less chaos, check out alternatives like Park Café, Solarium Bistro, Sorrento’s, or AquaDome Market on Icon Class ships.
