Your cruise is booked and deposit paid, but are you Cruise Ready? Follow these steps to have the best cruise ever!
Unlike Airlines or Hotels, the cruise experience starts as soon as your booking is confirmed and any payments have been made
Step 1) You’ve booked your cruise & made a deposit or balance payment
This is where the pre cruise excitement begins, it's time to get Cruise Ready
Step 2) Immediately Download the cruiselines own official app to your smartphone and also your tablet if you will be taking both with you. You can also find website links to cruise check in under our Travel Tools section
Step 3) Create a cruiseline profile, or if you are a past passenger with the cruiseline already, then login to Your past guest profile
Note: super important you don’t create a new profile if you have cruised with the cruiseline before, as that could mean you miss out on any potential past guest benefits
Step 4) Go to current bookings and attach your new cruise reservation to your profile
Note: If you have advised a past guest number at the time of booking then your cruise reservation details should automatically show in this section
Step 5) Once you can see your reservation in the app, follow the on screen prompts to enter important information.
This can include items such as: Personal Address, contact details for all guests, passport information, health information, any special dietary requests, any special needs for your room, emergency contact information, travel insurance information, full cruise line contracts etc
Some cruiselines also allow you to upload a photo of yourself. This speeds up the boarding process on departure for ports that are digitally enabled.
A number of cruise ports, just like airports now use facial recognition, if an image upload is offered it’s a fantastic way to minimise wait times at the cruise port
Step 6) Life on board is cash free! Your room key will become your charge card during your cruise.
Pre load a credit card to use for any optional extra onboard purchases you charge to your onboard account.
Your pre loaded credit card will automatically be used to settle your onboard account at the end of your cruise
If you don’t have a credit card, you will need to deposit cash at the main reception desk on embarkation day to activate your cruise account
Tip: If travelling with children you can set a daily limit on their expenditure
Step 7) Once the mandatory information is completed you can then move on to personalise your cruise.
This is the part we like best as it starts to make the holiday feel real.
Create your own personalised cruise holiday to beat the crowds and make the most of the things available on board
Cruise Deals Cruise Tips* Check to see if pre bookings are open for shore excursions.
If they are then browse available options for each destination and get in early as popular trips often sell out before departure
* Does the cruiseline offer pre booking for specialty restaurants?
If so then book these early as space is super limited in these venues and they often book out before embarkation day. Particularly important if you are celebrating a special event, or travelling with extended family friends where you may need a larger party reservation
* Does the cruiseline allow early booking for onboard activities or special shows?
If this is an option then go ahead and book in some preferred dates. Even if the activities are free there may still be limited numbers available once you get on board for the super popular ones
Step 8) Once your final payment has been made to your agent the next step will be to view your cruise boarding pass. Note these often do not show until closer to sailing date.
With the exception of some ultra luxury cruise lines there are no physical cruise tickets any more. Just like airlines the cruiselines have pretty much gone paperless,
The boarding pass in your cruise app, along with your passport is often all you need to board at the cruise terminal
Step 9) If the cruiseline requires you to bring along any additional health or insurance documentation, this will show under important info in the app and is one of the most important reasons for completing this process ahead of time. Some cruiselines also use verifly. If applicable for your cruiseline their apps will guide you through the process
Step 10) Once onboard change your devices to airplane mode and connect to the onboard wifi. You don’t normally need to purchase a wifi package to use the functions within the cruiselines own app. Some cruiselines also offer free messaging services in their apps between guests on board, which is a great way to keep in touch with your travel companions.
Step 11) Use the app onboard to view the programme of daily activities, Port information, dining times etc. In fact on some cruiselines your app can even open your stateroom door or operate the facilities in your room. Your cruiseline app is also a great way to keep a watch on your onboard account.
Some cruise lines also offer a wrist band or medallion which connects to your app and can also act as your room key or charge card
Can my agent complete the check in app process for me? If you have any questions you are most welcome to ask our team, however for the best cruise experience we recommend you complete this check in and pre boarding process yourself
There are some legal terms & conditions that you need to personally accept which prevents us from completing this for you
Our regular cruise guest feedback shows you will have a much more enjoyable holiday if you become familiar with the functions & benefits in the cruise app before you get onboard. Note that some additional functions within the apps do not operate until you are onboard
Remember! As soon as any payments are made on your cruise booking it is time to start personalising your cruise holiday and have a fantastic cruise
Goodbye NZ paper arrivals cards! When arriving back in to New Zealand you may now complete an electronic traveller declaration which replaces the old arrivals card
Click here for more details
Images courtesy of MSC Cruises