New cruises coming for 2023! For up to date COVID info click here:
We've prepared this page to help you understand the boarding process and what will happen when you leave the ship at the end of the cruise. For information about transportation to the cruise terminal, please see the Parking, Hotels, and Transportation page. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.
Most of the information here is geared toward passengers departing from the Galveston, Texas cruise port, however, similar procedures will apply to other ports of departure as well.
Galveston: The Galveston cruise terminals are located on the north side of the island along Harborside Drive. The Carnival terminals are at 123 25th Street Galveston, TX 77550, but there is only one entrance at 22nd Street and Harborside Drive; check your boarding pass to determine which terminal, then follow the signs. Hint: It is much easier to go straight or turn right into the terminal. A left turn is almost impossible due to poor traffic management. A new terminal, Terminal 10, was built by Royal Caribbean in 2022. It is located on the east end of Harborside Drive near the UTMB Hospital and Campus.
Once you arrive at the terminal, you will follow directions to the Baggage Drop-off area to hand your luggage to a porter. The porters will ensure your luggage is taken on board so that shipboard staff may deliver it to your stateroom. The customary tip for porter service is $1.00-2.00 per bag. Our groups often try to arrive at the terminal together so that we can arrange for one or two porters to carry all our luggage. This gives them an extra big tip and helps ensure that our bags are handled with care.
Please take care that you do not leave any items with the porters that need to be carry-on. This includes purses, medications, cameras, laptops and other electronics, as well as your passport. Do not pack your passport in your luggage! Keep it on your person at all times until you can stow it safely in your cabin once you are onboard.
For guests who will park their car at the port, once you are at the Baggage Drop-off area, everyone aside from the driver may go inside the terminal while the driver continues to the parking area. The Port of Galveston terminal has a complimentary shuttle to and from the parking area/terminal, but be prepared for a long wait. If you are parking at one of the recommended parking garages, you can walk or take the free shuttle to the terminal.
If you are arriving in the area by plane, you can take a shuttle from the airport on the day of the cruise. This must be arranged in advance, so let us know if this is your plan.
Seward: The Seward cruise port is a popular embarkation/disembarkation point for Alaskan cruises. The cruise line offers a motor coach transfer from the Anchorage airport, or you can arrange private transportation.
Embarkation officially begins at 1:30 PM, but it may begin as early as 11:30 AM or noon. All guests must board the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to sailing. Some sailings offer boarding by appointment. We recommend setting your appointment as early as possible and choosing the earliest possible time.
Once you have dropped off your luggage and parked your car, you will go through Port Authority Security, so please ensure you have readily available a picture I.D. and your cruise documents. You will go through the x-ray security machines with your carry-on luggage similar to an airport. If your luggage exceeds 24"W x 16"H x 30"L, you must see a porter to have it checked in.
If you have bottles of wine, cans of soft drinks, or other beverages, they will be inspected by security at this time. Amounts in excess of the allowed limits will be confiscated. You may not bring opened bottles or partially consumed beverage containers onboard, however, you may bring an empty, reusable bottle or container for use onboard.
From the security checkpoint, you will be directed to the check-in line. Once you reach a check-in agent, you will need to present your picture I.D. and proof of citizenship, as well as establish your onboard account. For additional information about Royal Caribbean's SeaPass, please click here. For more information about Carnival's Sail & Sign account, please click here. Once the check-in agent completes your registration, they will provide you with your SeaPass/Sail & Sign card.
The SeaPass/Sail & Sign card will be used for all onboard purchases, including beverages ordered as part of a package, will serve as your key to access your stateroom, and will act as your boarding pass to get on and off the ship while in the ports of call.
After you have completed check-in, you will be asked to wait in a holding area. You will wait here until all passengers from the previous cruise have disembarked and the ship is ready to accept new passengers. Embarkation will begin by Zones or Group numbers, so pay close attention to what zone/group you are in.
The ship's photo staff will be in the terminal to capture your "Welcome Aboard" souvenir photo as you board. This photo will be displayed on board at the Photo Gallery and will be available for purchase throughout your cruise.
Once you are onboard, make your way to one of the dining areas and grab some lunch while the shipboard staff are preparing your stateroom. Staterooms are generally ready by 1:30 pm, so after lunch is a good time to explore the ship and get your bearings. Most ships will have a mandatory fire drill prior to sailing. If so, you may be required to don your life vest (located in your stateroom) and congregate in a pre-determined muster station. If your TV has been turned on by your stateroom steward, it will give you instructions on where to go and what to do in the case of an emergency. Please watch this video carefully and follow all instructions.
Once you are released from the mandatory safety drill, you are free to enjoy your cruise!
By the end of the cruise, we hope you've had so much fun that you won't want to leave the ship and go home, but sadly, we all have to do just that. Here are some tips to help make your disembarkation easy and stress-free.
On the last night of the cruise, your stateroom steward will leave tags for your luggage as well as a customs claim form. They will also deliver any alcohol you have purchased so that you can pack it in your luggage (or carry it off the ship). You will need to pack all your bags, put the luggage tags on them, and leave them outside your door no later than 10:00 PM. If you need more luggage tags, ask your stateroom steward. You will need a tag for each piece of luggage. The porters will carry your luggage down to a holding area so that it will be ready for disembarkation. You should keep a small bag or carry-on for any personal items and toiletries you need to carry off when you disembark.
As before, don't forget to keep your medications, passport, and electronics with you. DO NOT pack these items in your luggage that will be handled by the ship's staff or porters.
The luggage tags will have a number on them indicating which order you will disembark. In the morning, you will be required to vacate your cabin so the staff may begin cleaning. Take your belongings and go have breakfast; relax on the ship in your designated area until your number is called. When your group is called, you will be allowed to disembark. Once you are in the terminal, get in line for a porter to help carry your bags through customs, then claim your luggage. Keep your ID documents handy. In Galveston, you will also have to claim any alcohol or tobacco purchases through the TABC and pay any associated taxes. Once you are through customs, one person in your party may retrieve your car while the rest wait with your luggage. Don't forget to tip the porter. The customary rate is $1-$2 per bag. If you disembark with others in our group, you can get one porter together so that he gets a good tip!