Pre-Cruise Checklist
Please use this list to ensure that you have completed all pre-cruise tasks and are ready to sail on the departure date.
Review your booking confirmation and invoice! Make sure that everything is correct on all documents, especially the spelling of your name, birthdate, and contact information.
If you discover an error, let us know IMMEDIATELY! It is much easier to fix a misspelled name now than it will be to fix it at the cruise terminal! We take extreme care to make sure we added your information correctly, but human errors occur. Please help us make sure we have the right info for you!
Make all payments on time to ensure that your booking is not automatically canceled by the cruise line.
Apply for your passport, if you have not done so already. It can sometimes take 8-12 weeks to receive your passport, or even longer if there is high demand.
If you already have a passport, make sure that the expiration date is at least 6 months after your expected return date.
Verify your information! By now you should have received an invoice with all the details of your booking. Please read it carefully and let us know if there are any mistakes!
Use the information from your final invoice to begin the Online Check-in process. You should be able to follow the online instructions to set up your user profile and access your booking information.
Royal Caribbean: Go to RoyalCaribbean.com and click on the "Manage My Cruise" tab. You should be able to follow the instructions to set up your user profile and access your booking information.
Carnival: Go to Carnival.com and select "Manage" and then "My Booking". Log in or create a VIFP account if you do not have one. Complete all steps of the online check-in.
MSC: Go to MSCCruisesUSA.com and select "Manage Booking" and then "View Your Cruise" from the drop-down menu. Log in or use your booking information to create a new account.
Complete online check-in. By completing this information online, you will save yourself lots of time at the cruise terminal.
Online check-in must be completed no later than 3 days before embarkation unless stated otherwise by the cruise line!
While you're completing online check-in, please verify the correct spelling of your name as well as your date of birth and any other information provided -- yes, again!
If you indicated you might be interested in a Travel Protection Plan and we have not set one up for you, please give us a call. You may find the cruise lines' travel protection plans on their respective websites.
For COVID protocols, including vaccine requirements and testing, please see the following websites:
Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Center
Carnival: Have Fun. Be Safe.
Read our FAQs! There’s tons of important info, and it will answer many of your questions about all kinds of things.
Please alert us if you have any special dietary requirements or medical conditions requiring assistance, services, or supplies. This is especially important if you need to refrigerate insulin or other medications while on the cruise, or if you use a CPAP machine or other medical equipment.
Join our private Facebook group! We have set up a secure Facebook group for each group cruise. It's a great place to get to know your fellow group members, ask questions, and hear the most current news. The link will be sent to you via email.
For our scrapbooking and crafting groups, we have compiled a list of equipment and supplies that you are allowed to bring on the cruise as well as some tips on how to pack it. You will find this list on our Resources page. Be sure to follow the instructions sent via email on how to pack your supplies. Certain tools and equipment must be handled/packed in a specific manner to prevent being confiscated at the pier.
A printable checklist for any specific equipment and supplies needed for group activities, classes, and workshops on your cruise will be sent to you via email, but you can also find it on the Activities page for your cruise once the list is completed.
Once you have completed check-in, you will receive your eDocs boarding pass. Print out this boarding pass and put it in a safe place with your passport and/or photo I.D. you will be using on the cruise. DO NOT pack the boarding pass or your passport in your checked luggage -- put it in your carry-on bag or purse!
Luggage tags are available at the end of online check-in. Download the PDF files so you can make as many copies as you need. You will need one tag for every piece of luggage you bring. Luggage tags will also be available upon arrival at the pier, but this will slow down your embarkation process.
If you are part of a scrapbooking or crafting group, print out our special Crafty Neighbor luggage tag for each and every bag of supplies you bring. The tag can be found on the “Resources” page under the name “Luggage Tag [ name or date of cruise ]”. Be sure to download the right one! Print one for each of your craft supply bags and fold them as shown. Put BOTH the official luggage tag AND the Crafty Neighbor tag on all of your checked craft supply bags to ensure there are no issues bringing your equipment onboard. This special tag is not required for your regular luggage.
Please remember to attach the cruise line luggage tag to EVERY PIECE OF LUGGAGE that you check, including any craft totes or supplies.
As we get closer to our departure date, many of you will be making your final travel arrangements. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to book your pre-cruise hotel stay, flights, transportation, and parking. In the interest of safety, our specific travel arrangements will not be posted here on the cruise website. Please contact us for specific hotel information and availability.
For your convenience, the cruise line will automatically charge the gratuities for your stateroom and dining staff to your onboard SeaPass or Sail and Sign account, however, if you would like to pre-pay your gratuities, you may do so at any time prior to sailing. For those of you who have sailed in the past, you will note that rates have increased from previous years. If you decide to pre-pay, just let us know, and we can take care of it for you.
Some cruise travelers like to pre-purchase liquor for mixing their own drinks while onboard. The Carnival Bon Voyage department offers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages in one-liter bottles delivered directly to your stateroom for consumption while onboard. Pricing ranges from $50 to $90 per liter for standard varieties, and guests are limited to 4 bottles per stateroom. If you are interested in purchasing liquor for consumption onboard, please call the Carnival Bon Voyage department at (800) 522-7648. You can also purchase soda and alcoholic beverage packages online prior to sailing during your online check-in. This service varies slightly on Royal Caribbean, bottles of liquor are not available, however, you can pre-purchase a beverage package in advance by visiting the "Manage My Cruise" section of the Royal Caribbean website. Options include all-inclusive alcoholic beverages as well as non-alcoholic beverage packages (soft drinks).
There are many other things you can purchase in advance as well. Shore excursions, salon and spa treatments, specialty dining, and even decorations for birthdays and celebrations. More info is in the "Manage My Cruise" section of the Royal Caribbean website or the "Manage" tab on the Carnival website.
Please take a few minutes to read through the Embarkation and Disembarkation section of this FAQ website so you know how everything works. You can also find information about parking, hotels, and much more in other sections of this site -- it's worth the read if you have never cruised before.
If there is enough interest, we will try to host a Q&A meeting in your area sometime between now and the cruise. The date and location will be sent via email, listed on your cruise group's activity page, and posted on the calendar on the FAQ Home Page. We highly encourage you to attend, even if you have cruised before, since many things have changed in the wake of COVID. Also, there are specific rules defining the transport and use of craft supplies onboard.
Think about items you will need to pack several months in advance, especially for a fall or winter cruise. Does your swimsuit still fit? Do you have enough pairs of shorts or capris? We've found that a little early planning now can save you a lot of hassle in the last few weeks before the cruise. Bathing suits are hard to find in the fall and winter, and you may run out of time to look for that perfect little black dress for formal night.
Do you know someone who wants to cruise with us? We may have more space available in our cruise groups. If you know someone who might be interested, please give us a call!
Add your own To-Do items to this list:........................................................................................
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Download a printable version of this checklist HERE.