A leading travel influencer has warned holidaymakers gearing up to embark on a cruise of three pitfalls to avoid on the initial day of their voyage, which could potentially result in being denied entry onto the ship.
It's always a thrill for even the most seasoned globetrotters to start a new adventure, especially on a cruise - where they familiarise themselves with their floating residence for the coming days or weeks.
Ilana Schattauer, from the popular YouTube channel Life Well Cruised, highlighted in her latest video the importance of being ready for the check-in process by having your boarding passes handy, either in digital form on your device or printed out.
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Ilana advised: "Now, I have to say, I've made this mistake before. I downloaded the cruise line app and, lo and behold, when I was in the cruise terminal, the wi-fi was glitchy and I couldn't open it up on my phone."
She continued by sharing a personal anecdote: "Luckily, my son had screenshoted our boarding passes, so it made it much easier for us. But, the best thing you can do is print them so that you can reduce any potential hassle.", reports the Express.
Checking into a cruise requires similar procedures to those at airports; travellers must present passports and boarding passes at the terminal.
However, despite most cruise operators now issuing boarding passes through emails or apps, Ilana cautioned against relying solely on these methods, as poor phone signals or sluggish wi-fi at some ports might thwart attempts to display the essential document on a mobile device.
Guests are being advised to print and secure their essential documents before boarding a cruise ship to ensure they have easy and guaranteed access while waiting to embark.
In her video, Ilana emphasised the importance of packing wisely for cruise passengers - advising against placing crucial items like passports in the main suitcase that will be checked in by staff.
She warned: "Luggage mishaps, unfortunately, can result in major issues on embarkation day, and this includes packing your passport or required identification in your checked luggage. When you arrive at your cruise terminal, you're going to have porters who take your checked luggage, which will be delivered to your cabin.
"However, if you leave your passport or ID in your checked luggage, this can and usually does result in being denied boarding. So, pro tip, make sure that you do have your passport and any other required identification with you, in your handbag, or carry-on bag."
Once aboard, Ilana also recommended that passengers tackle necessary procedures first, such as the muster drill, to ensure they know what to do in an emergency situation on the ship.
She added: "Now, I used to go and have a drink before we did our muster drill, but we've changed that over the last year, and now, the very first thing that we do is head over to our muster station and check in.
"You should also put your phone in aeroplane mode. Just like going on an aeroplane, you have to put your phone into the same mode when travelling on a cruise ship. It might surprise people because your phone will work when you're in the middle of the sea, but you're going to be using data and it's not usually going to be covered by your plan - your bill could be hundreds, if not thousands."
