1:00 pm, the 28th of June, we were picked up from Marco Polo by a van (pre-arranged from Managua) to embark on a 7-day eastern Caribbean cruise on board the fun ship Carnival Liberty that included Halfmoon Cay, Bahamas; St. Thomas, USVI; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands. Since it was our first time to go on a cruise (not considered cheap), we were really nervous to miss the embarkation time - due to so many disclaimers on our contract. All instructions given to us were in Spanish, but even if we can now speak it confidently, what was written was still not entirely clear to us. We imagined horrific boarding procedures and baggage handling (there was an announcement on board of someone not receiving his luggage when the ship pulled out to sea). Think...more than 2,000 people boarding a ship within 2-3 hours time - sail time was 4:00 pm.We arrived at the port at 2:00 pm and imagine our surprise when we found out how easy and convenient they have made boarding for everyone. These guys sure know what they're doing.
It was very much like boarding a plane. With your contract, you get your baggage tag that clearly says your name and assigned suite, so you first leave all your tagged luggages to the handlers outside the terminal (don't forget to tip between $1-2 per bag - no worries because even if you do, you will be reminded - we had 8!) and then head on to the port terminal for immigration and security procedures. There you will only need to show your passport and have what ever carry-on luggage or bag you have go through the usual x-ray machine not unlike those at airports.
Cruise ships do not allow you to bring liquor (your luggage also gets x-rayed before it gets on the ship and you will be called in to verify the liquor, be stored for you while on cruise and returned upon debarkation after the cruise - yes, you will see it again - they do the same to onboard dutyfree liquor purchases and purchases at ports of call) . What they allow are beer, soda, wine or champagne (1 liter per adult). These drinks are not part of the all-inclusive board you have paid for, well, except for water...they are all over the ship (the ones in your stateroom fridge, like in hotels, will be charged to your account).
Make sure you have everything (bikini, sunblock, toothbrush, etc) you need in your carry-on to enjoy amenities (like the pool) while waiting for your luggage. It is not unknown to receive luggage at night. Just imagine them sorting and delivering to more than 1,000 staterooms at the very least.
If you come from a country (like the Philippines - except in Asean member countries) where you need a Visa for most other countries, check the visa requirements for the ports of call and get them first before booking, otherwise you will spend all your days on the ship. Immigration officials at the port of Miami will not check your visas for the ports of destination but immigration officials at those ports will board the ship and check your passport for necessary visas before debarkation, so you better have your visas in order beforehand. One other important requirement is a picture ID for persons over 15 y/o - besides your passport.
Only one time did we get immigration officials on the ship and that was at the port of St. Thomas (USVI) where we had to present our passports and get stamped, although a US territory.
After going through security, we headed on to the 2nd floor to check-in. Everything was professionally done. They had our details in their computer and was immediately issued our sail and sign cards. This card is EVERYTHING. It serves as your ID and form of payment for everything you order on the ship, room key, ID to get on and off the ship when at port and dining seat assignments. Your bestfriend for the whole cruise - never leave your room without it. For this purpose, they will need your credit card details or you can make a cash deposit to cover your costs in advance. We did the credit card thing, which turned out to be the right thing to do as they just conveniently charged our credit cards directly (a breeze to check-out at the end of the trip). Don't worry about your charges as there is a channel on your stateroom TV where you can check your running cost. If you deposited cash with them and have spent more than your deposit, you will need to go to the 'concierge' or in this case, the purser's desk to settle, but if less, a check will be delivered to your stateroom the night before debarkation that you can deposit in your bank.
Once you have your sail and sign cards, it's off to the ship with you and your family. We headed straight to the Lido deck, knowing in advance that our rooms won't be ready yet (they most likely just debarked previous passengers 4-6 hours ago). We were done with all these no later than 3:00 pm and sail away wasn't until 4:00 so there was plenty of time look around and gawk at experienced cruisers and watch the tiny (next to the enormous ship) but brave coastguard boat escort Goliath out of the pier.
The weather was good, the sun was out and everyone was excited and hyped for sail away (sailing away from port). We ordered the welcome drink and basked in the sun while watching Royal Caribbean sail away. Other people's excitement was infectious....everyone was in a festive mood including the staff and crew. Add to that the cruise director and his staff's effort to get the sail away party swinging, I must say it was an experience.
And finally, immediately after sail away, the safety drill, following Maritime laws...impressively organized and made fun through delivery of many Titanic jokes (shudder).
Cruising begins.
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