Cruise Ship Boarding Procedures Overview

Video compliments of the Travel Channel

"All aboard!" After all the prepping and waiting for your trip to arrive, this phrase will sound like music to your ears. But first, there is much to do to prepare for you trip and you don't want to forget anything. Do you need your passport? And what about that bottle of wine you've been saving for a special occasion? Are you allowed to bring that on board? Forget the alcohol; what about prescription medicine? Do you need a doctor's note?

Take a deep breath and relax. In this section, you'll discover the basics of packing for your high-seas adventure, whether you're heading to the colder climes of Alaska or the sizzling Mediterranean. You'll also find out what to leave behind and what items will get you left behind—from controlled substances (hint: only one cruise line allows you to bring in your own booze) to not having the proper documentation (yes, you will need a passport if you're traveling in international waters). And, of course, there's the question of what time to show up so you make it onboard, which can be answered with simple math: the ship gangway (boarding ramp) opens around three hours before departure; passengers should be on board one hour before setting sail; and the gangway is pulled 30 minutes before push-off'

It's all a matter of proper preparation, and if you do so prior to getting to port, there's no reason why you can't sit back and let your vacation go into cruise control once on board. Smooth sailing never rang so true.