I hate this 1 thing about cruise embarkation – here's how I avoid it
Imagine yourself in a roped-off series of lanes, zigzagging back and forth as you shuffle along behind hundreds of other people. You listlessly juggle paperwork and other personal belongings as you creep forward at a glacial pace. All that's missing is Ben Stein unenthusiastically mumbling "next" in his best "Bueller" voice.
No, I'm not talking about an afternoon at the Department of Motor Vehicles (though I could be). I'm talking about boarding a cruise.
This scenario — crowds, stop-and-go cattle chutes and perhaps even sitting around — isn't an ideal way to kick off a vacation.
Few things can kill my embarkation-day buzz more quickly than being told to arrive at the cruise port at a set time and then having to wait in long lines — especially when I've already checked in online. Call me testy, but with how much cruisers pay for their fares and how smooth some cruise lines have made the boarding process, cruise lines and terminals have no excuse not to be efficient.
After all, if thousands of cruisers can plan their entire day around a single half-hour boarding window, why can't cruise lines make sure it takes less than half an hour to usher us on board from the time we arrive at the port?
Until some of the smaller cruise lines and facilities catch up with the times, I'm forced to find work-arounds, including one that almost always ensures that I make it from curb to gangway in less than 10 minutes.
Want to know my secret? I'm happy to share.
When passengers check in, most cruise lines ask them to select a boarding time — the designated window during which they should arrive at the terminal. (Many cruise brands implemented this type of arrival system to cut down on large crowds when the industry restarted following the COVID-19 shutdown and left it in place when they found it to be effective for crowd management.)
If I don't have priority boarding — which generally requires having a high tier of loyalty status, being booked in a suite or purchasing a package that includes the privilege — the one thing I do to avoid a “hurry up and wait” scenario, where the boarding experience is anything but smooth sailing, is to select the latest possible boarding time there is. If my line doesn't ask me to choose a window, I simply show up one hour before the cutoff time listed for boarding.
When you arrive at the cruise terminal in the afternoon instead of when boarding begins, you'll encounter hardly any traffic at the port, meaning you'll be able to either park or be dropped off more quickly. If you're traveling with large bags, you won't have to vie for the attention of a porter to check them in for you; someone will whisk your bags away posthaste.
When you reach the terminal, most of the “me first” cruisers are likely to be on board already, which results in fewer lines at security and the check-in desk.
Plus, when you board a bit later in the day, you often won't be met by the cluster of fellow passengers who tend to hang around the gangway entrance to the ship. Instead of congregating, they've moved on to have lunch, scope out their favorite bars or sunbathing spots, and check out their cabins.
Which brings me to another benefit of boarding later. Cruise ship rooms usually aren't ready until the afternoon. If you're set on being one of the first people on the ship, you won't immediately have access to a private bathroom, a place to rest or a spot to store your carry-on luggage. Board a few hours into the embarkation period, and you can head straight to your cabin as soon as you're on the ship.
"But wait," you might be thinking. "Boarding late means I miss out on several hours of pool time." This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'm happy to sacrifice a few hours on the vessel in exchange for even 20 fewer minutes standing in a line. Plus it means you won't have to change in public restrooms if you want to use the pool or drag your carry-on belongings around with you all day.
Checking in later in the process is my secret to a speedier embarkation. But it's not the only trick you can employ to maximize your chances for a smoother, faster and more efficient boarding process with fewer crowds. Check out our additional tips for expediting embarkation, which include recommendations like packing smartly and having your cruise documents ready.
Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:
- More banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
- Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
- What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
- What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
- What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
- What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
- What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
- What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
- What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.