Jayestravellingadventures

No matter how many times you have cruised before, there is always a worry you will be denied boarding. With the build up to the cruise and the excitement of seeing the ship in the port, I couldn’t imagine the disappointment of being denied boarding.

Appropriate Documentation

When booking the cruise and leading up to the embarkation day, you will be informed of what necessary documentation you need to board. Some of the standard documents you need are;

• In date and valid Passport (Some companies require 6 months left on your passport before renewal).
• Cruise-specific travel insurance (I purchase an annual one).
• Visas (Check when booking as they are not issued straight away).

Always check what you need when booking, a helpful and friendly travel agent will be able to assist you.

Late Arrival

Most people are aware cruise ships wont wait for you, whether that is on the embarkation day or at a port throughout the cruise. Some people have had to find this out the hard way. With strict times given by the local port authorities cruise lines can be fined if they miss the slot. Although you are encouraged to arrive early, there tends to be an issue with people turning up extremely early and causing a back log in the terminal. If I arrive earlier than my time slot given, I always go to Starbucks etc to waste time before attempting to board.

There has been some cases where cruise ships have waited for passengers due to being stuck in traffic from a collision or if excursions are late back. If a handful of passengers are delayed for any reason its not likely the ship will wait, however if there is a vast majority of passengers who are delayed then the ship may wait but it is understandably the cruise lines discretion.

Being Inebriated

This is the same as when taking any flight. If a person is suspected to be heavily intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, the port authorities have every right to deny boarding. Being under the influence can result in a safety risk to crew and other passengers. Cruise lines wont take that risk when on board and its completely understandable.

Safety Issues

When you embark in all ports, you are still required to do safety checks like in airports. So if anything is found in your luggage or on your persons that raise concerns, passengers can be denied boarding. When your luggage is dropped at the port, they are also screened too. Sometimes there are sniffer dogs depending on your itinerary.

If anyone tried to being on any banned items such as Irons or Baby Bottle Warmers, then they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise. There have been cases where people have been caught trying to smuggle more serious contraband, which they have been denied boarding, passed to local authorities, as well as likely being banned from that cruise line.

Pregnancy

Every cruise line has different guidelines on booking a cruise when pregnant, so it is advised to read the full Terms and Conditions. This doesn’t stop some people turning up the the port heavily pregnant, and have also not made the cruise company aware.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean you cant cruise full stop, it just means there are strict rules regarding the length of pregnancy. You may need to provide medical documents prior to sailing. If you book a cruise without reading the T&C’s, the cruise line does not hold any responsibility and wont issue a refund. Travel insurance can also refuse to pay.

‘Pregnant guests can travel with us up to the 24th week of pregnancy . If you will enter the 24th week of your pregnancy at any point during the cruise (i.e. you are 23 weeks + 1 day or more at any point in the cruise), unfortunately you won’t be permitted to travel with us’ – P&O Cruises.