Online Cruise Check-In
Do it carefully at home and the terminal takes minutes.
Get Free Cruise QuotesOnline check-in is the cruise equivalent of checking in for a flight, but with more to fill in. Doing it carefully at home saves time and stress at the port. Exact steps vary by line.
What Online Check-In Usually Asks For
- Each guest’s travel document details, exactly as printed.
- Citizenship, address and an emergency contact who is not sailing with you.
- A credit or debit card, or cash deposit arrangements, for your onboard account.
- Flight details if you have arranged transfers.
- Acceptance of the cruise contract and any health or travel questions the line requires.
- A security photo on some lines, uploaded from your phone to speed up boarding.
- Your choice of arrival time at the terminal.
When It Opens
Lines open online check-in a set number of days before departure, and some close it a few days before sailing. Royal Caribbean, for example, says check-in opens 45 days before the sailing date. Because the most popular arrival times go first, it pays to check in soon after it opens. Your line will usually e-mail or send an app notification; if not, look in your online booking.
What You Get at the End
Once every guest is complete, you can usually download or print a boarding pass (sometimes called a set-sail pass or e-ticket) and luggage tags. Save the boarding pass to your phone and also keep a printed copy, in case your battery runs flat in the terminal. Luggage tags are covered on our luggage page.
Use the App Before You Sail
Most large lines now run a cruise app that holds your boarding pass and later works as your guide on board: daily schedules, dining reservations, your onboard account and, on many ships, the digital safety drill. Download it and log in at home, where the Wi-Fi is free and fast. Some apps also let you message fellow guests or the ship once on board.
Common Check-In Snags
- The name on the booking does not match the passport or ID — contact the line or your advisor before sailing.
- A passport that expires soon after the cruise — some countries require months of validity.
- A payment card that will expire before the cruise ends.
- A guest who has not completed their part, holding up the whole cabin.
Online Check-In Questions
Do I have to check in every guest separately?
Usually the person who made the booking can check in everyone on the reservation, though each adult may need to confirm their own details on some lines.
Can I change my arrival time after checking in?
Often yes, if other slots are available. Look in the line’s app or website under your booking.
Want Someone to Check the Details?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise help clients through online check-in and catch problems early. Ask for a free quote on your next cruise.
Get Free Cruise Quotes