Celebrity Cruises Check-in Procedure

Just like taking a flight, cruises involve checking in. How does the process work if you decide to take a Celebrity ship anywhere in the world? Read to find out.

Online

These days, cruise lines offer online check-in; the process streamlines the steps at the terminal, thus allowing travelers to arrive later and get on the ship sooner. Because of this, all travelers are advised to check in online no more than three days before the ship departs.

To check in with Celebrity Cruises, go to the appropriate section of their website to enter your reservation number, last name, ship, and sail date. From here, follow these steps:

1. Celebrity takes all users to a page to begin the check-in process. Passengers are advised to follow all prompts for personal and traveling information, to confirm the Celebrity Cruise Ticket Contract, and to set up an onboard expense account. Celebrity, once the process is over, generates an XPRESS Pass, which is essentially a boarding pass the traveler must take to the pier.
2. After these initial steps, the traveler, through the Celebrity website, has a chance to reserve any shore excursions, make specialty dining or spa reservations, and to order a beverage package.
3. If online check-in is not completed, the traveler will need to complete it at the terminal at least four hours prior to boarding.

As most travelers, these days, make reservations online, watch out for your electronic travel documents, which are emailed to the traveler three to four weeks before the ship departs.

At the Terminal

While all cruise lines and terminals have different check-in times, travelers are required to complete the procedure at least four hours before boarding, as the cruise line must submit all passengers’ information to law enforcement authorities 60 minutes before the ship departs. As a general rule, regardless of whether you're on a Celebrity Cruise or not, arrive 90 minutes beforehand or no more than 30 minutes before the scheduled check-in time. Otherwise, travelers waiting to board usually must wait outside of the terminal.

Travelers, as well, must read all cruise documents before boarding and be prepared with any passports, visas, and credit cards, typically processed at check-in.

If you have to fly into the departure port city, be aware of how much time you'll need. Generally, travelers are advised to take the shuttle from the airport to the terminal; if a package air/sea deal was made, the cruise line – not the traveler – picks up any luggage. However, for convenience and to avoid possible wait time at the terminal, arrive to the city a day early to spend the night at a hotel, and proceed to check-in at your pace the next day.