Mastering Holland America Embarkation Day | Expert Tips for Easy Boarding!

In this video, I'll share my top-notch Holland America embarkation day tips to ensure a smooth and hassle-free boarding process, so you can start your cruise vacation stress-free!

Ahoy there! Welcome to my channel! In this exciting video, I'm sharing my personal tips and tricks for a seamless embarkation day with Holland America. From arriving at the port to stepping foot on the ship, I'll guide you through the entire process, making it a breeze for you to start your cruise adventure.

Embarking on a cruise vacation is an exhilarating experience, but sometimes the boarding process can be a bit overwhelming. That's why I've compiled this comprehensive guide based on my own experiences to help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your embarkation day.

In this video, I'll walk you through the essential documents you need to have on hand, the best time to arrive at the port, and the must-know details for a swift check-in. You'll also learn about handy packing tips, embarkation day do's and don'ts, and ways to beat the crowds for a stress-free boarding experience.

So, if you're ready to kick off your cruise vacation with ease, hit that play button and let's get started! Don't forget to subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications, so you never miss out on my future travel tips, cruise adventures, and exciting content.

10 Tips for an Easy Boarding Process
1. Fly in EARLY (or get a hotel!)
2. Print your documents (boarding pass, luggage tag)
3. Uber to the cruise terminal
4. Have your passport out!
5. Arrive at the Holland America cruise terminal by 11:30am
6. Decide if you want to carry on your luggage (I do!)
7. Pack a day bag (sunblock, swimsuit, sweater, dinner clothes)
8. Prepare to wait before getting on the ship
9. Smile for the camera!

@HollandAmericaLine #cruiseblogger #cruisetips #hollandamericaline #cruisetipswithchristina #cruiseguide #cruiseadventure #cruiseaddict #cruiseplanners #cruisetipsandtricks

[cruisetipswithchristina]

Please subscribe to my channel. I'd appreciate it! 😃What's the one thing you wish you knew before your first cruise embarkation day?" Share your experiences and insights to help fellow cruisers have an even better time! 🚢😊

[gigis]

Great tips and thank you for being so thorough

[lancehughes]

Your condensing of pertinent information regarding embarkation is truly amazing. Yes, there’s definitely some stress at times but I must say, my wife and I found your video…. even more stressful (hey I’m teasing you, just so you know).
A hotel should not be required the day before for a number of reasons: *The proximity to the port. *Favourable weather. *Multiple departing flights. *Road conditions. *The late afternoon embarkation.
However, it’s obvious you’re a kind person as well as providing lots of great advice. Thank you Christina !

[charlie]

Tip 4A: make a photocopy or mobile phone picture of your passport (picture page and last page). If you loose or forget the passport book, the photo can be enough.

[Christopher.G.P]

Thank you for the great video! I booked a hotel close to the airport and the cruise terminal in Ft Lauderdale, as I am flying in the day before because I am flying from Canada, and jeeze, you think American airlines have issues - try Canadian ones! I booked The Red Carpet Inn as they have free airport pick up and free cruise terminal shuttle. Is this ok to use? You made the comment to only use Uber or Lyft, so I am concerned. I was planning on going to the terminal early, encase the shuttle bus is late, delayed by waiting for someone, or even driving around the massive terminal dropping people off at all the different docks.

[CalvinRiley-ehkh]

Very informative, great info I'm heading to Alaska out of Vancouver in May (2024)

[frankpainter]

Could you please tell me what hotels you would recommend in Ft Lauderdale. Thanks

[mtinus-yw]

thanks Christina for the tips. it is for us the first time. we sale in juli to norway and iceland.

[carolgillett]

As an operation manager with a major airline for over 30 years....PLEASE DON'T TRY TO FLY IN ON THE SAME DAY AS YOUR CRUISE! There are just too many factors impacting schedules, many totally out of the airline's control. Buy a hotel room, cut the stress and the stress on everyone trying to get you there. I can't tell you how many times, we have passenger meltdown because they naively thought they could "just catch a flight that morning."

[janicejohns]

Request hotel recommendations in Vancouver Canada for September 8 cruise departure on HAL. We Plan to arrive a day early.

[RubyPerry-ke]

What is your recommendation for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale?

[lisaboyle]

Do you have any hotel recommendations in Seattle. Pier 91

[sallyfelling]

Do you have a link for hotels near the Vancouver B.C. port?

[karencragg]

Hotels near the port reasonably priced in Barcelona Spain Thank You
Great Videos

[johnmc]

Another great video. Can you please rea good FL hotel rates has shuttle service from airport to hotel and hotel to Pier. Thanks

[CatherineMillison]

What hotels are close to ship port in vancover?

[sparty]

What is a good hotel to stay at in Rotterdam for HAL?

[bbman]

Didn't really find your video helpful.First off if you are a 4 or 5 Star Mariner on HAL you would know about having priority embarkation. So for the regular cruiser Do Not arrive too early.HAL assigns boarding times. If your boarding time is let's say @ 1 for a 5 o'clock sailing do not arrive at 10. All your going to do is wait longer. An hour to an hour and half prior to your boarding time is sufficent. 2nd Do not take your luggage to your room. Again, your room will not be ready and you don't want to be dragging your suitcase around the ship. 3rd, always arrive at least the day before especially if you are flying to your embarkation city. With the way airlines are a mess currently, bite the bullet on a hotel room. One you will be well rested before you board and two it will be less stressful.

[natebinthemix]

Hey Christina! 👋 Thanks for the great info! I have my 1st cruise on Holland America Eurodam this Sat 10/28 out of FT. Lauderdale Fl. I did get the earliest flight direct out of Philly and should get in by 11:25am. My ship departs at 3pm. I did 2 months back book the Transfer from the airport with Holland America to the Port (was like $35 round trip) so I didn't care. Hope will be quick to and fro guess will see? I'm sailing 11 night Eastern Caribbean and keeping my fingers crossed weather cooperates as pretty sketchy in Sint Maarten St Johns Antigua Barbuda St Thomas etc etc where we are going. Hopefully all will be ok? I did see you recommended the Holiday Inn Express near the Port in FLL. I might consider as staying in FLL 4 nights 11/8-11/12 as taking a 2nd cruise 11/12 with Virgin Voyages out of Miami. I'll catch your other vid you attached on Embarkation while onboard! If you have any other suggestions for me please let me know. I plan on dining at Tamarind 1 night and maybe Pinnacle as well. Don't know how the Canaletto is menu looked so-so. Thanks again for any info! Keep up the great work! New sub also! 🙂 P.S I got an upgrade from my interior room to an Oceanview for $98 so took it! I was on deck 5 now on D/Main lower deck 10--. Apparently they placed me mid ship said better less rocky feel etc and is under the Lincoln Center where they have music. Hopefully should be quiet in this area? Have a great day! 🙂

[kari]

Thank you for your cruise tips. We are going on Alaskan Cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam on 3 weeks.This will be our 1st cruise and appreciate all your tips. Can you suggest Vancouver cruise port hotel?