After you book
- Check your documents. See passport or birth certificate and passport timing.
- Think about travel insurance. See travel insurance basics.
- Note your final payment date. It depends on the cruise line and the length of the cruise. Royal Caribbean, for example, asks for final payment 75 to 120 days before sailing.
Before you sail
- Complete online check-in early. Lines ask for it a few days ahead (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity say at least three days, Norwegian at least four). Then follow the arrival time on your boarding pass.
- Plan your port days. Shore excursions and what's included vary by line and port. Ask us and we'll explain your options for each stop.
- Arrive the day before. Celebrity and Princess both suggest it, so a flight delay doesn't cost you the cruise.
The last day
- Plan your flight home around disembarkation. Ask us about the timing before you book flights.
Your Way Vacay Tip
Never cruised before? That's our favorite kind of client. Call us and we'll walk you through every step.
Never cruised before? That's our favorite kind of client. Call us and we'll walk you through every step.
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Last checked October 9, 2026. Rules and offers change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.