Cruise guidance highlights timing, gratuities and onboard safety

Cruise passengers should arrive in their embarkation city one day before sailing, according to a travel report that warns flight disruptions could result in a missed departure. The guidance suggests staying overnight before boarding to reduce that risk.

The report also says daily gratuity charges are pooled among crew members, including behind-the-scenes employees such as laundry workers and dishwashers.

While visiting ports, passengers are advised to follow the vessel’s official clock. According to the report, phones may automatically switch to local time as ships cross time zones, potentially creating confusion about when travelers must return aboard.

The guidance cautions against placing wet clothes on balcony railings. It says wind could carry the items overboard and attributes an additional fire concern to the possibility of sparks from the ship’s smokestack igniting clothing.

Passengers who feel unwell should call the onboard medical center rather than enter shared dining spaces, the report advises, citing the need to protect other people aboard.