When making your own air arrangements, we recommend allowing a minimum of four hours between your flight arrival time and the ship's sailing time. Specific port and pier information and embarkation times are stated on your cruise ticket. Port authorities sometimes change the location of the pier or berth number, so be sure that you actually see your ship when you arrive at the port/pier.

When disembarking at the end of your cruise, do not plan to leave the ship for at least three hours after it docks at your final destination. Customs and Immigration must conduct various inspections before you are allowed to disembark. Please also take into account the time needed at the airport for airline check-in procedures before booking your departing flights. If you are making independent reservations to fly home directly after the cruise, please have your travel agent contact Crystal Cruises' Reservations for flight departure guidelines, which vary based on the distance between the pier and the airport.

Transfers, porterage and luggage handling are part of our all-inclusive Crystal Air/Sea Program. If you choose to arrange for air travel independently, you may purchase embarkation and disembarkation transfers from Crystal Cruises. For information on Crystal Cruises' all-inclusive Air/Sea Program, please click here.

Flight schedules sometimes change. We strongly suggest that you reconfirm all flight times with the airline 48 hours prior to departure. Seating assignments, special meal requests, details regarding checked and carry-on luggage allowances and restrictions (size, weight and quantity), or other flight-related inquiries should be discussed directly with the airline or through your travel agent. Please confirm your seat assignments for both outbound and return flights prior to your departure for the ship.

We recommend that you do not lock your luggage due to the Transportation Security Administration's policy of screening all baggage. However, please be sure to lock your luggage when in transit between airport and ship. Ship and airline safety requirements prohibit the transportation of dangerous goods including, but not limited to, explosives, weapons, ammunition, mace, pepper-spray, hazardous material, martial arts devices, swords or similar items that may be considered a security risk.

Boarding the Ship

At embarkation ports, the ship is usually available for guest boarding at 3 pm. The exact embarkation and sailing times are specified on your cruise ticket. Please note that you may not board earlier than the time stated. All guests must carry a government-issued photo identification card in order to embark.

Keep in mind that you must be on the ship at least one hour prior to sailing. Once you are on board, our Six-Star crew welcomes you, assists with your hand luggage and shows you to your stateroom. Your luggage is delivered to your stateroom.

Clothing Suggestions

Throughout the day, our guests wear a casual mix of active resort wear. Dining room attire is casual during the day; however, swimsuits are not appropriate. If you do not wish to change for a meal in the afternoon, alfresco dining on deck is available.

For days in port, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. Check with your travel agent for special items you might want to pack for your destination and the time of year you are traveling.

Each evening on a Crystal cruise has a specific dress code, which applies to all public areas of the ship after 6 pm. Guests find that the occasional formal evenings create a special atmosphere in contrast to the other more informal evenings on board. The three codes of attire are casual, informal and formal. Typically, 10- to 14-day cruises have three formal nights. The number of informal nights is usually based on the number of days at sea, and casual nights are based on days in port and the time of departure.

Formal Evening Attire
We recommend evening dresses and gowns of fashionable length for ladies, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for gentlemen.

Informal Evening Attire
Informal attire is appropriate for most evenings on board. For ladies, evening dresses, cocktail dresses or pantsuits are suitable. For gentlemen, we suggest sport coats and slacks; ties are optional.

Casual Evening Attire
On casual evenings, a more relaxed attire is accepted, such as casual dresses and pantsuits for ladies, and sport shirts and slacks for gentlemen. Ties and jackets are not required.

>Vacation Calendar