Cruise Question Re Luggage

[nailit]

I said on a previous post (on Tuesday) that I was going on a cruise next week. A bit of anticipation on my part as its actually the week after....
However, Ive never been on a cruise but just got a couple of questions.

1) How does the luggage situation work at a docks? Obviously at an airport your luggage is taken and stowed on the plane. I am travelling down to Tilbury docks by train so does my luggage (suitcase) stay with me through customs or will it be taken off me and boarded separately?

2) Once docked at port (both Amsterdam and Antwerp) how does re-boarding the ship happen?
Do you get some kind of 'boarding pass'?

Not sure how customs work at a docks as opposed to an airport.
Sorry if this sounds ignorant, just never been on a cruise before...

Thanks in advance ;-)

[Samuraisan]

No idea Nailit, unfortunately I never been on a cruise either. But I hope you have a wonderful time, you deserve to. X

[Tilly2]

There will be a terminal for your cruise line and you will go into the terminal and check in with your luggage.

During check in, you will be handed a 'sea pass which is a like a credit card and you use that when boarding, disembarking, buying drinks, whatever on the ship.

After check in you will go through security and then board the ship.

With a bit of luck, your suitcase should arrive at your cabin soon after. (Always a good time, while your waiting, to go and explore the ship and relax with a drink)

[Tilly2]

I have been on a lot of cruises and they all, more or less, follow the same procedures.

[nailit]

Samuraisan,
Thank you for the sentiments, appreciate it ;-)

Tilly,
So my suitcase will be taken off me, just like at an airport?
What about hand luggage? (rucksac) is all this stuff scanned the same as at airports?

[sddsddean]

Agree with Tilly. You can carry on 'small' luggage (like on a plane) and it will normally go through a scanner, just like at an airport. Check if you are allowed to take any booze on with you. Most lines limit you to 1 litre per person (they want you to buy their 'overpriced' booze!) and if you bought any booze at a port stop or anything in duty free on the ship, this is normally taken off you when re-boarding and returned to you on the last night.
The wonderfully named London Cruise Terminal is a bit in the back of beyond at Tilbury. Although the railway runs to the dockside, there is no station there! (Forward planning or what!). You get off at Tilbury Town and the cruise line should be running a shuttle bus to the cruise terminal...its only 5 mins. Now I wonder what they do with all the luggage? If its a proper coach, they might put big cases in the belly hold and they might take them off you then. I'm afraid you'll have to wait and see (the excitment is unbearable![Tongue firmly in cheek]). Have fun anyway. We're off on a cruise to the Northern Lights in Norway end of Nov, so we're getting ready too!

[New Judge]

//Although the railway runs to the dockside, there is no station there! (Forward planning or what!).//

Backward planning, actually. In the 1960s the old liner terminal in Tilbury was the point of emigration to Australia under an assisted passage scheme established and operated by the Australian Government. Those passengers were known as the 'Ten Pound Poms'. They would travel via Tilbury Riverside station (a short distance from the liner terminal). Following the fall in that traffic the liner terminal fell largely into disuse until it was redeveloped into today's cruise terminal. That new terminal opened in 1995. Tilbury Riverside station closed in 1992.

[shoota]

Don't bring any parcels from strangers back with you...

[andy-hughes]

nailit - // During check in, you will be handed a 'sea pass which is a like a credit card and you use that when boarding, disembarking, buying drinks, whatever on the ship. //

It also works as the key to your cabin door.

[nailit]

Thanks for additional replies, appreciated :-)

[237SJ]

Make sure you take some warm clothes - it can be a bit parky kicking around the red light district.

[Ellipsis]

Yes, your suitcase is taken off you on boarding and taken to your cabin for you, and your hand luggage goes through an airport-style scanner every time you get on the ship including the first time.