Before your cruise, you will receive, either by post or online, your cruise ticket and luggage labels. If the documents are sent by email, you’ll need to fill in details about yourself and your travelling companions before you can print the boarding pass.

Take this pass to present at check-in. You’ll also need to show your passport – some cruise lines keep them for the duration of the cruise – and a credit card, which will be swiped to cover all your on-board expenses.

In return, you’ll get a cruise card, which acts as your ID to get on and off the ship, your on-board charge card (cruise ships operate a cashless society with everything charged to the card) and, on the newer vessels, your cabin key.