When Do You Get Your Cruise Itinerary?

CruiseMapper is a comprehensive resource for travelers seeking information about their cruise vacation, including itinerary updates, travel documents, shore excursions, and bookings. With most cruise lines releasing itineraries and selling tickets up to two years in advance, it’s unlikely that anything could derail your meticulously planned vacation. If your cruise itinerary changes, you can generally cancel and get your money back if you learn of the changes before the final payment due date.

Boarding begins between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ship’s schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board. You can also customize your flight itinerary using My Viking Journey, which offers seat assignments, flight upgrades, or change dates of travel.

Choosing an itinerary can be a daunting task, especially for first-time cruisers. Use our guide to match your vacation needs with a cruise itinerary. Entertainment bookings open 30 days before sailing, so make sure to login as soon as possible and grab reservations, even if you don’t attend. If you reserve your cruise with a Travel Advisor or a Certified Vacation Planner, your cruise documents will be sent 20-50 days prior to your departure.

When choosing a cruise itinerary, consider your vacation type, match a cruise to your mobility, and download the PO Cruises app before departing to log in to Cruise Control and access your boarding. For your first cruise, aim for at least a seven-day cruise, and the bigger the ship, the better.