How to Use the Cruise Line App Before and During Your Trip
The cruise line app is your boarding pass, daily newspaper, map and bill in one place. Set it up at home a few weeks before you sail, and embarkation day goes far more smoothly.
Before you sail: set it up in order
- Download the app at home on wifi, for every adult in your cabin.
- Create an account and link your booking with your reservation number and the lead passenger's details.
- Complete online check-in when it opens, often 60–90 days before sailing. You'll enter passport details, emergency contacts and a credit card for onboard charges (see cruise check-in and documents).
- Upload your photo if the line asks for one, which speeds up boarding.
- Pick a boarding time if your line uses arrival slots.
- Book what sells out: excursions, specialty dining, shows and spa slots.
- Save or screenshot your boarding pass, and print a backup in case your phone dies.
On board: what the app does
Once you're on the ship, the app becomes your main tool:
- Daily program: shows, talks, trivia, deck parties and opening hours.
- Deck maps: some ships show where you are, which helps a lot on a big ship (see finding your way on a large ship).
- Reservations: dining times, shows and excursions, with reminders.
- Onboard account: every charge, in close to real time.
- Chat: messaging within your group. Free on some lines, a small fee per device on others.
- Muster drill: on many lines you watch the safety video in the app before checking in at your station.
Getting connected without paying for internet
Put your phone in airplane mode before the ship leaves port, then turn wifi on and join the ship's network. On most big lines, the app works on that network free, even without an internet package. Keeping data roaming off avoids expensive charges at sea, as explained in cruise wifi and roaming for Canadians.
If you want full internet, packages are sold per device per day; how cruise ship internet works covers speeds and prices.
Tips that save hassle
- Turn on notifications so you get reminders for dinner and excursion meeting times.
- Check your bill every day or two, and query anything odd early.
- On the last night, use the app to review your final statement and any self-help disembarkation options.
- Older family members who don't use smartphones can rely on the printed daily program, which many ships still deliver or have at guest services.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →When the app lets you down
Apps can be slow on embarkation day, when thousands of people log in at once. Keep screenshots of your boarding pass and booking confirmations, and don't worry if something won't load at the terminal; staff can check you in without it.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Do you need to download the cruise line app before your trip?
It isn't always mandatory, but it's strongly recommended. Many lines now run check-in, boarding passes and arrival times through the app, and some popular bookings open there first. Download and log in at home, since downloading on board may need an internet package.
Does the cruise app work without wifi onboard?
On most big lines, yes. Join the ship's wifi network without buying a package, and the app shows the daily program, deck maps, reservations and your onboard account. Chatting with your group may be free or cost a small fee, depending on the line.
Can I see my onboard bill in the app?
Yes, on most lines. Check it every day or two, because it's easier to query a wrong charge mid-cruise than on the last night, when guest services is busiest.
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Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)