3. Make the most of your last moments on land.

You may encounter even more waiting time at this point, even though you’re all checked in. Take a deep breath – you’re almost there! Use the time to text, Tweet, and make phone calls before you start racking up shipboard fees.

Once you make it to the gangway, you need to pause at security to swipe your shipboard card (we told you to keep it handy). From there, it’s smooth sailing right to the sundeck.

Tip: A ship photographer will try to waylay you for a photo, which you are under no obligation to buy. Unless you want a commemorative photo of finally getting through all the lines, you can just say a polite no and keep walking.