Embarkation at Fremantle

Embarking the Sun Princess in Fremantle

The Port of Fremantle has a purpose built Cruise Terminal purpose built in the 1960's when immigration mostly occurred by sea. The terminal building itself in a typical 60's style building but it is up to the task or handling the large modern cruise ship now using the facility it was originally planned to cater for two smaller passenger ships at a time.

Luggage

Upon arrival at the terminal your baggage will be collected at the goods shed under the passenger terminal. Crew from the vessel are available to help you with your baggage after you enter the shed, there is no need to tip them. They will assist you in placing it on the baggage scanners (off loaded from the ship) before it is packed  into 1 cu metre pallets and loaded onto the ship via fork lifts and then delivered to your cabin later that day, usually before the ship sails.

After your baggage is scanned and taken away you then proceed upstairs to the Passenger Terminal proper.

You travel agent will have previously sent you baggage tags that should be filled out correctly to ensure it is delivered to the correct stateroom and is identifiable. We were supplied with 2 luggage tags each (we had four large suitcases) and we also carried on a significant amount of luggage in mid sized wheeled suitcases. This does not need tone labelled, and we took the opportunity to take our valuable camera gear, laptops and personal baggage along with a little extra alcoholic refreshment. Officially 1 bottle of wine is allowed for each passenger. Spirits are not permitted! Whether a 5 Litre cask each of Chateau Cardboard for casual drinking is debatable! We will next time also take some tubes of crushed chilli (see Eating on board) and a jar of Nescafe as the free ship's coffee was of very questionable taste. The option coffee purchasable via a card on board was fine.

Checking In

The passenger terminal can be reached via stairs, by the escalators or a lift (if you wish) and you proceed to the Eastern end of the terminal where you will be greeted by a member of the ship's crew who will issue you with a Health Declaration card. At the time of our last cruise, the Swine Flu was in full swing and great care was taken with the health cards. If you are suffering from a contagious illness you may need to be assessed by the ships medical crew before you are able to depart with the ship.

After filling out the Health Declaration Card you then join a small queue which moved very quickly to a row of about 30 Check-in desks. The crew from the vessel man these and have small sign's which they hold up requesting the next passenger when they are free.

As we had prefilled in our credit card details etc, the check in process was very simple, basically show your electronic ticket, collect your cruise card (see here for more information) and be issued with a numbered ticket, and told to wait until called for immigration and boarding.

There are tables and chairs in the terminal and the coffee shop was open for those needing a top up shot of caffeine, however you would be well advised to save your appetite until you get on board.

Immigration Formalities

At the time we boarded 1.00PM we did not have to wait to be called,  by the time we had walked from the check in area at the Eastern end of the Terminal Immigration and boarding area in the Western area of the terminal our number was called.

Joining a short queue that moves fairly quickly you approach 4 immigration desks and after your passport is checked and stamped you then proceed to the gangway. To one side is a "Customs" area where cruisers are able to pick up pre cruise duty free purchases, although you may not be able to keep any duty free liquor onboard.

You then approached by photographers, and photo back drops of tropical beaches and pictures of the ship and asked if you wish to have boarding photos. We declined thinking this was going to cost money, however the photographers are from the ship and there is no costs to have the photos taken, only the temptation to purchase then when you see them pinned up on boards in the photos shop on the Emerald Deck near the library the next morning.

Boarding

Fremantle has covered gangways that have been around since I remember (they are the same ones that we boarded the "Centaur" for a cruise to Singapore in 1975. They provide protection from the weather, and are a relatively gentle slope, and the crew will provide wheelchair assistance for the less agile. Finally on the ship you are greeted by ship's security staff who will inspect your Cruise Card, insert it into a machine and also photograph you. This image is used to identify you along with your card every time you leave the vessel or return from shore.

Your hand luggage will also be x-rayed, as it is every time your return to the vessel. Security is very tight, and we appreciate that the cruise line is so careful with this important aspect of travel.

Onboard at Last - Now What!

Well, your adventure has begun and unless you are a jaded multi cruise person this is a very exciting time. A crew member will show you to the deck on which your stateroom is located and this will usually involve a lift trip along with your hand luggage along with lots of other people who usually have no idea where they are going.

It is entertaining to see fellow passengers some lost and not able to re-find their cabins, but everyone is happy and excited and a great feeling of relief to be on board. Mobile phones continue to work, and it is not unusual to see many passengers calling friends ashore.

Many first time cruisers are under the impression that the cruise doesn't start until the ship sails. Nothing could be further from the truth. To the crew on board it is business as usual. The bars, entertainment and Horizon Court are open, and it is not uncommon to see many cruisers tucking into a big feed of the wide choice of food in the Horizon Court chucking down some wine or beer. We always avail ourselves to this opportunity along with a celebration drink in our stateroom

The ship's crew conduct tours of the ship during the course of the afternoon, and you should read the Ship's daily newspaper "The Princess Patter" immediately on getting to your cabin so that you can become aware of the activities and entertainment available even before the ship sails.

Overall the embarkation process was very quick, smooth and well organised – from baggage collection, to customs, x-ray hand baggage etc.& we were surprised to be on the boat within 30 minutes of arriving at the Terminal. There are peak periods during boarding as embarking 2,000 passengers in a 4 hour period is a significant effort in logistics, and others may have taken longer periods.

Safety Briefing and Lifeboat Drill

Before the ship can sail it is mandatory under International Maritime Law that a Lifeboat drill is performed for all passengers boarding the vessel. This is usually scheduled an hour before the sailing time and should be taken seriously, despite the excitement of finally being on board.

Just the same as passengers are subject to safety briefings in aircraft before every takeoff,  be tolerant and patient and listen to what is said, attention to this critical and important safety information may just in unfortunate and unlucky circumstances save your life. Just ask the survivors of the "Titanic."