Unless it is your first cruise, when everything is just wonderful, if there is one aspect about a cruise holiday that can become rather tedious it is the check-in process.

Most cruise lovers would, therefore, be happy to hear that at least one cruise line, Crystal Cruises, has decided to streamline its embarkation procedure.

Effective immediately, in every Crystal Cruises embarkation point, the “Crystal Fast-Track Check-in” option will eliminate virtually all of the normal check-in procedures in the waiting areas of port terminals, smoothly shifting cruise passengers from dock security to the comfort of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s six-star lounges.

By making use of a new barcode system on every guest’s cruise ticket plus a modified ticket scanning system and using the onboard crew more consistently, the cruise line is speeding up the check-in process to a significant extent.

As usual in every embarkation port, guests will still have to observe the compulsory local security procedures when they enter the terminal and porters will still load passengers’ luggage onto the ship.

However, instead of the documentation being processed in the terminal, guests will be whisked straight through to the ship and the rest of the registration will be completed on board where they will then receive their boarding cards and room keys.

Crystal Cruises’ Senior Vice President of Operations, Thomas Mazloum, says “Travellers want to start their vacations as soon as possible. By enhancing the ease, comfort and speed of embarkation day logistics, our guests get instant access to the ship and can enjoy the luxury of the Crystal Experience all the sooner.”