David KrisoEveryone looks forward to their cruise vacation. Who doesn’t? Whether it’s a seven, nine, ten, or twelve-day voyage, there’s so much to look forward to. From the first bite of the food at the buffet on embarkation day, to signing up for spa treatments, to purchasing drink packages, to booking shore excursions, the excitement and energy are endless. However, before a cruise vacation can begin, guests must make sure they complete the most important step before chatting endlessly about sailing day. The online check-in process must be completed. As part of the online check-in procedure, guests must upload their security pictures. If anyone is curious to know why security pictures are the pier agents’ best nightmare, here’s why.
Prior to sailing day, guests must complete their online check-in procedure. The online check-in procedure includes the following: guest emergency contact information, travel documents, onboard charge information, pre- and post-cruise information (for customs purposes), and the guests’ security pictures. When taking security pictures for online check-in, strict criteria must be followed. The criteria are provided along with the security picture template. When guests’ security pictures are taken, guests must adhere to the criteria provided. The picture of the young lady shown above is the perfect example. Guests’ security pictures must 1) be clear, 2) show the crown of the head to the collarbone, 3) no eyewear should be worn (except for prescription eyeglasses, 3) no headwear (except for religious reasons), and 4) no comical faces are made. Lastly, security pictures should be taken with a plain background, like on school picture day. Security pictures are to be taken seriously. Guests MUST NOT treat security pictures like they’re going on a hot date. Absolutely NOT! Just in case anyone’s never cruised before, here’s what to expect.
When the voyage is over, it’s time for guests to leave the ship and clear through customs. While in the customs hall, guests’ are instructed by the customs officers to stand in front of a camera. Using facial recognition, customs officers match the guests’ security pictures and passport information with the guests’ pictures taken in the customs hall. Once all of the information matches up, guests are free to pass through and exit the cruise terminal. It’s that simple. Even though facial recognition makes clearing customs painless, still, it’s up to the guests to follow through by providing adequate security pictures. This means successfully completing the online check-in process. More importantly, they must upload proper security pictures to satisfy the requirements. Uploading security pictures may be a walk in the park for some, but there are moments in the cruise terminal where they can be the pier agents’ nightmare.
When guests don’t upload their security pictures, the pier agents’ jobs get all the more challenging. They’ll have to get their security pictures taken at the check-in counter. Guests have been seen fixing their hair, touching up on their makeup, and rehearsing their ‘ship face’. There’s nothing wrong with getting the security pictures taken at the terminal, unless guests had issues with their internet. Some guests aren’t so internet savvy. That’s understandable. However, guests must cooperate with the pier agents when they’re taking their security pictures. On one day, a young lady refused to have her security picture taken claiming her identity was going to be stolen. The pier supervisor advised her that without a security picture taken, she’d be disallowed from boarding. On another sailing day, a two-year-old toddler was refusing to get his security picture taken. When the parent picked him up and held him in front of the pier agent’s tablet, the toddler kicked the tablet out of her hand. The toddler didn’t stop there. The toddler continued to throw a temper tantrum. The parent kindly borrowed the pier agent’s tablet and took the little one’s picture, despite him being so uncooperative. The parent said to the little one, “No picture, no sail!”.
For the pier staff, working with youngsters can be a workout. On another sailing day, a toddler was in a stroller. When the pier agent aimed the web cam at him, he yanked the stroller’s visor right down. The parent said “Are you kidding me?”. On another day, a couple was sailing with their four kids. The second youngest of the four was highly uncooperative. The youngster kept hiding from the pier agent’s camera. She just kept refusing to get her picture taken. The pier agent decided to take everyone else’s security pictures, and then take the child’s picture last. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so easy. The youngster tried to make a run for it to the gangway, avoiding the camera. The parent grabbed her by the shoulders. The pier agent was able to take her security picture, but with the youngster with a not so happy face. It was going to be one long timeout! On other sailing days, guests including the little ones are fully cooperative. When they’re excited, the pier agents are excited to assist them at the counter. That’s the way the guests’ check-in process ought to be.
A cruise vacation is the vacation experience of a lifetime. It’s the ultimate getaway. Whether it’s a family’s Christmas getaway from school, a group occasion, or a long-awaited anniversary celebration, the energy in the cruise terminal can be felt all around. The excitement is nonstop. However, before the excitement can escalate, guests must remember to successfully complete the online check-in process. Part of the procedure is providing a proper security picture. Without their security pictures, guests are not allowed to sail. Further, to avoid any drama at the cruise terminal, adults must get their youngsters’ security pictures taken and uploaded online. Once having done do, temper tantrums and refusing to cooperate with the pier agents would be the last things to deal with. Everyone should be onboard the ship for the same good reasons. No one should be left behind because they refused to have their security pictures taken. Security pictures are what makes every guest’s cruise vacation a week’s worth of memories, not the pier agents’ best nightmare.
