Ticketing & Check-in
Vehicle Ticketing & Check-in
- Please arrive at least 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes prior to your booked departure time to allow for ticketing and embarkation checks. If you arrive early please see the Useful Links section for ideas of what to do in Southampton or the vicinity of East Cowes.
- If you are in possession of a bar-coded ticket and the entrance gate is manned you will be asked to show your ticket and advised which lane to join. If the gate is not manned read the signs and join the appropriate lane. If you booked in advance you will have been issued with a bar-coded eTicket - please hand this to staff at check-in. If you are not in possession of a ticket but have a booking reference number please quote this at check-in or at the ticket office and staff will print your ticket.
- If you don't have a reservation we may still be able to carry you - a booking will either be made at check-in or alternatively you will be directed to park in a specific lane and asked to report to the ticket office to make a booking. Online bookings are possible up to 90 minutes before departure; telephone bookings (tel. 0844 844 9988 & choose option 1) can be made up to 30 minutes before sailing.
- For passenger counting purposes it is very important that the number of adults, children and infants in your vehicle matches the passenger numbers printed on your ticket - if different we will amend your booking at check-in and issue a new eTicket.
- If you have missed your booked sailing or your vehicle is of a different size or the number of people in your vehicle has increased you may have to pay an additional fee. This can be done at check-in using a valid debit/credit card (Visa Credit, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Solo, Maestro).
- Once checked-in you may be issued with a windscreen hanger and then told which vehicle lane to join. Premium fare and Island Club Gold Card customers will join dedicated lanes for priority loading.
Foot Passenger Ticketing & Check-in
- Foot passenger tickets can be purchased online or from the ticket office either in advance of travel or on the day of departure.
- Foot passenger boarding normally commences 30 minutes prior to sailing and you will be required to show your ticket when joining the ship. Note: Customers booking online will have been sent a bar-coded eTicket via email - this document must be presented when boarding.
- Foot passengers who board via the passenger gangway but decide to disembark the ship in a vehicle should always notify the Onboard Services Officer who can be found on 'B' deck.