5.4.26 Get Ready #1
Get Ready #1 for Chris Botti at Sea III!
This is the first in a series of messages you will receive from us over the next few months, each one prompting you to take "Get Ready" steps to help avoid last-minute anxiety and stress for your sailing on Chris Botti at Sea III.
Though Chris Botti at Sea III embarks in September, Embarkation Day comes quickly! By planning ahead, you can be ready for every aspect of your sailing with ease. As always, Signature Cruise Experiences will be here to guide you every step of the way.
This first note addresses tasks that may require some time to complete, such as locating (and possibly updating) your Passport and Identification. These items are essential to your ability to board the ship and participate in our activities. Later notes will address items of entertainment, excursions, dining and more. We will also share our theme night plans, programming highlights, artist-hosted events and more.
Ready to Get Ready? Follow our schedule and we promise that you will be set to sail on Chris Botti at Sea III! As always, our team at Signature Cruise Experiences will be here to guide you every step of the way.
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences, LLC
Your Cruise Details
Sailing Dates: Friday, September 18 - Friday, September 25, 2026
Ship: Celebrity Summit
Itinerary: 
Tasks Requiring Immediate Response
Below are tasks that may require either prompt attention or some lead time in completing. The sooner you address these issues, the easier it will be to complete them.
Passports or Government-Issued ID
Guests are REQUIRED to have a valid passport which (a) expires no sooner than six months beyond the last day of the cruise and (b) contains two blank passport pages. Please confirm that the first and last names on your passport or government-issued ID match the first and last names on your cruise reservation to ensure that you will be permitted to board the ship. It is your responsibility to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. Click here to view the complete list of required travel documents for U.S. and Non-U.S. citizens. Please note that a birth certificate and government-issued ID are not accepted forms of identification for this cruise.
Review Your Apparel Size
Your gift of Chris Botti at Sea gear will be available on the ship. Please take a moment to review the size(s) currently listed on your reservation (above).
This year’s gift is a unisex-fit pullover jacket, which may fit differently than the shirt sizes previously provided.
If you would like to update your size for the jacket, please complete the short form linked below by Friday, May 29, 2026.
Be sure to review the size chart before making your selection.
Planning Your Trip
If you have not already planned your arrival into the Los Angeles area, now is the time to start preparing. We highly recommend that guests arrive the day BEFORE embarkation in order to alleviate stress from any potential travel delays or issues.
To further assist you with planning, Signature Cruise Experiences has compiled a list of potential hotels at various locations and price points in the Los Angeles area, along with a direct link to each reservation procedure for your review. Going to the reservation link is the only way to determine both price and availability for each hotel. Please contact the hotel regarding airport / cruise port shuttle service.
EXPLORE PRE-CRUISE HOTEL OPTIONS
Friday, September 18, 2026 is Embarkation Day. Historically, boarding begins at 11:30 AM and all aboard time is 4:00 PM. During the Online Check-In process (starting at 45 days prior to Embarkation Day), you will be asked by Celebrity Cruises to select a Terminal Arrival Time, available in half-hour increments. For the most efficient embarkation, guests are required to arrive at the terminal (Los Angeles World Cruise Center) during their selected window.
The ship will dock at the Port of Vancouver/Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal by 7:00 AM on Friday, September 25, 2026. Due to the time it takes to clear Customs and Immigration at the cruise terminal, it is difficult to estimate what time you will be able to depart for the airport.
However, if you are willing to carry your own luggage off the ship, you may be able to leave the port as early as 7:30 AM, if disembarkation proceeds without issue. To be safe, we do not recommend any flight scheduled prior to 12:00 PM from the Vancouver area airports.
More information/recommendations for Planning Your Trip can be found here.
Coming Soon – Celebrity Cruises' Pre-Cruise Planner
It is popular among Chris Botti at Sea III guests to purchase Internet Plans, Beverage Packages, Specialty Dining, Spa Treatments, Photo Packages and other amenities before boarding the ship. There is no central location on the ship for completing these purchases so doing so requires standing in several lines.
Most guests complete their purchases by using Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner, an online platform that allows you to complete purchases from home, usually at prices lower than what is offered on the ship. In the coming weeks, we will provide you with your Celebrity Cruises Reservation Number for the cruise, which is all you need to initiate your Celebrity Cruises’ Pre-Cruise Planner and begin to make these purchases.
Special SCE Excursions Available
Chris Botti at Sea III is excited to feature a robust on-land component. With nearly two full days in San Francisco and a full day in Victoria, BC we have created shows, trips, and excursions just for you and are offering them at cost as our gift for sailing on this new program. Whether you’re looking for culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, or the chance to explore each city’s most iconic sights, these excursions were designed to elevate your time ashore and perfectly complement the music and energy awaiting you each night onboard.
As a booked guest on Chris Botti at Sea, these excursions are available exclusively for you! If you have not already planned your time while we are in port in San Francisco and Victoria, we invite you to peruse the options and sign up online (or call the office if you have specific questions). Many of the excursions have limited capacity and few are already Fully Reserved, so acting now is advised.
Stay Tuned
As mentioned, we will continue to provide you with more information to help you prepare for Chris Botti at Sea III in the coming weeks and months. This will include everything from how you board the ship, pre-cruise purchases, dining options onboard, Theme Nights, showtimes and much more. In the meantime, we highly suggest reviewing our Booked Guest portal on the website.
We cannot wait to welcome you onboard the ship!