Cruise passengers arrive at the terminal using ground transportation services, such as private automobiles, taxis, vans, and buses. Check-in for embarking passengers is on the second floor. Until the vessel is actually open for boarding, the passengers can make themselves comfortable in the large waiting area with plenty of seating, lounges and multimedia entertainment. The comfort and convenience of this waiting period adds to the positive expectations of the wonderful vacation about to begin. Once the ship is ready for boarding, the passengers go to the third level, where the passenger-bridge connecting to the ship’s gate is found.