The day of embarkation is both exciting and overwhelming, which can lead to some potential mistakes. Here are 10 tips to help you on your first cruise.
1. Do the Muster Drill.
All cruise passengers are required to complete their muster drill before sail away. In addition to that, most cruise lines require passengers to watch a short safety video on the cruise line app or on your stateroom TV. In total, this process takes about 10-15 minutes. Unfortunately, some cruisers procrastinate on this, leading the Captain or Cruise Director to issue reminders over the ship’s intercom.
2. Embark as early as possible.
While there’s some debate as to whether it’s better to have an early or late check-in time on embarkation day, arriving early will give you more time to enjoy the first day of your cruise. Boarding as early as possible will allow you time to have lunch, grab a drink and explore the ship at a more leisurely pace.
3. Do a cabin check.
One of the first things you should do on embarkation day, is a quick cabin check as soon as your stateroom is ready. You’ll want to drop off your carry-on luggage and make sure that everything in the cabin is in working order.
4. Take Cabin Photos & Videos.
Don’t forget to take some photos and videos of your cabin on embarkation day! Whether it’s for social media or for your own photo albums and memories, now is the time.
5. Bring an embarkation day bag.
A common first-time cruiser mistake is not bringing a carry-on bag for embarkation day. It’s best to board your cruise with your valuables and any expensive electronics, as well as medication and any other first day essentials. Having a swimsuit and a change of clothes for dinner will take the stress out of waiting for your luggage to arrive.
6. Download the cruise line app before you board.
The cruise line app will give you access to the daily planner, dinner venues and excursions.
7. Put your phone in airplane mode.
When you’re in airplane mode, you will still be able to use the cruise ship wifi. If you forget to put your phone on airplane mode, you can get charged very expensive roaming fees by your phone provider.
8. Check out boarding lunch options.
Many cruise passengers head straight to the cruise ship buffet after embarking. However, this is often one of the busiest places on the cruise ship, and it can even be hard to find a table to sit. Instead, it’s best to find out what other restaurants are open for lunch on embarkation day. This might include the main dining room, casual restaurants and even specialty restaurants.
9. Register your kids for the kids club.
.If you’re cruising with kids and teenagers, it’s important to visit and sign up for the kid’s club on the first day. On embarkation day, there will be an “open house”, where you can visit the kid’s club, meet the staff and register your children. The first day in the kid’s club is a chance for the children to introduce themselves and make friends.
10. Take in Sail away.
On a cruise, sail away is a pretty special time. Sail away is the moment where your cruise vacation truly starts. So, whether you go to the sail away party or if you enjoy sail away from your balcony, take a few minutes to savour the fact that your cruise vacation has really begun. Leave your everyday stresses and worries on the shore.
We hope our tips have helped you. You are ready for your cruise!
Vasiliki Mavrou
