Do's and Don'ts on Embarkation Day
At The Terminal
In the terminal building one of the first things you will encounter is the security check point. It will look a bit similar to airport security but one of the key differences is you don't have size restrictions on liquids, and you don't need to remove laptops, belts, shoes etc. There are a few other restrictions that you might not be familiar with:
DO: If your cruiseline permits alcohol, be sure to keep this in your carry on luggage. You may be asked to present the bottle for inspection. In fact this is true of any food or drink you wish to take on board. Check with your cruise line what is permitted to avoid your items beings confiscated by security
DONT: The biggest fear of any sea faring crew member is fire at sea, and for this reason there is a large list of prohibited items. Don't pack travel irons, steamers, candles, or kettles. You can take a power strip or extension cable but just be sure it doesn't have a surge protector
On Board
You made it to the ship, and now you have choices. What's first? Eat, drink, swim, or explore? Well that really is up to you but a couple of things to consider;
1) your cabin might not be ready yet, so you will likely have your carry on luggage with you
2) your main luggage may not be delivered for some time
With that in mind, here are the do's and don'ts when you first board the ship:
DO: In 2021, finally returning to the seas after being grounded for 18 months, most of the cruise lines implemented eMuster processes. This is when you go can go to the muster point at any time prior to departure, as well as watching a short video in your cabin. If your ship is participating in this process I recommend you do this first. It's likely to be fast and it's one less thing to worry about later.
DONT: Most people head straight to the buffet when they board the ship, so it definitely gets crowded, fast. If you do want to eat as soon as you board, skip the buffet and check out what other dining venue's are open. You may be surprised by the selection available.
In Your Cabin
Finally you get to your cabin, your home away from home for the next few days. Remember, a cruise ship is a hotel at sea, so be sure to do all your usual hotel room checks; all lights are working, toilet flushes, and check the bed for bed bugs are all recommended.
There's a couple of things specific to cruise ships that I recommend also:
DO: First thing is first, space is limited on cruise ships. Unless you are staying in a suite, chances are your cabin is much smaller than your bedroom at home, or any hotel you have stayed in. Unpack as soon as your luggage arrives, utilizing every nook and cranny you can find. Pro tip: Place your empty suitcase under the bed
DONT: Don't panic if the room isn't set up correctly. Usually you will be asked for your bed preference in advance (2 x single beds, or 1 x king bed). If they got it wrong, let your stateroom attendant know, so they can adjust the room configuration while you are out to dinner, or exploring the ship. The king bed is really just two single beds pushed together after all
Around The Ship
Chances are you are settling in nicely. The ship is about to set sail, or maybe already has. This is when the atmosphere on board completely changes. You are now in full vacation mode.
If you listened to the tips above, you have completed the mandatory muster, had a peaceful lunch, and unpacked your bags. Here's my tips for enjoying your first evening on board:
DO: Check the daily planner. Most cruise lines are moving to electronic planners which you can access on your cellphone, although it is usually possible to pick up a paper one. If you do access the planner electronically you can usually see the planner for every day of the cruise. Go through this and highlight the activities and events that interest you the most.
DONT: You may have been assigned either an early dinner, a late dinner, or the flexible option to make a reservation and turn up when you like. Regardless of your dining plan, don't forget to check out the ships specialty restaurants and buffets. You don't have to eat dinner in the dining room at all, let alone every night.
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Copyright Colin All Cruisers 2021