Cruising is incredibly exciting, especially for those who know what to expect. If you’ve never boarded a cruise ship, you might be nervous about the boarding process, where you should go, and what you need to know before you get started.
Fortunately, you’re in the right place to learn all of that and more.
When you board a cruise ship, expect to line up at the port from about 12 PM to 2 PM, show your ID and boarding pass, and review the schedule.
Some cruises have planned events and dining, but most cruise ships offer food and drinks all day. Make sure you stick to your membership amenities.
This article will also teach you the following details about what to expect onboard a cruise:
Anyone who’s gone on a cruise knows the basic expectations, but each ship operates differently.
Once you’ve gone on a few cruises, you’ll feel more confident about the process.
However, boarding a cruise ship is much more about waiting around than doing too many things simultaneously.
Here’s the general process of boarding a cruise:
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After you’ve gone through the first day onboard your vessel, everything else is smooth sailing.
You don’t have to learn anything new, other than upcoming events and possible docking at new ports.
Let’s dive into the details and tips of what you should expect after you board the cruise for your first time below.
1) There’s usually an emergency drill, so everyone is prepared for worst-case scenarios.
The Muster Drill is designed to let everyone know what to do in case of an emergency.
It’s not the most exciting part of cruising, but it’s essential to protect everyone’s well-being.
2) You might arrive in your cabin a bit later than expected.
Don’t expect to walk into your cabin the second you board the ship.
Muster drills, boarding events, and many other things will take an hour or so. Sometimes the crew are also still cleaning the cabins.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of food and drinks to enjoy while waiting to go to your assigned cabin.
3) Most cruise lines offer a first-day departure party.
These parties follow the theme of the cruise, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a party cruise.
You don’t have to attend the departure party, but it’s one of the most interesting and exciting parts of cruising.
Everyone’s in a positive mood and ready to enjoy the holiday!
4) Dining room and dining reservations
If you are on a ship that has fixed dinner seating, you have the option of changing your dining reservation time with the Maitre D'. S/he can normally be found doing this in the main dining room during embarkation day.
5) Book your shore excursions, speciality dining and entertainment
It is a good time to look for specials on shore excursions, drinks packages and the spa. There are always some great discounts on the first day.
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You most likely will be doing a lot of walking and standing in line, which is why it's important to wear comfortable shoes.
Dress casually, and don't worry too much about what you're wearing.
Keep in mind that the vessel is air-conditioned. The difference between the outside temperature and the inside of the ship might be quite substantial.
To avoid catching a cold wear, an extra layer when you get on until you are used to the inside temperature.
You should also ensure that you check the weather beforehand.
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Ask before you cruise how flexible your vessel is with mealtimes.
Some cruise lines will leave you complete freedom of choice when you would like to eat, while others have fixed times.
All the major cruise lines will have some sort of buffet around the clock.
For all vessels, there’s usually always something to eat on the ship. There might be speciality restaurants that open during specific preset hours, but you can find this out onboard.
Not only that, but you can dine wherever you’d like to when the cruise gets to a destination.
When it comes to drinks, you might be limited by the times you can consume alcohol.
However, there’s always water and other non-alcoholic beverages to keep you comfortable and hydrated throughout the holiday.
Are you concerned about feeling lost when everyone else knows what they’re doing?
Rest assured, you’re not alone.
Every cruise is filled with people who’ve never set sail, so you’re not alone.
Not only that, but cruise companies make it as seamless as possible to make you comfortable and knowledgeable while you’re at sea.
Try these tips to find your way around a cruise ship:
As mentioned earlier in the article, you’re not required to enjoy the departure party, but the part leading up to it often explains everything you need to know about locations. It’s good to plan your schedule, too.
This will allow you to know where to eat, drink, swim, relax, and have a good time.
Don’t forget to look for bathrooms, too!
Many people forget the small details, but it’s smart to know where several bathrooms are, especially during busy nights when there are parties, shows, and other events.
One of the obvious places you will find a map of the ship is next to the elevator.
Find out where the maps are so you don’t get lost when trying to find important locations.
Don't hesitate to ask any crew members for help, they can point you in the right direction if you don’t know what to do or where to go.
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Not all cruises have loyalty programs, but it is worth joining if they do, in the event that you cruise again.
However, if you want to go on a major cruise line, you should stay current with membership costs, rewards, perks, and so on.
Below, we’ll answer three of the most common questions about cruise memberships and what to know when you’re on board.
Now that you know what to expect when you’re on a cruise ship, you can plan your schedule accordingly.
Cruising is all about relaxing and having a good time, so don’t get overwhelmed by the boarding process or planned events.
Cruise companies do everything they can to remove stress.
Here’s a quick rundown of the post:
First Published on 15 February 2021, updated 12 May 2021