The primary day of your cruise is the beginning of a trip, and likewise when it’s best to knock out just a few necessary issues to make your cruise higher.
In my years of cruising, embarkation day has modified rather a lot. On the one hand, it is gotten a lot smoother due to smarter procedures and leveraging know-how. However, there are nonetheless issues cruisers ought to at all times attempt to do earlier than the ship units sail.
I am a proponent of planning forward, and with the suitable method, you may set your self up for a good higher Royal Caribbean cruise by doing just a few key issues on that first day. That is not to say you may have a foul cruise if you don’t comply with something right here. Slightly, I feel all of it enhances your crusing.
Here is my checklist of the issues to do and to not do in your first day aboard a ship.
Do the muster drill and get it out of the way in which
Each cruise ship passenger has to finish their security drill earlier than the ship units sail, and I like to recommend doing it instantly.
By the point company are capable of board, the muster stations will probably be open and there will probably be a crew member ready.
The good play is to go there instantly and knock it out as a result of the muster stations are normally close to the embarkation level.
As a result of Royal Caribbean makes use of an e-muster, you are able to do this at any time fairly than the previous days of everybody going directly.
You may ask a crew member as you board that can assist you find your station by referencing its location from the Royal Caribbean app.
Make specialty eating reservations
If that you must make specialty eating reservations, go and try this subsequent.
This step is probably going much less more likely to be crucial as a result of Royal Caribbean now permits company e book particular days and instances for eating places after they buy a eating package deal pre-cruise, however typically it is nonetheless crucial.
Examples of why you’d nonetheless want to attend to make a reservation are folks with a Diamond Plus BOGO supply, or somebody trying to get a primary day low cost.
There’s normally a crew member on the Royal Promenade at a station for “specialty eating reservations”, however it’s also possible to go to any restaurant and the crew member there can e book reservations for some other restaurant too.
Reservations will replenish shortly, so I might advocate making them as quickly as potential.
Eat lunch ahead of later
One of many first stops on any cruise is to eat lunch, and there are just a few choices.
Most passengers will head to the Windjammer buffet to seize a plate and cargo up. I like the Windjammer as a result of there’s a lot selection, with heaps for everybody. Even choosy eaters will in all probability discover one thing right here.
The draw back to the Windjammer is it may possibly get very crowded, particularly at midday.
Relying on which ship you are on, there are options that is likely to be much less crowded:
- Sorrento’s
- Park Cafe
- Cafe Promenade/Pearl Cafe
You would go for a specialty restaurant for a extra enjoyable first day.
That will get you no dashing round, a sit down meal, and better high quality meals.
Stroll across the ship
One other must-do on embarkation day is to stroll across the ship to discover.
Whereas I feel the format of a Royal Caribbean ship is fairly simple to navigate, it is a good suggestion to discover and see the whole lot so you’ve got a superb body of reference for what’s onboard and the place the whole lot is.
It is actually widespread to stroll across the ship after which understand there is a sure exercise or venue that you simply forgot about.
Plus, it makes getting round simpler later once you’re in a rush to get someplace.
Cease for a “first drink of the cruise”
Most cruisers will inform you a time honored custom of cruising is to seize a cocktail, beer, mocktail, or glass of wine to toast the beginning of the holiday.
My most popular spot is on the higher pool deck bar, the place I can take pleasure in a drink, the breeze, and a view of the ship as I take within the begin of my trip.
Do not be temped to reside out of your suitcase
Whereas no sooner or later desires in regards to the begin of their cruise involving unpacking, it actually makes a distinction.
When you get to your stateroom, unpack your baggage and put the whole lot away so there’s much less muddle. You’ll want to stash your suitcases beneath your mattress after you are finished.
I’ve cruises many instances unpacked and likewise dwelling out of a suitcase, and dwelling out of a suitcase at all times finally ends up irritating me once I’m looking for one other pair of socks or the place I put that one factor.
Speak to your stateroom attendant
The crew member you are more likely to discuss to essentially the most is the cruise ship cabin attendant, and I like to recommend monitoring them down on day one.
Normally they’re going to come by and knock in your door to introduce themselves, however do not be shy to method them within the hallway should you see them.
Your steward will be actually useful in not solely protecting your cabin tidy, however helping in making certain you’ve got the whole lot you want. I at all times ask my room attendant for sure facilities that makes my cruise extra pleasant.
Plus, you may specify once you need your room cleaned, and make sure the mattress configuration is appropriate properly earlier than it is mattress time.
Do not buy a drink package deal
I feel a Royal Caribbean drink package deal is a good worth, however don’t wait to purchase it onboard the ship.
You’ll spend tons of of {dollars} extra should you purchase it onboard as a result of it is at all times cheaper should you purchase it earlier than the cruise begins.
Royal Caribbean has gross sales on drink packages virtually each week, so there is not any excuse to purchase it on the ship and pay as much as 40% greater than should you did it on-line.
Contemplating how less expensive a beverage package deal is on-line, go forward and e book that now fairly than ready for the primary day.
Do the spa tour for enjoyable
I truly like taking the Vitality Spa tour, if solely to see what this non-public space of the ship appears like.
On embarkation day there are crew members keen and ready to indicate you across the spa for gratis or obligation.
The spa and health heart are well-appointed areas, plus you is likely to be shocked by the choices.
Take the children to the water slides
In case you or your children wish to attempt the waterslides, I like to recommend doing this on the primary day of the cruise.
Embarkation day is a genius hack for avoiding the longer strains for the slides later within the cruise. Most passengers haven’t got their bathing fits and so they’re busy doing the whole lot else on this checklist on day one, in order that leaves the slides with much less waits.
Most Royal Caribbean ships have water slides now (particularly the massive ships), and it is normally the must-do factor for most youngsters as soon as they see it. Ideally, pack their swim go well with in a carry-on bag to allow them to change in one of many public restrooms on the pool deck and begin driving.
Keep away from excessive charges later and disable your telephone
You should use your telephone on embarkation day, however make sure you put it into airplane mode earlier than it is time for sailaway.
As soon as your ship leaves port, it is going to shortly go away your cellphone service space after which your telephone will probably be roaming. Roaming protection might value you tons of of {dollars} with out you even figuring out about it.
By placing your telephone into airplane mode (as a substitute of turning it off), you may nonetheless use the Royal Caribbean app or entry the ship’s Wi-Fi.
Do not assume your cabin is working completely
It is a good suggestion once you get into your stateroom to double examine the whole lot is working the way in which you count on it.
Set the thermostat to what you need, confirm the bathroom and sink work, be certain there’s sizzling water, and see if the tv works.
More often than not, there will not be points, nevertheless it’s higher to name upkeep to repair them now, fairly than later within the night.
Do not wait to signal the children for teenagers membership
You may wish to register your kids for Journey Ocean or the teenager membership on the primary day by going to the venue and filling out a fast kind.
Through the afternoon of the primary day, each venues are in open home mode. Dad and mom can are available in and meet the advisors and ask questions. Plus, the children can see what it is like too.
There is not any value to go away your children at Journey Ocean (until they keep late or are below 3), and that is when you may point out who has permission to choose up and drop them off, in addition to if the children can signal themselves out.
Teenagers have much less guidelines, however that you must get them registered too.
All the children programming begins after dinner (normally at 7pm), however do it within the daytime to keep away from waits later.
Do not go to your stateroom till they’re prepared
Royal Caribbean would not open its staterooms till normally 1pm (typically later), so do not waste your time making an attempt to go earlier.
In contrast to different cruise strains, similar to Superstar, you can not drop your baggage off within the room earlier than the staterooms formally open.
