What do YOU typically do on embarkation?

New to Princess and will be sailing on the Royal in a couple of weeks. Looking for ideas on exactly what to do on embarkation. We usually head to the buffet for lunch on DCL.

Dining room lunch. I find the buffet too crowded.

We usually get changed into swim suits right away and head for one of the hot tubs. Lots of time to eat later but rare are the times when you have the pools and hot tubs to yourself!

Personally, I never eat first thing as there is plenty of time for that later. I go up to the highest

public deck (skipping the accommodation only decks) working my way all the way down. Get to see the layout of the ship and get a feel for the fellow passengers.

Depends on when we get on the ship. Usually it's right around lunch and I do like my meals. After that we acquaint ourselves with the ship itself. Find out where some of the things we like to do are going to be.

Then we find the martini bar, and a couple of other favorite places.

First thing is go to my cabin and drop off my carry-ons. On the Royal, I would head to Alfredo's for lunch - its not busy and many folks think it costs extra. Since the Royal is quite large, I would take the opportunity to do the "treasure hunt" - you will be given a card at embarkation. Great opportunity to find out where things are and you might win something. Also a chance to make any specialty dining reservations, visit the kids club (even if you don't have kids its a cool area on the Royal).

Then, head up to the pool, have a drink and relax until its time for muster drill. Then, enjoy sailaway!

Most of all, have fun!

We drop our carry on in the cabin and try to meet our steward so we can ask for a mattress topper and a top sheet on the bed. We try to get our bottle of sparkling wine delivered so it can be chilled and ready (I typically pre-purchase it so there is a card for it already in the cabin). We then go and purchase the AIBP. We then get lunch at the grill and lido deck pizzeria. After lunch we find the barstools that overlook the center pool area to hopefully enjoy some sunshine and cocktails. After muster we go back up to the top decks to enjoy the sail away party. Embarkation is so exciting!

We go to our cabin and unpack our carry ons, then up to the buffet.

If the room is ready - drop everything off and go explore!! I love that first go around on a new ship. :)

We drop our carry-on bags in our cabin, lock our passports and wallets in the safe, and then go to lunch in the dining room if it's still open or the International Cafe if we're too late for lunch in the dining room. I avoid the buffet if possible, especially on the first afternoon. After lunch, we go back to the cabin to change into swimsuits for a quick dip before the muster drill. After the muster drill, we go back to our cabin for a glass of wine at sailaway if we have a balcony cabin. That's when we also call our mothers before getting out of cellphone range.

Drop the bag and head to the MDR for lunch.

This next cruise, I will go the Sanctuary first as i have an inside gty. I will need some "planned outdoor serenity time"!

Bags in room, valuables in safe, quick skim over any paperwork that is different than expected, on to luncheon in the dining room with a traditional mojito - toast being on another cruise. Back to stateroom, unpack carry ons, call parents to tell them all is well, turn off phones.

If great weather, up on deck until muster, attend muster, unpack checked bags, Elite lounge for drinks and snack and/or to meet friends, on to dinner.

Luncheon in the dining room with a mojito is a must. That is the official start of our cruise, although Alfredo's with a Stella has substituted when we board later than planned.

First thing is go to my cabin and drop off my carry-ons. On the Royal, I would head to Alfredo's for lunch - its not busy and many folks think it costs extra. Since the Royal is quite large, I would take the opportunity to do the "treasure hunt" - you will be given a card at embarkation. Great opportunity to find out where things are and you might win something. Also a chance to make any specialty dining reservations, visit the kids club (even if you don't have kids its a cool area on the Royal).

 

Then, head up to the pool, have a drink and relax until its time for muster drill. Then, enjoy sailaway!

 

Most of all, have fun!

Our first Princess cruise is coming up in May, what is this "Treasure Hunt"? Always love a good challenge

It's not really a treasure hunt per se. You got to a bunch of places around the ship and collect stamps on a card. Then you can enter a draw for prizes. It's a great way to learn where things are.

goofy559,

Thank you for the response.:D

Yes drop off bags and head to the DR for lunch. :)

On the Regal/Royal go to Alfredo's.

Alfredo's or DR for lunch

The buffet on the Royal is hardly ever crowded.

Dining room lunch. I find the buffet too crowded.

Same with us! We drop our carry on in the cabin and head to the one open dining room before it closes

Howard

On either the Regal or Royal We eat embarkation lunch at Alfredos

I really enjoy the spinning classes but learned the hard way years ago that unless you go to the gym as soon as you board and place your name on the spinning clipboard you may get shut out. The only time you can use the spinning cycles is during one of the classes. Nice way to knock off a few pounds before attaching the International Cafe.....again.

We drop off our carry-ons in our cabin and put valuables in the safe.

Then we go immediately to buy our "liquor stickers" (All Inclusive Drink Package). :D

Normally, we go to the MDR for lunch.

LuLu

If the room is ready - drop everything off and go explore!! I love that first go around on a new ship. :)

I agree and do the same thing, after I get the drink of the day. ;)

Go right to the cabin and drop off carryon luggage, put passports, credit cards, etc. in the safe, meet Stewart or Stewartess, if available and head for IC or open Dining Room. If I was on Royal or Regal, I would go to Alfredo's. Have a beverage (or two), get to know the ship if it is new to us. (Our next cruise is on the Coral and we have not sailed her or the Island.) Make some Dining reservations for Steak House. Go back to cabin and wait for Muster, then repeat from Have a beverage (or two).:):)