whats the first thing you do when you board the ship?

Head to Cabin, Drop off luggage, See Dining Room Assignment - Poss See Table After Lunch - Head for Lido Buffet

We usually board early. If the room is ready, I cleAn everything, unpack, then do lunch, get a drink and go up in deck.

Shut off my phone, grab lunch and a drink, and explore the ship! 

On 7/10/2018 at 9:08 PM, Cruisin’A said:

call my mother and let her know I am okay (apparently, this type of thing knows no age limit)

exactly!

Always among the first on board in order to totally unwind from pre-vaca preparations...skip the mad rush for food and grab a coffee, or booze!, and relax (basically alone) in the Solarium or a top-of-the-ship lounge/lookout.  Once the cabin is ready, we are ready to say hello to our little oasis .  This first hour or two is like getting a message!

Board, See The Cabin and leave carry on, go for lunch, short walk around the ship, head to cabin, unpack, look at paperwork/program, enjoy cabin, get lifepreservers, go to muster drill, Top Deck to Say Bon Voyage!

Stowe our bags and put stuff in our safe, then head down to the dining room. 

head to buffet for light lunch, then on to the pool deck for people watching and my traditional 1st beverage (a Miami Vice)!

Vicki

straight to the first bar!

On 1/30/2016 at 6:46 PM, MoverOfMutts said:

Can anyone tell me what exactly is open when you first board? I'm going on my second cruise in a few weeks and wanted to really relax and enjoy (last one was way too short - 3 nights). We we got on, we didn't find much open. Is it because we stopped at the promenade deck? Should be go somewhere else? I'm sailing on the Independence of the Seas. Hints greatly appreciated!

Pools 

On 1/30/2016 at 6:46 PM, MoverOfMutts said:

Can anyone tell me what exactly is open when you first board? I'm going on my second cruise in a few weeks and wanted to really relax and enjoy (last one was way too short - 3 nights). We we got on, we didn't find much open. Is it because we stopped at the promenade deck? Should be go somewhere else? I'm sailing on the Independence of the Seas. Hints greatly appreciated!

Ok that was too short sorry.  Each ship has an agenda.  Some want you to check out spas, special agendas, hold raffles, bands, bars, sports, food.   Now for your trip.   

‘Inside your cabin will be a print version or electronic version of the days activity by time it is offered.   Muster drill mandatory. Note location and time you must go.   I think you are on ROYAL CARIBBEAN.   THEY HOLD RAFFLES,   GREAT WAY TO GET FREEBIES. 

Casino likely closed as well as most restaurants.   Buffet open, Pos a few more check your daily itinerary as I mentioned before.    Get up and outside, soak in the fresh air and sip on your favorite drink and people watch.  Get in your last free post on Facebook before you sail.   Enjoy 

So first time cruising for many years & I have totally forgotten what it was like!  Couple of questions for you diehards! 🙂

So, I've just completed my online information for our Carnival Vista cruise.  What exactly is 'Open Dining"?

It also asks what time we would like to book for our check in - are we better off checking in earlier, rather than later?  If we check in early, I've seen from some of the earlier comments that the pool is open & the buffet for lunch, am I correct in assuming we will have to take our hand luggage with us, or should we be able to drop that off to the cabin???

Thanks in advance 🙂

On 6/28/2019 at 8:50 AM, nickynok1 said:

So first time cruising for many years & I have totally forgotten what it was like!  Couple of questions for you diehards! 🙂

 

So, I've just completed my online information for our Carnival Vista cruise.  What exactly is 'Open Dining"?

 

It also asks what time we would like to book for our check in - are we better off checking in earlier, rather than later?  If we check in early, I've seen from some of the earlier comments that the pool is open & the buffet for lunch, am I correct in assuming we will have to take our hand luggage with us, or should we be able to drop that off to the cabin???

Thanks in advance 🙂

There is "Your Time Dining" which means you don't have an assigned (early or late) dining time.  You just show up at your assigned dining room and they will seat you.  Some like to arrive early to start their vacation as soon as possible.  Others like to arrive later, when it is less crowded.  Either way, the pools and lunch venues will be open.  You will not have access to your cabin until 1:30.

The first thing we do after boarding is give thanks that we arrived safely, followed by a kiss, a hug and a first dance.

We always board early and the room isn't ready.  So, we make our way to the nearest buffet & bar!  Woot!  Let the holiday begin!!!

We head straight to the bar and get a Bahama mama cocktail, grab some lunch and then straight for the pools and hot tubs, no one thinks to pack their swimwear so the pools and hot tubs are empty! Happy days

Soft. Serve.   

A shot of Patron!

#1:  Obtain a copy of the daily program for that first day if possible even before I embark.

#2:  If available, go to stateroom to drop off my carry-on and read the daily program (if I was not able to obtain it previously)

#3:  Make any specific reservations at specialty restaurants that I want.  If there is a spa amenity that I specifically want to book for the cruise, get that cruise long pass booked.

#4:  Have lunch with a preference for the ship's MDR if it is open.  A glass of a quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will then be ordered.

#5:  Probably order another glass of said wine.  I'm ready to cruise!!!  

Stow bags, give a quick wipedown, head to the specialty restaurants to book anything we couldn't online, and then usually to the 'giveaway' drawings (spa, gym, etc).

Drop off carry bags in cabin and then have lunch.  

Locate my life preserver and prepare for the drill.

Just kidding.

Hit the bar.

On 7/4/2020 at 4:53 PM, OhioCruiseNuts said:

Locate my life preserver and prepare for the drill.

 

Just kidding.

 

Hit the bar.

Hello Neighbor!  I'm not far behind you at the bar.  First question I ask the bartender:  do you have Villa Maria available?  Sometimes, I hear a "yes".  Most of the time, I hear a "no".  Question two will then be:  what New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc do you have available?  (I ask with fingers crossed and hope for a positive reply.)  Have yet to get a negative response and have actually been introduced to another quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that is the equal to Villa Maria.  (I still prefer Villa Maria, however.)  

We get our glass of welcome champagne, head to the cabin to drop the hand luggage and off to the passport or Martini bar, depending on the ship. We order our Bloody Caesar's with Tito's and start the fun.

1 hour ago, Keys Kathy said:

We get our glass of welcome champagne, head to the cabin to drop the hand luggage

Your signature shows that you have sailed on Celebrity and I suppose that is where you get that glass of welcome champagne.  Only one Celebrity cruise for me--so far--and that welcome glass of bubbly was a nice treat.  But, trying to handle hand luggage, drink the champagne without spilling it, and making my way by other embarking guests to the elevators was a challenge.  I finally gave up.  I found a "quiet spot" to drink my champagne and then proceeded on to my stateroom.

I prefer having such a "bubbly" offered once one is in the stateroom by the Cabin Steward(ess) as has been done on Princess if one is an Elite or higher rank member of Captain's Circle.

Notably absent with this nice amenity:  HAL.  

25 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Your signature shows that you have sailed on Celebrity and I suppose that is where you get that glass of welcome champagne.  Only one Celebrity cruise for me--so far--and that welcome glass of bubbly was a nice treat.  But, trying to handle hand luggage, drink the champagne without spilling it, and making my way by other embarking guests to the elevators was a challenge.  I finally gave up.  I found a "quiet spot" to drink my champagne and then proceeded on to my stateroom.

 

I prefer having such a "bubbly" offered once one is in the stateroom by the Cabin Steward(ess) as has been done on Princess if one is an Elite or higher rank member of Captain's Circle.

 

Notably absent with this nice amenity:  HAL.  

We each have one roll on so we have a free hand for the glass.

If you know the ship, you head to the "other" elevators, once passed the fray, it will be peaceful and quiet.

Now on Celebrity, you pick up your key card at your room, which allows you to drop off your hand luggage. Now THAT is a nice perk, not having to roll your suitcase around when you are having a cocktail or eat lunch. Muster is on TV, so no more being squished in a room with potential petri dishes. Cruising is getting  more civilized!