First things you do when boarding!

[sdbmd]

Following this board's advice, the first two things I did when I got on board the Ruby was call the Dine Line to sign up for the Chef's table and hit the purser's desk to sign up for the Ultimate ship tour. I must have had good voodoo cuz I succeeded on getting both. Oh, and no, I wasn't someone queued up to board the minute they let people start embarking. I don't think we got on board until after 2, maybe 230.

[mercedes28]

There is a Treasure Hunt card given to you on boarding. You go round the various departments getting stamps and hand the card in at the sailaway party. The various departments donate prizes such as (piece of art, internet time, sabitini's dinner etc)

 

Chef's Table is an evening of dinner and wine cooked by the Executive Chef and hosted by the Maitre'd $75 and worth every cent. There are 12 at the table and it is run 2 or 3 times in the cruise normally which means competition is intense and they don't need to advertise.

 

 

Thank you!

[heisnuts]

We unpack so we we don't have to worry about it later, and we make sure to meet the steward.

 

We do the same. We usually have a big breakfast the day we board, and we know we will probably be having a big dinner on board, so the last thing on our mind as soon we board is going to get something to eat.

 

After we unpack and meet the steward we will walk around the ship a little and then sit out on the balcony watching all the hussle and bussel on the docks. Then depending on our moods we will either stay on the balcony for the sailaway or go up on deck for the sailaway.

[gooch47]

1. Breathe a sigh of relief that we made it to the ship. OK ... I'm a worry-wart.

 

2. Check to make sure the toilet works OK. Well, at least that is what I claim I'm doing.

 

3. Check out the balcony and the usual crummy view at the port.

 

4. Go to the buffet for lunch.

 

5. Check out the ship, especially the casino.

 

6. Meet and talk to our cabin steward somewhere along the way.

[jean s]

I just feel happy thinking about boarding the ship. We head to our cabin and call for our bucket of beers to be sent up. We always send ourselves this as a gift in advance. We call the DINE line and make reservations and unpack if our bags have arrived. Then we go up and grab some burgers or pizza. We return to the cabin and enjoy our lunch and beers on the balcony. Then we attend the muster drill. Afte the drill we hang out on the promenade deck and enjoy the view as we sail away.

[Genessa]

WE go to our cabin, change into the bathing suits we have in our carry-on, and slather on sun screen and grab a quick bite before heading to what we think will be our pool of choice.

 

Even if it's a ship/class we haven't been on, I've usually done enough fact checking here and on the deck plans that we know where we want to go ;).

 

And then we order a tropical drink and dh swims while I read.

 

Although, on our upcoming cruise, I'm expecting it will be too chilly the first couple of days ...

[sunluva7]

Head to cabin, drop off stuff, meet cabin steward, and change into swimsuits which we have in our carryons; throw on some clothes over the suits so we look presentable while doing the following:

 

Reserve ultimate balcony dinner or champagne breakfast;

Call dining and reserve one or more of the specialty dining restaurants;

Reserve spa, if we choose the option;

Take a walk and check out the ship;

Buy coffee and/or drink cards;

Eat (or eat first, then walk, depending upon the hunger issue);

Grab fancy umbrella drink and head for the pool area to lounge and/or eat;

Relax until sail-away!:)

[UtterCaro]

1. The first step onto the deck from the gangway is magical. Even sweaty and crowded and laden with carry-ons, I send up fervent thanks to be on a ship again.

 

2. Check cabin, check muster info, check safe, unpack carry-ons. Vainly adjust thermometer, knowing it's pointless on turnaround days. Try to meet my steward so I can say hello in his/her native language, then blushingly admit that all I can say is hello, good morning, please and thank you. :D

 

3. Go exploring. Eat lunch if I'm not too excited, which I usually am. Muster.

 

4. Unpack delivered luggage. Head to aft bar to order a mojito for sailaway. Order another mojito. Watch land get smaller. Grin so much my cheeks ache.

 

Caro

[princess lynn]

Drop carry ons. Put wine in refer. Valuables into safe. And then with DH standing in hallway I SPRAY everything in cabin with Lysol. And then we both run!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lovevacadays]

Go to my cabin to drop my carry on. Call the dine line to see if I can make reservations for specialty restaurants and then head to the Horizon Court to eat.

[CALMOM]

1. Go to cabin, drop out carry-ons

2. Meet balcony neighbors, find out if they are smokers (I am), if their not,

then we agree on the times my neighbors prefer me not to smoke. I want

my neighbors to enjoy their balcony too.

3. Purchase Soda & Coffee cards

4. Go to Formal Dining Rm and find out where my table is and try to change

if I prefer a different table.

5. Locate my CC members that I have been chatting w/ on the Roll Call, by

placing a post-it note on their cabin door & arrange a mtg place for sail

away.

6. Go get a bite to eat, where ever the mood strikes me.

7. Grab a drink and head to my CC friends mtg place for our sail away toast.

8. Then whatever happens after that, I just go with the flow.

 

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO VACATION, THEN A CRUISE!

[arcticprowler]

Drop carry ons. Put wine in refer. Valuables into safe. And then with DH standing in hallway I SPRAY everything in cabin with Lysol. And then we both run!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What a great idea! This will be my first cruise Feb. 18th and I think I will bring a can myself!

 

:D

 

Tracey

[awhcruiser]

Ditto

 

Go to the cabin and check it out, dropping off our carry ons.

 

Get something to eat

 

Explore the ship

[maxxedout2]

Settle in cabin.

 

Pop open a bottle of wine we carried onboard.

 

Sex.

 

Food.

 

Nap.

 

Repeat.

 

Repeat.....:D:D:D

[Peace2U]

Eat!!!:D

[billco]

The very first thing I do after dropping off carry-ons in the room is go up to the gym and sign up for the yoga/pilates/spin classes. Hopefully, one of the personal trainers is around so I can try to negotiate a deal. After that, I follow maxxedout2's routine.

[2Oregonians]

Check out the cabin

Book the Chefs Table

Get a hole punched in the door key for lanyards

Buy a coffee card and get a Capuccino

Complete the $1000 card while exploring the ship

Stop for something to eat while exploring

Visit the Spa to book initial appointments

 

Where do you get the hole punched? Purser's Desk?

[Colo Cruiser]

Where do you get the hole punched? Purser's Desk?

 

 

Yes

[2Oregonians]

There is a Treasure Hunt card given to you on boarding. You go round the various departments getting stamps and hand the card in at the sailaway party. The various departments donate prizes such as (piece of art, internet time, sabitini's dinner etc)

 

Chef's Table is an evening of dinner and wine cooked by the Executive Chef and hosted by the Maitre'd $75 and worth every cent. There are 12 at the table and it is run 2 or 3 times in the cruise normally which means competition is intense and they don't need to advertise.

 

Do you need to be present at the sailaway party to win, or will they notify you? Also, how many of these stamps do you need and how long does it normally take to make the rounds and collect them?

[2Oregonians]

Yes

 

Wow, you're fast!! :)

[1 HappyCruiser]

Do you need to be present at the sailaway party to win, or will they notify you? Also, how many of these stamps do you need and how long does it normally take to make the rounds and collect them?

 

Yea, you have to be there in order to win.

If I recall correctly there were a dozen or so places to get stamped on the cards and you can enter as many cards as you have stamped- not just one per person. It takes maybe 20 to 30 minutes to have them stamped- not so much because of the time involved in walking around but the crowds of people waiting to have them stamped.

[BosoxI]

Not that I ever win anything, but what's the prize? I marvel at the number of people who will do backflips for a glass (or bottle) of cheap "champagne". :)

[trikeman]

First thing I do is forget where I work, forget any problems at home and go into complete vacation mode. Then we drop everything off at the cabin and check it out. Then go to lunch and wait for sail away. The most important thing we do is BE HAPPY. :D

[Mindy43]

1. Breathe a sigh of relief that we made it to the ship. OK ... I'm a worry-wart.

 

2. Check to make sure the toilet works OK. Well, at least that is what I claim I'm doing.

 

3. Check out the balcony and the usual crummy view at the port.

 

4. Go to the buffet for lunch.

 

5. Check out the ship, especially the casino.

 

6. Meet and talk to our cabin steward somewhere along the way.

 

You made me smile! We are twins. We board the Grand Princess in a few days (1/29) and this will be my routine also (except we don't have a balcony but an outside window!!!!!

[vjm]

I would like to know what the first things you do when boarding? Do you head for lunch, explore or sign up for spa etc? I just would like to make sure I don't miss a early opportunity! Sailing on the Emerald Feb 14th! Thanks for ideas!

 

 

Get a pretty little drink and explore the ship!!:)