What do you do following embarkation after the Lido?

[HeatherInFlorida]

After you've embarked, and gone to the Lido for a bite to eat, what is the next thing that you do the first day. Lie down and wait for luggage? Tour the ship? check to see what shops are onboard?

 

My personal choice is to check to see where my table is situated in the dining room and how many people are sitting with us.

 

Love to get some other ideas for those first several hours before dinner!

[Pudgesmom]

I book spa appointments. When DH sat down on the bed on the O dam, the first thing HE did was take an hour-long nap! :rolleyes: He probably would still be sleeping if I hadn't woken him up for a ship tour!

 

Beth

[HeatherInFlorida]

Beth, I messed this up and didn't post the poll with the question. I actually used both your ideas in the poll!

[doone]

I always feel my cruise vacation starts AFTER life boat drill, then I can relax and have a great time. But til then, I voted I unpack.

[ekerr19]

We get a drink! Let the vacation begin!!! :D We rarely even eat anything in the Lido, just go check out the bar area - see if know anyone and then take a quick tour of the ship.

 

Then, it's on to the cabin for a bit of unpacking before lifeboat drill. :)

[jhannah]

We generally grab a bite then tour the ship. On the tour we'll make Pinnacle reservations and take some pictures before the ship has too many people roaming around. Then, it's back to the cabin to unpack before lifeboat drill. By that time, it's almost sailaway ... so up to the Lido deck to hook up with any CCers and let the good times roll!

[TinaLee]

Tour the ship if it's my first time on that particular vessel. Usually make alternative restaurant reservations and spa reservations if I've been on the ship before... THEN tour the ship. It takes me a day or 2 to get the lay of the 'land' so to speak, so that's important to me the first day on a new ship.

 

Speaking of which... does HAL give you little maps when you board or in your cabin to help those of us who are directionally challenged?

 

TinaLee

[the2ofus]

During our tour of the ship we check out wherever the chart of the DR is located to see where our table is.

 

Also try to take some pics before the ship gets too crowded.

[ron46936]

We generally like to check out the ship after lunch. However we prefer to have lunch in the dining room where there is less hustle and bustle on embark day. Too bad HAL doesn't offer this option.

[SForman]

First, I go to my cabin and light some candles. Then it's off to the pool to hog a few chairs.

 

We go to the room and freshen up, then tour the ship.

 

Seth

[jhannah]

Speaking of which... does HAL give you little maps when you board or in your cabin to help those of us who are directionally challenged?

Yes, they do. You will find one on the dressing table in the material that is there. Also, plackards are on the walls throughout the ship showing that deck with a dot showing where you are. Very convenient for reference while you get acquainted with the ship.

[jhannah]

First, I go to my cabin and light some candles. Then it's off to the pool to hog a few chairs.

You don't also plug in your iron to be heating up so you can press your wrinkled garments? ;)

[TinaLee]

Thanks Jim! Got very attached to those maps on Princess! Glad to hear HAL has them as well.

[Bengoshi]

Good answers, Ekerr19 and 'Vegas Jim!

[beachprincess]

I do agree that the true cruise does not start until after the dreaded life-boat drill. But we usually split up at the beginning- parents head to the room to unpack and "relax" (I love how they still use euphemisms for drinking even though I'm 18!), my aunt heads to the pool to save us some chairs, and I try to take a tour of the ship. I am always the most likely one to get lost on the ship so I start early trying to learn where I'm going! We all meet up by the pool and spend the rest of the time trying to soak in as much sun as possible.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We get a drink! Let the vacation begin!!! :D We rarely even eat anything in the Lido, just go check out the bar area - see if know anyone and then take a quick tour of the ship.

 

Then, it's on to the cabin for a bit of unpacking before lifeboat drill. :)

 

Laura, I am with you:D crack open that bottle of champagne in the room:p

 

Actually I needed to vote for several, we immediately check back in the cabin to see if by chance our luggage has arrived, it usually has so we then unpack. Next we take off to tour the ship while touring the ship, while out and about we do stop to see where our table is located in the Main Dining Room, then we stop by the Spa and jump into one of the little tours they give. I either book then or book in the Neptune Lounge with the concierge. While walking around I usually am taking all my pictures of the inside of the ship then to get it out of the way.

Then back to the cabin for the Life Boat Drill by that time we have cracked open the Champagne and drank about half. Then after Life Boat Drill it is back to the cabin to enjoy Sail Away out on our verrandah drinking the rest of our champagne:p

 

Just think a week from Sunday I will be doing this whole routine.

 

YEAH!!!!!!!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Our last HAL cruise we got the ship's maps when we embarked before we even got on the ship! They came along with our dining card and a packet of info.

 

The reason I said "after the Lido" is that when you get on the ship early, that's generally the only place you can go because the cabins aren't ready.

 

Seth, I have to guess that after you've lit the candles, you've also unpacked your Listerine bottles full of booze and hidden them away. And don't foget to open the door to your verandah and stick something in there to make sure it won't blow closed in the wind. Also, you'll want to be putting something other than paper in the toilet.:D

 

And then of course get those silly life jackets down from the closet and stick them under the bed behind your luggage so you can free up that space!

 

Then go have a smoke somewhere you're not supposed to.;)

 

(I think something is wrong with me today ... I'm feeling particularly feisty!:o )

[ekerr19]

Seth, I have to guess that after you've lit the candles, you've also unpacked your Listerine bottles full of booze and hidden them away. And don't foget to open the door to your verandah and stick something in there to make sure it won't blow closed in the wind. Also, you'll want to be putting something other than paper in the toilet.:D

 

And then of course get those silly life jackets down from the closet and stick them under the bed behind your luggage so you can free up that space!

 

Then go have a smoke somewhere you're not supposed to.;)

 

(I think something is wrong with me today ... I'm feeling particularly feisty!:o )

 

OMG - I have a cold and I am coughing so hard - I can't breath!!!! This is hysterical !

Don't forget to hang some junk from your balcony, pull out your Cd's and blender and get the margaritas and Jimmy Buffet going strong!!!!

Oh, and lifeboat drill - who needs it! That's for sissies! We're cruising now - if the ship sinks, oh well - just make sure you grab the blender!

[dakrewser]

Head back to the cabin, take off all my clothes and put on the robe. Well, it almost fits. Then explore the ship. Try to remember not to bend over so I don't scare the blue-haired lady behind me.

 

We usually wait a while before going to the dining room and check our table - it's usually too crowded around noon time. Its a good place to head during lifeboat drill, though, you can be pretty sure you won't be interrupted as you switch the little brass number tag you've been assigned to a better location near the window. Why bother with that fuss of "asking" the maitre d'? He's probably just looking for a bribe anyway!

[ekerr19]

Head back to the cabin, take off all my clothes and put on the robe. Well, it almost fits. Then explore the ship. Try to remember not to bend over so I don't scare the blue-haired lady behind me.

!

 

That was you! I didn't recognize you - it must be the 20 year old photo... :D

[SForman]

Heather..... Great response!!! *LMAO*

[cactuslady]

Well, there are soooo many things to do before the lifeboat drill:

 

Hang those Christmas lights out on the balcony (did I remember to pack the cordless drill for putting up the hooks?).

 

Decorate the door with the moose head I packed in the big roller bag (you can save suitcase space by using the antlers as shoe trees).

 

Start the hot water in the shower running so it's good and steamy by the time the other suitcase with the clothes arrives (then complain that I can't tell which way the steward hung the toilet paper because it's alll limp and mushy).

 

Find the boutique, complain that it's not open yet.

 

Find the casino, complain that it's not open yet.

 

Check out the fellow passengers and laugh at what they think is a cruise wardrobe (especially that guy in the bathrobe)

 

Start up the blender and ice crusher, so I can take my own drink (from the Listerine bottles) to the sailaway party and avoid having to pay those exorbitant prices.

 

Set up the Weber grill on the balcony to get the coals going for the shrimp hors d'ouvres I packed in my carry-on

 

Complain that the boat is rocking too much (even though we're still at the dock)

 

THEN (whew!) take that nap during the lifeboat drill.

;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather..... Great response!!! *LMAO*

 

Why, Seth ... Ah do declare ... Ah'm blushin' from the compliment ...;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Cactus Lady! I LOVE it!!!:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Well, there are soooo many things to do before the lifeboat drill:

 

Hang those Christmas lights out on the balcony (did I remember to pack the cordless drill for putting up the hooks?).

 

Decorate the door with the moose head I packed in the big roller bag (you can save suitcase space by using the antlers as shoe trees).

 

Start the hot water in the shower running so it's good and steamy by the time the other suitcase with the clothes arrives (then complain that I can't tell which way the steward hung the toilet paper because it's alll limp and mushy).

 

Find the boutique, complain that it's not open yet.

 

Find the casino, complain that it's not open yet.

 

Check out the fellow passengers and laugh at what they think is a cruise wardrobe (especially that guy in the bathrobe)

 

Start up the blender and ice crusher, so I can take my own drink (from the Listerine bottles) to the sailaway party and avoid having to pay those exorbitant prices.

 

Set up the Weber grill on the balcony to get the coals going for the shrimp hors d'ouvres I packed in my carry-on

 

Complain that the boat is rocking too much (even though we're still at the dock)

 

THEN (whew!) take that nap during the lifeboat drill.

;)

 

 

It must be Freeky Friday and reminds me of the Blender Thread:D

 

I LIKEY:p