Embarkation Day Choices

[tbmrt]

So many choices...We love sailaway party on deck ("champagne"), but also thinking of dinner (wine), grog walk and pj party on first day of cruise. Thinking that's alot for embarkation day.  

 

What do  you do on embarkation day?  

[jon81uk]

We did late lunch after boarding and booking shows. Then safety muster point check in.

Went to the sailaway then dinner and the PJ party. But I’ve never done Grog Walk and didn’t feel a need to. 

Personally I think the sailaway is a must do, seeing the ship leave port is nice, also the Happenings cast introduces themselves and there is a lot of free sparkling wine.

[mrjefft]

First time on VV, and I am curious about this question as well. Following. If these times are accurate, sounds like the sail away party should not be missed from like 530-7, then dinner from idk 730-9, and then if possible the grog walk from 9-11 which goes all the way to the pj party that starts.  That is a crazy busy evening isn't it..

[jon81uk]

29 minutes ago, mrjefft said:

First time on VV, and I am curious about this question as well. Following. If these times are accurate, sounds like the sail away party should not be missed from like 530-7, then dinner from idk 730-9, and then if possible the grog walk from 9-11 which goes all the way to the pj party that starts.  That is a crazy busy evening isn't it..

I’ve never done grog walk so find it a nice busy of sailaway, dinner, change and then PJ party. But if you really want to do grog walk then yes it can be a busy night and you might want to go for a quicker dinner. 

[neverendingcruising]

The grog walk in the past has ended at the PJ party which is nice. Great way to meet some people on the first night as well. In our experience it was 4 stops and they did little games to drive interaction. 

[CruisingWalter]

9 hours ago, tbmrt said:

So many choices...We love sailaway party on deck ("champagne"), but also thinking of dinner (wine), grog walk and pj party on first day of cruise. Thinking that's alot for embarkation day.  

 

What do  you do on embarkation day?  

 

Immediately go to The Dock and start enjoying those tapas and a nice cocktail to get the cruise started right.

 

We didn't do the big sailaway party because we were in Gunbae for dinner when sailaway happened. It was the perfect place to watch Miami sailaway. 

 

It happened to rain on our cruise so the PJ party was moved to the Roundabout and we didn't go but our friends said it was way too crowded in there so they left. 

 

The big thing we're doing differently on our second (and third) VV cruises is booking dinner much later on embarkation day. Because we board much later in the afternoon than all the other cruise lines, we were not nearly as hungry when we went to Gunbae. Those tapas at The Dock are just so ridiculously good. So we'll be booking dinner more like 8 or maybe even 9:00pm on Embarkation day. 

[cantgetin]

We boarded, went to room, went to lunch....later sail away party.  It is good the first and maybe second time.  Didn't really care for the Moet.  

I agree with Walter--remember that you won't be having lunch till at least 2pm, so schedule dinner a little later than normal on the first night.

[jon81uk]

8 hours ago, cantgetin said:

We boarded, went to room, went to lunch....later sail away party.  It is good the first and maybe second time.  Didn't really care for the Moet.  

I agree with Walter--remember that you won't be having lunch till at least 2pm, so schedule dinner a little later than normal on the first night.

Just an FYI it isn’t Moet at the Sailaway, or most of the other events. Rockstar suite guests get a Moet hour each night, but for the regular guests it’s Saint-Louis, usually the rose https://www.vivino.com/US/en/saint-louis-88086-saint-louis-rose-sparkling-sparkling-v-rz7bm/w/4603537

 

just wanted to mention it in case others start expecting Moet when actually it’s just the cheap stuff. 
personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

Edited February 19, 2023 by jon81uk

[Rhea98]

21 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

Immediately go to The Dock and start enjoying those tapas and a nice cocktail to get the cruise started right.

 

We didn't do the big sailaway party because we were in Gunbae for dinner when sailaway happened. It was the perfect place to watch Miami sailaway. 

 

It happened to rain on our cruise so the PJ party was moved to the Roundabout and we didn't go but our friends said it was way too crowded in there so they left. 

 

The big thing we're doing differently on our second (and third) VV cruises is booking dinner much later on embarkation day. Because we board much later in the afternoon than all the other cruise lines, we were not nearly as hungry when we went to Gunbae. Those tapas at The Dock are just so ridiculously good. So we'll be booking dinner more like 8 or maybe even 9:00pm on Embarkation day. 

I heard the Old Fashioned 🥃 is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times 😉.

[Wildcatllamas]

4 hours ago, Rhea98 said:

I heard the Old Fashioned 🥃 is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times 😉.

I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

[Rhea98]

21 minutes ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

Yep. ("OMG! ...)

[Fogcityca13]

Many quality old fashions on the ship. I even enjoyed the popcorn old fashion at Razzle Dazzle. You can order it without the popcorn. 

[cantgetin]

16 hours ago, jon81uk said:

Just an FYI it isn’t Moet at the Sailaway, or most of the other events. Rockstar suite guests get a Moet hour each night, but for the regular guests it’s Saint-Louis, usually the rose https://www.vivino.com/US/en/saint-louis-88086-saint-louis-rose-sparkling-sparkling-v-rz7bm/w/4603537

 

just wanted to mention it in case others start expecting Moet when actually it’s just the cheap stuff. 
personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

That would explain why I enjoyed it at the sail away party but didn't like the "shake for champagne" bottle that we got with our booking.  It was "ok" at the sail away, but I really didn't like the bottle; blamed it on my taste changing.

[AtSeaWithChris]

This is what they served at Sailaway tonight on Valiant Lady. 

[CruisingWalter]

19 hours ago, Rhea98 said:

I heard the Old Fashioned 🥃 is really good, too. In fact, I heard it several times 😉.

So freakin' good in the Test Kitchen. 🙂  But On The Rocks makes a great one as well. 

[CruisingWalter]

14 hours ago, Fogcityca13 said:

Many quality old fashions on the ship. I even enjoyed the popcorn old fashion at Razzle Dazzle. You can order it without the popcorn. 

Wha?!?!?  I missed that one. Now I have another one to add to my list for April. Thanks!

[CruisingWalter]

15 hours ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I think CruisingWalter had in one of his video he had an Amaretto Old Fashion that was amazing. I'm not an Old Fashion drinker but I may have to try that.

 

Here's the video. So much food and yet we didn't eat everything. We're planning to hit the meals we missed in April for Scarlet Lady Food Part II - OMG There's More?!? 😂  https://youtu.be/pBolzKvXjMU

[_tacocat_]

On 2/19/2023 at 4:11 AM, jon81uk said:

personally I much preferred the cheap rose compared to the expensive Moet Brut.

same! and on the past few voyages, they've run out of st louis brut and prosecco, so they've used the st louis rose in whatever sparkling cocktails.  i was kind of skeptical about having rose in an aperol spritz, but it was actually really good!  same with the entertainer drink at on the rocks - supposed to have prosecco but has been the rose for a while.

[_tacocat_]

40 minutes ago, CruisingWalter said:

So freakin' good in the Test Kitchen. 🙂  But On The Rocks makes a great one as well. 

i LOVED test kitchens original old fashioned - it had some banana.  sounds gross, but was really freaking good!  the amaretto one's good too, but i'll always remember the OG 🙂

[curlstravel]

On 2/18/2023 at 6:54 AM, jon81uk said:

We did late lunch after boarding and booking shows. Then safety muster point check in.

Went to the sailaway then dinner and the PJ party. But I’ve never done Grog Walk and didn’t feel a need to. 

Personally I think the sailaway is a must do, seeing the ship leave port is nice, also the Happenings cast introduces themselves and there is a lot of free sparkling wine.

Where did you book shows

[jon81uk]

2 minutes ago, curlstravel said:

Where did you book shows

On the app. 
 

It can be possible to walk up for standby, but it’s best to book. Fitness classes go first as they have very very low capacity though.

[cantgetin]

2 minutes ago, curlstravel said:

Where did you book shows

On the app....or you can go to the big red desk on deck 7 or sailor services on deck 5 if you are not able to work the app

 

[cantgetin]

1 minute ago, jon81uk said:

On the app. 
 

It can be possible to walk up for standby, but it’s best to book. Fitness classes go first as they have very very low capacity though.

There are classes that hold 6 and classes that hold 75+.  The small ones like the bungee class fill quickly.  However...people are inconsistent.  If you want to go to a class and can't get in, go to the location 10 minutes before start time.  If someone doesn't show up, you can get in.

[Fogcityca13]

9 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

Wha?!?!?  I missed that one. Now I have another one to add to my list for April. Thanks!

They make it with buffalo Trace and figs, bit sweet but a nice twist.

[fndecker]

Our routine:
 

1. Book meals 45 days out
2. Know what shows we want to see in advance and check the app day of embarkation for all the changes
3. As soon as we are on the ship, connect to the internet and start booking the shows and classes (like the 80s exercise class) while walking a few feet and waiting at the red stand up tables near the record store where people help you with bookings. Often, you have things booked and don't need their help by the time it is your turn, but best be prepared.
4. Go to the room and drop off our bags and watch the muster drill video. Can also go wander and watch the video on your phone wherever you wind up.
5. Go to Sip and have some free champagne
6. Go to the Dock for a 2 or 3pm lunch (or one of the other restaurants that are open) Have a fancy drink. Walk around and try to meet any of the Happenings Cast we find. If this is your first time on the ship, go to deck 17, then 16, then 15 to explore. Then go to 7,6, and 5 to see the restaurants and venues there. Go see the spa if you are a spa person and sign up for your sessions. See if the Happenings Cast is doing anything in the Roundabout.
7. Around 4 (they make an announcement) go to the muster station that is printed on your cabin door and watch them show you how to put on a life vest. Takes 5 minutes.
8. Hang out by the pool or rest on your balcony. Meet your Steward.
9. 5:30 if leaving from Miami and that is the time, get free champagne on the pool deck or above looking down. Be sure to catch the show there before leaving the area
10. 6:45 go back to the room and change
11. Go to our pre-made dinner reservations for 7 or 7:15 (have 10 or 15 minute grace period here, but if dining in a group, like at Gunbae, might not want to be late and hold up them filling a table). Or you can get food when you want at The Galley or one of the other non-reservation restaurants. If the cruise is not busy, you can try standby at one of the "fancy" restaurants.
12. 8:30-9pm We do a show next which we booked as soon as we got on board. People who like bar crawls can do that instead. But you have to pay extra and you should book that in advance.
13. 10:30pm We go back and change into our PJs. and go to the the outdoor (or indoor location if it is closed) at 10:45 and dance and wait for the show portion where we "wake up" The Hostess. Great party and one of many chances to interact with The Happenings cast.
14. Go to bed by midnight because we are tired but didn't overdo it yet. If you have the energy, go to the Manor for whatever dance party they have there until 1 or 2am. Casino lovers can also squeeze that in during the evening and into the wee morning hours.
    
    Keep checking the App for the daily schedule, or go to Sailor Services and get a printed version so you don't miss anything interesting during the day. In the app, you can mark favorites and they will show up in your personalized list. And be on the lookout for popup things happening wherever the Happenings cast may be wandering or setting up to do something.

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by fndecker