What To Expect On Day One Of Your First Cruise

How exciting that it’s your first cruise!

You’re certain it’s going to be a fun and memorable one, but that first day can be somewhat overwhelming for first-timers. There are things you want to do, places you need to be, food you need to eat and, well, the list goes on. You might not even know where to start.

Don’t worry, though. That’s what the professionals on a cruise line like Royal Caribbean are there for.

Here are a few things you should expect to do on your first day on the ship.

Get settled: Head to your stateroom and unpack. Become familiar with your digs and its location compared to the rest of the ship. If you aren’t wearing them already, change into your cruising clothes so you’re ready for your adventure to begin. Finally, send a text to your family to let them know you made it on the boat before the cruise begins, just in case your Wi-Fi signals aren’t that strong.

Say cheese! You will always want to remember your first cruise so make sure you get take a picture documenting that first day. Your trip will pick up speed with off-shore excursions and on-board activities. Before you know it time will pass, so make sure you document those first few hours.

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Map it out: Once you are done with unpacking, look at a copy of the ship’s layout. Either sit on the deck with a nice drink in your hand or spend some time in the lounge and get to know the lay of the land, er, ship. Find the dining halls, casino, entertainment lounges and locations of the activities that you are interested in. You don’t have to walk the entire boat the first day. Instead you just want to get an idea of where you are.

Book it: Speaking of activities, it’s very important to take the time to schedule any of the things you want to do, including kids’ club fun, spa treats, and shore tours. These will book up very quickly, especially since cruise veterans know they need to get to them first.

Say Hi: Get to know who your cabin steward is and, although it isn’t necessary, you should tip them on the first day. It’s a great way to introduce yourself and, almost, guarantee great service. While you’re at it, say hi to another couple or family while you sit at the pool or at dinner. One of the best parts about cruising is meeting other people.

Avoid the crowds: If you think that the first thing you should do is head to the delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, almost all of the other passengers are probably thinking the same thing. The same goes for the elevators, which will be jam-packed with other travelers getting to their staterooms too. Instead, take a walk or relax on the deck while everyone else settles into their rooms and samples the food. There is plenty of time and plenty of food for everyone.

Don’t overdo it: It’s your vacation. Relax, chill out and enjoy the scenery. Isn’t that what you’re there for?