CruisingNewb Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 What are your first day on board must and should do's? I will start it off....Grab your free crown and anchor charm. (Not talking about standard stuff like Muster Drill, Check-in, yada yada...) Bonus Question: Is the free stuff like the "Vacation Starter Pack" worth the time? Is there some sort of presentation you have to sit through like a time share presentation type deal? Quote
Spang1974 Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Eat lunch in Cafe 270, and a enjoy glass of Champagne. ellcee, JennyB, CruisingNewb and 1 other 3 1 Quote
HeWhoWaits Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Our number one must do CELEBRATE! We're on a cruise, after all. KJ777, teddy, luiiismdo and 2 others 4 1 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 get a cocktail as fast as humanly possible DTMCD, VirtKitty, JennyB and 11 others 8 2 1 3 Quote
smokeybandit Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 10 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said: get a cocktail as fast as humanly possible This should be #1 for everyone (including getting an NA drink for those who don't drink alcohol) CruisingNewb, GatorCruiser, teddy and 3 others 3 3 Quote
FionaMG Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: This should be #1 for everyone (including getting an NA drink for those who don't drink alcohol) Think I might try this. As non-drinkers, on our last cruise we didn't manage to use up all our D vouchers, so are going to have to try harder this time round! KristiZ, Ampurp85 and CruiserNic 3 Quote
smokeybandit Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 12 minutes ago, FionaMG said: Think I might try this. As non-drinkers, on our last cruise we didn't manage to use up all our D vouchers, so are going to have to try harder this time round! Get a virgin daquiri or mudslide. Gotta celebrate! willowberry88, CruiserNic and FionaMG 3 Quote
jbmakingmemories Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Make reservations for shows and activities that require them! Back in November on Odyssey of the Seas, my wife and I were able to snag port day (read: free) slots on both the Northstar & i-Fly at our desired times. CruisingNewb, tsgarp83, CruiserNic and 4 others 6 1 Quote
bbowers Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Our must do is to take a tour of the ship to familiarize ourselves with where everything is, and just to look at the beautiful ships. CruisingNewb, wstephensi, KristiZ and 5 others 6 2 Quote
loki007 Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Get to the pool deck and have a Mai Tai in my hands as quickly as possible! JennyB 1 Quote
PRebecca Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 1 hour ago, smokeybandit said: This should be #1 for everyone (including getting an NA drink for those who don't drink alcohol) I don't drink alcohol at all, and this is my first mission! We also tried the hot tub when we first got on this last trip, and it was a great filler between embarking and rooms being ready Quote
WannaCruise Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 I'll second/third the "grab a drink" response ... to get in vacation mode. Another tip...our kids wear their bathing suits as the pools are nice and empty then. Kirsten, CruiserNic and CruisingNewb 2 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Get food after that drink? (I can't be the only one in a hurry to gain 10 lbs. on a cruise). CruisingNewb, CrimsonCruiser, LifesaBeach and 5 others 4 3 1 Quote
Pattycruise Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 A celebratory drink/food. When cabins open a refreshing snooze so I can hit the night raring to go after what is typically a sleepless night and early wake up. CruiserNic, CruisingNewb, KristiZ and 1 other 3 1 Quote
FionaMG Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 17 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: Get food after that drink? (I can't be the only one in a hurry to gain 10 lbs. on a cruise). I'm more likely to hit the gym so that I can eat as much as I like without having to worry about the weight gain! Can you say two desserts in the WJ at lunch and another two in the MDR at dinner? ellcee, willowberry88, CruiserNic and 2 others 3 2 Quote
CruisingNewb Posted April 28, 2022 Author Report Posted April 28, 2022 6 minutes ago, FionaMG said: I'm more likely to hit the gym so that I can eat as much as I like without having to worry about the weight gain! Can you say two desserts in the WJ at lunch and another two in the MDR at dinner? Hit the gym on embarkation day? DISLIKE. Luv2Travel, WAAAYTOOO, wstephensi and 3 others 1 5 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 25 minutes ago, FionaMG said: I'm more likely to hit the gym so that I can eat as much as I like without having to worry about the weight gain! Can you say two desserts in the WJ at lunch and another two in the MDR at dinner? What is this GYM you speak of? I go on a diet for about 4 weeks before ever 7-night cruise and then gain it all back in those 8 days. Two desserts? Pssh... I have early sit down dinner with family in MDR/CK/wherever and then have my 2nd dinner later in the WJ! Tammy LR, WAAAYTOOO, FionaMG and 2 others 1 4 Quote
BigKarl Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 I go on a Sea Food Diet instantly. I see food and I eat it! FionaMG, LifesaBeach, Colombia20102018 and 4 others 6 1 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 forgot to mention the second thing I do upon boarding. Have my second cocktail. cant drink all day if you dont start early!!! RWDW1204, Tammy LR, SpicyCherry and 4 others 3 3 1 Quote
CrimsonCruiser Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 4 hours ago, CruisingNewb said: What are your first day on board must and should do's? I will start it off....Grab your free crown and anchor charm. (Not talking about standard stuff like Muster Drill, Check-in, yada yada...) Bonus Question: Is the free stuff like the "Vacation Starter Pack" worth the time? Is there some sort of presentation you have to sit through like a time share presentation type deal? Uhhh Grab my what now?! Also.. my first thing....find out when the karaoke is! jbrinkm 1 Quote
The Fox Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Never heard of the Crown and Anchor Charm. Where do you get it? Pattycruise and CrimsonCruiser 2 Quote
ChanaC Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 I'm maybe an over planner, so I already have a list of boring stuff to do when I get on. We booked a package through Costco that included a free specialty dinner and a free spa experience, so we want to run to Wonderland and the spa to make those reservations. We also have a question about an excursion we booked and the reps on the phone haven't been a huge help so we want to stop by the excursion desk before it gets busy and get everything straightened out. I think we also want to make sure the correct credit card is linked to our SeaPass so we might want to stop by guest services before that gets too busy as well. We're sailing out of Seattle on the Quantum so we would also love to run to the top deck and get on that before there is a line because we might get a nice view of the city. Maybe after all of that we can finally sit back and get lunch. Hopefully while we're upstairs the Solarium Bistro will be open. And of course reserve other North Star times, a Rip Cord time, and show reservations on the app. Quote
Ampurp85 Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 Go to the bathroom for a tinkle and hand wash. Besides connecting to ships Wi-Fi and getting my plans out the way. I get on board and relax, take a breath and do a quick lap. Then I eat, drink and be merry. CruiserNic, ellcee and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote
smokeybandit Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 We get a drink, then either get our bearings on the ship (if we haven't been on that class before) and get lunch, or just go get lunch. CruiserNic and ellcee 2 Quote
LCWind Posted April 28, 2022 Report Posted April 28, 2022 We usually get lunch at Solarium bistro or Park Cafe. We book our shows and dinners. Then we start drinking! Quote
CruisingOz Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 Grab a Kraken Lava Flow and jump into the hot tub, and chill SpicyCherry, Spang1974 and Tammy LR 2 1 Quote
OutToSea Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 get on the boat. enjoy the flow KristiZ, CruiserNic and BeachGal 3 Quote
Clover18 Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 If you are in a suite or even a junior suite go directly to Coastal Kitchen and book your dinners for the week. We were in. Jr. On odyssey and ate thee every night because we booked as soon as we boarded. Tammy LR 1 Quote
Mike n Ky Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 We never do anything fun. We muster, get our reservations done, get a little something to eat and as soon as the room is available, we get there and unload. The exception is when we have friends coming in from various areas of the country on the same cruise and we will try to meet up asap. Quote
14Terry Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 At some point, after boarding, we check our table assignment in the MDR so we know where it is, (unless the ship has Coastal Kitchen) . HeWhoWaits, CruiserNic, KristiZ and 1 other 4 Quote
CruisingNewb Posted April 29, 2022 Author Report Posted April 29, 2022 Though it seems that the consensus is to grab a drink and food first, and that is what we will likely do, there is so much that needs to be done on the first day lol. We have 2 kids and will have to attend the Adventure Ocean Open House/Registration at 2 different times. We need to make all of our dining resos. We need to book shows. There are at least 2 free gift giveaways at 2 separate times. Colombia20102018 and Kirsten 2 Quote
octaviocloss Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 Step one for us is always head to the windjammer; and enjoy that first onboard meal with the group. I always wear a swimming short to ride the flowrider as early as i can (Early first day is always a good time to skip the lines, stand up flowrider is usually empty.. good tip if you want to try it!). Worst first day times for me are usually betweeen 4-5:30PM when everyone's around and ship gets crowded. At dinner time it gets pretty much back to normal; if your next day is a sea day i'd go for a Jacuzzi relax night; or gambling a couple rounds at the blackjack $10 table :)! Chris Fish, Kirsten, KristiZ and 2 others 3 2 Quote
catrinem Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 It's funny this comes in my feed as I was watching a video about embarkation day. I am an extra planner so I really appreciated the video! Spang1974 1 Quote
Spang1974 Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 34 minutes ago, catrinem said: It's funny this comes in my feed as I was watching a video about embarkation day. I am an extra planner so I really appreciated the video! Ugh...Am I the only one who thinks he looks like the guy from The Hills Have Eyes? Apologies but I cant watch his videos... Quote
ChessE4 Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 I like paella, and my experience is that Windjammer only offers this Day 1. So I look for it at lunch, if the Windjammer isn't too crowded. On the smaller/medium vessels, we make sure to see the opening show and "meet" the Cruise Director. Quote
CruisingNewb Posted April 29, 2022 Author Report Posted April 29, 2022 16 minutes ago, ChessE4 said: I like paella, and my experience is that Windjammer only offers this Day 1. So I look for it at lunch, if the Windjammer isn't too crowded. On the smaller/medium vessels, we make sure to see the opening show and "meet" the Cruise Director. OOH! That's a good one to know! I love paella! Quote
Colombia20102018 Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 One of the first things I do is to grab a paper copy of the cruise compass to see what else is there that the app is not showing HeWhoWaits, Chris Fish, Spang1974 and 1 other 2 2 Quote
WannaCruise Posted April 29, 2022 Report Posted April 29, 2022 OP, another item to mention....If you are on a ship where you need to book things, then it's good to book as soon as you can in case it fills up. This can include shows, any dining, etc. Also for ships where you need to book activities, such as on Anthem. We booked iFly and North Star right away. Some were disappointed who waited and couldn't get a spot later in the week (the free one or pay option). We also booked bumper cards early in the week, and then we were able to book it again for a second time. Spang1974 and CruisingNewb 1 1 Quote
CruisingNewb Posted April 29, 2022 Author Report Posted April 29, 2022 40 minutes ago, WannaCruise said: OP, another item to mention....If you are on a ship where you need to book things, then it's good to book as soon as you can in case it fills up. This can include shows, any dining, etc. Also for ships where you need to book activities, such as on Anthem. We booked iFly and North Star right away. Some were disappointed who waited and couldn't get a spot later in the week (the free one or pay option). We also booked bumper cards early in the week, and then we were able to book it again for a second time. Yes. Northstar definitely. Same with the other activities. Do you have to reserve time slots for Bumper Cars? I did not know that. jbmakingmemories and Spang1974 2 Quote
CruisingNewb Posted April 29, 2022 Author Report Posted April 29, 2022 51 minutes ago, Colombia20102018 said: One of the first things I do is to grab a paper copy of the cruise compass to see what else is there that the app is not showing Absolutely....OR.....keep asking members here to post most recent Compass (for Ovation of the Seas Alaska 2022) and print it out beforehand. C'mon guys, I am working off of a 2019 Compass....Help me out! Spang1974 and Colombia20102018 1 1 Quote
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