What to do when you board

[AK Dreaming]

We are planning on being at the ship as early as possible. What is available before we depart? Are the shops, spas, fitness centers open? We are going on the Sky.

[thedarkknight]

Based on my experience, on cruises, there won't be a whole lot that you can do, when you get on the ship early. Sometimes you can sign up for excursions, or make dinner reservations. I recommend that you find your way to a restaurant, on the ship and get some food. Have fun.

[newmexicoNita]

We are planning on being at the ship as early as possible. What is available before we depart? Are the shops, spas, fitness centers open? We are going on the Sky.

 

most shops etc can not be open while in port but boarding early gives you a chance to explore the ship, eat some lunch and relax. It is the only way to go..We try to be among the first 20 or so on ship..

 

Nita

[pmd98052]

Yup get there early, go explorer, have lunch, wonder around, visit the spa do the tour if you're interested (good lord I wasted a ton of time with that one last year, never again!) - before you even know it the cabins will be ready.

[pengu1n]

Besides what listed previously, I like to take pictures. It's the only time to catch the rooms empty so you don't have a lot of people you don't know in your shots.

[McVegas]

I usually start drinking.........but that's me. Enjoy your trip.

[pmd98052]

I usually start drinking.........

 

But your bags haven't arrived by that point... oh wait...

[McVegas]

But your bags haven't arrived by that point... oh wait...

Nice......I like it.

[KARTI1955]

We are planning on being at the ship as early as possible. What is available before we depart? Are the shops, spas, fitness centers open? We are going on the Sky.

 

I think the Spa, Casino sign up etc start at around 1pm. Not much to do while waiting for your room to be ready, which is usually around 2pm but grab some food and explore the rest of the ship. There are usually areas in the atrium where you can make dinner reservations and check out shore excursions. No shops or casino until out of port - about 6pm.

[amistad]

We usually eat lunch, walk around the ship, check out the casino to see what machines we will play that evening and then we change into our swimsuits (carry on) relax by the pool and have a drink with an umbrella in it and read our daily to see what might interest us later.

[mamasue]

I like to get on early and take photos of the ship..... uncluttered by people!

[EileenN]

Photo opportunities are greatest during this time.

Lunch in the main dining room when it opens is a must with a seating at the rear windows of the ship.

I enjoy people watching around the pool area after lunch until the muster drill.

[nclvet]

WOW!! If you are among the first 20, what time do you arrive at the port?

[sparks1093]

I like to spend a few minutes on deck watching the traffic across the channel, relishing in the fact that a few minutes ago I was over there, now I'm over here ready for the real part of my vacation to begin. Then I go and do the stuff everyone else has mentioned.

[insidecabin]

Cabin to drop carry on, find room steward to let them know the bags are in the closet, cabin doors are left open for the people to do their delivery stuff so you need to hide the bags.

 

Dinner res if needed

Lunch if dining room open might grab a beer on the way.

 

Get lunch over and do the necessary exploration,

New ships need different explore to the know ones

 

Occationaly check for luggage arriving and try to unpack before Muster and sailaway.

[Hart10]

I take a carry on with a swinsuit and jump into a hot tub and the pool! If your room is not ready I have used the waskrooms to change.

[CaptData]

It is a good time to have a bite before your room is ready. Then make dinner arrangements for the next couple of nights. If you pre-booked your shore ex the tickets will be in your room.

[erdoran]

Are the pools & hot tubs open when you first board? How about the Courtyard ones? This would be out of Miami if it makes a difference, the Epic.

[BikerAl]

Are the pools & hot tubs open when you first board? How about the Courtyard ones? This would be out of Miami if it makes a difference, the Epic.

 

Yes they are on the Jewel class ships, so I have to believe they will be on Epic.

 

As for me, I board, eat, go to the gym (first and last time) then nap.

 

Al

[scorp111]

A big "I am now on vacation" Dance :D

 

Really though, like the others said, eat, some exploration, lots of photos.... I really like the Miami Port for photography, lots to see and very picturesque.

[Zeno]

Have lunch, wander around the ship exploring and taking photos, check out the menus at Specialty restaurants

[hollywood34711]

We just did the Sky. Had a great time. Once on board, we found a table at Champs, above the pool. I ordered a drink special, DH went to the bar to get his soda, and got me a drink special too. Oops, but a great way to start the cruise! :D

We liked Champs, it's a nice place to relax, and watch folks come onboard, and you also get a good view of the port, and pool area. It's above the music, so not too loud. There are tables with umbrellas, we grabbed a few snacks from the buffet and shlepped them up. Whatever you do, take a nice deep breath of relief, you made it. Enjoy.

Holly

[NewYearsBaby]

A big "I am now on vacation" Dance :D

 

Really though, like the others said, eat, some exploration, lots of photos.... I really like the Miami Port for photography, lots to see and very picturesque.

We call it the "Goin' on a Cruise Happy Dance of Joy." I know it's redundant, but I'm just so happy!

We arrive early (11-ish), have our first cruise drink (the only one we buy in a souvenir glass!), then lunch in the MDR, meet our room steward, stow carry-ons in closet, find our way around the ship. If luggage arrives early, unpack before muster drill and sailaway party.

[diel]

Check to see if rooms ready. Change into swimsuits, take daughters down to the pool and hot tub, swim, change, eat and then check out the ship and register the girls for their perspective kids club.

[Giantfan13]

We are also in the group that likes to be some of the first ones on board. We usually arrive at the port city a few days early to see what there is to see, so by embarkation day we are ready to cruise.

After boarding we head to the buffet and have lunch. then we head down to the MDR for dessert.

After that, a nice tour of the ship, with, as was said, great picture taking opportunities. By this time the cabins should be ready, so we go, unpack and get ready for muster drill and then sail away.

WWWHHHOOOOOOO another cruise has started.:):):):)

 

Cheers

 

Len