AK Dreaming Posted March 6, 2010 #1 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedarkknight Posted March 6, 2010 #2 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted March 6, 2010 #3 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmd98052 Posted March 6, 2010 #4 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pengu1n Posted March 6, 2010 #5 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McVegas Posted March 6, 2010 #6 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I usually start drinking.........but that's me. Enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmd98052 Posted March 6, 2010 #7 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I usually start drinking......... But your bags haven't arrived by that point... oh wait... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McVegas Posted March 6, 2010 #8 Share Posted March 6, 2010 But your bags haven't arrived by that point... oh wait... Nice......I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KARTI1955 Posted March 6, 2010 #9 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amistad Posted March 6, 2010 #10 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasue Posted March 6, 2010 #11 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I like to get on early and take photos of the ship..... uncluttered by people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EileenN Posted March 6, 2010 #12 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nclvet Posted March 6, 2010 #13 Share Posted March 6, 2010 WOW!! If you are among the first 20, what time do you arrive at the port? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted March 6, 2010 #14 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted March 6, 2010 #15 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hart10 Posted March 6, 2010 #16 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptData Posted March 6, 2010 #17 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erdoran Posted March 6, 2010 #18 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerAl Posted March 6, 2010 #19 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorp111 Posted March 6, 2010 #20 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeno Posted March 6, 2010 #21 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Have lunch, wander around the ship exploring and taking photos, check out the menus at Specialty restaurants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood34711 Posted March 6, 2010 #22 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewYearsBaby Posted March 6, 2010 #23 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diel Posted March 6, 2010 #24 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted March 6, 2010 #25 Share Posted March 6, 2010 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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