What to do first after check in?

[cdnwndrwmn]

I read a great post about what to do first after you check in on a Carnival cruise ship - I think it was eat :-) But it gave a specific location.

We are going on the Carnival Freedom - any body suggest what to do or not to do after check in (2 adults, 2 kids).

Thanks!

Michelle

[paul929207]

I believe that Carnival does not have the cabin ready when you board, so check as much luggage as you can and drag the rest to the buffet

[Keith1010]

I would post this on the Carnival Cruise Line Board.

 

Keith

[spookwife]

the smartest thing to do would be what you think is the best thing to do, keeping in mind that as soon as you board you may not have access to the cabin right away..

 

we always wander around the public areas a little bit to get our bearings then head to lunch.

 

if you have kids you may want to wear the swim suits under your clothes and hit the pools.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When we got on a ship -- the first thing we do is to check and make certain that our pre-booked speciality restaurant reservations are okay.

 

Then we head for lunch.

[chipq]

Recently our cruises have been 2 adults & 2 kids. First thing on board we like to find a table for 4 out near the pool. Then DW and DD go to the buffet to grab what they would like for lunch and the it is DS and my turn. After we have finished lunch the kids hit the pool and waterslide if applicable, and DW & I secure the first adult specialty beverage of the cruise. Once the cabin is ready, I schlep the carry ons to the cabin and if lucky, move the luggage into the cabin. This works very well for us.

 

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[George C]

We make sure we have the dinner reservation we want if not we try to change it asap, table to 2 or 4 etc etc

[johneeo]

I read a great post about what to do first after you check in on a Carnival cruise ship - I think it was eat :-) But it gave a specific location.

We are going on the Carnival Freedom - any body suggest what to do or not to do after check in (2 adults, 2 kids).

Thanks!

Michelle

 

First thing I do is get a cold beer.

[dorisis]

Recently our cruises have been 2 adults & 2 kids. First thing on board we like to find a table for 4 out near the pool. Then DW and DD go to the buffet to grab what they would like for lunch and the it is DS and my turn. After we have finished lunch the kids hit the pool and waterslide if applicable, and DW & I secure the first adult specialty beverage of the cruise. Once the cabin is ready, I schlep the carry ons to the cabin and if lucky, move the luggage into the cabin. This works very well for us.

 

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

 

Pretty much what most of us do.

 

~Doris~

[Cruise Girl Forever]

Hit the buffet. Then pool bar for an umbrella drink. Then explore ship.

[Jimnbigd]

On our Carnival Conquest in May, 2011, we had asked for late dining, but got early dining. We first went to the dining room to get our time switched. We ate early the first night, but were switched to late dining for the remainder of the cruise. But normally we go to the buffet first. Actually, we first go to the restroom to wash our hands -- then go to the buffet. On Carnival I usually first go to the deli (in or near the buffet) and get a Reuben sandwich -- sort of a tradition for me. They are really good, the buffet line is usually long, and the sandwich line is usually sort because few have found it yet. Kids will probably want to get in the hamburger grill line -- hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and grilled chicken sandwiches. This is usually outside by one of the pools. Kids also usually want to get pizza -- which is yet another line somewhere near the buffet. Suggestion -- first get a table, and one of the parents stays there. The kids can then go and get what they want and return to the table (unless the kids are too young to find the table again on their own).

[Hlitner]

We have developed our own embarkation-day protocol which would be similar for any cruise departing out of warm weather port. We always pack a swim suit, coverup, and sunscreen in our carry-on luggage. We board the ship as soon as possible (usually around noon) and immedately head off to lunch. Usually by the time we are finished with lunch, passengers will be allowed access to their cabins. At that point we head straight to our cabin and change into our swim suits. We then head out to the pool deck (which is pretty empty at this point) with our books (Ok, now our Kindle) where we relax in a well-located deck chair and perhaps order a drink. We then have a lot of fun just people watching as we look at all the other passengers (often in totally out of place clothes like suits) wandering around the decks gawking at everything on the ship (we will do this later). Then, about an hour before the boat drill we head down to our cabin where, with some luck, our luggage has arrived. We then unpack, change back into casual clothes and then its off to the boat drill. In a sense we have used that first afternoon like a day at sea.

 

Hank

P.S. We are older cuisers (have been doing this for nearly forty years) and have never changed this regimen. On some cruises that first day "people watching" turns out to be the best entertainment of the entire cruise :)

[cdnwndrwmn]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions!:D

[johneeo]

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions!:D

 

As mentioned, it is a good idea to check out the MDR.

 

Find your table so when dinner time comes, you will not be among 1,000 people cluelessly trying to find their table.

[paul929207]

As mentioned, it is a good idea to check out the MDR.

 

Find your table so when dinner time comes, you will not be among 1,000 people cluelessly trying to find their table.

Don't the waiters and assistant waiters escort TD passengers to their table the first night? They do on Princess and has always worked very well on our cruises.

[johneeo]

Don't the waiters and assistant waiters escort TD passengers to their table the first night? They do on Princess and has always worked very well on our cruises.

 

Of course they do, but, you will have to wait.

 

If you know where you are going, you can bypass that line and head right to your table.

[CruiseYVRgirl]

Eat and then explore the ship to get your bearings. Make notes of what you want to try, do. Then when your room is ready, unpack, read the daily newsletter to find out what's hapenning, what to expect. Finally, relax whether that be going to a lounge to have a drink or out on the deck.

[Krazy35]

On the Crown Princess, they had a scavenger hunt of sorts. You collected stamps from different areas around the ship and if you got all the stamps, you dropped it in a drawing box for prizes given at the "sail-away".

Since this was our first cruise, we collected the stamps as a bonus while finding our way around the ship. I didn't win a prize :( but they gave away some nice stuff.

[marshhawk]

If this is your first cruise, don't worry about dining, finding a table or anything else. You board around lunch time the staff is finishing cleaning the cabins and getting your haven ready. Go up to the lido deck, the buffet restaurant and pools are in this area. Grab some lunch, and relax. Bar keeps will offer you many drinks. Avoid until you have all your stuff in your cabin, the muster drill is done, and then PARTY!

[rmurray847]

We have developed our own embarkation-day protocol which would be similar for any cruise departing out of warm weather port. We always pack a swim suit, coverup, and sunscreen in our carry-on luggage. We board the ship as soon as possible (usually around noon) and immedately head off to lunch. Usually by the time we are finished with lunch, passengers will be allowed access to their cabins. At that point we head straight to our cabin and change into our swim suits. We then head out to the pool deck (which is pretty empty at this point) with our books (Ok, now our Kindle) where we relax in a well-located deck chair and perhaps order a drink. We then have a lot of fun just people watching as we look at all the other passengers (often in totally out of place clothes like suits) wandering around the decks gawking at everything on the ship (we will do this later). Then, about an hour before the boat drill we head down to our cabin where, with some luck, our luggage has arrived. We then unpack, change back into casual clothes and then its off to the boat drill. In a sense we have used that first afternoon like a day at sea.

 

Hank

I think this is a great description of an ideal way to handle things. We've only been on ONE cruise, but I had done enough research beforehand (thank you, Cruise Critic) to have some idea of how to really start relaxing right from the get-go. The people watching on day one truly is amusing. You could make a game out of recognizing the folks who clearly gave not one moment's thought to what their experience was going to be like. I'm amazed at folks who will agree to be put on a ship for 10 days and never plan anything beyond that.

 

For us, we headed to the smaller buffet aft (this was on Norwegian Jade), called the Great Outdoors, with only one bag in hand. We found a table and piled the plates high and ordered the first adult beverages of the cruise. Then we kicked back and watched the confused folks lugging three suitcases apiece, wearing suits and "non-vacation" clothing, looking for a place to just crash. I know this actually sounds kinda mean-spirited of me...but because of my very high stress job, I actually found it relaxing to see so many others running about like they were business travelers while I was sipping a beer (having been on the other end of that equation too many times).

[serene56]

As mentioned, it is a good idea to check out the MDR.

 

Find your table so when dinner time comes, you will not be among 1,000 people cluelessly trying to find their table.

 

 

I check the dining room so I can check my table. If its not to my liking i can have that day to change it instead of arriving for dinner and being disappointed which can ruin that first meal.

 

One the first day in the MDR someone should be escorting you to your tbale. There are not people aimlessly looking for tables

[jasbo49]

I think what you do when you first get on board depends partly on what time it is.

 

If it's early, say 11 a.m. till 12 or 12:30, you'll want to grab some food on the Lido deck before the lines get too long. The food stations farthest from the entry points (like the aft pool, if you're on Carnival) will be the most open.

 

If you get on the ship further into the afternoon, your room will probably be ready and you might want to unpack, then you can really exhale and consider what to do. There will still be plenty of food available, and the daily newsletter (in the case of Carny, the Fun Times) will tell you what's open then.

 

I find that exploring the ship is fun but is better after you've taken care of the basics, like eating and unpacking. Of course, if your luggage is held up for some reason, go ahead and explore. It's fun to discover your home for the next week.

 

Jim

[omgboost]

Last cruise I was on was way back in 2006 with Carnival. I don't think the buffets were open in the afternoon but my memory is foggy. Are they open as soon as you board now?

[serene56]

Last cruise I was on was way back in 2006 with Carnival. I don't think the buffets were open in the afternoon but my memory is foggy. Are they open as soon as you board now?

 

 

I have been cruising since 2000 and the buffet has always been opened for lunch as soon as you board.

[Gailerina]

Always get a drink first :)

 

 

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