New cruiser with a question regarding "to-do's" once boarding

[Pier Pressure 53]

Will be cruising on Golden Princess in November, on our 1st ever cruise, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary.

 

To maybe save some time and keep the stress level down and ease into the relaxed cruise mode as soon as possible once boarding, are there any suggestions on things to do right away once boarding a Princess Cruise, to get out of the way, and things that should be done to maybe beat the crowds?

[MiamiSpartan]

First, congrats on the anniversary!!

I usually start laying clothes out 2-3 weeks prior...it helps me plan for the week, and helps me not forget anything! Passports and boarding docs are the first to go into the carry on! (Learned that lesson the hard way...!). Takes a lot of the pre-trip stress away...

We usually grab a quick snack upon boarding and just start touring the ship! It is one of the things we enjoy the most! Even if we have been on the ship before...

T is fun just scoping out the hangouts, the pool, the quiet out-of-the-way spots, the coffee bar, the best place for pre-dinner cocktails, the gym, spa, etc....and starting to meet the people you will be spending the next 7-10 days with...

Have fun!

[obnurse]

Our first cruise was Golden Princess, too. It was our 25th anniversary! That was in 2002 and The ship was brand new. We had the time of our lives and I hope you do, too! We always board, go directly to our cabins and drop off any carry on's we have, go to Horizon Court for lunch, and then explore the ship, take some pictures, enjoying a leisurely afternoon. By then it's time for the muster drill and then the fun of sail away. After sail away we get ready for dinner and the first evening on board! The shops and casino open after the ship is out to sea.

[cruiserking]

Congrats on your anniversary. Plan on getting to the cruise port by 10:30 am and beat the rush. Check your luggage with a porter, check-in and with any luck you'll be aboard ship by 11:30 am.

 

Keep all your boarding paper work in your coat or carry on luggage along with meds, jewelry, camera, slippers, things you will need. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Jonathan

[dorisis]

Welcome to Cruising and to Cruise Critic. Relax and explore the ship. Have a wonderful Anniversary.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We always get to the ship early.

If you have pre-booked any specialty restaurants -- reconfirm them once on the ship.

Then go and have lunch. Cabins will be announced when they are ready.

You may want to go to your cabin after lunch or take a tour of the ship so that you are familiar with things.

[kanadakid]

We always board, go directly to our cabins and drop off any carry on's we have, go to Horizon Court for lunch, and then explore the ship, take some pictures, enjoying a leisurely afternoon. By then it's time for the muster drill and then the fun of sail away. After sail away we get ready for dinner and the first evening on board! The shops and casino open after the ship is out to sea.

I am a new cruiser, and I thought I read somewhere that you cannot get to your cabin for some time, so you may need to drag your carry-on around with you for awhile. I would like to have a swim but as a solo cruiser don't really want to leave my bag (meds, passport etc) alone. Is is generally true that you can get into your cabin quickly, and just have to wait for your other bags?

[OCruisers]

On Princess you can go to your cabin IMMEDIATELY when you board the ship so you'll be able do drop off your carryons and relax as long as you wish in your cabin.

 

Since specialty restaurants can't be booked on Princess in advance, this would be a convenient time to call "Dine Line" to book any you wish.

 

Have a wonderful cruise! :)

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Sanz]

We drop off our luggage in the cabin. We check the mattresses (one year they needed more than egg crate toppers. Two very large people must have slept on them because both mattresses were concave u-shapped :eek:. Both mattresses were changed). toilet etc. We check on cruise critic or call Princess ahead of time to see if a MDR is open for lunch and the hours that they serve lunch. We take the Princess Patter (schedule) from the cabin and plan what we might like to do for the rest of the day while waiting for our food in the MDR. Before or after lunch we make reservations, dining, spa etc.

 

After lunch we sometimes find an open whirlpool and relax while most people are running around the ship. We head back to our cabin to change for the boat drill and back to the cabin afterwards to unpack and relax before dinner. Sometime after dinner on the first night we tour the inside of the ship.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Sanz

[Sanz]

Sorry - Double post

Edited January 13, 2014 by Sanz

[GoVikes]

Happy anniversary! I recommend reviewing the Princess Patter soon after boarding. It lists all the events going on for the day. There might be something you are interested in doing. After that, explore the beautiful Golden Princess--our first cruise was on her as well!

[taglovestocruise]

Day one just take it slow and explore. Day one is always a crowded zoo, starting on day two the whole ship has a vacation vibe..happy cruising

[AZ Ocean Lover]

We go to our cabin and check it out. We always say we'll relax a little but we are too excited so we go to the dining room and have lunch (it will be open but the crew points you in the direction of the buffet). We bring the Patter along as a previous poster recommended. After lunch we head up to the highest level we can get and start exploring, one deck at a time. That first day is so exciting. Have fun!!!

[Gunner22aa]

Go early to the port. Once on board go to the cabin which will be ready for you and drop off the carry on. Pre order a nice bottle of wine if and only if you have a balcony to enjoy it on. If you do ask the steward to fetch you a couple of wine glasses and a cork screw. Crack the bottle on the balcony and toast each other and all the great times together and all the low ones as well. In todays society you have reached one hell of a milestone and you want to be darn proud of it. If you don't have a balcony then go topside, get a nice glass of wine from one of the bars and just spend a couple of minutes off in a corner alone and toast all of your times together. Congratulations from a couple one year behind you!

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm guessing you're leaving from San Pedro, which is not a bad drive from where you live (just farther from us). Do consider driving down in the morning, maybe around 9:30 or so, and hopefully some of the rush hour traffic will dwindle down to semi-rush.

 

Make a checklist when you're packing. Put whatever you might need right away in your carryons (passport, copy of booking info, receipts for any excursions you've booked, etc., valuables such as jewelry, cameras, medications).

 

When you are on the Harbor Freeway, and taking the Harbor Blvd off-ramp, stay in the MIDDLE lane, and when you get the light, go straight across into the parking lot of the World Cruise Center and follow the other vehicles. You'll go past a guard booth and a marquee that will tell you what berth the Golden is at, but you'll see her even before you get into the WCC.:)

 

You can drop off passengers/luggage right there, and then drive down to the parking lot, park your car, and then walk back up (there may be still a shuttle too, but you'll be close). Give your luggage to a porter with some cash. Enter the terminal with your carry ons, and you'll be directed to a counter to fill out a health form, and then you'll be directed to a line. When there's an available clerk, you'll give them your photo IDs and a credit card that will be linked to your on board spending. Then you're given your sweet blue cabin cards along with a boarding number.

 

You'll go through the security screening (put your stuff on a conveyor belt, that whole thing), and then you can go sit down in the big waiting room and wait for your boarding number to be called. A port worker will be checking your ID one more time, so don't stash them too far away, before you go outside. Each group/couple/family gets an embarkation photo taken (there's no charge to take this...you can check later on in the gallery to see if you want to purchase this). Just before actually getting on the ship, each person will have a photo taken that gets embedded into your cabin card (this photo is definitely mandatory). When you enter the interior of the ship, a crew member will ask what is your cabin, and you'll be given directions -- which deck, and which direction to go.

 

You can now go to your cabin, and from then on until the mandatory muster drill, you can do whatever you want. Do a little checking out of the cabin, perhaps your steward will knock on your door to meet you. Unpack a little of your carryon (it'll probably be a while til you see your luggage). Scan the first day's Patter to see what's going on. You can start exploring the ship, go have lunch, go up on deck and check out the port from there.

 

Some people want to switch their assigned dining seating or switch to anytime or to traditional. There's the info of where to go in the Patter. Some people want to go to the spa to book an appointment. Some people want to schedule a special dinner in a specialty restaurant (it seems that unless you have a specific need for a date/time that may be popular like Valentine's Day, this may be something that will wait as many passengers don't bother with these dining rooms).

 

If you want a light meal, you can check out what's at the International Cafe, which is a set of display cases on Plaza deck in the grand atrium (not all ships have this or may be a different locale). This is where it is on the Golden (our last two cruises were on this ship).

 

When the muster drill is about to happen, get the lifejackets from your cabin and carry them unopened to your station (which will be indicated on the safety sign on the back of your cabin door). Princess has them indoors in one of the lounges or theaters. A crew member will scan your card and you take a seat and wait for the instructions. After wards, you can return your jackets and then go up on deck for the sailaway.

 

From then on until the last day, you can do whatever. You don't even have to get off the ship in any port.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Cruisin' Chick

[RunnerGirl26.2]

Bring a pen with you to fill out any paperwork before boarding (Health form).

 

Board early enough to have lunch in the main dining room (MDR). The crew will direct you to the buffet (Horizon Court) but the MDR is open till 1 or 1:30 for lunch. Much nicer than fighting the people at the buffet. The doors to that dining room may be closed, but will be seating people.

 

Explore the ship after dropping bags at your cabin.

 

Most Princess ships have a coral or reddish color in the border of the carpet on the port side (cabin floors). Helps with sense of direction.

[mizLORInj]

Hi and welcome.

I would spend some time on the Princess board learning about the line.

Also, we usually board and have lunch, and the next and very important thing we do is walk every deck of the ship from bow to stern (or vice versa) and check everything out. There is a lot packed onto a ship and you don't want to miss anything! :D

[TucsonRick]

If you are interested in taking the ship tour, sign up at the passenger service desk as soon as you board. There are only 10 - 15 places available and it is "first come, first served". I recommend it for first-timers.

 

Rick

[MtnBikerFallDown]

Happy Anniversary!

 

I think everyone has covered most everything, but do check out your roll call, if you're a social butterfly and like to meet people.

 

Also, the Princess boards are a wealth of information. Did you know you can buy a soda or coffee card (or both!) before you go, and it's a little cheaper that way? Same with internet minutes! I found that out on the Princess boards! Oh, and when you put your information in the cruise personalizer, you can let them know it's your anniversary and you get a little sign on your door, I think.

 

Oh, and to the poster who gave directions on what lane to get in... you are my kind of person! I hate when I get somewhere like that and wind up in the wrong lane. You are a wonderful direction-giver and deserve kudos. Or a cookie!

 

Have a wonderful, wonderful cruise and again... Happy Anniversary!!!

[4x4bob]

To add to what Cruisin' Chick posted.

 

Develop your packing list together, but designate only one person to pack.

 

Because you will add stuff over several days. You do not want to leave something behind when you leave because you thought the other person put it in.

 

Here is another hint. There is a good hotel less than 1 mile from the port that will store your car if you sign in for one night with their Park and Sail program. They also provide a drink coupon and breakfast. Then a free shuttle ride to the port. When you come back the shuttle will be there to take you back to the hotel.

 

A stress free way to begin the cruise.

 

Bob

[Smokeyham]

Happy Anniversary, and I think you will really enjoy the Golden Princess.

 

Lots of people mention boarding early, which I agree with, but be aware that if you arrive too early, then you will probably have to wait in the boarding area of the terminal. Early boarding people usually start getting on around 10:30 or 11:00. Regular passengers a bit later.

 

If you would like to sign up for the Ultimate Ship's Tour, or the Chef's dinner, then you need to sign up when you first go on board because these will likely fill up. Similarly, the Serenity (adults only) area may also book up depending on your destination (i.e. warm water cruises).

 

For us, the routine is to got the Purser's desk (Passenger Services) to sign up for any activities we want (ship's tour, etc.) as soon as we board then we go to our cabin to drop off hand carried luggage and to pick up the Patter (ship's daily newsletter).

 

We then go to main dining room which is open for lunch. This is usually available from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Crew members will try to direct you to the buffet, but we much prefer to have a "served" lunch when we first go on board. Information about which restaurant is open should be in the Patter.

 

After lunch we explore the ship, make spa reservations, and attend muster drill. Hint.... If you did not get a map of the ship when you boarded then pick up the small folding map available from the Purser's desk.

[UPGrandma]

One suggestion, pre boarding another after boarding:

 

Luggage tags, after printing them out (I print double the amount of bags I think we will check) and laminating with packing tape, I punch a hole in each end. Then pack them along with a zip tie to attach to each bag prior to arriving at the cruise port. Zip ties are easy to cut off with small clippers.

 

Once on board I stop at the info desk (generally in the atrium where you board) and ask them to punch a hole in my "sign & sail" card. Hubby puts his in wallet but I don't always carry purse onboard. I bought $1 stretchy band meant for keys and put the card on this so I have around my wrist when needed.

 

Enjoy