Experienced Cruisers -what is the 1st item of business?

[virginialucy]

The first thing I do is make specialty restaurant reservations. Then I find a bar where I can get my second drink! (All my cruises so far have been on Celebrity, so my first drink is always the glass of bubbly they give you when boarding.)

[BDRebel]

1. Get a drink

2. Drop off luggage in room.

3. Get a drink.

4. (if still standing) Go to lunch.

After that, check out the Lido and Promenade decks, then go to the muster briefing.

[taglovestocruise]

I usually go to the cabin and pour a glass of bourbon from the rum runner.

 

Super Ditto to you.. happy cruising. keep a eye out for the RR police..

[tetleytea]

First order of business: acquaint ourselves with the ship. Which is a fun adventure in itself.

[Senoj84]

Go check out my cabin to see if it's ready and drop off my carry on and then eat lunch.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Senoj84

[Underwatr]

Drop off the carryons, get some lunch, then inspect the dinner table location.

[notentirelynormal]

Drop off the carryons, get some lunch, then inspect the dinner table location.

 

I forgot about that one. When traveling with a group checking the dinner table situation is priority.

[GUT2407]

Many are saying go straight to your cabin, remember not all ships have your cabin ready on boarding.

[Underwatr]

Many are saying go straight to your cabin, remember not all ships have your cabin ready on boarding.

That factors into the choice of ship/line sometimes.

[marshhawk]

I have been cruising Carnival, and having FTTF (which allows early boarding) gets me to my cabin-so if all is right, then I leave my stuff in the cabin, and (oh don't hate me) head to the one area on the ship where you can smoke while they are fueling the ship) have a smoke, and go get lunch.

 

 

Now things have been known to change, and sometimes we get on late-and once we leave off the luggage?- We get a very nice fruity fruit punch with no rum, and sit back, and take a deep breathe, and smile and realize we are of vacation.:D and we don't have to do anything for at least 5 days.:D;)

[calliopecruiser]

It's usually too early to drop my carry-on in my room, so (for an afternoon departure) I grab some lunch and sit in the central lounge to watch people come and go.

 

If I arrive a little later and my cabin is ready, the first thing I do is change my travel-weary clothes, then grab lunch and go people-watching.

[sfaaa]

Hit the buffet like there is no tomorrow to make up for the breakfast I intentionally skipped before the cruise.

[marco]

Have lunch at the buffet, drop hand luggage off in the cabin (other way 'round if cabins are ready when you board) grab a ship's "map" and daily program and wonder and explore, check out alternative dining options and book (if so inclined) then be up on deck for sail-away review daily program again and do what interests you.

[SadieN]

Go to the MDR and order the night's meal. Have allergies and this works best.

[screwsmcernst]

the first thing I do is head to the MDR and talk to the Maitre D about my food allergy. :rolleyes: Then either to the cabin to drop off our carry on. If Cabin isn't ready, then we roam around the ship and get some lunch. A beverage will also be in my hand. Maybe adult, maybe not. :D

[AnchorsAweigh2011]

While not an experienced cruiser, I like to grab a bite to eat!

[weltek]

We get to port early so we have a relaxed afternoon before the rush to get unpacked. We are usually on board before noon.

 

1) Take care of anything we want to sign up for (e.g., wine package, spa passes)

2) Head up to a bar that overlooks the pool deck and settle in for a few hours. Great people watching!

3) Decide we need a nosh from somewhere to go with our beer.

4) Walk around the ship to sight see.

5) Unpack

[Monroe1955]

We head to the room drop of carry ons and head to get quick lunch and go to the sail away....and have drinks...:)

[rkacruiser]

If your stateroom is available when you embark, go there to drop off carry-ons and then study at the Daily Activity Schedule, looking for the time of the Muster Drill, when the lunch service stops, and reviewing the other activities, thinking about what/when you want to do for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Then, if there are specific special activities that require advance booking, i.e. spa appointments, specialty dining room meals, do that. After, third, enjoy your first lunch aboard.

 

If the stateroom will not be available when you embark, there may be an abbreviated Daily Schedule available at check-in and that should be studied as soon as you can in order to help you plan your time that suits you best.