1st time crusier...what to do first?

[kime1372]

Can anyone give me any suggestions as what would be the first things we would want to do once we get on board? This is our first cruise...Grandeur of the Seas on April 17th. I've heard we should go check out our cabin, by a drink pass for the kids before they sell out, maybe even eat lunch. I thought maybe some of you more experienced cruisers may have a few things you've learned over the years to share with us. Thanks!!

[JeffKoz]

Everyone has the own routine, so I'm sure you will get differing opinions. Here is our usual once we board:

 

-- Drop our carry-on off at the cabin and high tail it out of there (we are usually doing that before they say you can go to your cabin, so we are real quick)

-- Head up to the Windjammer for lunch and a frozen libation

-- Check out our dining room assignment (if you need to make changes, they will be available for you to talk to)

-- Check the salon and my wife will usually make an appointment for up-do on one of the formal nights (they can tell you the formal nights at the salon). She usually gets an appointment for the formal night that is on a sea day, if there is one. If you want any salon services on a sea day, make sure you book quickly because they usually fill up within hours of boarding.

-- Generally walk around and get a lay out of the ship if we have not been on her before (especially noting the location of the casino :) )

 

Usually, by the time all that happens it is close to time for muster, so we get to the cabin, meet our room steward and then grab our life vests and head to our muster station. After that is over (usually only 10-15 minutes) we drop our life vests off at the cabin and head to the sun deck for more frozen libations and the sail away party!

[cruznsugs]

Can anyone give me any suggestions as what would be the first things we would want to do once we get on board? This is our first cruise...Grandeur of the Seas on April 17th. I've heard we should go check out our cabin, by a drink pass for the kids before they sell out, maybe even eat lunch. I thought maybe some of you more experienced cruisers may have a few things you've learned over the years to share with us. Thanks!!

 

First thing is to make reservations at the Specialty Restaurant (Portofino's or Chops) this way you will have first picks at times, I believe they have the menu's of the dining room , so you can see what night you would like to pick. As far as the Soda package this is available only on the first day , so as long as you get it then your ok. You can purchase it in the entrance to the Windjammer so if you head up there for lunch when you board you will see the table sitting right there. Sometimes you can not get into your room until about 1:00 they will have the hall ways leading to the cabin closed. But this depends, every cruise different i think. I would also check out your table in the dining. Your number and floor will be on your seapass so you can see if it's in decent place or if they mess up and put you in a table for 4 and you need 8 etc. If you have any issues the Matrid is right there. After that just go up to the Pool deck and throw back a cold one and let the relaxation begin.

[Treven]

As been posted several times here already, you may or may not be able to get to your cabin right away - it depends on what time you board. Cabins often are not accessable (sp) until 1 - 2 p.m.

 

Be sure you take your swim attire in your carry-on so you can change in one of the deck bathrooms & get comfy by the pool.

 

Or you can go exploring through the ship learning where things are; or make reservations for either/both of the "fancy" dining places or spa reservations.

[jchiefs13]

One of the cruises out of my three on RC did a scavenger hunt as you were getting on, they'd give you a sheet where you had to get signatures from different parts of the ship.

 

It was a fun way to learn your way around the ship and you can win stuff! I won a spa package for having mine filled out and dropped off.

 

JC

[1HAPPYCRUISER]

my first cruise was on the granduer last summer and it was great!! there are no specialty resturants to make reservations for...we got to the ship at about 1 and went right up to the pool deck..had a drink..had some lunch in the windjammer..dropped our stuff in our room..went back to the pool deck for a drink...next thing we knew it was time for muster drill and sail away party!!! have fun..wish i were goin on her again too!

[gwennw]

If you want any spa appointments, head up there to make them. Also, if you want to try a spin class, sign up right away, because there are only 10 spots per class, and they fill up very fast. Also, get your Compass, and start highlighting what looks interesting to you, for the rest of the day.

[Inshape]

As soon as we got on the Mariner in Jan we decided to do it all differently this time..being our 5th cruise. We finally learned. Get to the port early. Get on early. Get to the pool early--stop by the cabin to change and drop off carry ons. This is where you pack the swim suits. Nothing worse than having them in the big bags which do not show up till later...we have learned! I use to run around the ship trying to learn the layout. Heck with that now. I will learn it when I am there and needing to go somewhere. As far as all the nooks and crannies--best time to explore is later on when strolling. Enjoy what you are doing and do not think you are missing something somewhere else. You can not do it all so enjoy what you are doing. We always eat lunch on the ship--a marvelous way to feel like the vacation has started and we are still in the dock. I just love being on the ship. We never do soda cards...the people have to drag that container around with them...how cumbersome is that??? You can only get soda from a few places...not convenient. There is water, ice tea, lemonade and punch all the time...why spend on soda? Well we do not but we are not soda drinkers. Not even at dinner when we are home.

[dolphincruiser404]

We usually board before you can go to your cabin, so we always get a drink by the pool and then hit the Windjammer for lunch. By that time we head to ur cabin and try to unpack what we can. I always make sure to wear my swimsuit under my clothes or put it in my carry on so I can start sunning by the pool right away!

 

Also, make any dining reservations for the week. I never found it necessary too make spa reservations right away, but if you want something special I would do it in advance.

[QuitMyDayJob]

We found on the NOS that there were no maps of the ship in the cabin, so we went to the purser's desk first thing and learned that they have great little folded maps there. Great size and lots of detail.

 

Also, for us the soda package is a must, it's not cheap, but if you drink soda like we do...and our experience is that you do get a thermal type cup with your sticker but you don't have to use it all, just show your seapass card with the sticker to any bar or in the dining room.

 

And I'll echo Inshape's comments--don't feel pressure to do everything and see everything right away.

 

Have a GREAT time!!

[Giorgi-one]

All of the above particulary reservations for specialty restaurants. We like to check the ship out right after lunch. It's usually not very crowded and you can get some great pictures without lots of passengers in them.

[Inshape]

I have never booked the specialty restaurants and do not think I will. I think the food is fine in the dining room and I like to have my money for other things beside more food. You get to order everything and anything from the menu so do not be shy at all. Try it all if you want. My waiter was use to my ordering more than one appetizer(more like 3) and at least 2 entrees( sometimes 3) and all the desserts.... well who can resist!

I always lose about 5 pounds before each cruise so I can eat and eat and not worry--plus I work out 5 times a week so it is usually not a problem. But you do not have to eat it all--the veggies on each plate I always eat, and the main entree --never all the starches and carbs. You can enjoy the dining room and never have to spend it on just more food in another venue. We board early too and always head to cabins and meet the steward and he has always said to leave the carry ons. This way we are hands free for lunch and to help the kids .( ages 9 and 11 now)

[kime1372]

Thanks for all the good tips guys! We are soooo ready..Only a few more daystil we drive down to Tampa. Hope to see some of you there!:rolleyes:

[JeffKoz]

Have a good cruise and wave asyou drive through tampa - never know I might be on my way to the office or getting my cruise stuff...And please - leave her in good shape after you disembark because I'm on her the 22nd

[chuckc54]

Check out your cabin, get something to eat, wait for the muster to happen, then go with the flow. Relax, that's why you're there.

[AlnzWife]

We went on our first cruise last month! The first thing we did? Giggled and carried on like complete idiots! We were so excited! Kept pinching each other and making sure it wasn't a dream. Then we went to our cabin...giggled some more...changed out of our winter duds into our new cruisewear! Got ready for the muster drill then explored the ship. Have a blast and enjoy every second!:)

[cmich068]

Have fun.

 

Yea, that it.

 

You don't have to do anything.

 

It's your vacation.

[renata102]

I agree with all of the above. Get on the ship early and have an early lunch. Go get a frozen drink to celebrate no working, no household duties and time with loved ones. take a quick tour to orient myself to the ship (usually takes an hour). OUr next one coming up might be a longer tour, becuase we have 10 newbies coming with us and want to tour the ship) by than go into my room unpack my CARRY ON and change into a bathing suit. hang out by the pool, see all the cruiser get onboard and gawk that we are already drinking and swimming:eek: ;) By than we decide that its about time to shower and change to get ready for muster, after muster go to my FAVORITE bar, the Champagne Bar ( I think that Boreleros will be my next favorite ;) ) and wait for dinner! as we are waiting for dinner at the bar, we are big compass hilighters and will go through it with a fine eye! those are my two cents!

[wrp96]

If you want spa appointments (or specialty restaurant appointments) do that first. On my Brilliance cruise I didn't get on the ship until 3pm and I headed straight to the spa to make appointments. All the manicure, pedicure, and hair appointments for the next day (first formal night) were already gone as well as all the massage and facial appointments. I was lucky enough to get a massage/facial appointment for that day but had to wait 2 days to be able to get a manicure.