Common Do’s and Dont’s on Your First Day on a Cruise Ship

These do’s and don’t will help make sure you get straight to the good stuff on your cruise holiday.

If you are no stranger to cruise life, then chances are you will have some kind of routine ready for when you embark on each holiday. Some may make a beeline for the bar, whilst others may want to explore the ship before diving in at the deep end (figuratively speaking, of course). If you are a first-time cruiser, or you haven’t settled into a familiar cruise routine, why not follow these tips that we have put together in order for you to start your cruise off in the best way. Here at Cruise Nation we believe that you should enjoy your cruise from day one, and these tips are designed to make sure you do exactly that!

Things to avoid on your first day

• Don’t use the lift if you don’t need to: The lifts can sometimes be slow on embark day and are often crowded – so if you don’t need to use the lifts, opt for the stairs. This is especially useful if you have already taken your luggage to your cabin because then you can avoid other passengers carrying theirs.
• Don’t spend the day in your travel clothes: Many people set aside a travel outfit so that they can be comfortable when they travel, and whilst this is fine, it’s always a good idea to get changed as soon as you get in your cabin to freshen up.

• Don’t forget to sign your children up to the kids club: This should be one of your first priorities upon arrival, so make sure they are checked into all of the activities and sports clubs they want to take part it. There is often an introductory session where you and your children can meet the staff and get acquainted with the facilities. It’s better to sign up on day one even if your kids decide afterwards that they don’t want to go.

• Don’t settle when it comes to dinner seatings: The maitre d’ is typically there to answer questions and make changes if needs be – so if you wanted early dining but got late seating, make a visit to the dining room a top priority.
• Don’t skip the muster drill: This will provide important information in case of an emergency. It’s also mandatory, even if you aren’t a first-time cruiser.
• Don’t choose the wrong itinerary: This largely depends on what kind of cruise you have chosen but make sure you have a good think about what you want to do. If you can do this prior to embarkation day, that’s great. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to pick an excursion just because it’s cheaper. Choose whether or not the ports or voyage is intriguing to you.
• Don’t spend the entire day in your cabin: Whilst you may need a short nap to recharge your batteries after travelling, don’t spend the whole day in your cabin. With something fun happening every hour of the day, you may miss out on an action packed activity you’ll wish you’d be around for.

• Don’t spend all of your money on things you don’t need: As soon as you get on board and you’ve done a bit of exploring, you will be spoilt for choice by the many gift shops and their merchandise. However, don’t spend all of your money at once. You have bags of time whilst on your cruise, so what’s the rush?

• Don’t forget to use sunscreen: You’ll be surprised how quickly you can catch the sun from just walking around the top deck. Make sure you are wearing sunscreen to avoid getting those first-day burns. In addition, don’t be swayed into thinking that because the breeze is blowing, you won’t get burnt on a cruise. You can still catch those rays through the wind so be safe at all times.

Things you should definitely do on your first day:

• Do book shore tours: Make your way to the tour desk and book any tours you wish to go on sooner rather than later. The friendly staff behind these desks will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

• Do reserve sun decks: This is especially beneficial for sea days as space is limited and can sell out.

• Make an effort to meet your cabin steward: It’s always nice to build a good relationship with your steward so you feel comfortable approaching them with any questions or requests you may have.
• Do take a waterproof camera: You may have bought a digital camera or have a smartphone especially to take pictures whilst on your cruise, but it’s always worth taking a waterproof one too. They aren’t expensive and you can avoid any disappointment wet phone moments.
• Do take seasickness tablets: Ideally, this should be done before you get on-board the ship – but if not, take them as soon as you arrive on the boat. The earlier the better, and you will be able to enjoy your first day much more.
• Do watch the sunset: Cruises aren’t only to be enjoyed in the day. There are tons of things to do in the evening too. But definitely make sure you watch the sunset on your first evening. It will be a lovely way to kick start your cruise in style.

For first-time cruisers, preparation is everything and by following these tips, you can ensure that your cruise takes off with a flying start. Here at Cruise Nation we take pride in making sure that our customers have the most the best and most memorable holiday of their lifetime. However, if you are unsure about anything and would like to find out more about cruises and the types of deals we have on offer, contact us today. We want to make your cruise experience as enjoyable as possible, from the moment you contact our team, to the moment your cruise ends.