Don’t get your cruise holiday off on the wrong foot from the moment you step onboard!
There’s something wonderful about that first step onto a cruise ship. That sudden switch from dragging luggage around outside amongst a crowd of eager passengers, to then being surrounded by soaring atriums, smiling crew and the hum of thousands of excited holidaymakers… I can’t get enough!
But to make the very best start to your voyage, these are the things you absolutely must do once you first step onboard.
1. Do Your E-Muster or Muster Drill Check-In Immediately
The muster drill is the only non-negotiable task of embarkation day, and fortunately it’s now usually far quicker than the old mass gathering on deck.
Most lines simply require you to watch a short safety video and then pop by your muster station for a quick check-in. Many even let you watch the video on the morning of the cruise – perfect over that hotel breakfast if you’ve stayed near the port the night before.
If you go to your station the moment you board, you’ll have got it out of the way and you’ll be free to enjoy your day without interruption.
2. Consider Upgrading Your Room
If you walk into your cabin and you hate it, now’s the time to see if you can switch it for another one.
I once booked an inside cabin on Arvia for two weeks over Christmas because that’s all my budget would allow. The cabin was in a bad location, right at the very front of the ship, and when I walked in I was shocked at how small it was for four people.
So, I went straight to guest services and asked what else they had. Someone in a balcony cabin had cancelled at the last minute, and so there was a room free.
The balcony cabin was so much bigger, and in an excellent mid-ship spot too.
The price to upgrade was an absolute bargain, and so much cheaper than if I had booked the balcony in the first place! We had a lovely Christmas in this room.
3. Explore The Ship and Get Your Bearings
Cruise ships are floating resorts, and wandering around on day one is the perfect way to get your bearings before things get busy.
Explore! I love to just wander around the ship, peeking into lounges and bars, and looking for fun spots that I’ll want to return to during the cruise.
If you’re travelling with others, choose a central meeting spot too – not for emergencies (that’s your muster station, remember), but simply as a convenient place to regroup if you’re ever separated or staying in different parts of the ship.
4. Look Around The Spa
On embarkation day, the spa will be open so that you can wander around it and take a look at the thermal suite and all of the treatment rooms.
This is the only day that you’ll be able to do it, so even if you don’t think that the spa is for you, it’s definitely worth having a nosy around!
Embarkation day is also when the spa typically offers discounted packages, which can be surprisingly good value. Services on sea days can get booked up quite quickly, so if you’re sure that you want something, it’s worth booking that in on day one.
5. Check Dinner Arrangements or Speak to the Maitre D’
If you’re not thrilled with your allocated dining time or wish to switch from traditional seating to anytime dining, the maitre d’ is the person to speak to – and embarkation day is the best time to catch them.
Also if you’ve any dietary requirements and you are worried about the menus, go have a chat – you’d be surprised what some cruise lines can do for you.
Read more: Early vs Late Dining on a Cruise (Pros and Cons)
For a lot of cruise lines, this is also the time where you can book speciality restaurants. Popular venues like steakhouses and teppanyaki restaurants can book up quickly, so securing your spot early avoids missing out.
If your cruise line accepts bookings before the cruise, and you missed out, go there on embarkation day – you might be able to snag a cancellation slot, or sometimes they hold some spaces back for those guests.
6. Make Entertainment and Show Reservations
Big headline shows, comedy clubs and immersive experiences often require reservations nowadays, especially on the larger ships.
While you may be able to booking things before you get onboard, more slots often open up once you’re on the ship.
It only takes a few taps in the cruise app to lock in a great time slot, and doing it early means you can plan your evenings around performances you’re genuinely excited about rather than whatever happens to be left.
7. Register at the Kids’ Club
If you’re sailing with little ones, register them at the kids’ club as soon as possible.
The first-day open house is a great time to meet the counsellors, check the timetable and help your children feel comfortable before activities begin.
Many clubs also give the kids their muster bracelets on this day, so you’ll tick off two tasks at once.
It’s a good idea to register even if your child isn’t sure about using them. You aren’t forced to bring them, although some will ask you to pre-book slots. Don’t book those if you aren’t sure, but having them registered in the club is still good, just in case your kid asks you to book them in later.
Read more: Cruise Ship Kids Clubs Explained
8. Freshen Up or Change into Cruise Clothes or Swimwear
A travel morning can leave you feeling a bit crumpled, especially if you’ve flown in from a different climate.
Freshening up and slipping into lighter clothes or swimwear immediately helps you feel like your holiday has truly begun.
If you’re clever, board with your swimsuit already on underneath your outfit – you’ll save even more time and can head straight to the pool as soon as you’ve had lunch.
Speaking of lunch…
9. Have Lunch Somewhere Other Than the Buffet
The buffet is the default dining option for new arrivals, which is precisely why it can feel like organised chaos on embarkation day.
Instead, check whether the main dining room, a poolside grill or a small café is open.
These quieter venues let you ease into cruise life at a calmer pace, and you’ll often enjoy far nicer food without juggling plates and weaving through crowds.
10. Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode
Once you’ve sent your final messages and posted your obligatory “I’m onboard!” photo, switch your phone to airplane mode.
Maritime roaming charges are notoriously expensive and can take effect before you even feel the ship move.
You can still connect to the ship’s WiFi for the app without buying an internet package, but airplane mode ensures you stay in control of your costs.
Read more: Simple Ways to Avoid a Huge Phone Bill on your Cruise
11. Take Seasickness Medication If You’re Prone
If you know you’re sensitive to motion, take your chosen remedy before the ship even casts off.
Tablets and latched tend to work best when given time to take effect, and taking them early can prevent feeling woozy during sailaway when excitement (and sometimes wind) are at their peak.
It’s an easy precaution that keeps the first evening blissfully comfortable.
Read more: Tips to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise
12. Check Your Cabin for Issues
Once your cabin is ready, take a few minutes to check that everything is working as it should.
Test the lights, outlets, toilet flush, air-con and shower pressure, and make sure the room is clean and well stocked.
Any problems are usually resolved quickly if reported early, and it’s much easier than trying to chase fixes later in the cruise when maintenance might be busier.
Read more: 13 (Weird) Things You Didn’t Know About Your Cruise Cabin
13. Meet Your Cabin Steward
Your cabin steward is the person who will quietly keep your space spotless throughout your voyage.
A quick hello helps build a friendly relationship, and it’s the perfect moment to request any preferences – extra pillows, more hangers, ice each evening, or specific bed arrangements. There are so many things you can get from your cabin steward for free, you just have to ask.
They genuinely want to make your stay comfortable, and being clear from day one helps them help you.
Read more: 13 Things Your Cabin Steward Secretly LOVES You Doing
14. Put Valuables in the Safe
It’s surprisingly easy to misplace things amidst the excitement of exploring the ship, so place passports, wallets, jewellery and other essentials straight into the cabin safe once you have access to your room.
Once they’re secure, you won’t spend the rest of the afternoon patting your pockets or rummaging in bags to check they’re still there.
15. Unpack Once Your Luggage Arrives
When your suitcases finally appear, it’s worth unpacking – and sooner rather than later. Having clothes neatly arranged in drawers and wardrobes instantly makes your cabin feel calmer and more spacious.
Hide empty suitcases under the bed, organise your toiletries and make the space your own – you’ll thank yourself when the week starts flowing smoothly. Especially if you’re in a smaller cabin.
16. Grab a Celebratory First Drink
There’s nothing like that first cocktail or cold beer to mark the beginning of your cruise.
Whether you order a classic piña colada, a glass of fizz or your favourite mocktail, take a moment to savour it.
Find a sunny spot, breathe in the sea air and let the stress of travel melt away. It’s your holiday now – officially.
Suggested read: The 22 Best Cruise Drinks You Must Try
17. Enjoy the Sailaway Party
Sailaway is pure cruise magic – music, dancing, drinks flowing and the coastline drifting away as your holiday truly begins.
It doesn’t matter if you join the energy on the top deck or find a quieter railing to watch the world recede, don’t miss it. It’s one of the highlights of every cruise and sets the perfect tone for the days ahead.
Things You SHOULDN’T Do Immediately After Boarding
1. Don’t Go Straight to the Buffet
The buffet is usually packed on day one, with everyone arriving hungry at once. Tables fill up quickly and navigating the crowds can feel stressful rather than celebratory.
Give it a little time and opt for an alternative lunch spot so your first onboard meal feels relaxed and enjoyable. There’s usually some good spots, like the poolside snack bar or a casual pizza outlet.
Or, eat well before you board – and then you’ll be good all the way until dinner.
2. Don’t Assume Your Cabin Is Ready Straight Away
Cabins take time to turn over after thousands of guests disembark that morning.
You need to wait until the announcement that cabins are ready. Unless you’ve booked a special package giving you early access, then leave the stewards in peace to do their job.
Go enjoy lunch or explore instead. Relax. It’ll be ready soon.
I’ve heard stories of people who have gone to their stateroom early, left some belingings and then the cabin steward has disposed of them because they assumed they belonged to the previous guest.
3. Don’t Skip Muster
It may not be the most glamorous part of the day, but the muster is something you just can’t get out of.
While the exact tasks vary (watching a video or a presentation in person), one thing’s for sure, you absolutely have to visit your muster station so they can tick you off the list.
This is why it’s number one on the list above – get it done and then you can relax.
4. Don’t Overdo Your First Drinks
It’s tempting to go full party mode the minute you step on board, but it’s wise to pace yourself.
Between travel fatigue, warm weather and the gentle motion of the ship, overindulging early can make you feel rather worse for wear before the evening even starts.
Give it a chance before you hit the bar too hard.
5. Don’t Panic If Your Luggage Doesn’t Arrive Quickly
Suitcases are delivered in batches over several hours, and it’s completely normal for different family members’ bags to show up at different times.
As long as you packed your essentials in your carry-on, you’re all set to relax until they appear.
If the ship has sailed away and your bag hasn’t arrived, don’t worry. Just call guest services. They always have some bags there where the tags have fallen off.
You can prevent your paper tags from coming off by using luggage tag holders. I swear by them!
6. Don’t Stress!
Most of the time, cruises go smoothly. But every now and then there might be a minor issue or two – something wrong with your cabin, or a hiccup with boarding, or maybe another passenger was rude to you or something.
And on those blue moon occasions, sometimes a few things might go wrong at once, and it feels like everything’s snowballing. When that happens, just take a breath.
You’re on a cruise.
Things WILL get better. Even if you aren’t a fan of your cabin or you’ve forgotten to pack something you wanted to bring. It’s fine. Relax, let the stress go, and I bet you’ll start having fun.
Things You Should Have Done Before You Board
I get that there’s a lot to do on embarkation day. But many of the things can be done in the weeks leading up to your cruise.
I advise doing as much as possible in advance, so that you can start your cruise in the most relaxing way possible, rather than in a queue on the ship.
Here’s what you should make sure you tick off before you get anywhere neat the ship.
1. Download The Cruise Line App
Most cruise lines have an app these days, and downloading it in advance makes life easier.
It’s where you’ll check in for muster, view your daily planner, make reservations and keep track of your onboard account.
Doing it ahead of time means you won’t be wrestling with connection settings on embarkation day.
2. Book Shore Excursions
Many of the most popular tours sell out well before departure, and onboard prices are usually higher.
Booking in advance guarantees your spot and helps you plan your days ashore with excitement rather than stress.
It’s also often better to book with a third party, despite the concerns you might have…
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Read more: Shore Excursions Group Review
3. Buy a WiFi Package or eSIM
If you need WiFi during your cruise, pre-purchasing nearly always saves money. Packages bought onboard are often more expensive, and buying early means all you have to do is connect when you board.
And if you want to save even more money, then consider buying an eSIM instead. It’s a lot cheaper.
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Read more: This Is Why Cruisers Are Switching to eSIMs
4. Buy a drinks, soda or coffee package
Much like internet packages, drink packages can cost noticeably more once you’re onboard.
Even if the offer on the ship says ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’, this will be on an imflated price, and it will almost certainly cost you more overall.
Sorting them before your cruise means better value and one less decision to make on embarkation day. And it means you can enjoy that first drink without even thinking about your budget.
Read more: Everything You Must Know About Cruise Drinks Packages Before You Book
Drinks packages are not for everyone. I’m not saying everyone should book one before they sail. But, if you think you might want one, then do get it before the cruise. Don’t leave it until the morning of.
Final Word
Embarkation day sets the tone for your entire cruise, and with just a little know-how, you can swap stress and crowds for calm, cocktails and pure ocean-going bliss.
Tackle the must-dos early, skip the rookie mistakes, and let the ship work its magic as you ease into holiday mode.
Remember, even if something goes a bit sideways at the start, you’re still on a cruise – sunshine, sea breezes and unforgettable moments are waiting. Take a breath, smile, and enjoy it!
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