Embarkation day: Those first couple hours

[DisneyParkFan]

See what I can unpack, decorate my door, go up to a Meet Up with other cruisers. This year that will include the DVC meeting.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Rooms are usually ready around 1:30, if I remember correctly. When I first get on the ship I make any reservations I need to that I may have missed before (@CamColt can correct me since it's been awhile since I've been on a Disney cruise). I then go grab lunch with friends and explore.

I keep things I want instant access to in my carry-on. Once I get in the stateroom I take pictures first, before I mess it up, and if I am on a DIS cruise I put my magnets on the door and hang my fish-extender if I'm participating (I think I've participated in just about all of the FE exchanges on the Disney cruises with fellow DISers). I then go over the activities sheet that's been left in the cabin and look over any "coupons" (don't know what you call them) to see what table I'm sitting at and confirmations for anything that I've signed up for before the cruise. If I have a balcony I go out there and relax a bit. I check out the bathrooms, drawers, closets, for the heck of it, and turn on the TV if it's not on already, to see what announcements they have. I go over the plans that I have (they always change anyways). If my luggage arrives, I unpack it and leave clothes to be ironed for my cabin-steward to take and bring back the next day. I don't like to live out of a suitcase when I go on cruises, so like to put everything out.

 

[southerngirl528]

I keep things I want instant access to in my carry-on. Once I get in the stateroom I take pictures first, before I mess it up,

Important stuff in your carryon is such a GOOD tip! And taking pix of the stateroom while it is still pristine is something I forgot to mention in my post! Thanks!

 

[All about me]

Unpack and decorate my door... not necessarily in that order.

Forgot about decorating the door. Must add that to my list!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We usually go to the DVC meeting.

 

[serenitynow]

Make sure all cell phones are placed in Airplane mode to avoid insane roaming charges.

 

[southerngirl528]

Make sure all cell phones are placed in Airplane mode to avoid insane roaming charges.

Oh mercy!!!! This is SO important!!!! ESPECIALLY if you are out of the U.S.!! (speaking from experience in Vancouver, BC... )

 

[Jess_S]

I watch my husband unpack our suitcases because he can't enjoy vacation until his socks are in a drawer, not a suitcase.

 

[southerngirl528]

Experienced Disney cruisers are asked to complete the following sentence for the benefit of us first-timers:

“On embarkation day, after I first get access to my cabin, and before the safety drill, I...”

This is a very fun idea for a thread, and I imagine quite helpful to the newbies. I am Platinum and am getting some great reminders and a few ideas too. So thanks!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Unpack (we do roll-on luggage), grab something to eat, check out where our safety drill location is, meet our cabin steward and put the beer and wine in the fridge.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We try to have the first PAT. if we need to secure any reservations we do that, then head straight to lunch in cabannas. If it is warm enough, we will have suits in our carry on and hit the pool after that. If not we will explore a bit. I try to get everything unpacked before the muster drill so we are ready for sail away.

 

[John Peterson]

On our past few Dream cruises we've gotten into the habit of getting a drink at Bon Voyage right when we get on to watch other families board the ship and see everything else going on in the atrium. It's a great vibe because everyone is so happy as they just get on the ship. We then like to wander around a bit, then grab a bite at Cabanas and eat by the pools before we see if our luggage was delivered. If it is, we unpack and relax a bit until we head over to the DVC member meeting.

 

[lanejudy]

Since the question specifically indicated "...after I first get access to my cabin..." -- if our bags have been delivered we unpack, check for life jackets and make DD try her's on, put wallets/phones/etc. in the safe, change for swimming.

Before the staterooms are available -- we eat lunch, explore the ship, visit open house at Club/Lab/Edge/Vibe.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[darnheather]

We try to have the first PAT. if we need to secure any reservations we do that, then head straight to lunch in cabannas. If it is warm enough, we will have suits in our carry on and hit the pool after that. If not we will explore a bit. I try to get everything unpacked before the muster drill so we are ready for sail away.

Pools are heated so jump on in! My girls loved being the only ones in the pool in NYC.

 

[RedSox68]

Experienced Disney cruisers are asked to complete the following sentence for the benefit of us first-timers:

“On embarkation day, after I first get access to my cabin, and before the safety drill, I...”

unpack and ready the cabin, freshen up and then explore the ship and head to the drill. After the drill, I get that sailaway cocktail

 

[KashasMom]

Since our bags don't usually arrive until later in the day, we're in no hurry to get to our room. We've usually eaten in Cabanas and daughter has spent time swimming. We'll eventually make our way to our room, decorate our door, and meet our cabin attendant. If our bags are there, I'll unpack. (If it's a very Merrytime Cruise, first thing I do is book the gingerbread decorating activity then on with the rest.)

 

[RedSox68]

Since our bags don't usually arrive until later in the day, we're in no hurry to get to our room. We've usually eaten in Cabanas and daughter has spent time swimming. We'll eventually make our way to our room, decorate our door, and meet our cabin attendant. If our bags are there, I'll unpack. (If it's a very Merrytime Cruise, first thing I do is book the gingerbread decorating activity then on with the rest.)

Oh yes, decorate the door. We always carry that stuff in our carry-on so we can do it first thing. Love that part!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Since our bags don't usually arrive until later in the day, we're in no hurry to get to our room. We've usually eaten in Cabanas and daughter has spent time swimming. We'll eventually make our way to our room, decorate our door, and meet our cabin attendant. If our bags are there, I'll unpack. (If it's a very Merrytime Cruise, first thing I do is book the gingerbread decorating activity then on with the rest.)

Yes to signing up to decorate a Gingerbread House. We do have a Merry Time Cruise coming up. That’s our next DCL cruise. (3 months 1 week 4 days)

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

We try to explore the ship, eat, and spend time with DD getting acclimated to the clubs before staterooms are ready.

After that, we check out our room, do some unpacking, decorate the door, and attend the Sail Away party.

 

[mike314]

This is a great thread for newbies like myself to get ideas..... quick question if i may ask, generally when does your luggage arrive at your cabin??
Also after this Friday I won't be a newbie anymore!!! my first cruise sets sail from PC going to the bahamas!!!