What are the first things you do when you board the ship??

[Kim&Chris]

I'm interested in hearing what all of you experts do when you arrive in port & walk onto the ship. This will be my first cruise in 20 years (and DH's very first cruise), so I'm hoping to find some good advice!!!

I know we have to race to get spa ressies, and Palo reservations, but other than those things, what do YOU do??

 

[TooPure4u]

Well, since we couldnt go into our staterooms when we boarded, we toured the ship and then went to eat lunch at topsiders. It was so amazing.....and exciting. It was my first cruise and next month will be my second on the Magic. I cant wait to feel that feeling again.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

After we boarded the ship and found our staterooms, we had to meet in the theater to go over the mandatory safety rules and drills. Then they also had a nice little send off proformance party on the main deck while we were pulling off. Then we were free to roam the ship and eat!

 

[kristen821]

We packed our swimsuits in the day bags and the kids used the mickey pool. It was pretty empty since most people didn't have thier suits yet.

 

[*Fantasia*]

As soon as we boarded, we looked for our stateroom and dropped off our day bag and looked around the room then looked outside the porthole. After finding our stateroom, we headed out to Parrot Cay and had lunch there, then after that, we swam.

 

[faireygod mother]

I go to guest services and make my reservations for the Wendy Tea, Wine tasting, and bridge tour then to top siders for lunch.

 

[tigger53]

usually we eat lots of shrimp, go to the adult pool and relax, put our stuff in our room, boat drill, sail away party, go to deck 10 and watch the ship leave, get ready for dinner.

 

[profdsny]

About what time can you get into your room?

 

[kristen821]

I think it was about 1:30

 

[macphrsn]

OK, this is a rookie question - when you board the ship why can't you get into your room. Is 1:30 the magic hour? Is there long lines to make reservations for the spa and other events?

 

[tksbaskets]

just back from our cruise:
Yes there was a long line for the spa reservations. I waited until later in the evening and was happy with what I was able to book.

Some of the rooms aren't ready yet because the stateroom hosts are cleaning from the people who just got off the ship.

Hope this helps,
TK

 

[PiperG]

I get a Rum Runner

 

[gshoemate]

We EAT!!! Parrot Cay is the best for lunch. We usually have our swimsuits but never manage to get into the pool. We sign DD up for the club and make our reservations for Flounders, by then we can usually get into our room to unpack.

 

[missmulan]

first thing i did was make Palo ressies while DH registered kids in club.

 

[tvguy]

1) Eat
2) Find our cabin
3) Get ready for the Lifeboat Drill
4) Relax

No interest in the spa or Palo here, and our kids (13 and 17) don't care about the clubs, so no ressie rush here.

 

[MariettaC]

Took in the beauty of it all!

 

[logan1_2000]

O.P. has the DCL biggies, which are Palo and Spa ressies. In the past we signed up DS for Club right away, but now that can be done in the terminal. We have gotten in pretty early and with a nearly empty atrium, have taken some great character shots w/ DS, dropped off carry on at stateroom (never had to wait to get in), Parrot Cay lunch, and as soon as luggage arrives--which we've also had goo dluck on that being early, we unpack & settle in.

This will be our first DCL cruise with early dinner seating--we'll see how that might change things like sail away party. There will be a Bon Voyage Champagne package waiting in stateroom--so that always makes embarkation day more special...

 

[Scott5150]

1. Be first in line to get on the ship.

2. IMMEDIATELY check if Palo is taking reservations.

3. Eat lunch at topsiders - LOTS OF SHRIMP

Scott

 

[Regina]

We usually get there early. We make our Palo's reservation, head to the Spa to book a massage and then we head to the buffet.

At 1:30, we check to see if we have access to our room and drop off the day bags. After that, we roam around the ship with big smiles on our faces (and maybe a drink in our hands ) until the lifeboat drill.

 

[hezzie]

Also a first time cruiser on the 3 day cruise, with tons of questions....
1. What time is the life boat drill? How long does it take?
2. Having 2 kids (7 and 5) what is the better dinner seating. We asked for early and were given late, but told we could try to change after we board. What are your preferences and why?
3. I assume you have to go to the different locations to sign up for things (i.e. to the spa for spa ressies, kids club for the kids, etc.)
4. What do you do in Nassau if you don't want to do a tour? Are there vendors and such at the port that you can walk around for a little bit and then get back on the ship?

Thanks!!