30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

From arriving at the cruise terminal to making dining reservations, exploring the ship, and finding the best spot for sailaway, here are some of the best do’s and don’ts for the first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise.

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[bqus]

I'm a port agent and I have a couple of suggestions to make your check in time at the counter shorter: FIRST: People complain about having to retake the picture when they already downloaded it in the app. There is a guide line to take them the appropriate way: Pictures need to be a close up of the face, so take the picture only from the shoulders up and front face. - It cannot be a cut picture (when you're with somebody else in the original one). - No dark glasses, hats, pets or anything that obstruct some part of your face. - Smile is OK, is a happy picture, you're going on a cruise!. SECOND: Before you get to the counter, have your documents ready in your hands, not in your purse, carry on, or briefcase: Passports (or Birth Certificates and ID) and Set sails for every one in your party. THIRD: Agents usually can check just one room at a time, so make sure that the documents are not all in one person's hands, but they are separate by state rooms because is quicker when different agents check different cabins. I know when you're at the port you just want o get onboard as soon as you can. Happy Cruising!

[nichtsistkostenlos]

Based on the thumbnail I think I've got the gist: no vegetables and fruit, just pizza. That's what I was going to do anyway.

[ellencoleman]

Went on my first cruise in the Spring of 2023. I wanted to do all the things that was mentioned here, but by the time I got to my cabin, all I really wanted to do was take a nap, so I did. Throughout the week, I was able to explore the ship, but even just listening to this video is making me tired. I'm a full time working mom and I was without my son on this trip. I took a nap on Embarkation day.

[jacquelyns]

Do the complete muster drill process as soon as possible. It is mandatory by International Maritime Law and is not optional.
A fun activity is to randomly go from wherever you are to your lifeboat every day of your cruise. This insures you know where it is and how to get to it, if you ever have to do it for real. You don't have to rush. You can stop along the way. Adds to your physical well being.
Or, if cruising with family and friends, you can make a game of it.

[alvexok]

11:17 - That is a rule we followed also. We flew to Miami the afternoon before and stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. And they also had cruise shuttles that picked us up and took us straight to our ship the next day. It really lessens the stress of rushing. Nobody wants a flight delay to cause them to miss the ship

[boscobeans]

Even if you have the barcoded boarding pass info on your cell, keep a printout handy just in case.

[CreachterZ]

Call every bartender “Isaac”. They love this.

[FraserAtSea]

Exploring your embarkation port is probably the biggest recommendation for me - it always surprises me when people rock up in the city and their holiday doesn't begin until 3pm when they board the ship. I always aim to get out the hotel at the crack of dawn, to add 'day 1' to my holiday, instead of a lazy hotel day! Great video - some really great tips in here!

[scottlowell]

1. DO NOT allow wait staff to hand you a "souvenir" drink unless you want to spend $15.-$20. Nothing is free on the ship, it will get charged to you.

[Dtilefish]

DON'T be a jerk to employees or fellow passengers. DO be nice!😀

[belenramirezc]

For me is a no to drop off luggage! I prefer to take it myself, i feel like it’s faster! If you wanna change or take a shower or Settle in you don’t have to wait for your bag to arrive!

[tinawarren]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for making these vlogs. I don’t have any family it’s just me for the holidays, which makes it so depressing this time of year. But watching your videos makes me so happy. You’re so fun and down to earth. My favorite vlogger by far.

[darploin]

When you're in your stateroom check the patio door if you have a balcony check to make sure the TV runs through all the channels pick up the phone to make sure you get a dial tone also check the toilet pushed flush one time to make sure it functions turn on the hot and cold water to make sure you get hot and cold water out of the you know the proper knob same with the shower shut closet doors you know functionality of the cabin

[kimberlyhurlbut]

I'm glad you mentioned the whole thing with cell phones. I used to work for a major cellphone carrier and handled their tech support and international suport calls pre-covid. There was several times where we would have to try and save some poor sap from $2000 phone bills all because they forgot to put their phone on airplane mode or do what i usually recommend because sometimes apps will be sneaky and take out the sim card all together. One guy that a co worker got rang up a $10000 bill because he was using his data on board just as if he were sitting in his own living room. My poor co worker went white as a ghost when he discovered he was going to have to tell that guy some not so great news. He was going to owe almost every penny of it because there's only so much our staff could have done.

[darploin]

Probably the best time to go to the windjammer is that breakfast time and be an early bird in other words I think they open their doors at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning and a lot of cruisers are still sleeping from partying a little too hard the first night so you should be able to to not deal with a bunch of crowds have the freshest choices of food and be able to sit where you want to sit at the windjammer also remember the apps section of the windjammer usually has very good views and it's the least crowded

[boomboomboom]

This channel has a great community of fellow cruisers helping out one another in the comments.

[mudvayneknotquadra]

About to go on my first cruise in three days and I'm excited and anxious at the same time.

[jt]

You should be able to watch and complete the muster checklist in the app while riding the bus or cab to the cruise port. I did it my last cruise and when I got on board I went directly to the muster station where the app was ready for the staff signoff.

[kellyreadingbooks]

As soon as we get on we get the lay of the land on the ship. Then we grab a light lunch and hit the hot tub right away because it’s always less crowded than sea days. Then run to change for dinner!

[juanitapowell]

For us: Do ask for the refrigerator to be emptied. We don't want those tiny bottles of not our flavor of liquor, soda & waters. Not there no chance to be charged for something. We take a little treat for out cabin steward (s). A high end chocolate seems to be a favorite .