What to Expect During Your First Day Onboard a Cruise Ship

If you are going on your first-ever cruise, you might be nervous and excited – and be wondering what to expect when you arrive at the port on that first day.

In this article, we look at your first day on a cruise so you will know what to expect!

Arrival at the Cruise Terminal

Check-In Process

You will normally have been given a time to arrive at the cruise terminal. It is best to stick to that time if at all possible. It will avoid any delays or hanging around if you show up at the right time.

More and more cruise lines give you the option to check in online before your cruise. By doing this, it will speed up your embarkation process considerably.

You will have already entered your passport details, next of kin details, credit card details, etc.

You will have been issued cruise documentation – or sometimes just a QR code you can show on your phone in the terminal.

You will have been able to print out your own luggage tags – which will have your individual cabin number on them.

Attach these to your suitcases, and you can give them to the porters at the terminal, they will load them on to the ship. I am always relieved to get rid of my cases so that I can focus on the checking-in and security process.

If you are not able to print your own luggage tags, don’t worry. You can pick some up at the terminal, it just takes a little longer.

I like to use plastic luggage tags to put my paper-printed luggage labels in.

If your cases are stuck outside of the ship in the rain, the luggage tag will still be legible. (I live in the UK remember – the weather at my local cruise port, Southampton, can be unpredictable, to say the least!)

If you are sailing from your local port, you won’t have to worry about the size of your cases – as you do if you are going through an airport.

There will understandably be a maximum weight limit, but you don’t have to measure the sizes of your cases in the fear of getting fined for taking something too big – like you do when you fly with a budget airline!

Once you have been to the check-in desk and the assistant has completed any further checks they need to do, you can go along to security.

It is worth noting that some cruise lines will give you your cruise card at check-in, while with others, you go to your assigned cabin and pick up the cards from there.

Find out more about cruise cards here:

Cruise Keycards Guide – Uses, Styles and Variations

Security

Security at ports is similar to that found in an airport – but maybe slightly less strict.

You must place your hand luggage and valuables in the trays to go through the x-ray machines, then walk through a scanner.

You will have been given a list of banned items in your cruise paperwork. These might be things like irons or hair straighteners, alcohol or banned substances.

Find out about the most confiscated items taken from people boarding cruise ships here:

These Are The 5 Items Most Regularly Confiscated by Cruise Lines

Boarding The Ship

There is nothing better for me than boarding the ship, and first seeing the size and scale of the main onboard spaces!

Often, you will enter the ship via the main Atrium – and it takes your breath away!

Even standing next to the ship on the dockside can be eye-opening – it is hard to understand how huge these vessels are unless you have stood right next to one!

There will be crew members there to welcome you onboard, and direct you to where you need to go.

You will need to make sure you have all your essentials and valuables in your hand luggage, because you won’t get your suitcase delivered to your room until later in the day.

Often your cabin won’t be ready for you when you first arrive, particularly if you have an early embarkation time.

If that is the case, and announcement will be made over the ships tannoy when the cabins are ready.

Exploring!

I love to explore the ship on the first day. I often go up to the top deck and work my way down through the public spaces, so i can get a better idea of the ships layout.

Sometimes you will be given a paper map of the ship at the check-in, sometimes you can find the map on the cruise ship App. Don’t worry about getting lost though, you will find a cruise ship maps at every staircase.

On the newer, fancier ships these maps might be interactive, and it will actually give you the route to take to get to a certain place!

Get Some Lunch

One of the most popular places to be on embarkation day it seems is in the buffet.

It not surprising, guests are usually hungry after their journey to the port.

I personally prefer to avoid the buffet if possible. I will either go to the poolside grill (if its open) or head to the main dining room for lunch.

If the dining room is open, I love the experience of sitting down and being waited on. It’s like going out to a restaurant on land, but with no nasty bill at the end.

It the perfect, relaxed way to start the cruise, much better in my opinion than fighting your way through a crowded buffet and trying to find a seat.

Find Your Cabin

Once the cabins are ready, i would normally go straight there to check my cabin out – and those of my friends or family members.

It normally takes a few hours for my suitcase to arrive, and i can take my time settling in and unpacking when my things arrive.

I often take the opportunity to watch the Muster Drill on the cabin TV, or on the cruise ship App.

Mandatory Muster Drill

You must by law, complete a Muster Drill prior to the ship sailing.

In practice, this means watching the safety video on the TV or the App, and then finding your way to your allocated Muster Station.

This is normally in a named bar, theatre or other public space. Once you are there, the crew member will scan your cruise card, so that they know you have attended. It is all very simple.

Find out every thing you need to know about Muster Drills in the article below:

What is a Muster Drill on a Cruise? Everything You Need to Know (REVIEW of Traditional and Virtual Muster Drills)

Go To The Sailaway Party

Weather permitting, cruise ships often have a sailaway party on the pool deck.

There may be music, drinks, food and everyone can relax and enjoy the views as the ship leaves port.

It really is a great way to start your holiday, maybe treat yourself to an interesting cocktail to get the cruise underway!

Dinner

You can head to the main dining room for dinner, or have a relaxed meal in the buffet.

There may also be other extra-cost “Speciality Restaurants” onboard if you want to treat yourself to something extra special.

Look at all the food options available onboard on my cruise on Norwegian Prima here. I was completely spoilt for choice:

You can book speciality restaurants via the cruise ship’s app – or just go along to the restaurant and make a reservation.

I normally like to go along to one of the main, included restaurants on my first night, so that I can get a feel for the ship and what it has to offer.

Don’t worry that you need to “dress up” for dinner. It won’t be a formal or “dress to impress” night. Many people won’t have received their suitcases, so cruise lines don’t hold them on the first night.

Evening Entertainment

Check the cruise lines App or the paper daily schedule that will be delivered to your room daily to find out what entertainment is on offer.

You may want to go to the theatre to see a show, watch some live music in one of the many bars onboard, go to the casino, or take part in Trivia in the pub.

Relax!

It’s time to relax. Once you are onboard, all the worry of the journey to the port, check-in, and security is over.

It will feel like the destinations come to you. You just need to sit back and enjoy the journey!

Unwind and get a good night’s sleep – ready for all the new adventures that tomorrow will bring.

If you are very tired after the journey, why not treat yourself and order room service?

Before You Go

You may worry that you will feel the ship moving – or get seasick onboard. Find out what movement you are likely to feel in the article below:

Can You Feel The Cruise Ship Moving When Onboard? 

You don’t need to buy the ships WiFi to use the cruiselines App. Find out why here:

You Don’t Need to Pay For Wi-Fi To Use a Cruise Line App – Here’s Why