It’s finally arrived—embarkation day. You’ve been waiting, planning, saving, and counting down the days. And now, you’re en route to the cruise ship terminal. Your excitement is off the nautical charts as you dream of sun-soaked days in exotic destinations sipping tropical cocktails.
But before diving into the fun, there are a few dos and don’ts to ensure plain sailing on embarkation day. From cruising through the check-in process to snagging the best sailaway spot and grabbing first-day discounts, there are a ton of cruise hacks to make your first cruise day onboard stress-free.
After spending years cruising and picking tips from personal experiences and fellow passengers, I know what can make or break embarkation day. Trust me—you don’t want to make common mistakes first-time cruisers make that will sink your cruise dreams faster than the anchor dropping in port. Ready to sail through embarkation day like a seasoned cruiser? Keep reading.
Embarkation Day Cruise Dos to Start Your Trip Right
Getting embarkation day right is crucial because it sets the tone for your entire cruise. I’ve found that some simple things can make a massive difference to the day. From getting through the cruise terminal and check-in or reaching your cabin and enjoying your first meal onboard, you can make embarkation day stress-free.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned pro, let me share my top must-dos for the perfect start to your cruise vacation.
Explore your embarkation port if you arrive the night before
Savvy cruisers arrive the day before embarkation day. Not only does your vacation start a day earlier, but you can explore the port city. I’ve also discovered the hard way that it minimizes the risk of missing the ship’s departure. Once, my plane was delayed, and I got to the gangway with minutes to spare. Never again. I always give myself extra time on embarkation day.
Have required documents ready for easy access, including paper copies
Make sure you have your documents ready and easily accessible—trust me, digging through your bag at check-in isn’t fun. Keep your passport, boarding pass, and any necessary paper copies handy. “But I have it on my phone,” you say. Phones die. Paper doesn’t. Consider it your insurance policy for smooth boarding!
Top cruise tip: download the cruise line app and check in online the day before embarkation. This lets you glide through the terminal like a ship in calm waters.
Freshen up at the terminal and take a few photos before boarding
At the terminal, take some time to freshen up in the restroom. I’ve found this advice really helps ease the stress of the boarding process. Also, before the rush starts, take your time to get a few snaps of the ship to capture the excitement before boarding. You’ll now feel your cruise vacation mode has been cranked up to full.
Drop off luggage with porters and pack essential items in your carry-on
When you arrive at the terminal, hand off your large luggage to the porters—they’re pros at getting your bags to your cabin. This is also a security precaution to scan your luggage for any banned items. Ensure luggage tags have your name, cabin number, sail day, and ship name.
Be sure to pack cruise essentials in your carry-on bag. This should include travel documents, essential medication, electronic gadgets, mobile devices, and chargers. One of the best packing hacks for a cruise I discovered was to take a change of clothing and swimwear. This way, I can change in my cabin and head to the pool before my luggage arrives.
Trust me, waiting around in jeans while your luggage still hasn’t arrived isn’t fun when everyone else is already poolside sipping cocktails.
Bring wine, soda, and bottled water (check cruise line policies)
Remember, many cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine, sodas, beers, or bottled water onboard. Believe me, you’ll save a small fortune in onboard credit if you can bring your favorite drinks onboard. Just remember, hard liquor is a banned item in luggage. Check the cruise line policy about specific limits of beer and wine you can bring onboard.
Finish the muster drill early to avoid later reminders
I like to get the muster drill out of the way as soon as I board. All cruise passengers must watch the safety video and check in to their assigned muster station. So why not get it out of the way ASAP? The last thing you want are reminders over the loudspeakers when you’re already relaxing.
Once you complete the muster drill, it’s smooth sailing from there. No more interruptions—just you, the pool, and a cocktail.
Take seasickness medication early, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness
Are you prone to motion sickness? If so, take your seasickness meds before the ship leaves port. One cruise passenger said, “I forgot to take my motion sickness medication until it was too late. I felt queasy the whole day, which spoiled my first day on board.”
Avoid the main buffet and find a quieter place for lunch
Here’s a top hack from seasoned cruisers: skip the buffet on embarkation day—it’s always crowded. It seems half of the cruise ship passengers make a beeline for it after boarding. One cruiser told me, “Avoid the buffet at all costs on the first day, it’s a madhouse.”
The best embarkation day advice I got was this: Find somewhere less hectic for lunch or dinner—it’s worth it for a relaxed start. Quieter places onboard are the alternative dining options. Check out the main dining room or snag a tremendous first-day discount in a specialty restaurant. You’ll score better food with a little more peace and quiet.
Make reservations if you haven’t already done so
Cruise experts always advise booking shows, dining venues, and excursions as soon as possible. Leaving until embarkation day usually means missing out on the best activities. However, if you haven’t yet done so, book them as soon as boarding—the spots fill up quickly.
One cruiser lamented, “I didn’t book early enough and ended up with a 9 p.m. dinner. I also didn’t get the shore excursion I was hoping for.” Don’t let that happen to you—so make bookings as early as possible, preferably well before embarkation day.
Meet your cabin steward and make any requests
Make sure to meet your cabin steward soon after you board. Remember, cabin attendants are more than housekeepers—they’re your go-to for everything. In my experience, getting to know staff goes a long way to making your cruise more enjoyable. The first day on board is also the best time to make special requests—extra pillows, rearranging the beds, or emptying the mini-bar. Whatever you need to feel comfortable.
One cruiser told me, “I always ask for ice, and they never forget to keep my bucket full the whole trip.” Some seasoned travelers suggest bringing a small gift at the start or leaving a tip in advance. This cruise hack usually guarantees top-notch service for the entire voyage.
Take time to unpack and organize your cabin
Once your luggage arrives, unpack it and organize your cabin. Cruise ship cabins are compact, and living out of a suitcase for the voyage can be a nightmare. Trust me, taking just a few minutes to settle in makes all the difference. I usually put packing cubes directly in closets and drawers and hang up clothes. Then, stow bags under the bed.
It’s also time to arrange my magnetic hooks, hang a couple of pictures in magnetic frames, and set up a small charging station. With a little effort, you can create a home-from-home space on the cruise ship. It’s a relaxing feeling not tripping over stuff the entire vacation.
Tour the ship to get familiar with it and admire the atrium
Once settled, stroll around the ship to get familiar with its facilities. Check out the locations of the dining venues, entertainment, lounges, and bars. Let’s face it—modern cruise ships are enormous, like floating luxury resorts, and familiarizing yourself with the layout saves getting lost later.
Don’t forget to stop by the atrium and stand in awe. You may see spectacular chandeliers or artwork or catch live music. It’s also a favorite location for sailaway parties on some cruise lines.
Take time to relax and enjoy some downtime
After touring the ship and unpacking, it’s time to let the vacation begin for real. Whether you want to lounge by the pool, grab a drink, or simply chill on your balcony, this is your time to relax. Embarkation day can be a whirlwind, but taking a moment to unwind lets you soak in the excitement.
Remember—you’re on vacation. So don’t rush; leave your stresses, cares, and worries onshore.
Take a tour of the spa facilities and possibly sign up for treatments or fitness classes
Many experienced cruisers suggest heading to the spa on embarkation day. You can usually pick up some freebies, first-day deals, or even a complimentary facial massage. Of course, these cruise ship money-grabbing tricks are designed to get you to sign up for more expensive treatments later. Some say it’s a peaceful way to unwind while others are exploring the ship.
Find a great sailaway spot to enjoy the views
Before the ship ups anchor and sets sail, scout out a great spot on deck for the departure. There’s nothing more exciting than watching the shore disappear into the horizon. Whether it’s your balcony, the top deck, or a cozy nook by the railing, pick a spot to awe at the sun setting as you head out to sea. For me, it’s the best part of embarkation day.
Alternatively, attend the sailaway party to enjoy one of the most festive occasions onboard. It’s usually held on the top deck or atrium, and you can enjoy dancing, live music, and a lively cruise party. Why not celebrate your vacation by kicking it off with a bang?
Check out the ship’s daily program to prepare for evening activities
Remember to check out the ship’s daily program and the app upon embarkation. If you prefer, you can ask your cabin steward for a printed version. The program is packed with information about onboard evening activities, shows, and special events. With so much happening on the ship, it’s easy to miss popular Broadway-style shows, themed parties, or other activities.
Call your cabin steward if your luggage hasn’t arrived by departure time
Cruise lines don’t tell you how long it can take for luggage to arrive at your cabin. If your luggage isn’t there by departure, give your cabin steward a call. They’re usually in the know about where your bags are and can often help track them down.
Don’t stress—sometimes luggage gets delayed during the boarding rush, but it’s typically sorted out quickly. Plus, your steward is there to assist, so don’t hesitate to ask for an update or help. I read on one cruise forum that a couple waited until midnight for their bags to be delivered. However, that’s rare.
Pause and look at safety instructions on the back of your cabin door, and ensure life jackets are available
Another must-do on embarkation day is to review the safety instructions. Take a moment to study the ship layout and emergency exit routes posted on the back of your door. Also, double-check that the life jackets are in place and fit children if they’re traveling with you.
Embarkation Day Cruise Don’ts: Avoid These Common Pitfalls
To avoid feeling the embarkation day is like sailing in stormy waters, here are 12 things to avoid on your first day.
Don’t fly on the same day as your cruise
Flying in on cruise day? Big mistake! Flights get delayed, and cruises don’t wait. I once met a couple who missed their ship because of a flight issue. “Never again!” they told me. Always plan to arrive at least a day early, it’s worth the peace of mind.
Don’t assume embarkation day drinks are free
Be careful of the welcome drinks staff offer on embarkation day. They appear to be “complimentary” cocktails, but they’ll get charged to your final bill. So, you’ll be shocked to discover the margarita costs $12 with gratuities slapped on top. Unless you have a drinks package, expect to pay for all sodas, alcoholic drinks, specialty teas and coffees.
Don’t arrive at the pier too early if staggered boarding times are assigned
Showing up early might sound smart, but you’ll just be waiting around if staggered boarding times are in place. Once, I got to the pier hours before my slot and was stuck in a hot terminal for ages. Stick to your scheduled time for a smoother start.
Top cruise tip: Explore online check-in options or expedited boarding to streamline the embarkation process.
Don’t forget to check for room upgrades—you might get last-minute deals
Many experienced cruises don’t forget to ask about room upgrades. Last-minute cancellations mean you could snag a better room at a discount. A cruiser once told me they got a suite upgrade for half the price just by asking at Guest Services. You never know until you try.
However, it’s probably best to check later in the day or on the second day of your cruise when the commotion at Guest Services quietens.
Don’t go to Guest Services on embarkation day unless necessary
Guest Services on embarkation day is like standing in line on Black Friday—slow, frustrating, and chaotic. If it’s not urgent, skip it and return later. I once wasted an hour sorting out a non-urgent issue that could’ve waited until the following day. Lesson learned: avoid the chaos.
Don’t forget to switch phone to airplane mode
Rookie mistake—forgetting to put your cellphone on airplane mode when the ship leaves port. Ensure the WiFi and flight mode are on unless you like surprise roaming charges that make your cruise fare seem cheap. I was shocked to read that some cruisers rack up bills of thousands of dollars for roaming charges. One family got a $14,000 bill for roaming charges for using half a gigabyte of data!
Don’t try to take prohibited items on board
Think sneaking a bottle of whiskey or a drone on board is a cool idea? Think again! Cruise security is strict, and anything breaking their rules will be confiscated until the trip ends. I’ve seen passengers surprised at what’s allowed on planes but banned on ships. Stick to the rules to avoid the hassle of losing your stuff for the whole cruise.
Don’t forget to bring small bills for personal tips
Don’t forget to bring small bills for tipping crew members on embarkation day and beyond. Tipping the porters and other helpful staff goes a long way. A cruiser once shared that they felt awkward fumbling for change when a simple $5 bill could’ve made a difference.
Don’t try to do everything on the first day—pace yourself
Don’t forget that embarkation day can be exhausting, so ensure you don’t burn out on day one. By all means, plan a few activities. But don’t forget to include some downtime. “I learned the hard way. I was exhausted and nearly fell asleep at the dinner table,” one cruiser told me. Spread activities out—you’ve got a whole week or more to enjoy them.
Don’t forget to sanitize your hands frequently
Cruise ships are known for spreading germs, and embarkation day can be a super-spreader event. Keep sanitizer handy and use it often. A seasoned cruiser once told me, “Sanitize like your cruise depends on it—because it does.” No one wants to be sick on vacation.
Don’t overindulge at the buffet on your first day
Buffets are tempting, but pace yourself, especially on your first day. I’ve seen people pile their plates like there’s no tomorrow, only to regret it later. One fellow passenger told me he spent his first night feeling sick after overdoing it. Start light—the food isn’t going anywhere.
Don’t expect to go right to your cabin
Eager to settle in? Don’t be surprised if your cabin isn’t ready immediately, especially if you board the cruise ship early. The crew needs time to turn things over from the last guests, so take this chance to explore the ship instead. I’ve learned to pack a day bag with cruise essentials and enjoy the facilities while waiting.
My Thoughts: Set Sail Smoothly for a Memorable Vacation
These simple dos and don’ts ensure embarkation day is as effortless as a ship cutting through calm waters. From breezing through check-in to meeting cabin stewards, dining in quieter spots, and touring the ship, you’ll set sail with less stress and more excitement. With these tips, your first day on board can feel just as fun and memorable as the days ahead, setting the perfect tone for your vacation.
Just be sure to watch out for cruise rip-offs that could drain your wallet, and pack smarter by learning what seasoned cruisers leave behind. Stay aware of new tourist scams targeting cruise travelers, so you can stay informed, stay savvy, and enjoy the smooth sailing you deserve.
