Heidi BucoloEmbarkation day is one of the most exciting parts of any cruise vacation. After months of planning and anticipation, you’re finally walking up that gangway and stepping onto your floating resort. But with all that excitement comes a bit of chaos, and knowing what to do first on a cruise can make the difference between starting your vacation stressed or starting it relaxed and ready to enjoy.
Most experienced cruisers have a similar game plan when they first board. Over the years, certain patterns have emerged as the “standard” embarkation day routine. But honestly — after a 100+ cruises, there are a couple things we always skip. So, we’re breaking down the seven things most cruisers do as soon as they board a cruise ship but the two that we recommend you skip.
1. Attend the Muster Drill
The muster drill, also known as the mandatory safety drill, is non-negotiable. Every single passenger must participate before the ship can leave port, so there’s no skipping this one even if you wanted to.
In the past, muster drills meant crowding into designated assembly stations with hundreds of other passengers, often while wearing life jackets in a hot, cramped space. It wasn’t anyone’s favorite part of embarkation day.
However, many cruise lines have modernized this process. Many now offer “e-muster” or virtual muster drills where you watch a safety video on your stateroom TV or via the cruise app, then check in at your muster station briefly to confirm attendance. This streamlined process takes maybe 10-15 minutes total instead of 30-45 minutes.
The muster drill typically happens within the first few hours of boarding, and you’ll receive notification about when and where to go (or what to watch). Don’t try to be clever and skip it. The crew will track you down, and you don’t want to be that person holding up the entire ship’s departure.
2. Get a Drink
There’s something undeniably satisfying about that first drink on a cruise ship. Whether it’s a frozen daiquiri by the pool, a glass of champagne, or just a cold beer, grabbing a beverage is often the very first thing cruisers do after boarding. And honestly? This is a tradition worth keeping.
That first drink signals that vacation has officially begun. It’s a ritual that helps you transition from travel mode to relaxation mode. Plus, if you’ve purchased a drink package, your embarkation day beverages are practically free (in cruise math, anyway)!
The Lido deck bars are usually open and ready for thirsty guests. Some ships even have welcome cocktails or champagne available as soon as you pass security.
Our advice: Go ahead and get that drink. Find a spot with a view, take a deep breath, and let yourself feel that vacation excitement. You’ve earned it. Just pace yourself—you have a whole week ahead!
3. Make Remaining Reservations
If you haven’t already booked everything pre-cruise, deciding what to do first on a cruise includes securing any remaining reservations before they fill up. Most cruisers know this and head to guest services, use the app, or visit the various venues to book what they need.
What you’ll typically need to book:
Specialty Dining: If you want to try the steakhouse, Italian restaurant, or any other specialty venue, book it now. Prime dinner times go quickly, especially on sea days.
Spa Treatments: The spa often offers embarkation day specials with discounted rates. Even if you don’t take advantage of these deals, booking your preferred treatments now ensures you get your ideal day and time.
Shore Excursions: While you should ideally book shore excursions before the cruise, if you’re still deciding or if new availability has opened up, check the shore excursion desk or app.
Shows and Entertainment: Some cruise lines require reservations for certain shows, comedy performances, or specialty entertainment. These can book up fast, so secure your reservations within the first few hours after boarding your cruise ship.
4. Hit the Buffet (SKIP THIS ONE!)
Here’s our first suggestion to buck the trend: skip the embarkation day buffet. Yes, we said it!
The buffet on embarkation day is often chaos. Picture this: 3,000+ passengers who just boarded the ship, they’re hungry, they’re excited, and they all have the exact same idea at the exact same time. The result? Impossibly long lines, zero available tables, people hovering over your shoulder waiting for your seat, and a generally stressful experience that’s the opposite of a relaxing vacation start.
We get why everyone heads there. The buffet is familiar, it’s casual, it offers variety, and it’s usually the most obvious dining option. But there are so many better alternatives.
Instead of the buffet, try these options:
The Main Dining Room: Some cruise lines open their main dining room for embarkation day lunch, and it’s shockingly underutilized. Here you get table service, a calmer atmosphere, and the chance to actually sit down and relax.
Other Casual Venues: Most ships have other casual venues like the pizzeria, burger joint, or taco bar open on embarkation day. These spots typically have much shorter lines than the main buffet.
Wait It Out: The buffet madness typically calms down significantly later in the afternoon. If you can hold off with a snack or that drink we mentioned earlier, you’ll have a much better experience with shorter lines and available seating. Just don’t wait too long, as all venues typically shut down before the mandatory safety drill.
5. Explore the Ship
One of the smartest things to do when you board a cruise ship is exploring while it’s relatively calm and before your luggage arrives. It’s crucial to getting your bearings, finding out where everything is located, and discovering spots you want to return to later.
What to scout during your exploration:
The Pool Deck: Check out the various pools, hot tubs, and lounging areas. Note which spots get the most sun, where the shaded areas are, and locate those hidden gem seating areas that most passengers overlook.
Quiet Zones: Find the adult-only areas (if your ship has them) or tucked-away deck spaces perfect for peaceful relaxation. These spots fill up quickly later in the cruise, so knowing where they are gives you an advantage.
Bars and Lounges: Scope out the various bars so you know where to find your favorite atmosphere and drinks later. Some ships have a dozen or more different bars, each with its own vibe.
Entertainment Venues: Locate the theater, comedy club, music venues, and other entertainment spaces so you’re not scrambling to find them before show time.
Dining Options: Walk past all the various restaurants—both complimentary and specialty—so you know what’s available.
6. Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode
This is a smart move that experienced cruisers sometimes learned the hard way. Most passengers now know to put their phones in airplane mode as soon as they board to avoid international roaming charges or the ship’s cellular network charges.
Once you’re in airplane mode, you can still connect to the ship’s WiFi if you’ve purchased an internet package while avoiding any surprise charges. In fact, even if you haven’t purchased a WiFi package, you can still access the ship’s app by turning on airplane mode and WiFi on your phone.
Make sure to warn family members or anyone who might need to reach you in an emergency that you’ll be unavailable via regular calling/texting unless you’re using WiFi calling or other messaging apps.
If you’re traveling with others, consider using the ship’s messaging app to stay in touch around the vessel without racking up charges. If you all have a WiFi package, you can also connect via iMessage or WhatsApp.
7. Head Straight to Your Cabin (SKIP THIS ONE!)
Our second recommendation to skip: don’t rush to your cabin as soon as you board your cruise ship.
Many passengers have this instinct to immediately find their stateroom, drop their bags, start unpacking, and get settled. While this feels productive and organized, it’s actually one of the least efficient uses of your embarkation day time.
Here’s why heading to your cabin right away doesn’t make sense:
Your cabin might not be ready yet. While cruise lines typically promise cabins will be ready by a certain time (often 1:30 or 2 PM), you might board as early as 11 AM or noon. If you head straight to your cabin, you might find yourself standing in a hallway waiting or arriving at a room that hasn’t been cleaned yet.
Your luggage isn’t there yet anyway. The ship’s crew needs time to deliver luggage to thousands of staterooms. Your bags might not arrive for several hours after you board.
You’re wasting prime exploration time. Those first couple hours after boarding are when the ship is at its calmest, so use this time to explore with fewer crowds.
You’ll have plenty of cabin time later. Your stateroom will be your home base for the entire cruise. You’ll spend every night there and have countless opportunities to organize your belongings. There’s no rush to set up camp immediately.
Better embarkation day strategy:
Drop your carry-on bags in the cabin if it’s ready, then leave to explore, eat, grab a drink, and handle reservations. Your key card will work as soon as you board, so you can pop in and out of your cabin as needed.
When your luggage arrives, you can unpack. We generally recommend using the time between sail-away and dinner to get your room organized for the cruise.
Making the Most of Your First Hours Onboard
The key to a great embarkation day is understanding that it’s not just about checking off a to-do list—it’s about starting your vacation on the right foot. When you’re thinking about what to do first on a cruise, prioritize experiences that help you relax rather than those that add unnecessary stress.
Skip the chaotic buffet; instead, grab a drink and leisurely explore your home for the next week. After all, your cruise doesn’t really begin when you board the ship—it begins when you take that first sip of your vacation drink and feel the ocean breeze.
By making smart choices during those critical first hours, you’ll set the tone for an amazing week at sea.
Comments
Do you agree with this list of things to do when you board a cruise ship? Which of these do you typically skip? Drop us an anchor below to share your recommendations for what to do first on a cruise.
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