Embark Like a Boss!

Our first cruise was pretty much perfect. We loved the cruise line and ship we picked, got a fantastic price and an amazing stateroom, had spectacular weather and breathtaking scenery, and were spoiled by delicious food and an incredible crew.

We absolutely felt like our research paid off (coupled with some really good luck!) — but there were still some lessons to be learned. Check out our list below for the top five things we didn’t quite nail on Day 1 of our first time on the high seas:

1. Embarkation

Wear layers! It gets HOT in the sea of humanity you’ll likely encounter at the cruise port. Comfy shoes are a must — embarkation usually means a lot of walking (baggage drop, security lines, customs or immigration, boarding lines…).

Give yourself plenty of extra time and plan for any mobility aids you might need.

If it’s in your budget and available with your cruise line, consider upgrading to priority embarkation. It often means earlier boarding, shorter lines, and more comfortable waiting areas (sturdier/wider chairs for the win!).

2. Carry-on Luggage

Pack less! We read a ton of advice about what to put in your carry-on… and we packed way too much. While it’s true your checked luggage might not arrive right away, you’ll be dragging your carry-on through all that embarkation walking — and possibly around the ship while waiting for your cabin to be ready. Do you really want to be juggling a curling iron in the buffet line?

We found we didn’t need about 90% of what we packed in our carry-ons. On future cruises, we kept it simple:
📖 A book
👙 A bathing suit
🔌 Spare phone charger
💵 A little cash

And of course, always include: medications, travel documents, valuables, and your purse or wallet.

3. Day 1 Meals

Speaking of the buffet — make a food plan before you board. Embarkation day is controlled chaos, especially at popular venues. If big crowds aren’t your thing, skip the buffet and look for quieter lunch options.

We also recommend eating in the Main Dining Room (MDR) on your first night. We booked specialty dining for night one — it was delicious, but we felt a bit behind on learning the MDR flow. Especially if you have fixed-time dining, night one is the best time to meet your servers and get comfortable with your table setup.

4. Meet & Greet

Just like your MDR servers, take a few minutes to meet your room stewards early on. Our experience has been that stewards genuinely want to help make your vacation smooth, fun, and accessible.

Day one is the time to ask for anything that will make your stay more comfortable — like fans, mattress toppers, extension cords, or plus-size robes (not all lines have them, but many do if you ask!).

💡 Tip: If you need distilled water for a CPAP, contact the cruise line a few weeks before sailing. Most can provide it with advance notice.

5. Be Flexible

Above all else — stay flexible. Day one can be a lot:
✈️ You’ve probably had a long travel day
🧹 The crew’s been flipping the ship between two full loads of passengers
🛳️ Boarding times can change, lines might be long, rooms might not be ready right away

Take a breath, grab a treat, find a cozy seat, and remind yourself — you’re on vacation!