Once you have gone through the check-in process and boarded your ship, plan on wandering the decks to find what there is and where it is located.  You should have gotten a basic deck plan during the check-in process, but if not find guest services. Guest services is usually located mid-ship somewhere central. That is most likely where you can find a deck plan and a listing of cruise on-board activities for your first day.  Also, most ships these days have some type of interactive ship menu boards that you can use to help you find your way around.

The day you board the ship is what the cruise lines call Day 1.  So if you are on a seven day cruise, then it is Day 1 of 7. So be prepared to dive right into your cruising experience.  Don’t wait to look around until after you can get into your cabin or your suitcases arrive and are unpacked. Begin your cruise by looking around and finding places on board you might want to spend more time in or things you want to investigate.

Many experienced cruisers take a small bag on board with them that has their swimsuit, book, change of clothes, or whatever else that might help them get into cruising mode on Day 1.  Sure you have to lug that bag around with you, but that is only until you can get into your cabin to leave it there. Of course, if you use one of the public restrooms or spa restrooms to change (yes, you can use many of the spa facilities on most ships even if you are not there for a treatment) into your swimsuit, then you can keep the bag with you on your pool lounge chair.  Or if your idea of fun is to have a welcome aboard drink, that bag can be near your bar chair.

For my first moments on board, I like to find a cozy bar or the highest bar with a view to have a welcome – I’m cruising – drink.  Then after that relaxing bit, I either go explore the ship or go to lunch. Keep in mind that most cruisers when they first come on the ship head straight for the buffet lunch spot so it’s usually pretty busy there.  It’s why I recommend exploring the ship first, having a first I’m on vacation on a ship drink, or taking a swim before eating. After you have done that, usually the cabins are open and people start leaving the buffet to go get into their cabins.  Keep in mind, the lunch buffet does not run out of food on the first day and your cabin will still be there when you are ready.                    

In your cabin, at check-in, or at guest services you will get a daily listing of shipboard activities, restaurants and bars open hours, evening shows, sail away time, and all kinds of other shopping or buy this or that offerings.  Take a moment to run through what the ship is offering and see if anything interests you.

If you are sailing with children, check out the youth program services and register your children there.  Some kids really like the youth places and programs and some don’t. If your child is registered, the child can use it if they want to or if you want them to try it.

Some activities that can be fun and are often offered the first day on board are: trivia contests (try it alone or see if you can do it with others to make a team); learn how to play casino games; watch a movie pool-side or in the ship’s theater; check out the shops on board as they usually are running specials and some free drinks; dancing by the pool or in one of the clubs; and piano bar or pub type entertainment.  Evening entertainment usually includes a Captains Welcome with free champagne, a game show or two, karaoke, first evening welcome show, and later in the evening an adult comedy show.

As the cruise progresses, you will get a daily listing of things to do or see each evening that will tell you what is up for the following day.  Take a highlighter with you on the cruise so you can mark the listing up by highlighting the things you might want to do. Remember, the ship offers a lot to do and tries to provide some types of activities for everyone every day.  You can’t do it all and shouldn’t try, but you should try at least one thing new to you every day. Make it an adventure; after all, if you try something and don’t find it fun - leave and go do something else.

Check out the ship’s gym.  Most ships have full service gyms with every type of machine you can think of available.  Some ships have them located in places with a great view (think treadmill or elliptical use while looking out at the waves); however, some ships don’t provide the view, just the gym.  The gym usually also has an exercise floor where some classes take place. Note, if you see an activity listed with a $ sign beside it, that means there is a charge for it. Try to avoid those and find something that you want to do, but does not cost money.  Many classes in the ship’s gym are free, but some like yoga or spin can have a cost.

If an activity, other than in the gym or spa, has a charge to attend, that will be noted in the day’s listing ($).  Of course, drinks will cost you as will specialty dining, your shore excursions, special cooking classes, or spa treatments.  Otherwise, you should assume an activity is free. Another thing that is free on board is finding great places to walk or sit and view the sea.  At least one upper deck will have a walking track (you may have to dodge around those getting sun on the loungers if you try the track later in the day) and some lower deck will have an enclosed (over your head) deck with open sides where you can feel you close to the sea, but out of the sun.  Also, there are usually ping pong tables somewhere, shuffleboard areas (don’t laugh, it can actually be fun in the evening, especially after a drink or two), a basketball court, miniature golf course, and some ships even have a rock climbing wall, a grotto to explore, or an ice skating ring.

Most ships will have at least one pool, but most often there will be two or more along with a children’s water play area.  Try each one out and see which one you like the most. Use it and enjoy it. There is usually at least one pool open late or all night along with a hot tub to enjoy at all hours.

Remember, it’s your cruise.  You can be as active as you want to be – or not, so do it your way.  Just remember you don’t have to do something all the time. There are so many activities to choose from on board, it can be tempting to do too much.  Try to stop and smell the sea from time to time.