Embarkation in Seattle

[Elise17]

We've never been on a cruise before, so I'm not at all sure what to expect the day of our cruise. The departure time is 4pm; we are planning to arrive at the pier (port???) between 12:30 and 1 - is that OK?

I know we need our passports and cruise documents, but what happens when we get to the port? How will we know where to go? Is there a certain order in which things happen?

What do we do between the time we get on the ship and 4pm? Can we go to our cabin? Are the pools open? Is lunch available or should we eat before we get there?

We want to carry on some soda. Do we just add a printed luggage tag to the case and hand it over with our checked baggage?

Thank you for helping this newbie.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We've never been on a cruise before, so I'm not at all sure what to expect the day of our cruise. The departure time is 4pm; we are planning to arrive at the pier (port???) between 12:30 and 1 - is that OK? Yes -- we usually get to the pier around 11 am

I know we need our passports and cruise documents, but what happens when we get to the port? How will we know where to go? Is there a certain order in which things happen? after you turn over your luggage to the porters -- there will be people there directing you to which line you should get into

What do we do between the time we get on the ship and 4pm? Can we go to our cabin? Are the pools open? Is lunch available or should we eat before we get there? there is a buffet lunch in the lido which starts at 11:30 in the lido -- once on the ship you can go directly to your cabin

some times the pools are open -- sometimes they are closed
you can also tour the ship and get acquainted with it

lifeboat drill is at 3:15 for a 4 Pm sailing -- there will be instructions on the cabin tv telling you what to do and where to go

We want to carry on some soda. Do we just add a printed luggage tag to the case and hand it over with our checked baggage?

Thank you for helping this newbie.

I would carry the soda onto the ship

enjoy your first cruise

[jtl513]

Got some jitters, do ya? :) Relax, you'll be "guided" every step of the way. You turn over you bags to a porter (most people tip a buck or two per bag) and go inside to check in. The early birds who were waiting at 11:00 will be cleared out by 12:30 - 1:00. They'll take your picture and give you your key cards and a map of the ship.

You should be able to walk right on the ship by that time. Go to your cabin to drop your carry-ons and then head to the Lido for lunch. After lunch we just explore the ship a bit, and make any specialty restaurant (Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto) reservations that we want. If you want to make any changes to your Dining Room assignment (shown on your key card) that's a good time to do it. Also if you want to sign up for a cooking class, do it then. If you want sign up to use the internet that's a good time, because you get "bonus minutes" if you sign up for a block of time (instead of by-the-minute) on the first day.

Then we go back to the cabin to wait for our bags to arrive for unpacking. While waiting check the pile of "mail" that will be there, particularly that any excursion or pre-booked reservations are there, and then look over the daily Explorer to see if there's anything that interests us, what the show is for the night, etc. About 45 minutes before your sailing time you will be required to attend a lifeboat muster drill, and after that it's time to grab a pre-dinner glass of wine in a bar or your cabin and start getting ready for dinner.

If you have more soda than you care to carry on you can send it to your cabin by sticking a luggage tag on it. Pools should be open by the time you get on.

Have fun! :)

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

KK has answered all your questions but I wanted to add that embarkation (and debarkation as well) in Seattle has always gonevery smoothly for us.
There are lots of people to help at all points of the process so relax and enjoy your cruise.

[Elise17]

Thank you! I feel much better now. I'm a planner at heart, and knowing what to expect puts my mind at ease.

I am SO looking forward to this trip. We all are. It's been fun reading about the ports and possible excursions, slowly buying clothing and items to pack, and just reading about the ship. I can't wait!

[Sandi3667]

Thank you for posting this, and to everyone for their great answers. Think I'm going to print this thread for my non forum-addict friends. :D

We're also on the 5/22 Oosterdam sailing, and it will be the first cruise for the 4 of us. We'll be the ones with lost looks on our faces.