1st things to do as soon as you board?

[DISNEY GIRL]

This will be our 2nd HA cruise on the Zuiderdam in February, just wondered what are the first things folks do when they board the ship, apart from heading for lunch, ie

1. If you are on As you Wish dining, can you make dinner reservations for every night.

2. Is there a free galley tour?

3. Any special lectures, etc

Thanks
Sandy

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you have the Open Seating dining option -- you can make reservations for about 2 or 3 nights at a time for times between 5:15 - 6:15 and 7:30 - 9 - these times vary a little by ship. And you can request any size of table.

The first things that we do when we get on the ship is to introduce ourselves to the concierges in the Neptune Lounge. Because it is usually busy there we don't bother them with little things like checking to make certain that our prebooked dinner reservations for the Pinnacle are in place.

Now that HAL allows passengers to go to their cabins -- we go and drop off our carryons -- check prebooked shore excursions.

Then we make reservations for Canaletto since you can not prebook that restaurant.

The free kitchen / galley tour is usually on the first sea morning.

You might have a special lecturer for the Partial Panama part of your cruise.

[kazu]

Along with KK's list -

If I pre-ordered anything, I make sure all the deliveries are there (shore excursions, beverage cards, whatever) and dump my confirmations in recycling.

If you are interested in the ship's tour - day one is a good day to inquire to reserve.

As well, if you want internet, day one is a good time to sign up as they sell extra minutes.

If you are interested in the Spa, definitely check it out the first day - they normally offer sales for hydrotherapy + thermal.

[Two@Sea]

As I have mentioned previously, the very first thing I do as I step onto the ship is offer a silent prayer of thanks for our cruise, and ask for the safety of all the crew and passengers during our journey. Due to recent events, it will become even more meaningful.

We haven't cruised since the change to having immediate access to the cabins, but I imagine the second thing we will still do is head toward the food... !!! :o

[flashopper]

I unpack and get our stuff put away then sit on the balcony and take a deep breath and calm down.

[billyelliot]

1 Cheer! And maybe a silent prayer, for recent events.
2 Go check out our cabin!
3 See where we are sat in the main dinning room
4 Eat........
5 Do a tour of the ship if we've not been on her before

Bring it on..........

[tcook052]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1554963&highlight=spa+thermal

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1096019&highlight=first+thing+board

[Alberta Quilter]

In addition to what others have said, I reserve my spots for cooking classes and/or the $150 Behind the Scene ship's tour. Those often get filled up quickly.

[RuthC]

Head to my cabin, then take a deep breath and try to relax. That whole embarkation process is stressful, and I want to try to calm down.
Then, I unpack my carry-ons and check the paperwork on my desk. Sort it, toss what I don't need, and organize the rest.
Then---off to lunch!

[airlink diva]

After stepping on board and ship, I get a big smile on my face because my cruise is finally here :D:D!
I like to drop my items in my cabin and check for my pre order items are there, if I see my cabin steward, I greet them and then head on.
There's often a mini ship tour offered on the first day that gives you a good idea of the layout of the ship. Normally it's after 1 p.m. and last about 30 minutes.
I like to eat in the Lido after 1:00 p.m., by then, it empty and I can get a table by the window and eat a relaxing lunch.
I also love the thermal spa and head up there for a spa pass during my sailing.
After that, just enjoy the ship!

[Laurie S.]

We'll head to our suite to drop off our stuff, go meet the concierge in the Neptune Lounge, go up and get a pass for me to the hydrotherapy pool, and come back and pop the cork on the bottle of champagne our TA gives us. We'll save the other bottle for later. :)

[TWOFERTWO]

I like to eat in the Lido after 1:00 p.m., by then, it empty and I can get a table by the window and eat a relaxing lunch.

I'm just a little perplexed, I don't recall the Lido to be near empty after 1 PM, on embarkation day, I think it is just opposite...IMHP. :)

Anyone else think so? :confused:

[gelo7]

I unpack and get our stuff put away then sit on the balcony and take a deep breath and calm down.Absolutely....

[kazu]

I'm just a little perplexed, I don't recall the Lido to be near empty after 1 PM, on embarkation day, I think it is just opposite...IMHP. :)

Anyone else think so? :confused:

I quite often run up to the Lido to grab a sandwich to bring back to the room around 1:15 and bring it back to the room. I've always found a line up - and it still seems very busy to me :confused:

[BlackJack2]

Lido!

[Sandi3667]

There's often a mini ship tour offered on the first day that gives you a good idea of the layout of the ship. Normally it's after 1 p.m. and last about 30 minutes.
I like to eat in the Lido after 1:00 p.m., by then, it empty and I can get a table by the window and eat a relaxing lunch.


That's exactly what we did on our cruise. The 1 PM tour we took only had 10-15 people on it, so it was easy to hear. Afterwards, we were able to grab a window seat in the Lido, though there were still small lines for the food. We saw the next tour go through as we were eating, and they had at least 30 people on that one. Will definitely do the tour again first next time, unless we're on a Vista class ship again.

[bob brown]

We hit the library to look for interesting books (especially maritime related), before they are gone. Also, we visit the maitre'd to arrange for my mother's low sodium meal for that evening (after dinner each evening, she selects for the next evening). Then I scan the program to see if there is anything not to miss on the first day. After lunch, we unpack, and attend any activities available before the muster drill. After the drill, we head either for the pool area or the Crow's Nest depending on the weather for the sailaway....

[Crew News]

In addition to what others have said, I reserve my spots for cooking classes and/or the $150 Behind the Scene ship's tour. Those often get filled up quickly.

1. Make a right turn and head for the Front Desk. The cooking classes are limited to 12 and I think the ships tour is the same. If you go to your room first, you just might be too late when you try to sign up.

2. While at the Front Desk, get a hole punched in your room card so you can wear it on a lanyard.

3. Drop off carry-on luggage in cabin and search for any announcements/invitations.

4. MDR for the Mariner's lunch.

[woan]

I always check if there are any cooking classes or special dinners to sign up for at the front desk as soon as I get aboard...

Ron

[Saphire]

We go to the maitre d' and then the dining Room to see our table, if we prefer another we ask to be switched. Then to our room to drop off carry-ons and meet our stewards if they are nearby. Then up to the spa to reserve or confirm. Then off to lunch in the MDR. We have always loved meeting people at the table on the first day, everyone is usually so friendly and happy to be cruising. We have closed the place down a few times, such a great way to relax and unwind before setting sail. :)

[Typhoon1]

Make reservations for Specialty restaurants.

[Yodalicious]

Head to the MDR for the marinars lunch! It is the cruise kick off

[janmcn]

Hit the library and check out Best Sellers before others get to it!
Sign up for internet.

[jcrandle]

First thing (as soon as the cabin is available) is to make whoopee. That's also third and fourth, though you didn't ask about that!:D

[World_Citizen]

We head to a bar and order a bucket of beer, which we enjoy while people-watching and looking out over the port ... It's a great moment!

[Amuse Bouche]

We go to the spa for the thermal pass too. Then check the front desk for limited things to sign up for and set up unlimited laundry for our cabins. That is such a God-send! I'm not into having to have 3 different outfits a day for each cruise day, so I'm packing lighter and sending everything out daily. They return them super fast!

[MR NW GUY]

Head to the MDR for the marinars lunch! It is the cruise kick off
Do you know the MDR Dinning hours for lunch on ther first day? Also, any restrictions on who can use the MDR?

[Amuse Bouche]

In my experience, they are open for lunch as soon as boarding begins.

It's for pax who have sailed HAL before. They check you in by cabin number, so they know if you are eligible.

[MR NW GUY]

In my experience, they are open for lunch as soon as boarding begins.

It's for pax who have sailed HAL before. They check you in by cabin number, so they know if you are eligible.
Thanks... I qualify :-)

[Amuse Bouche]

It ROCKS! You won't be disappointed!

We went to the front counter, the spa and our cabin, then to the MDR. There wasn't that many people there, the waiters weren't rushed, and we even ordered extras. Great place to get the first relaxing cocktail too. Early check-in definitely has it's perks!!

[edmusic]

First thing I do is go to my cabin, step out on the balcony, and pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming!

[m steve]

and try to find out what night they serve the Caribbean menu so I can book a specialty restaurant.

[Aruba]

and try to find out what night they serve the Caribbean menu so I can book a specialty restaurant.
Too funny -- we do the exact same thing! ;)

[Aruba]

First thing I do is go to my cabin, step out on the balcony, and pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming!
I do the same...before uttering the same line I use at each sailaway: "There is NOTHING like a cruise!".

(That phrase is engraved on the back of my iPod Nano also...so if I lose it and anyone finds it, you'll know who the nano belongs to. ;) )

[FrankNJ]

First thing (as soon as the cabin is available) is to make whoopee. That's also third and fourth, though you didn't ask about that!:D

You sure you're on the right cruiseline ? ( just kidding )

[patrick65]

I remember years ago, shortly after arriving on board one had to make a mad dash to the shore excursion office, fill out the paper work and stuff the box with your request Now all that is avoided by doing your shore excursions online.

Now we go to our room unpack and go have a nice lunch. Then back to the room for a short rest until time for the life boat drill.