Liberty: Where to wait after embarking

Getting ready for my first Carnival cruise.... 3-day out of PC. Any suggestions on where to hang out after boarding before we can get in our rooms. While getting something to eat is nice, my main priority is finding a nice place where we don't have to fight for same. I *don't* want the typical cruise (1) wait in line to get into the buffet, (2) get food and then wander around looking for place to sit.. dance.

Any suggestions welcome. Will the pools/hot tubs be open if we come dressed to swim? And other fun places to go? All suggestions welcome... thanks!

Main deck, plenty of seating around the casino (deck 4 I think). Over 18 serenity deck. The Lido is the obvious place but there are plenty of areas all around to sit. Deck 10 above the buffet is sometimes empty and a good place to hang out especially in the beginning when a lot of people don't realize it's there.

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It totally depends what time you get ON the ship. We are always early, so in Group 2-4 area, and get on the ship straight up to Lido. Lines are already forming, but you can get food and seat still. I would hate to be those who are in later groups for that reason. We always eat, then leave to tour the ship top to bottom. By then the rooms are usually ready.

Deck 10, the BBQ Station area of the Lido Restaurant seems to have plenty of tables/seats that go unused and can be entered from the outside deck, avoiding the Lido Restaurant crowds. I agree that the seating area around the Casino is good. Plus, once on the ship, go through the crowds around the Atrium Bar and I found seats available while I read the Fun Times for the day and got my bearings. Then, I headed for Deck 10.