30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise 

I'm a port agent and I have a couple of suggestions to make your check in time at the counter shorter: FIRST: People complain about having to retake the picture when they already downloaded it in the app. There is a guide line to take them the appropriate way: Pictures need to be a close up of the face, so take the picture only from the shoulders up and front face. - It cannot be a cut picture (when you're with somebody else in the original one). - No dark glasses, hats, pets or anything that obstruct some part of your face. - Smile is OK, is a happy picture, you're going on a cruise!. SECOND: Before you get to the counter, have your documents ready in your hands, not in your purse, carry on, or briefcase: Passports (or Birth Certificates and ID) and Set sails for every one in your party. THIRD: Agents usually can check just one room at a time, so make sure that the documents are not all in one person's hands, but they are separate by state rooms because is quicker when different agents check different cabins. I know when you're at the port you just want o get onboard as soon as you can. Happy Cruising!

Based on the thumbnail I think I've got the gist: no vegetables and fruit, just pizza. That's what I was going to do anyway.

Went on my first cruise in the Spring of 2023. I wanted to do all the things that was mentioned here, but by the time I got to my cabin, all I really wanted to do was take a nap, so I did. Throughout the week, I was able to explore the ship, but even just listening to this video is making me tired. I'm a full time working mom and I was without my son on this trip. I took a nap on Embarkation day.

11:17 - That is a rule we followed also. We flew to Miami the afternoon before and stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. And they also had cruise shuttles that picked us up and took us straight to our ship the next day. It really lessens the stress of rushing. Nobody wants a flight delay to cause them to miss the ship

Do the complete muster drill process as soon as possible. It is mandatory by International Maritime Law and is not optional. A fun activity is to randomly go from wherever you are to your lifeboat every day of your cruise. This insures you know where it is and how to get to it, if you ever have to do it for real. You don't have to rush. You can stop along the way. Adds to your physical well being. Or, if cruising with family and friends, you can make a game of it.

Do: pack an extension cord because there is not one by the bed if you have like C-pap machines or something that needs to be near you.

Call every bartender “Isaac”. They love this.

Just wanted to say thank you so much for making these vlogs. I don’t have any family it’s just me for the holidays , which makes it so depressing this time of year. But watching your videos makes me so happy. You’re so fun and down to earth. My favorite vlogger by far.

Exploring your embarkation port is probably the biggest recommendation for me - it always surprises me when people rock up in the city and their holiday doesn't begin until 3pm when they board the ship. I always aim to get out the hotel at the crack of dawn, to add 'day 1' to my holiday, instead of a lazy hotel day! Great video - some really great tips in here!

CONNECT SEPARATE ACCOUNTS VIA CUSTOMER SERVICE BEFORE EMBARKATION. If you booked separately for a family trip (my bro and wife booked, my mom and dad booked, and then I booked same trip, Different accounts) make sure you call and connect yourselves through CS! We were not linked on RC side even though we connected via the app. And would not have been seated together for dinner. All parties must verbally OK the connection, so a conference call of some sort would be helpful.

Even if you have the barcoded boarding pass info on your cell, keep a printout handy just in case.

For me is a no to drop off luggage! I prefer to take it myself, i feel like it’s faster! If you wanna change or take a shower or Settle in you don’t have to wait for your bag to arrive!

When you're in your stateroom check the patio door if you have a balcony check to make sure the TV runs through all the channels pick up the phone to make sure you get a dial tone also check the toilet pushed flush one time to make sure it functions turn on the hot and cold water to make sure you get hot and cold water out of the you know the proper knob same with the shower shut closet doors you know functionality of the cabin

About to go on my first cruise in three days and I'm excited and anxious at the same time.

I'm glad you mentioned the whole thing with cell phones. I used to work for a major cellphone carrier and handled their tech support and international suport calls pre-covid. There was several times where we would have to try and save some poor sap from $2000 phone bills all because they forgot to put their phone on airplane mode or do what i usually recommend because sometimes apps will be sneaky and take out the sim card all together. One guy that a co worker got rang up a $10000 bill because he was using his data on board just as if he were sitting in his own living room. My poor co worker went white as a ghost when he discovered he was going to have to tell that guy some not so great news. He was going to owe almost every penny of it because there's only so much our staff could have done.

Probably the best time to go to the windjammer is that breakfast time and be an early bird in other words I think they open their doors at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning and a lot of cruisers are still sleeping from partying a little too hard the first night so you should be able to to not deal with a bunch of crowds have the freshest choices of food and be able to sit where you want to sit at the windjammer also remember the apps section of the windjammer usually has very good views and it's the least crowded

1. DO NOT allow wait staff to hand you a "souvenir" drink unless you want to spend $15.-$20. Nothing is free on the ship, it will get charged to you.

Great reminders! Thanks for sharing 🛳🛳

Thanks for all the useful tips.

Thank You Matt, for sharing the “Do’s and Don’t’s of Cruising. I am so looking forward to cruising real soon!

Very useful. Thanks for the reminders!

This channel has a great community of fellow cruisers helping out one another in the comments.

My first cruise coming up in a few weeks! Thanks Matt

Having worked on cruise ships I always suggest going to introductions which can be very informative.

Wow, didn't know you can now bring your own water and soda! Just returned from Odyssey of the Seas and I could've saved $20 on purchasing 12- 8oz cans of water provided by RC. Definitely bring your own water/soda.

Thank you, Matt!! One of your very best!

I have been on 9 cruises and honestly I couldn’t come up with one tip lol good job!! Can’t wait for my next cruise I’m hoping for Jan 2023 Cheers and love from Canada 🇨🇦

Thanks fo all the tips. We're embarking on our first cruise in next april (on the MSC Seashore) and it's so cool to get all those advices from experienced cruisers. Our first will only last for 4 days, so every info we can gather before (especially me, my wife and daughter sort of rely on me because... well... cruising is my dream to begin with), every info is welcome so we don't get lost or stressed when we arrive. I wish for them to cheer the experience, so that we will go back in the years to come. So... Thank you again :-)

You should be able to watch and complete the muster checklist in the app while riding the bus or cab to the cruise port. I did it my last cruise and when I got on board I went directly to the muster station where the app was ready for the staff signoff.

As soon as we get on we get the lay of the land on the ship. Then we grab a light lunch and hit the hot tub right away because it’s always less crowded than sea days. Then run to change for dinner!

Spot on! Great job!

I am binging your videos and LOVING it!

Absolutely agree with flying in early!!!!

Just finished my first cruise experience on Spectrum of the Seas. Was great!

Excellent tips, thanks for the video! Long time subscriber. I’m from Orlando too, and I recommend booking a hotel for the night before the cruise if coming from up north to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale cruise ports to alleviate the stress since it takes 3-4 hours drive time. We’ve run into traffic and road work on the highway. One time we literally had to run after parking the car to get to the ship before it left. Yes you can leave earlier but we are always doing last minute things and always seemed to leave a little later then planned. Many hotels offer free parking for cruise guests and some have a free shuttle to cruise port. The extra cost of hotel is offset by the normal cost of cruise port parking, so it’s not like you add much more cost to stay that night. So now I have a rule that when we book a cruise down there we have to get a hotel the night prior.

Watched your vlog several times. As a first time cruiser it has been beneficial. Thanks.

Great tips! We never go to windjammer on day 1. Cafe promenade for us!

Thank You..... All your videos have been very helpful

I have found myself in CruiseTube, and I'm not even planning a cruise. I think I might book one soon though, thanks to these videos. I went on one with my parents in the 90s...I think it might be time to revisit this kind of travel.

Just returned a couple of days ago from a family cruise on Symphony of the Seas. I've taken over twenty cruises, but this was only my second one on RC. You're suggestions make sense and are generally what I do. When I was on Navigator last December there were several announcements made for passengers to complete their muster drills, no issues on Symphony. Several folks, including our party, had issues with the specialty restaurants. They had been given different instructions online and discovered one or more reservations had disappeared. I have a family member who does not drink, so we were delighted by the number of mocktails available. I even tried a few at the Bionic Bar, which were really good. The app was a pain, as I had to continually sign back into the wifi to check messages from my family. I'll be sailing on RC again as everyone had such a great time.

Thanks Matt for tips 👍

Excellent job Matt

This video can be my check list ✅️ for embarkation day.

When my wife and I sailed on the Mardi Gras.we stayed in the Orlando airport. So worth it

A Must to book dinner & entertainment the 1st day. I started my cruise on Wonder of the Seas in Rome in July, but it the cruise actually started in Barcelona. Many reservations were taken already. If I had waited another day, my unlimited dinning pass would not have been worth it.

That's what I do at Baltimore MD and I'm familiar with Baltimore after I got on the ship I had a drink special and then took a tour of the ship had lunch in the Windjammer and then the cabin or stateroom

Thanks so much. Great information.

Helpful ... thank you!

Absolutely Spot On!! Awesome 😎 Job Matt!!! 😍👍🤩

I was surprised that you didn't mention that booking a shore excursion ahead of time guarantees you a slot but if you get on board and decide you no longer want to do it (for whatever reason) you can cancel up to 24 hours (and I've seen that be quite flexible) before the excursion for no penalty. And the money is, I believe, refunded to you as On Board Credit meaning you have more money to enjoy specialty dining, shopping, drinks or pay-to-play activities!

This was very helpful, I am going on my 1st cruise in February and trying to learn as much as possible 🙂 Thank you!

You touched upon it Matt regarding the shore excursions. When we went to Hawaii, we wanted to go see the Waimea Canyon, but no excursions were posted before hand. We checked at the excursion desk after dinner the first day and sure enough RC just made the Waimea Canyon excursion available to book. Will definitely check with RC on board in the future regarding new excursions to book.

I love how people say don't go to guest services but a lot of people do anyway. It's like when people see a "wet paint" sign but they still touch the paint.

This content is beneficial! Thank you.

I loved Cafe 270 for lunch on Quantum

I laughed at the first tip! We usually leave out of Los Angeles, literally a shipping container dock, nothing to explore! :)

We made our Uzumi reservation with the manager at Chops along with the rest of our reservations for our dining package.

My last cruise we forgot to check the fridge was working the first day; took until the afternoon of day two to get a working fridge.

If you want to carry a bit of cash for your destination country, do the exchange before you leave home. It costs heaps to do it on the ship.

I agree about the embarkation drink, but unless you dont care about saving money or you had a stressful trip getting on board and you need one right away to relax, wait a couple hours to have the first one to avoid state and region taxes on alcohol. Knowing these policies would be helpful in international ports of call, but be aware DRINK BILLS SHOULD BE CHEAPER ON INTERNATIONAL WATERS DUE TO LESS TAXING. Don't necessarily refrain completely from a first day embarkation drink but try to wait until you are on the sea. The only possible exceptions to keep in mind for this advice is pre-registered drink packages or if you have a specialized waiver from this problem written in your booking contract with your cruise company. In my experience though, this is golden advice that I wish I knew.

Thank you!

My familly love it ❤❤❤❤

For us: Do ask for the refrigerator to be emptied. We don't want those tiny bottles of not our flavor of liquor, soda & waters. Not there no chance to be charged for something. We take a little treat for out cabin steward (s). A high end chocolate seems to be a favorite .

11:58 An add on, it you have a legitimate problem (example- heat/air doesn't work), or even a question, if at all possible, find someone in that department, and talk to them about it. They are probably more familiar with the situation. Not always, but there tends to be staff in all the areas available to talk to. It is even a good time to meet the staff in the dining room, spa, etc. Moreover, if you have a legitimate complaint about you room, talk to you steward. They are probably already know about that kind of thing, and if it's not something petty, there is a good chance to get an room upgrade for free. It's the number one way to get a free upgrade. But remember: 1) It needs to be legit; 2) You can't be petty; 3) You have to go in not expecting an upgrade. (Bonus: Make a habit of giving the steward a good tip up from, say $100 cash. If you have an issue, they are even more likely to go above and beyond their normal high lever of service. Have some tack though. Don't just do it to get something extra. Do it because these people are getting extremely low pay, but watch what they will do for you!)

Awesome tips

#1 DONT - fly in same day as cruise… I arrived 4days ahead to also visit family in FL and the group chat created by the trip agent/director had a woman frantically trying to catch a flight the night before. There was a BIG storm and allll flights on the east coast were cancelled that night. She couldn’t even fly in early the next morning in time.

I was planning to see the Tampa Aquarium on embarkation, however was unable to drop off luggage as planned because the ship got in late which meant ALL the porters were like 2 hours late, and there was no place to check luggage at the aquarium, you will not be able to keep your carry on wine with you if you plan to keep your backpack with you and you can't leave it in your checked luggage, so you have to check with your planned AM excursion to see if carrying wine in your backpack is cool. It was not at the Aquarium. Also, these venues open LATE, like 10 AM. Other than that it is a good idea to do something on the AM of embarkation day, just be discerning about what you plan to do that morning.

Having my first “getting on board beer” is priority #1 🤪🤪🤪

This is good even if you're not cruising on Royal

Most of the time as a kid and being sent to those cruise day cares. Yeah...I stayed for 30 minutes, found out we were coloring then doing face painting. I just left the group and went to the pool. Much better crowd and I had fun compared to some coloring books XD I was 13,15,16

cant wait to board the pacific encounter to PNG on 7th June this year!!

Casino slots are very loose day 1. Then they tighten up especially as the cruise goes forward.

When my wife and I sailed on the Mardi we do order as much we can in the main dining room

I enjoyed my day at the port in Vancouver. They have boat tours and poutine. What more could you ask for.

thank you for these videos going on our first cruise in aug. what about tips

I loveeee flying in the same day as my cruise, the adrenaline is fun. Ha ha. I only do it when I'm not flying far (a couple hours max) and when I've booked through a travel agent, that way it's their job to sort it out if it goes wrong. If I book it myself or fly far I always stay a night. :-)

I usually bring my suitcase to my room myself. That eliminates dealing with the porters.if my room isn't ready, I just leave the suitcase in front to the door.

Are reservations made in the app, TV, or at the guest service counter? For instance for north star reservation. Where is that made? Thanks for all the tips. I’m saving this to rewatch before I leave for my cruise.

I'm going on my first cruise (and first plane ride for that matter lol) next April. We're going on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise, the Mariner of the Seas cruise ship. Thanks for these helpful videos!

Just got off a cruise at Bahamas🌺😁

You’ve got to be kidding! You have it right! But the buffets are grand!❤

I've found out you can often avoid the line at guest services by calling with your stateroom phone.

Great vids... I have a question I hope someone can answer. I have been on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises.. both on Adventure of the Seas.... and had a great time in the Imperial lounge for game night. I have an upcoming cruise on Allure of the Seas. Does Allure of the Seas have the same game night in any of the lounges? Name of the lounge?

Me watching this video, even though I'll probably never go on a cruise

I hope someday I get to go on a cruise

I'm definitely hitting up Guy's Burgers within minutes of embarking. Then, I'll head to my muster station. It's my routine 🤣

You made me hungry showing all that food and I wanted a drink.

DO: Have patience, cruise ships will have lines and borderline over crowded especially if a portion of the ship closed / is being repaired

Hi, Matt! Nice video, as always. I will take a 9-night cuise from Miami on Grandeur of the Seas. It will be my first Royal Caribbean experience. I was considering going to guest services as soon as I board in order to inquire about bargain last-minute cabin upgrades. What do you think about it?

Hi. Going on oasis and enjoying your videos. I’m curious, can teen boys wear dress shorts to dinner in MDR

I always do speciality dinning on the first night, I find the MDR menu on the first night to be lackluster on most cruises and there are always lines on the first day.

towards the end of this video, it showed beautiful mountain views. What country was that at?

I goofed even as a seasoned veteran of cruising. I did everything as stated BUT I had the package that includes speciality dining. I was starving so I went for lunch in the buffet. By the time I made it to my stateroom all the specialty restaurants were booked full, they oversold the package. It did work out. I was traveling solo so they had me on standby for last minute cancellations. Don't risk it!!!

Matt, are stateroom attendants allowed to receive gifts? What if we wanted to bring some chocolate or small item from our home town?

I made my reservations for Izumi in the app and paid for it ahead of time.

Hey Matt- where is the best place on the Wonder to make your show and dinning reservations when you board? Love all your content. Johnny🎉

Please consider making a PDF list of this. Getting ready to plan my 1st cruise and having a printout of this would be even more helpful. Still a great video!

Wait… so we don’t have to physically muster to our special locations anymore? It’s been a hot minute since I’ve cruised. This is exciting!!

I booked the ultimate dinning package for my family cruise in October so we’re not planning to go to the MDR for dinner. But we’d like to enjoy it for breakfast each morning! Should we make reservations for breakfast?

Would be nice to know about handicapped/mobility issue accommodation. Do you have to have a smart phone?