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BOARDING DAY TIPS!
Written by: Heath Gooden
Welcome Aboard!
I hope this inspires you to create your own unique and memorable boarding day experience.
Boarding Day is easily one of our favorite days of every cruise. It’s the moment vacation officially begins.
Every cruise starts a little differently, but we’ve developed a routine that helps us start every sailing relaxed, excited, and ready to make memories.
Here’s exactly how we spend our boarding day.
Before We Leave the Hotel
We never rush boarding day.
We start with a hearty breakfast, take a moment to pray together, and thank God for another opportunity to travel.
Before we head out, Val always insists on a mini photoshoot. (I’ll admit… I roll my eyes sometimes. 😄) But those pictures always become some of our favorite memories.
⭐ Heath’s Tip
Never skip taking pictures before boarding. You’ll be amazed how often those become your favorite cruise memories.
🚖 Heading to the Cruise Terminal
After checking out of the hotel, we make our way to the cruise terminal.
Once we arrive, excitement really starts to build. Before long, we’re checking in, walking up the gangway, and hearing those words every cruiser loves:
“Welcome aboard!”
🍕 Our First Stop: Lunch
The very first place we head?
Windjammer.
It’s become our tradition.
Nothing says vacation has officially started like enjoying lunch while watching the port disappear in the distance.
While Val usually heads for pizza from Sorrento’s later in the day, Windjammer is my favorite way to kick off every cruise.
Explore Before the Crowds
Once we’ve eaten, we start exploring (only for ships we've never been on).
One of the best times to walk the ship is right after boarding because many guests are still arriving.
This is when we:
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Discover hidden spots
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Learn the ship’s layout
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Take photos
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Check out pools and lounges
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Enjoy the excitement before everything gets busy
Val somehow always finds beautiful photo locations I would’ve walked right past.
🍽️ Confirm Our Dining
One thing we always double-check is our Main Dining Room assignment.
We’ve had a few cruises where our reservation wasn’t exactly what we requested. It’s an easy fix if you catch it early.
If something isn’t right, Guest Services or the dining team is usually happy to help before dinner begins.
It only takes a few minutes—and it gives us peace of mind for the rest of the cruise!
🌴 Relax and Let Vacation Begin
Once everything is taken care of…
We slow down.
Sometimes we’re sitting by the pool.
Sometimes we’re enjoying frozen virgin drinks.
Sometimes we’re simply watching the ocean.
One thing we’ve learned is:
You don’t have to do everything on Day One.
Vacation starts the moment you step onboard.
❤️ Heath's Final Tip
Don’t spend your first day rushing from activity to activity.
Explore.
Take pictures.
Eat good food.
Laugh together.
Find a quiet place to enjoy the view.
The ship isn’t going anywhere.
Sometimes the best memories happen when you simply slow down.