27 Boarding Day Tips First Time Cruisers Need to Know (2024)
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- čas přidán 30. 04. 2024
- Cruise boarding is the most important day of your cruise! In fact, for first time cruisers it can be hard to know what to expect & how the boarding process works. This video is full of cruise embarkation day tips, as well as do's & don'ts for embarkation day in 2024.
Cruise ship boarding has changed in 2024, with new things to do on embarkation day. Whether you're taking your first cruise on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises or any other cruise line, this video is full of helpful cruise tips & tricks.
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Use your ultimate cruise planner for every cruise since I got it a couple years ago. Love it! Really helps with the organization!!
Love the cruise planner. It helps before, during and aftervthe trip. Also hotel cost. We booked a room in Collinsville Ill. The room was 75.00. Taxes were over 100$$. Ugh
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information. I just purchased the planner.
Arriving the day before is the best piece of advice. It was so nice to have an entire afternoon and evening to go to a grocery store and pick up sunscreen and other things that could not be brought easily onto a plane. This included a couple of cases of caffeine free Diet Coke, which the ship did not carry. I had checked ahead of time and made sure that it was okay to bring soda onboard. I slapped a luggage tag on each case and they were delivered with the rest of our luggage.
I unpack immediately, and hide my suitcases under the bed so I don't have to think about going home.
That's clever!!
Air tags are fabulous. Every time you give us these tips I learn something new ❤. My biggest tip- your room steward is your best friend. Treat him/ her as you would like to be treated and you will find your cruise is going to be fabulous.
Yes!! Such good advice. I may share that one 👏😂
TFS 🔥💯
Please elaborate - how much daily in 2024? And at what point in the day? What if we purchased an upgrade that includes gratuities?
@@pcasey23Are you asking about tipping? I have asked this in different ways on various YT channels many times (never cruised before) & rec’d no clear answer. I’ve learned from this that basically there is no good answer. I imagine we will overtip the awesome in person folks, as well as “included” tip somehow ahead of time everyone including the invisible folks. One way or another, we will tip well (both of us having lived on tips for years.) There we are.
@@lcflngn I always purchase a package that includes gratuities. At the end of the cruise, there will usually be an envelope left for an additional tip, tip according to your satisfaction of your room steward. For "as expected" service, I leave $20. Subpar = $0. Above and beyond = $30, 40, 50, depending. Do NOT deduct for anything that is beyond the steward's control, such as water temp, fuzzy TV reception, etc.
Daily tipping is not necessary, but like all tipping situations, it's your choice.
We have started going to the nearest bar once on the ship,order a (made it on the ship) drink and watch the muster drill on our phone's while relaxing with our drink. Then we go straight to check in at our muster station. Business before pleasure! Then we know we can completely relax for our vacation.
Haha love that line
Great Tip 😊👍🏽
Thank you!
OH NO! We found out 4 years ago on our first ever cruise that our "drinks package" we paid for did NOT cover drinks if you hadn't left the port yet, so we unexpectedly got charged extra for them.
@@thatswhatisaidCA we just use our obc's
@@thatswhatisaidCA Yeah unfortunately that is usually due to local laws and has nothing to do with the cruise line. I know that is the reason here in Texas
Stop 1: Make dinner reservations. Stop 2: Muster station check-in. Stop 3: Sit down dining room lunch with a cocktail.😊
Print extra luggage tags. Put one in each checked bag and carry on bag.
I put a tag on all our checked and carry on ... inside purses too... justbin case in all the excitement you walk off without it.
What frustrates me is complainers! You’re on vacation!!! Relax Enjoy
lol try living with one 😂
Well, there you go complaining again...😁
@@cherylosburn8036 yep complainers are the worse and for some reason or another they are always in front of me so get the hear it as well.
I always make it clear to everyone who does not live within a 2 hour drive of the embarkation port to arrive at least a day early to avoid the possibility of missing the ship.
Yes 🙌
Good call! I am 3 hours by car from Jacksonville, and even then I think I'd stay the night before. Two hours is definitely the limit, and unless hotels were prohibitively expensive, I'd consider it if only to be able to sleep in and have a slow morning on embarkation day.
For ft lauderdale what hotels do you recommend
I recommend Embassy Suites since they have a location in Fort Lauderdale near the cruise terminal. I haven’t stayed at this particular Embassy Suites. However, I try to stay at one of their locations whenever I can since they offer complimentary cooked to order breakfast each morning.
Thank you. My mother has stage 4 cancer and we are treating her to a cruise rc. We wanted a nice hotel
Biggest suggestion I can provide, be on time and dont stress over having to wait. Lady on my last one was entitled or so she thought. Back of the line to the front ahead of me. I pointed out where the line starts. I said outloud "This will be the worst cruise of your life with that attitude." They pretty much made it so. She insulted EVERYONE
Some people never learn
I would have laughed in her face and said, “Challenge accepted!”
On our cruise last March, my suitcase arrived at about 4 pm, but by 5, there was no sign of my wife's, nor a message about it being held up. I left to go to Guest services to check, and happened to see it down the hall, delivered to the wrong cabin. Two takeaways - her suitcase has a fairly distinctive design, which made it easy for me to see and identify it. If your bag looks like other bags, tie a ribbon or something else to make it easy to identify. I've heard this this is also a good idea for airport baggage claim. Second, if you notice that bags have started to arrive and yours hasn't, check down the hall, it may be nearby.
We went searching after we saw many were delivered to other cabins & found 2 of ours on a whole other floors with tags clearly visible! Thanks RC! LOL😂
Yep! Happened to me also.
I decorated my bag and saw it parked with others just down the hall.
Interesting, since I had an Owners suite, I figured the staff would pay more attention.
I think the ribbon is a good idea for cruises. However, I heard recently that ribbons at airports give the luggage the wrong kind of attention now.
My bag is bright orange. Actually dirty bright orange after so many trips. I can spot it in the next town! I also figure it has a lower chance of getting stolen or taken by mistake because it’s so noticeable.
As a travel agent, I always tell my clients to unpack IMMEDIATELY, take a picture/video of your cabin when you first go in, and track your cruise account daily on the app. I also recommend avoiding the buffet on the first day if at all possible. Thanks for another great video!
Why you don't recommend to eat at the buffet?
@@keyladavid8299 Only because it is often very crowded, and that can be a bit overwhelming for my first-time cruisers. That’s it🙂.
Thanks 😊
Good advice. Haha seems we have similar embarkation day routines
I'll follow yr step thanks as a first timer cruiser . Too excited ❤
Don't trust phones. I have all my docs in hand for embarkation
I agree because now you can't have your ID on the phone it has to be in hand.
A funny thing happened to us on the return from a Caribbean trip. When we pulled into Florida, the temperature was a surprising 36 degrees. Since we gave our luggage away the night before, and only had shorts and tank tops with us, it was a difficult morning. There wasn't even a shop open to buy a sweater or light jacket! So, keep that lightweight cover with you the last night too.
Oh no! Lol that’s a good tip
Oh good idea. That happened to us in Galveston. Luckily we opted to self assist our luggage.
Always remember to put your phone in Airplane Mode to avoid large unwanted phone plan charges on your cruise. Ship WiFi works in airplane mode. Thank you Ilana!!
Great reminder!!
Thank you!
😊👍🏽
Very important for first time cruisers to be aware of!! Also, wear a cheap watch that will not automatically update time so you won’t be late to the ship on port days. Your IPhone may change time to port time, and that can get you into real trouble!
Thanks so much for this tip. Was wondering how to use the WiFi on my phone if it was in airplane mode. Read about people having $1,000 cell phone bills!
We always like to get on as early as possible and eat somewhere NOT the buffet. Then we like to walk the whole ship top to bottom so we know where most things are before it gets really crowded. We usually cruise small to mid size ships so this is easier than on the giant ships. We also sign up for spa raffles and the like while wandering. Then we collapse with a drink 🍷
Thanks for the tip , first time cruiser here, can I ask why not the buffet?
@@annemarieburns6601 it's generally the most crowded place to eat so we go somewhere calmer like the m ain dining room or burger place.
@@betsy6046 Thanks for the explanation! I was wondering why not the buffet also!
So, how early can you get to the dock and try to get on the ship? We're cruising to Alaska on Holland America in a couple weeks, and our boarding pass says boarding begins at 12 p.m., a chat agent told me check in begins at 11 a.m. I don't want to arrive at the same time everyone else does. Will they let us on if we arrive early?
@@gparsons320 there are several boarding times however unless you pay for priority check in you will wait in a line regardless.
One thing I have found on embarkation day on eating is that people usually come hungry they don’t eat because they know that there is free food on the ship that the bigger the ship the bigger the lines are in the buffet so what I usually do and I’m usually with my sisters one of them who is a travel agent and we go out and go into the promenade or whatever and just go to the little café that are free food also And sit and relax and watch the people go by and that way we don’t have to hit the humongous crowds that are in the buffet so if it’s a smaller ship, the buffets are less crowded but if it’s a bigger ship, especially with children, the buffets are going to be super crowded, especially as it gets towards noon
Good idea
I always avoid the buffet on embarkation day, lots of times the main dining room is wide open.
Wear comfy shoes. You will spend a lot of time on your feet and walk a lot more than you expect on day one.
I like to bring a small gift for my cabin steward with a small card. Something that speaks to where I am from, to kind of introduce myself. So pecan pralines or a jar of peach jam, state tourist attraction playing cards...
HOPE that your room is ready early and that your luggage arrives at a favorable hour, but be prepared for Plan B.
Always have a Plan B.
Always put sunblock on prior to boarding. Nothing is worse than burning on your first day.
For luggage tags, we also put our cabin number on a piece of masking tape and attach it to the bag front (not the handle) just in case the tag gets torn off - which has happened to us twice.
Always unpack our bags as soon as we can , a quick sanitising of the surfaces and unpack so when it's done the party can begin. 🎉🎉😁
"... a quick sanitising of the surfaces..."
You must be the life of the party.
Can't wait till you find out about the common areas.
Or are you masking in the shower and wearing a latex body suit once out of your room?
Have you been spying on me again? I paid a lot of money for that latex suit!
@@pamborders4471 So how many gallons of sanitizer did you use? Or did you stay in your room the entire cruise?
I just laughed so hard reading these comments . You guys are hilarious 😂😂
Regarding phones in airplane mode, don’t forget to put iPad and smartwatches also in airplane mode.
Thanks for sharing
why do you have to put them in airplane mode. just curious
I unpack absolutely as soon as possible. I feel like that is when the vacation truly begins.
For solo cruiser, check to see if there is solo's meet and greet the first day. Great way to meet your fellow solo cruisers.
The best change to come about since Covid is the virtual muster drill. We generally watch it in our hotel room before even getting to the terminal. Once onboard, we head to our muster station to check in, and head to the nearest bar for a glass of Prosecco to toast having made it! If you're lucky enough to get the earliest boarding time (we shoot for it every cruise), we've found that our luggage is often in the hall by the time the rooms are ready. If that's the case, we unpack right away and keep the door ajar so our cabin attendant knows we're there. We meet him/her and request our paper daily Cruise Compass. It feels great to get all the "housekeeping" (no pun intended) out of the way so the real party can begin!
I remember my first cruise on Celebrity Eclipse back in 2015 (yikes, almost 10 years ago). I was in awe with the size of this ship and its beauty when I first board in. Boarding involves a lot of walking so have confortable and broke in shoes.
One key with luggage tags, NEVER put them on before you fly.
I place them in a Pocket on my luggage, and put them on the bags before we go to the terminal.
Good tip
Print out a cruise ship deck plan to put on the wall by your door. I write AFT (back/rear) and FORWARD (front) on it, too.
I love this idea! I can get lost so easily!
Wow, fabulous idea! I am directionally challenged, so this could help.
Directionally challenged 😂😂😂 I'm gonna use that and not give you any credit. Lol jk 😊
I watch youtube videos showing tours of our ship and make a list of restaurants and locations on my note app on my phone. This way, we can refer to the list to decide where to eat until we are familiar with our favorite restaurants. We board early and check out the ship before it gets crowded. Unpack as soon as your cabin is ready, so you can then relax. If any of your clothes develope wrinkles, hang them on the back of the bathroom door when you shower, to steam them. I take a small spray bottle of Wrinkle Release, but haven't needed it. Book specialty dining before you board or right after you board, before your favorite time is booked up. Take a free tour of the spa when you board, as they usually offers deals. Most of the smaller ships don't have laundry machines, but they have dry cleaning. Usually half way through the cruise, they offer a reduced set price for a full laundry bag, instead of by the piece.
We are very fortunate to live less than 30 mins away from our cruise port - Norfolk, VA. We have a family member drop us off to avoid the hassle of finding parking or worrying about our car the whole trip.
Another thing that first time cruisers may enjoy is watching sail away for a ship that they may be sailing on in the near future. While we have cruised many times, we still enjoy watch the ships leave port, especially those we will be crusing aboard. Port Canaveral, Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale) and Port Miami all have great webcams. Just check your ship's cruising schedule or port schedule to determine when your ship will be leaving from your departure port and the departure time. I think it is fun watching people having fun on sail away, especially if you are in a colder climate. This should get you even more excited about a future cruise,
Great Tip!
Thank you!!!
🚢 ON! 😊👍🏽😉
Love that you talk cruises and how to cruise and stay away from almost all of the drama and other stuff. Thanks! Love your vids!
Great timing! We board for our first cruise in 68 hours! Your cruise planner and videos have been my favorites. Enchanted Princess, here we come.
One of my favorite ships!! Enjoy every minute & thanks for your feedback & purchase 😊
How EXCITING!!! 😃👍🏽
ENJOY!
I cannot WAIT for my First Cruise 🚢!
Doing LOTS of research 😊
Have an amazing trip!🏝️☀️🍹🛳️🌊🌅
We’ve been on many cruises and I still watch every video Illana does! She’s the best!
Same here ❤
Ilana My Wife and I are on the Island Princess celebrating our 50th anniversary We watched a lot of your videos for tips and tricks and need to thank you so much we are on the eighth day of our trip and having a wonderful time Thank you for making our trip a success Thanks Jeff and Linda
We took our first cruise last year for our 20th anniversary, and we watched so many of your videos. Anyone else reading this comment, Life Well Cruised made a good cruise into an amazing cruise!! I'm completely serious. Anyone thinking of taking their first cruise or even if you have been on a couple, these videos are worth so much!! MY TIP: If you are going to bring watches, or other valuables on the cruise, either keep them with you or make sure they are packed deep within your luggage. I got a watch stolen on my first cruise because I packed it in a carry-on back pack that I gave to the attendants with my luggage. Cheers!
So glad my videos helped make your cruise even better. I appreciate you sharing your experiences
I have mobility issues, so unless there is a shore excursion we need to book onboard, we go to the buffet first. That gives me a better chance at getting a table I can get to! Pre being able to leave luggage in rooms, the buffet was where we could relax with it. However, we know that others need to eat so we don’t just sit there with the luggage, we often move to the loyalty lounge. Of course there is a muster station scavenger hunt to do somewhere in there, it’s a pain with luggage though! No, we can give up the bag with medical equipment, nor at least one personal bag/carry on.
We have noticed that the larger ships now, aren’t able to clear the ship by even 11 am.
I haven’t been on a cruise lately where we had an assigned table, I’d love to know if my cabin number matters.
We don’t often have the beds set right, or they so that they are difficult to get around. We always assure the room steward that at/by turn down service if they prefer!
Please consider some of get sent to the naughty room because they can’t figure out what actually is in the suitcase. The most reasonable one was the plier type nail clippers they said they thought it was a Ute knife. I would have believed a leatherman more but it just mean we drug the luggage back to the room although I think we could have ask for it to be delivered. For power strips a while back we just had to have them check. Now we have a European plug so they don’t even worry with it.
Never pack valuables, needed passports and reservation documentation anywhere but in a personal item that stays with you on the plane and embarking and disembarking the ship...
I keep my jewelry, makeup, medications, documentation, emergency stuff with me until I reach my cabin where jewelry, passport, and car keys go in the safe, meds & makeup in the bathroom, and the rest in one of the closets until I get my smaller, over the shoulder bag to carry around my water bottle and anything else I need. I also have a lanyard with me, so as soon as I get to my cabin and use the room key to get in, the card goes into my lanyard.
Also nice to meet the cabin steward and let them know of anything I might need. I prepay tips and let them know, but anything extra I need, gets them an extra tip.
I enjoy sail away from my balcony with a cocktail!
I do as much booking ahead of the cruise as I can. Book a spa treatment, specialty dining and excursions. The excursions are available for booking first followed by the spa and then the dining.
First thing on board is I go pick up my key card, look for my room steward and introduce myself and ask for the beds to be separated into twins and ask for an extension cord for my CPAP.
I drop off any hand luggage and go do an explore, do the muster room video and visit the location, find some lunch and beverage(s). I return to my room to check for luggage and unpack using packing cubes to keep my items organized on the journey and store my now empty luggage under the bed. I always have a roomie who isn’t family and we sort out beds, drawers and closet spaces. I find staying organized and tidy keeps the relationship purring along nicely.
You can arrange for the bed configuration before you board and request the CPAP extension cord and distilled water when you first make your reservation
Good routine - especially if the beds were not already configured the way you requested or need
We watch the muster drill while sitting and waiting to get on the ship. We unpack as soon as we get our luggage.
On embarkation day, I like to establish friendly relations with my cabin steward--- introduce myself, find out his or her name, maybe pass along a preliminary tip for how nicely he's prepared the room. If I have any special requests (like for a feather pillow), this is a good time to make them. I make sure to let the steward know I don't expect it to appear right away, but only after he's done with his regular room prep.
Also, be sure to check the paperwork left on the desk. You might find a card informing you of your assigned dining time, and there may be vouchers for discounts at the specialty restaurants.
Very good ideas
My fiancé & I got engaged on 4/20, we booked a honeymoon 10night RC for $2,400, we booked excursions & packages for $1,200.
While this will be my 6th cruise this is the first one I’ve planned out on my own (she is not the best itinerary making person) An hour after booking I’ve spent probably 3hours a day digesting your content:)
Your carry on for embarkation day is not the same as your flight carry on. Feel free to move items around. Carry whatever you may need for the first night, a change of clothing and medications, most else can be checked with the porters. Rarely is luggage misplaced (wrong ship) or dropped in the harbor, but it happens.
I have found that around 11 AM is a great arrival time. The ship has usually already disembarked most of the previous passengers already, by the time you have made it through the desks, it will be loading and your wait will be minimal. You can flex your arrival time a little.
On Norwegian, I usually use "The Local" for a non-hectic lunch. The rooms are off limits until they finish the turnover, usually around 1 or 2, about the time we have boarded and had a leisurely lunch.
Bring a something magnetic to put on your door. The doors all tend to look the same and a visual cue will really help for your first couple of days. I used a small Titanic model that I gave to the cabin steward at the end of the cruise.
Great advice!
Titanic ?!
QUESTION FOR CRUISING 101: a short video on dining would be great. Like can you bring your buffet meal to your room and eat on your balcony? Can you walk around to other areas with drinks in hand or food in hand? When ordering dinner how do you know what to order for example can you order a starter, an entre' and something from the grill and sides? At main dining if you have a show and want your dinner can you ask for it to go or just forgo dinner?
To the first 2 questions yes
If I want to eat on my balcony I always bring a small tote and bento box add my meal and go back to my room and eat on my balcony.
For carnival the same food that is on your dinner menu is on the buffet as well. Excluding salmon, lobster or steak.. They have a different menu every night, but if you want something different you can ask. Carnival policy is you get an appetizer, up to two free entrees and a couple desserts.
When flying rarely do I have more than a backpack and a small suitcase. One cruise same deal BUT they took the case. I keep Meds, Cloths, ID ABSOLUTE Essentials in my back pack that will last 24hrs. During the cruise I made friends with head of security and asked why was suitcase taken?
Apparently people try to smuggle all kinds of forbidden items on board. The backpack they checked boarding. Suitcases get scanned harder than TSA. I fully understand and respect it. Safety for all..not just entitled idiots
Totally agree with checking in on the app! Recently checked in for our next cruise and needed a photo of all our passports as well as security photos and it was so much easier having everything ready to go on my phone.
Keep small bills in a pocket where you can quickly get when tipping the porters at the ship. You don't want to be digging into your bag, it all happens so quick. Speak with your cabin steward and ask for things that you need. We also asked for double amount of towels, 2 newsletters, and we tell him (for evening turn down) we are usually out of our cabin at 530 returning after 10. Especially important if you leave for dinner later, lets say 730 or 8. The cabin steward can re-adjust his time to do your cabin after you leave.
I always unpack the first day! Having everything put away reduces my stress level and starts vacation mode!
#1. Read all the cruise company rules before you go and watch as many videos of your chosen cruise line.
#2. Make sure your passport is up-to-date and not expiring soon.
#3. Please, always get to your cruise port area 1 day before, just in case. You never know what can happen along the way.
#4. Check for any major events happening in your cruise city. Example - Marathon route, could cause traffic backup to cruise port.🎉
GREAT TIPS!
Thank you!! 😊👍🏽🚢
Beware Mardi Gras in Galveston! It will affect getting to your motel the night before sailing and debarkation day. Luckily, no blocked off roads on embarkation day yet!
California Linda shares excellent vlog. Many who view your videos may be first-time cruisers or cruisers who have not cruised for many years. Outstanding comments.
Loving this new series cruising 101! Great idea! 💙💙💐🩵🛳️🛳️💐💙💛💛💙🩵❤️❤️🌈🌸🌸💖💖🌷🩷🧡🧡❣️🌻💘🌸🌈🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵💖❤️🩵🩵💐💛💙🌸💚🌈🌈💖💖🤎🌷🩷
Getting ready for our first cruise. I’ve seen quite a few videos regarding that, and this is one of the best. Thanks.
I always like to take a few minutes to unpack as soon as bags are delivered. This gets it out of the way and I feel a little better organized for the rest of my vacation!
My friend is going on her first cruise next month. Your information detailed and perfect. I'm sharing this video with her so she doesn't get caught off guard. Thank you!!
We haven't been on a cruise for 7 years, so this was a helpful video. We always eat first, then explore the ship. Thanks for the tips!
I bought those luggage tags and they are great! We used them when we flying several times already and we haven't cruised yet. Thanks for recommending them!
I don’t eat breakfast or much before getting on the ship 1st day because after locating our Muster Drill station, we head to Guy’s Burger to eat, along with getting a slice of confetti cheese cake as our traditional embarkment meal 😋😋😋😋
I usually unpack by the first night, probably after the welcome show! A great place to store luggage is under the beds too! Thank you for all the updated embarkation day changes 🛳️🛳️
We always eat our first lunch at the Central Park Cafe.
Hi Ilana,
As usual, another great video. Thank You.
Thanks for your tips! You spoke of taking a jacket for chilly/windy walks on the deck. I take a jacket and wear most of the time indoors because of the Air Conditioning. The AC is set much cooler than I have at home. Getting ready for a relocation cruise in September.
This was a great video full of really important information. Thanks so much!
Thanks for the tips.
Tip the steward both at the beginning and end of the cruise in cash in addition to the auto-gratuity. Our steward really watched out for us. It seemed like our stateroom was cleaned and made up moments after we were out the door. Fantastic cruise experience.
I'm going on my first cruise in August to Alaska. Super excited! Your vids have been very helpful!
Me too! So excited!
So glad! Very exciting 🛳️🎉
A really well done video Ilana. You covered the steps really well. The luggage tag holders are really easy to use and very helpful. Bought them after seeing one of your videos .
We go to the spa on boarding day and book our couples messages. They can fill up quickly we have found .
We make unpacking a priority also because once that is done we feel like we are now ready to relax and enjoy departure and first night onboard.
For us, i also make sure we have an extension cord because we both have CPAPs. Sadly the power around the bed can be slim or none.
Happy cruising Ilana.
Cruising to Alaska in September 2024! I can’t wait, it’s my first time visiting Vancouver, first time visiting Alaska, and it’s also my first cruise ever! Thanks for all the great tips! I’ve been watching and liking your videos since last year when I booked my cruise ✌🏾
We are headed there in June. Do you know if the pools are heated?
We are cruising to Alaska end of August. First time cruising in 20 years.
@@beckymorehead6482 I’m sure they are. Pack your bathing suits, swimsuits, and swimming shorts
@@judem72 Nice! Which cruise line did you choose? Which ports are you visiting?
Very helpful video. We are cruising on the Mardi Gras this Saturday. Thank you. Love your videos.
Excellent information 🎉
You posted this at the best time! 2 days before our first cruise 🚢 Thank You! ❤
Thank you so much for this video my last cruise was about 10 years ago. God willing will be traveling with my daughter,her husband, and my 2 grandsons 2 and 3 years of age. Very excited.
Have a great time!😊
People don't understand that the prices of things are never going back down. This inflation is deeper than we think. Those buying groceries are well aware that the real inflation is much over 10%. The increments don't match our income, yet certain investors still earn over $365,000 in stocks and assets. Wish I could accomplish that.
Financial planning is like navigation. If you know where you are and where you want to go, navigation isn't such a great problem. It's when you don't know the two points that it's difficult
Money is not meant to control people rather it is meant to be put to work producing more money for you. You cannot build wealth without putting money in its rightful place.
Very possible! especially at this moment. Profits can be made in many different ways, but such intricate transactions should only be handled by seasoned market professionals.
Having an investment advisor is the best way to go about the stock market right now. I was going solo, but it wasn't working. I've been in touch with an advisor for a while now, and just last year, I made over 80% capital growth minus dividends.
Finding yourself a good broker is as same as finding a good wife, which you go less stress, you get just enough with so much little effort at things
I unpack as soon as I get in my room
! Love your videos ❤
Loving this new series Ilana. Not new to cruising, but things change on the daily.
Great video, as always.
👏 great job on this video, Ilana! We’ve been on 6 cruises on 3 different lines with kids and you covered everything! ❤
Leaving for my very first cruise (Virgin Voyages) in 22 days!! Thanks so much for these great tips...I am passing this along to my friend/ship mate. 🙂
We have done a number of cruises. Always unpacked the 1st day. Love packing cubes.
Thank you for this Video! I'm a 1st time cruiser leaving in July! So informative!
Excellent as always 👍👌🇬🇧 thank you
Wow, my hands and feet were swollen both times we cruised. I had no idea that it could have been the water.🤔 Thanks for this info. I will definitely buy spring water on our next one.
Also remember to pack your patience. Weather can delay embarkation.
We have used luggage tag holders for years and love them. We also unpack before dinner on the first day.
We have been on many cruises but your tips are extremely helpful . Thank you . We typically will unpack as soon as luggage arrives .
Awesome info thanks! I’m going on my very first cruise this year and I’m so excited! 🙋♀️🇨🇦
These videos are absolutely excellent Ilana! 🤩 Your channel is the one I recommend to people who are new to cruising and feeling anxious about the whole experience because I just know that they will learn everything they need to know from you. 💞 Even after 14 cruises I am still learning more each time I watch your videos. Thanks so much! 🤗
Awe thanks so much! I appreciate you recommending my videos & I’m glad they’ve been helpful 😊
This was very helpful! I am going to watch it again and take notes.
I just love your videos. ❤
You're amazing. Thank you so much!! My 1st cruise in June and I've been studying your videos for months
Wonderful! You’re going to have an amazing time I’m sure! 🛳️🎉
I've been binging on your channel and others for over 100 days, and we still have 51 more to go. I feel like the MS Volendam will be much easier to get around, too, after all the tour videos. As for boarding passes, I believe we fall into that 15-day range but have long since filled out the check-in and printed the luggage tags. I will definitely print an extra set for inside the luggage now. I'm not usually a dress gal, but hubby's been getting me to try out different styles, so between our first night celebrating our 39th anniversary at the Pinnacle Grill, dressy nights and dining in the MDR, I'll be happy to dress up a bit. It's been ages since I've had a chance to (even the military functions dried up long before his retirement about 8 years ago). He even found a matching Hawaiian shirt and dress combo that would be great fun on Embarkation Day. We've got the Have it All package and Unlimited Laundry. Our travel day will be upon us in no time at all, between having the grandsons over, a yard sale, our younger son up from Toronto, a concert in Huntsville, and all the gardening. Thank you, merci, for all the guidance, we definitely needed it.
I always print and complete a luggage tag for each suitcase and carryon bag. We use the plastic luggage tag holders, but in case a tag accidentally falls off your bag, your contact info will be in the bag. We board early, so we can have lunch on the ship and will be relaxed and have found a spot for the sail away party by the time we sail.
Thank you Llana for your wonderful cruise videos 😃 Such great information and you present it in a straight forward way without any useless chatter. You really know what you’re doing. We are planning our first Alaska cruise with Holland American and feeling so much more prepared after watching your videos 👍 very excited for our cruise in July 🛳️
I leaving at the end of month FIRST ONE and your videos have been so helpful❤❤ much love
I don't give my debit or credit card for onboard purchases. I buy gift cards (available at various grocery stores and AARP for discounted digital gc). This way I control spending. If I find I'm running low on funds, I add cash. If I have credit I'm not going to use, I add that to gratuities.
this is a great tip! plus its safer than having your cc or debit card floating around!
What a great video! Thanks!
Well done video for the first timer or those of us who don’t cruise very often and need a refresher.
Another thing you want to remember when you go to the maître d’ if you have allergies or you need kosher food or any other type of food, go to the meter D and make sure as soon as you get on the ship that they know of any allergies that you have or any food requirements that you have because then they will make note of itand when you go to the main dining room or any specialty restaurant, they will have it written down and they look at your pass as you go into the restaurant and it’ll come up that’ll say allergy to such as such
So true! Thanks for mentioning
Very informative, i like to unpack asap, get everything hung up and put away in its place, and as you said make the cabin homely, keeps everything tidy, then you're ready for the cruise. Thank you Ilana for sharing these great tips. X
I think you made this just for me!! Been following you for over a year and we leave on our first cruise next week!!
Great video! I watched it even though we consider ourselves veteran cruisers - always think of something new. As for when we unpack? Our last cruise in January 2024 we splurged on Oceania and booked a Penthouse Suite, which comes with a butler. We found on Cruise Critic many commented that the butler will unpack for you! When he introduced himself to us, I asked about that and he said "of course, I would be happy to do that". Made things very nice on embarkation day!
Thanks for the tips. Me and my family going on our first cruise, MSC, in August
That was an excellent video! I am a 1st time cruiser on a big cruise ship and i am really thankful to have watched this video! And i will surely watch many more of yours until the arrival of my cruise day. Congrats! 👌
Thanks as always, because I haven't been on a cruise in over 10 years. I noticed a lot has changed. ❤❤
Going on my first cruise soon and your videos have been my absolute favorite, and you've made me feel prepared! I've watched dozens of your videos since we booked this cruise 😂
Thank you! ❤