The first three hours on board decide how relaxed the whole cruise will be. Here is the right order of things, so you avoid queues and get the best spots.
Before embarkation
Arrive at the terminal in the window you were given, not earlier. Boarding is done in groups, and arriving too early means standing in a queue, not priority.
Have your passport, booking confirmation and the credit card you will use on board to hand. Large luggage is handed over at the terminal and reaches your cabin; keep a carry-on with documents and medication.
First 30 minutes: check the cabin
Go straight to the cabin. Test the air conditioning, the shower and the safe. If something does not work, report it immediately — the technical team is less busy now than for the rest of the cruise.
Check the cabin position relative to noisy areas. If you were assigned a cabin below a restaurant and the noise bothers you, a change request has the best chance now, before departure.
Next 60 minutes: book what sells out
Speciality restaurants and spa treatments fill quickly. If you want a table at a paid restaurant on the first night or a spa treatment, book now, not tomorrow.
Organised shore excursions have limited places. If one is essential to your plan, book it now. The rest can wait until you see the programme.
Before departure: the safety briefing
Attendance is mandatory. Check where your assembly point is on the cabin door — not on the screen, because they sometimes differ.
First evening: explore
Take a tour of the ship to understand where the restaurants, pools and show lounges are. The first evening is the quietest in most areas.
Go to dinner at your allocated time. If you have a fixed table, get to know your waiter: after the first evening they remember your preferences, which changes the whole experience.
Install the ship app if there is one. The daily programme, menus and bookings live there, not on paper.
What to avoid on day one
Do not schedule excursions on the first morning if you arrived on a night flight. Do not over-book at the start: you will find more interesting activities once you see the programme.
Do not leave your carry-on unpacked until the next day. Day one is when you have the energy.