Everything You Need to Know Before You Set Sail

First cruise? Get ready for an unforgettable vacation! From understanding cruise ship terminology and navigating embarkation day to packing smart and discovering onboard experiences, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your first cruise.

There’s nothing quite like your first cruise. The excitement of stepping aboard a beautiful ship, exploring new destinations, enjoying incredible dining and entertainment, and waking up somewhere different each morning makes cruising a vacation experience unlike any other.

But if you’ve never cruised before, you probably have a few questions. What’s the difference between port and starboard? What exactly is a muster station? When should you arrive at the cruise terminal? And what should you pack in your carry-on?

Don’t worry! We’ve put together the essential first-time cruiser guide to help you navigate the terminology, prepare for embarkation day, pack like a pro, and discover some of the experiences that make cruising so much fun.

Let’s get you ready to set sail!

1. Understand the Lingo: Cruise Ship Terminology Every First-Time Cruiser Should Know
Before you step aboard, it helps to know a few cruise terms. You’ll see these words in your cruise documents, onboard announcements, ship maps, and daily activity schedules.

Embarkation: Getting ON the ship.
The word embarkation comes from the Old French embarquer, meaning to put or go aboard a ship. The word’s history is connected to bark, an old term for a type of sailing vessel.

Think of it this way: EMbark = Enter the ship!

Disembarkation: Getting OFF the ship.
The prefix dis- means to reverse, remove, or undo. So, disembark literally means to leave the vessel.

Easy to remember: DISEMBark = Depart the ship!
These terms are no longer exclusive to ships. You’ll also hear them used for airplanes and other forms of transportation.

Port and Starboard: Which Side of the Ship?
These are the nautical terms for the left and right sides of a ship. But here’s the trick: They’re determined by which direction you’re facing when looking toward the front (bow) of the ship.

• Port: The left side of the ship.
• Starboard: The right side of the ship.
• Bow: The front of the ship.
• Stern: The back of the ship.

An easy way to remember port is that both PORT and LEFT have four letters!

Muster Station: Your Safety Meeting Location
Every passenger is assigned a muster station, which is a designated location where guests gather during an emergency.

Before the ship sails, you’ll need to complete a mandatory safety briefing. Most cruise lines now allow you to complete portions of this process through the cruise app or onboard television, followed by checking in at your assigned muster station.

Pay attention to the instructions. Knowing where to go is an important part of being prepared.

Other Cruise Terms Worth Knowing:

• Gangway: The walkway used to board or leave the ship.
• Tender: A smaller boat used to transport guests between the ship and shore when the ship cannot dock directly at a port.
• Sea Day: A day when the ship is sailing between destinations rather than visiting a port.
• Shore Excursion: An organized activity or tour at a port of call.
• Port of Call: A destination where the ship stops during its itinerary.
• Cabin or Stateroom: Your room onboard the ship.
• All Aboard Time: The deadline for returning to the ship before it departs. This is NOT the same as the time the ship leaves port. Don’t cut it close!

2. Plan Your Arrival: Get to the Port a Day Early
One of the best pieces of advice for first-time cruisers is to arrive at your departure city at least one day before your cruise.

Whether you’re flying or driving to the cruise port, give yourself a buffer.
If you’re flying, bad weather, flight cancellations, delays, or missed connections can quickly turn an exciting vacation into a stressful situation. And here’s something important to remember: The cruise ship will not wait for you if your flight is delayed.

• Arriving the day before gives you time to:
• Recover from travel and get a good night’s sleep.
• Handle unexpected flight or transportation delays.
• Explore the departure city and enjoy a nice dinner.
• Start embarkation day relaxed and ready to go.

If you’re driving, consider traffic, parking availability, and the time needed to reach the terminal.

A little extra planning can make all the difference!

3. Pre-Cruise Prep: Complete Your Online Check-In Early
Once you’ve booked your cruise, the countdown begins! But before you pack your bags, there are a few important things to take care of.

Your cruise line will provide instructions for completing your pre-cruise check-in through its website or mobile app. This is where you’ll typically submit important information, including:

• Passport or other accepted travel identification details.
• Emergency contact information.
• Guest and passenger information.
• Onboard payment method.
• Required travel documentation.
• Security photographs and other requested details.

You’ll also typically be asked to review and acknowledge important cruise policies and complete any required pre-cruise steps.

Here’s a tip: Don’t put this off!
Once you’ve completed the required check-in information, you’ll generally be able to select or receive an assigned embarkation arrival window, depending on the cruise line.

Earlier check-in may give you more flexibility in choosing an available arrival time. Earlier arrival can also mean more time to enjoy the ship on your first day.

Save your assigned arrival time and keep your boarding documents handy. Arriving too early may mean waiting until your designated window.

One more thing: Download your cruise line’s app before leaving home. It’s your onboard information hub for schedules, dining, activities, reservations, and important announcements.

4. Pack Smart: Your Luggage May Arrive Hours After You Do
Here’s something many first-time cruisers don’t realize: You may board the ship several hours before your checked luggage arrives at your stateroom.

Your bags are delivered by the ship’s crew, and delivery can take some time as thousands of passengers board. So, what should you do?

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes on embarkation day.
If you’re ready to jump into the pool, relax in the hot tub, or enjoy the sun, you won’t have to wait for your suitcase.

Also, pack a small carry-on bag with the things you’ll want immediate access to:

• Prescription medications and essential toiletries.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Swimsuit and a change of clothes.
• Phone, charger, and travel documents.
• Valuables and important personal items.

Keep medications and important documents with you rather than putting them in checked luggage.

Check the Cruise Calendar for Theme Nights and Spirit Days
Many cruise lines host themed evenings and special onboard celebrations. These can include:

• White Night: Guests are encouraged to wear white.
• Formal Night: Dress up for an elegant evening.
• 70s, 80s, or decade-themed parties.
• Tropical or Caribbean Night.
• Pirate Night or other family-themed celebrations.

The exact events vary by cruise line, ship, and itinerary. Check your cruise app and pre-cruise communications for scheduled theme nights. You can also search Facebook for groups dedicated to your specific cruise line and ship. Many cruisers create these groups to share tips, coordinate plans, and give fellow passengers a heads-up about upcoming theme nights and onboard celebrations. Planning your outfits ahead of time is part of the fun!

A Few Packing Extras You’ll Be Glad You Brought

• An insulated tumbler: Perfect for keeping your favorite cold beverage chilled on warm, sunny sea days. Check the ship’s beverage policies and use a clean cup when refilling.
• Magnetic hooks: Many cruise ship cabin walls are made of metal, making them perfect for magnetic hooks. Use them to hang swimsuits, hats, lanyards, and other lightweight items.
• Personalized cabin door magnets: A fun cruising tradition! Guests often decorate their cabin doors with custom magnets celebrating a first cruise, birthday, anniversary, family vacation, or simply their love of cruising. Check your cruise line’s decoration rules before packing them.

5. Explore Every Deck: There’s More to Discover Than You Think!
Your cruise ship is a destination in itself. From pools and lounges to specialty restaurants, theaters, shops, and hidden corners, there’s so much to discover.

Don’t spend your entire first day figuring out where everything is. Take some time to explore!
Walk different decks, check out the restaurants, find your favorite lounge, and get familiar with the ship’s layout.

Your cruise app is especially helpful here. Browse the daily schedule to see what’s happening throughout the ship. You might discover a cooking demonstration, trivia competition, live music, dance party, wine tasting, or special event you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.

And here’s one experience you won’t want to miss: The onboard art auction!

6. Discover the Onboard Art Auction: An Experience Worth Adding to Your Cruise
You may not think of an art auction when planning your cruise vacation, but it’s one of the most entertaining and unexpected experiences you’ll find onboard.

Hosted by Park West Gallery, the onboard art auction is much more than a traditional auction. It’s a lively, fast-paced experience featuring an energetic auctioneer, beautiful artwork, fascinating artist stories, and plenty of audience participation.

Never attended an art auction? That’s exactly why you should check it out!

No art experience is necessary, and there’s no obligation to purchase anything. It’s an opportunity to see something different, enjoy the excitement, and experience a unique part of cruise ship entertainment.

Many auctions also feature complimentary sparkling wine, depending on the event and ship.

Make it part of your cruise itinerary!
Look for the art auction in your cruise app or daily activity schedule. Consider arriving a little early to get a seat and enjoy the experience.

And if you’re planning to attend, there’s an extra perk: Pre-register before your cruise to receive a $100 Art Credit toward eligible Collector’s Portfolio artwork.

Reserve your $100 Art Credit before you sail and get ready to experience the excitement of art auctions at sea!

5 More Tips to Make the Most of Your First Cruise

1. Make Reservations Early
Have your heart set on a particular specialty restaurant or popular show? Make reservations as early as possible. Some experiences fill quickly, so check your cruise app before sailing and again once you’re onboard.

2. Take Advantage of Embarkation-Day Perks
Stop by the spa for a tour. Many cruise lines offer special embarkation-day promotions, introductory pricing, or limited-time discounts on treatments and packages. It’s also a great time to explore dining options and familiarize yourself with the ship.

3. Discover the Onboard Art Auction
Add something unexpected to your itinerary! Park West Gallery’s onboard art auctions are lively, entertaining experiences featuring beautiful artwork, an energetic auctioneer, and often complimentary sparkling wine. No art experience or purchase is necessary to attend. Check your cruise app for auction times and consider pre-registering for your $100 Art Credit before you sail!

4. Know Your Ship’s Schedule and Dining Options
Your cruise app is your best onboard companion. Check it daily for activities, entertainment, dining hours, reservations, and schedule changes. Explore the different complimentary dining venues and specialty restaurants so you know what’s included in your cruise fare and what comes with an additional charge.

5. Don’t Over plan. Leave Room for Spontaneity!
Some of the best cruise memories happen when you least expect them. Try an activity you’ve never done, discover a new lounge, enjoy a sea day by the pool, or simply take in the ocean views. And when visiting ports, always keep an eye on the all-aboard time. The ship won’t wait for late passengers! You don’t have to do everything. Just make the most of the experiences that interest you!

Ready to Set Sail?
Your first cruise is the beginning of an entirely new vacation experience. With a little preparation, the right essentials, and an adventurous spirit, you’ll be ready to enjoy everything your ship has to offer. Explore every deck, try something new, make memories, and leave plenty of room for unexpected discoveries.

Before You Sail: Reserve Your $100 Art Credit

Make your first cruise even more memorable! Pre-register for your onboard art auction experience with Park West Gallery and receive a $100 Art Credit!

We can’t wait to welcome you aboard!