Your First Day: Part II
In decades past, cruise ships were sometimes described as floating hotels. Today, they are so gargantuan they might better be said to be floating cities.
You’ve stepped on board and suddenly you enter an enormous maze of levels, rooms, walkways and corridors containing cabins.
You can be stressed, or you can look at your situation as an adventure. Part of the fun for novice cruisers is to find their way around a new ship.
You get to explore all the public amenities - the swimming pools, the restaurants, the gym, the theater and so much more.
But if you’ve already had a long flight and a long, crowded wait to get on board, you may want to visit your cabin first. Right this way!
You’ll want to have a small carry-on with a change of clothing and some toiletries, since your baggage won’t arrive in the room for a few hours.
You’ll want to have a map of the ship in hand, but don’t worry if you’re not so good at navigation. After all, you’re not a sailor but a passenger. There are plenty of people around ready to assist you. S
ome lines will have someone take you directly to your cabin personally. Others will offer some guidance and scoot off to take care of the hundred things they need to do every hour.
Exercise a little patience and good will. Rest assured that the employees are doing the best they can. If you get lost, laugh it off and just keep asking for directions and referring to the map. Sooner or later, usually sooner, you’ll find your way. Then you can practice finding it again.
You’ll probably be surprised at the size of your cabin. The photos always make them look larger. For anyone who has seen old pirate ship movies, then seen a real pirate ship that’s often a surprise, too. Things have always been smaller on a ship, for obvious reasons.
Small, it may be, but they make amazingly clever use of the space available. Get familiar with the cabinets and drawers and other facilities. You’ll probably pick up a few good tips about how to modify your bathroom at home!
You’ll be given a dining assignment and (usually) a ship’s credit card. These days, the dining arrangements are very flexible. If you don’t like the table you’re at, changing is very easy.
If you don’t like the time, there are many other options now. A polite request goes a long way, if you have to ask someone to make a change.
If provided, use the ship’s credit card for any purchases on board. Sometimes it will double as the key card for your cabin.
Try not to lose it, since you’ll be inconveniencing the ship employees and yourself. But don’t worry too much if you do. It’s possible to obtain a replacement. The cruise lines have seen it all.
Most of all, try to relax and look at the whole experience as an adventure. Enjoy!