Are you going on a Celebrity cruise and wondering exactly what to do on embarkation day? I’ve sailed on Celebrity cruises many times, and I’ve developed a tried-and-true routine that makes my first day smooth and my entire cruise stress-free.
Below, I’m sharing exactly what I do on embarkation day to start the cruise fully prepared. Follow these tips and you’ll hit the ground running and make the most of your first day on board. Whether it’s your first Celebrity cruise or you just need a refresher, this video will help you start your vacation the right way.
Get Your SeaPass Card
Unlike other cruise lines, you won’t get your SeaPass card at check-in. Instead, your cruise card will be waiting for you in an envelope outside your cabin door.
This card is essential because it’s your room key, your onboard credit card, and your ID on the ship. Without it, you won’t be able to order drinks or charge purchases to your account.
Drop Off Carry-On Bags
When you first arrive, it’s normal for your cabin to not be fully ready, especially if you’re boarding early. Even if it isn’t ready, you can drop off your carry-on luggage so you’re not dragging it around the ship.
Just make sure to keep valuables like your passport, wallet, and electronics with you. If you find the cabin door open when you arrive, always close and lock it when you leave. Your cabin steward has a key and will still be able to finish preparing the room.
Have Lunch
After picking up my SeaPass card and dropping off my carry-on bags, I head straight to lunch. On embarkation day, lunch often happens later than expected, so I always recommend having a big breakfast before heading to the port, especially if you’re traveling with kids—you’ll avoid cranky, hungry passengers.
The buffet is usually very busy on embarkation day, with crowds and limited seating. A helpful tip is to check the outdoor seating area if your ship has one. You’ll often have much better luck finding an open table outside than inside the buffet.
Complete the Muster Drill
I like to get the muster drill done as soon as possible, and Celebrity cruise has made it really easy. You no longer have to gather at the muster station for a traditional roll call. Instead, you can watch the safety video on the Celebrity app or on your cabin TV, confirm that you’ve watched it, and then check in at your assigned muster station.
You don’t even have to do it in that order. On one of my cruises, our muster station was located in the theater right near where we boarded the ship. Instead of heading to our cabin to pick up our SeaPass cards, we went straight to the theater.
The crew explained the safety information in person and checked us in immediately. We completed the entire muster drill before we even made it to our cabin. The whole experience was quick and easy.
Make Celebrity Anytime Dining Reservations
When you sail with Celebrity, you have three dining options: early dining, late dining, or anytime dining. If you chose anytime dining, it’s best to make reservations before the cruise through the Celebrity website or app. From experience, popular dinner times do fill up quickly, especially for larger groups, which can leave you stuck with an inconvenient time.
If that happens, head straight to the food and beverage staff on embarkation day. There is usually a restaurant set aside specifically to help guests adjust their dining arrangements. This is the best time to fix everything.
I always make reservations for every night of the cruise and request the same table and waiter for consistency. This was especially important for my family because my son has food allergies, and having the same waiter made the entire cruise much easier.
Ask Your Cabin Steward for Extras
On embarkation day, I always make a point to introduce myself to my cabin steward and request anything I might need for the week. For me, that usually means extra pillows, towels, hangers, facial tissues, and a fully stocked ice bucket.
I also check the bed configuration and request any cabin setup changes right away. If I’ve booked adjoining balcony cabins without an interior connecting door, I ask the steward to unlock the balcony divider. This is extremely convenient for families with kids because you can move between cabins without using the hallway.
I also usually give my cabin steward a small tip on embarkation day, around ten to twenty dollars. It’s not required since gratuities are already included, but in my experience, a small early tip often results in quicker service and extra attention throughout the cruise.
Download and Set Up the Celebrity App
If you haven’t done so yet, make sure to download the Celebrity Cruise app. It’s useful to have since you can buy shore excursions and make dining reservations on the app.
One of the main reasons to get the cruise app is that you get free onboard messaging. You can text other passengers through the app without buying a cruise Wi-Fi package. It’s so convenient to be able to text each other to make plans on the ship.
Just keep in mind that kids can’t use the messaging feature, which was a bit inconvenient for us when cruising with a tween.
Review the Daily Planner
Take a few minutes to review the daily planner on embarkation day. You’ll find it in your cabin. It lists all activities, entertainment, dining times, and events happening on board. Even if you don’t plan to attend everything, it helps you plan your day.
Free Champagne at the Art Auction
Check the daily planner, because there’s usually a welcome reception at the art auction on embarkation day. It’s an easy way to enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne—just show up. There’s no pressure to buy anything.
Captain’s Club
If you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean or Silversea before, it’s worth checking whether you’re already a Celebrity Captain’s Club member. You can see your membership level in the app, and you might already have status without even realizing it.
Thanks to Celebrity’s status match program between Royal Caribbean and Silversea, you might already have Captain’s club perks waiting for you..
As a Captain’s Club member, you get amazing benefits. Elite members and above, for example, enjoy complimentary drinks and free laundry service. You’ll also be invited to special Captain’s Club events.
I’ve attended VIP parties, backstage ship tours, and wine tastings through the program. On embarkation day, you’ll receive your Captain’s Club invitations, so make sure to review them and take advantage of all the perks!
Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode
Don’t forget to put your phone on airplane mode. Even if you’re not calling or texting, your phone can still be passively refreshing apps, using background data, which can result in expensive roaming charges.
And make sure to turn on airplane mode for all of your devices, including Apple Watches and kids’ tablets. It only takes a moment and can save you from surprise charges later.
Make Specialty Dining Reservations
If you’re planning to dine at specialty restaurants, you can make reservations through the Celebrity app before sailing or once you’re onboard. I personally like to have everything booked before the cruise, but if that’s not possible, I make it a priority to handle specialty dining reservations on embarkation day so the rest of the cruise is already planned out.
That said, you honestly don’t need to dine at specialty restaurants to enjoy a Celebrity cruise. The included dining options are really good, and I rarely eat at specialty restaurants myself. Between the main dining room and the buffet, there’s more than enough variety and quality to have an amazing food experience without spending extra.
If I do decide to book specialty dining, I always check the main dining room menus in the app first. That way, I don’t accidentally miss a formal night with premium dishes like lobster and beef wellington. Celebrity typically schedules these formal night menus on sea days.
Check Out the Kids Club
If you’re cruising with kids, embarkation day is a great time to visit the Kids Club. There is usually an open house where you can register your kids, meet the staff, ask questions, and pick up the schedule so you know drop-off and pick-up times for the week.
Buy the Beverage Package
If you plan to buy a beverage package, the cheapest time to buy it is before your cruise. That’s when Celebrity cruise offers early bird discounts.
If you missed that opportunity, make sure to buy the drink package on embarkation day. The onboard price doesn’t change, so buying the beverage package early lets you enjoy it right away.
Use Stairs
On embarkation day, the elevators are usually packed and slow because so many people are using them at the same time. If you’re able to, take the stairs instead. It will save you time and make getting around the ship much easier.
Sign Up for Raffles
One fun thing I always do on embarkation day is sign up for raffles. The spa and onboard shops often host giveaways. Make sure to note the raffle time, because you must be present to win. Many guests forget to show up, which increases your chances of winning.
Relax at the Pool or Hot Tub
One of my favorite ways to kick off my cruise is to head straight to the pool or hot tub. Since checked luggage usually arrives later in the afternoon, make sure to pack swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip-flops in your carry-on so you can start swimming right away.
You don’t need to bring your own towels—complimentary towels are available at the pool deck. If it’s a bit chilly outside, the indoor solarium pool is a great alternative. Just keep in mind that the solarium is reserved for adults and teens aged sixteen and older.
Explore the Ship
Embarkation day is the perfect time to explore the ship. There are fewer scheduled activities, and places like the casino and gift shops are often closed, which makes it easier to walk around and get familiar with the layout.
Take time to check out the pools, lounges, and common areas. Exploring early helps you find your favorite spots so you’ll know exactly where to return to on sea days.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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