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Step 1
Before boarding, decide what you want to do at the ports on your itinerary. Most cruise lines allow you to book shore excursions online, before you board the ship. Doing so eliminates the amount of time you'll spend standing in line at the shore excursion desk.
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Step 2
Most cruise lines also allow you to fill in a lot of the necessary information online so you can sail past the long check-in line during embarkation. Take advantage of this service as lines can get huge.
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Step 3
Once onboard, dump your carry on luggage in your cabin and explore the ship! Doing so allows you to get the "lay of the land" so you can maximize your time spent onboard. Also, grab a bite to eat in the cafe.
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Step 4
If the ship offers an alternative restaurant, make a reservation to dine in one of them shortly upon boarding the ship. These restaurants fill up fast. You usually pay $20 per person, but the extra money is worth it!
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Step 5
If you plan on heading to the spa, be sure to set up an appointment shortly upon boarding the ship. Again, these appointments are limited and tend to fill up fast. And, once again, you'll have to pay extra for these services.
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Step 6
If you chose to sit at an assigned table for dinner, be sure to arrive on time or no more than 30 minutes late for your seating. I have seen many cruisers turned away because they were 45 minutes late.
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Step 7
If you do not secure one of the excursions offered by the ship while onshore, and instead do something on your own, be sure to get back on the ship at the designated time. I have witnessed ships leaving port as passengers run like mad to get on. Some didn't make it and had to arrange their own transportation to the next port.
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Step 8
Enjoy yourself!!! This is a vacation of a lifetime. This is one of the few times in which you don't have to worry about a thing...except when the next meal is going to be served!
