Mike Smith makes the most of his time on cruise embarkation day. Realizing that cabins typically aren’t available until mid-afternoon, the 35-year-old stashes a swimsuit in his backpack and changes in a public restroom once he boards. Immediately, he heads to the pool for a drink and relaxation.

“I want to use my first couple of hours to unwind and enjoy myself,” explained Smith, an American Sign Language instructor and travel content creator on Instagram. “I prefer not to just wander around waiting for my luggage.”

Having taken about 10 cruises over the last two years, Smith has mastered his routine. However, newcomers may find themselves uncertain about which ship facilities are open, when their bags will arrive, and other details.

Here’s a breakdown of what to anticipate.

How to get ready for embarkation day?

Smith begins his preparations long before sailing day.

Typically, cruise lines will send an email or notification through their app to inform guests they can check in and select an arrival time. Smith aims for the earliest time slot available.

“I do my best to complete this as soon as they allow it,” he said, noting that cruise companies encourage early check-ins.

As an example, Royal Caribbean International advises on its website, “Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes before sailing, guests should finish check-in by three days before their cruise.” If not completed, check-in will need to be done at the pier at least two hours ahead of departure.

Smith also reviews the ship’s deck plans, often available online, to get acquainted with the layout.

“Otherwise, I end up walking from one end of the ship to the other, only to realize I’m in the wrong spot and have to turn back,” he said. “Reducing potential frustrations is key to starting the cruise on the right foot.”

What occurs on embarkation day?

Once at the port, passengers can hand over their luggage to a porter and go through a security screening before boarding the ship.

Upon boarding, Smith immediately heads to the muster station, which is the designated area for guest safety drills in emergencies. Previously more complicated, muster drills can now often be completed by watching a safety video and checking in at the designated area. All guests must complete this before departure.

“Many people, especially those who haven’t cruised in a while, may recall the anxiety of putting on life jackets and standing near lifeboats during drills,” he shared. “But for the last couple of years, everything has been streamlined through the app.”

According to Smith, staterooms on major cruise lines are generally ready by 1 p.m. after the crew completes preparation for the new passengers.

Checked baggage is placed outside the guest cabins, but delivery times can differ. Smith packs his backpack with essentials to avoid needing anything from his checked luggage until evening.

Once his bags arrive, he definitely unpacks everything that day. “I make sure of it; my boyfriend insists on it,” he mentioned. “He’s the motivating factor.”

After unpacking, they store their suitcases under the bed, which helps optimize the limited space in cruise cabins.

What facilities are available on embarkation day?

Many of the ship’s amenities are open to guests on the day of embarkation, according to Smith.

However, he tends to steer clear of the buffet right after boarding because it’s crowded with passengers rushing to eat.

He prefers to eat before he boards the ship to avoid the immediate food rush.

Other dining options, such as specialty restaurants, may not open until dinner on the first day of the cruise.

While many large cruise liners feature a variety of shops, these stores are typically closed when the ship is docked. Smith suggests that travelers bring along essentials such as sunscreen and any personal medications they might require, just in case the stores aren’t open or don’t carry what they need.

Additionally, he takes advantage of the time after boarding the ship to book reservations for specialty dining and review the entertainment options, jotting down details on his phone about the events and performances he and his partner wish to enjoy.

“I like to organize everything ahead of time so we don’t have to think too much, because I really prefer to relax during my vacation,” Smith mentioned.

Nathan Diller works as a consumer travel reporter for YSL News out of Nashville.