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When planning a cruise, a 3-day cruise requires all the same efforts as a 20-day cruise, but practically, is really just 2 true vacation days. A friend of mine complained upon returning from a 3-day cruise that the informational disembarkation talk (optional) was in the morning on the first full day of the cruise. She’d barely finished unpacking and just started her first real cruise day, and the first thing that morning was the information session about how to leave to go home. It’s a buzz-kill for sure, but the cruise lines schedule these information sessions in the last 2 days before the end of the cruise. Hers was a 3-day cruise, so the first full day was already “day 2” making it appropriate to offer that talk (though a tactful planner could have scheduled it for the last day). I’m not discouraging 3-day cruises for those who are unsure about cruising or don’t have the finances for a longer trip. It is a great way to get a taste of cruising and see if it’s your thing. However, passengers should recognize the #Days–1 rule, and that you can’t cut too many corners on the first day on a short cruise more than you can on a longer cruise.
If you want to maximize that first day, there are a few things that can help. First, you can show up to the terminal early, such as by 10 or 10:30, noting that it takes time to check in. If you are willing to wait, you will be rewarded with relatively early boarding. Also, keeping in mind that you will not be able to access your room or luggage for a few to several hours, pack a carry-on with those limitations in mind. Consider what you might want to do during those first few hours and pack anything you may need. We try to get to the pool and/or water park on the first day, for several reasons. First, these tend to be underutilized on that first afternoon, so smaller crowds. Second, you start getting into that vacation state of mind and relaxing when you are enjoying the pool, sunning on deck, or going down that 3-story water slide. Weather permitting, these are normally open on most ships on the day you board. That way, you feel like you’ve had a good start to making the most of the day. Bathing suits and sunscreen don’t take up much room in a carry-on and the ship provides pool towels. There are public washrooms by the pools where you can change, or you can wear your bathing suit under your clothes and just pack your undies in your carry-on. For cruisers with young kids, the childcare area is normally closed on turnover day, so today, you’ve got the kids. If you were planning on a quiet day with your partner without the kids, this isn’t that day! If you get on the ship knowing that you’re going to head up to the pool (or whatever you choose) and not worry about much when you board, it’s a pretty nice way to make the best of a busy first day and get your mind to a vacation-like place. After a few hours of relaxation and fun, you can finally go to your room and begin settling in or if it’s that time, make your way over to your muster station. The pool/waterpark is our choice on first days, but think about what you’d prefer and do that! Mini-golf? Basketball? Walking around and exploring the ship? Other on-board amenities your ship has to offer? Taking a bit of time before your cruise to think about that (and packing whatever you may need in your carry-on) will help you make the most out of that first afternoon. Just be careful not to be too ambitious as not everything will be open or running on the first day.
