13 *MUST-DO'S* ON YOUR PRINCESS CRUISES EMBARKATION DAY (Ocean Medallion tips 2022)

Are you going on a Princess Cruise and wondering how to have the perfect embarkation day? In this video I share the most important things to do on the first day of your cruise. In 2022, Princess Cruises has updated the Ocean Medallion and boarding process. If you're cruising with Princess for the first time, or a cruise veteran, this video is a must watch!
You'll find helpful Princess cruise tips for your MedallionClass cruise vacation.
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Photo credit: Princess Cruise Line
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[@LifeWellCruised]

Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner/

[@sharonhinsley5335]

Called for drinks delivered to our cabin as we unpacked!

[@LifeWellCruised]

How smart!! Great usage of the app!! Brilliant

[@bethcoddington4721]

Brilliant

[@lineapearce1865]

So smart‼️👌🏻

[@jasminmedina4324]

A great tip. Arrive the day before the cruise sets sail. Many people miss their cruise because of flight delays or cancellations.

[@pgijoy5037]

We sailed at Christmas. I took dollar tree stockings and gave them filled with candy and money to all crew we had relationships with. They were so appreciative. They were homesick and I think it helped.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great idea!! Love this

[@louisepolikarpus9284]

@@LifeWellCruised ⁹

[@glasser2819]

smart 🤘

[@dedpetls1]

I love this. We are cruising and returning Dec 23. I think I'll do this!

[@Edera7795]

Thank you! I saved this video for out first Princess Cruise in 2023

[@dalemaki7603]

Great video I always tip over and above too they work so hard To make sure we're having a good time

[@keithbrocklesby300]

Excellent advice particularly for novice cruisers. We depart the UK for the Canary islands in seven days and had decided to check out Alfredo's for lunch on this occasion hoping it will be open against going to the buffet which can be busy.

[@graceklenovits6684]

I like that you mentioned you give extra tips and how you appreciate them, we do the same. 😇

[@mygoodtimes7987]

Love the video. We have only cruised once and it was on princess and embarkation day was not fun. We got on board, didn't know to eat right away. We couldn't find a spot to sit. Post day 1 we had a blast. We're on the Enchanted Feb 17th for 10 days and so excited. But we learnt so much on day 1. And we enjoyed that free beverage as well.

[@diviniaacayan9961]

We always cruise with Princess. Can’t wait to go on a cruise in Fall, since the last we cruised was in Panama Canal in 2019. Our planned cruise were cancelled twice during pandemic…

[@arleneaninion6252]

Getting ready to take our first Princess Cruise on the 27th. Thanks for all this great info! Ive watched your must have videos and have purchased many of your suggested items and used them all on our Mexican Rivera Carnival Cruise this past December. Now getting ready for our back-to-back and first Caribbean Cruise on the Caribbean Princess. I appreciate all you share. Thanks and God Bless ♥️♥️♥️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@LifeWellCruised]

There’s just nothing better than a B2B, right? Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comments. So glad my videos and suggestions have been helpful

[@jamesbarefoot6771]

My wife and I booked a honeymoon for November in the Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess! These videos are so helpful!! We can’t wait for our get away.

[@ashleaspruce8185]

We just booked a 20 days Caribbean cruise for November and December ! I’m excited that’s why I am now preparing for it. Thank you for making this video it will help us out a lot !

[@glasser2819]

Is that 20 Day Carabean on a Princess ship, sounds good. How was your cruise ? ✌️

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

Thank you, very informative video, this our 4th Princess cruise, going on the Sky, but the first one with medallion, I pack with hangers because we are local, very easy for us to unpack.. there is always new things to learn, thank you again!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Really smart idea especially if you can pack them easily

[@bstanz5266]

I gave the room attendant 200.00 on first day and asked for extra towels. Came back to the room after lunch and it looked like I was in the towel section of bed bath & beyond there were so many towels!!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Oh my!! Yes I imagine. I didn’t give that much, I will say, but I’m sure your cabin attendant greatly appreciated it

[@suzannebanuelos7311]

Thank you for the great videos! I'm excited to put all this great information to good use soon when we go on our cruise. Alaska has been on my "bucket list" for a long time and you are really helping me get prepared!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

I am with you take care of the folks that take such good care of us

[@LifeWellCruised]

❤️❤️

[@strongtravel8056]

I am a travel agent who recently completed my courses with Princess and will be going on a Graduation Course cruise. It will be my first cruise as well.

[@alanbredy747]

Woo hoo! Great timing, our cruise starts this Sunday. Thanks for putting this up ~~

[@LifeWellCruised]

Oh so exciting!! Have a wonderful cruise!! 🥂

[@abbeystapleton4195]

I’m going to be on the princess cruise ship for the first time this year with my mom and dad IM so excited I have a feeling I’m going to love it

[@christhomas4965]

Me and my wife booked our first cruise for March 4th for a 14 day East and West Caribbean on the Princess Sky. And are trying to figure everything out. These videos are amazing and thank you for all the tips. We normally just fly to Hawaii each year but we want to start seeing other countries and eventually the world. I think cruises might be the way to go to open our horizons.

[@julieanstaett9660]

I just returned from the same cruise with Princess out of Ft. Lauderdale. Embarkation was a nightmare. No distinction in boarding classifications, no boarding times, etc. one, long, chaotic line to get in. At least a one hour wait to even get in the door, then another hour to get through their boarding process. The Medallion Net does not work in port. Period. Very, very disappointing boarding experience.

[@bruciethecuz9031]

Agree with you totally about Alfredo's. Love it there. Since we have next to nothing for breakfast on embarkation day, if we're on a Royal class ship, that's our first order of business for pizza and beer or a cocktail. We are not spa, enclave, or sanctuary types, so b-line to Alfredo's it is! 👍👍👍😋

[@LifeWellCruised]

Right? When you know, you know 🍕😂

[@rolandbelikow5148]

Great video I was on princess Feb 2022 heading in September for a 7 day from San Diego

[@larry2436]

excellent tips, very logical plus I like the getting a drink first. We normally put our bag in our room but I likt this idea first

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks Larry! It was a good way to start 🥂

[@ericl29]

We like to have ice in our room. We have tipped our cabin steward at the beginning with the expectation that the small ice chest we bring stays full of ice. We haven't been disappointed on any cruise by our cabin stewards.

[@stephenaxe3663]

Awesome information! Thank you!

[@boatlover1875]

We embark Saturday for our first Princess cruise, glad to hear about the Ocean Medallion orientation (thanks!) as this is a new thing for us. I've found the app to be difficult at times so far compared to the RCL version we used a couple months ago. Hopefully they will get us on the right path.

[@johnp139]

Right, the app is horrible and it hasn’t improved in over a year.

[@Mark-EFMB-Combat-Medic]

Your videos are very helpful, and you are very pleasant. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks so much for your kind comments and for watching!!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Love the way you dress for a cruise even though the temps in Canada are freezing . Your background is prefect too

[@LifeWellCruised]

Lol, sometimes I wear a sweater but I try 😂. You know it, it’s freezing here right now 🥶🥶

[@jrherman3rd]

Thanks for the videos and all the tips. We are taking our first cruise in Sept 2022 on Discovery Princess to Alaska.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Wonderful cruise!!

[@janismccabe3622]

I like your idea about getting a drink first to celebrate!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks! I think there was a bit of stress leading up to embarkation and it was nice to sit and enjoy and savor the moment

[@DaveM-FFB]

Another excellent video, with valuable tips. We're experienced cruisers, but I always learn something new in each of your videos.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks so much!!

[@loumello8813]

Excellent recommendations for embarkation day. One thing I do is to watch a number of full ship reviews by various cruise vloggers in the month or so before cruising so I will have a very good idea of where everything is in board, comes in real handy on ships that have elevators that don't necessarily go where you think they might go.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great idea, especially when going on a ship for the first time

[@UNREDACTEDTRUTH]

Sounds great! Where/how do I find these cruise vloggers? We're about to take our first cruise in 2 weeks. Princess. We're sailors so normally sail our own boat!

[@hidavidhuang]

very well thought out and informative. thank you.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for watching!

[@Philippa-]

Another interesting informative video. I am so pleased when I get a notification of a new one. I love the idea of picking an embarkation time. I would pick the earliest too. 😀😀

[@LifeWellCruised]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I always like to get on the earlier the better, you?

[@Philippa-]

Yes I love the earliest check in I can get. I love it if I can have my lunch on board .

[@happycruiser]

We have always tipped extra to cabin staff. And in the days of set dining at one table, we would also tip the waiters as well. We have always had such wonderful service on Celebrity, Princess and NCL and love to give the staff some extra.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing! We’ve also had some amazing waiters that have made the dining experience so special. When we can have the same servers we also appreciate that

[@renatewilkinson974]

@@LifeWellCruised I do send Amazon packages to our crew members after the cruise, that way I know what type of snacks they like and personal hygiene items. Specially now where at many ports the crew is not permitted to go ashore. It works well. Of course it only works for US ports. the front office will have all the information for the port authorities mailing addresses.

[@beckdaniel37]

This will be my trust time on a cruise ship! I’m traveling with my cousin and her family who are experienced cruisers. I have loved watching your very informative videos. Thanks for all the Amazon links! I’ve purchased some of the items already 😃 I can’t wait to travel on Regal Princess in a few weeks.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks so much Becky! Have an amazing cruise - great ship!! 🛳🎉

[@beckdaniel37]

@@LifeWellCruised Thank You!

[@joelroach416]

I do not drink alcohol, but I head straight to Alfredo's when I am on Royal class ships. I am usually at Alfredos every day. The food is fabulous and the location is perfect. Unpack is the greatest. Be at home for a week or ever how long your trip is. I will be on Ruby 31 days from late Dec 22 to late Jan 23. Just relaxing the Princess way. No Alfredos on Ruby but slice and salty dog will take care of me just fine.

[@darlenelacroix890]

I've sailed with Princess once, but back in 2015 so I'm doing learning about the Medallion.

[@debd3980]

Although I'm on royal Caribbean I still use your videos to get tips from for my first cruise.

[@LifeWellCruised]

You’re so sweet! Thank you

[@sandyatkin3446]

One thing we always do on Embarkation Day is visit the spa to enter their free draws and to register for the thermal spa package (if the ship has the package). If it does it is usually half price. The package gives you entry to the spas hot tub, steam room, thermal spa beds, lounge area.

[@russellvirgin3430]

Great tips. I do a lot of those very things.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks Russell. Glad to hear :)

[@eleanor4482]

Good information as always. Thanks for sharing.😎

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks Eleanor!!

[@tavongas.philips5547]

I love your Enthusiasm

[@nrgpokemon5158]

Really enjoy your videos… you get to the point instead of gimmicks and nonsense-chatter that is everywhere. Thumbs up Just a quick note… the link to the power bar is a surge-protected power bar that is not permissible on board ships because they are fire hazards. (I’m buying a power bar as I’m headed on the Crown Princess and it has only 2 plug outlets - I think you showed me that! Thanks! )

[@elainewiggs9404]

Thanks again for your wonderful information. 😊

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for watching! Glad this was helpful:)

[@ginnienuckles3992]

yup a gin and tonic on the 12 day British Isles,, gotta be Hendricks,, then on to lunch !

[@forcedair92gt94]

Our first Princess cruise is in 2 months. I've downloaded the app, uploaded the info, got the green line confirmation and ordered the medallions. I will be looking for all the Princess info I can gather. Thanks.

[@deborahsheldon9951]

When I pack, I put shirts, under garments, socks and other wearable items in zip organizer packs that I purchased on Amazon but are sold on any travel or luggage website. I put my dress clothes on hangers in a garment bag, bathroom items in my bathroom kit, I can unpack in five minutes or less.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Very smart and organized!! Love it

[@leonidaantonio3971]

you have great info. You talk like an expert.

[@wildflowersnhoney209]

I will tip our room attendant on the first day when I ask for items on embarkation. Once I twisted my ankle on embarkation day and my attendant made sure to bring me plenty of ice buckets and extra pillows so that I could elevate my foot. I also ask for an extra towel. Princess service has always been wonderful.

[@justinwise6950]

I wish I had found this video a week or two ago, lol! We leave on Sunday and the early embarkation times were already taken. Our tradition is to make a bee line for the pool bar as soon as we get on board, we have done it every cruise.

[@ritadaccache]

Very much enjoy your videos Elana ❤

[@larryfinkel4102]

Sailing in August on a British Isles cruise on the Emerald Princess. Have sailed on Princess many times but this will be our first Medallion cruise. Looking forward to all the new stuff

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awesome!! Sounds like a great cruise!!

[@Hawkeye2001]

We did a Princess British Isles cruise several years ago. If you have the excursion option of going to Wales & St David's Cathedral do not miss it. It was one of the most amazing stops of our entire cruise.

[@OmadLCNS]

our very first cruise this June to Alaska with Princess. been watching your videos very informational, a lot to take note lol! but I've been taking notes. Thank you sooo much!

[@petersauder3430]

Possible to give some tips re one night day before cruise port lodging w transfers Ft Lauderdale and Tample. Love your tips.

[@user-bc4yo6yz6e]

We're looking into doing ours first ever Princess Cruise on the grand Princess in October ❤

[@meowhisspurrrscratch6961]

The first thing we do is drop off our carry on luggage in our rooms, change into swim suits and head straight for the pool ! Grab a beer and relax ! Can't wait to cruise again !

[@evelynr.6835]

Thank you for this information, will be doing a Princess cruise in May and have not done the medallion app, your info was helpful. Some things I found out is you cannot book your dining times until you're fully paid. This was a last minute decision so hopefully I can get the dining times I want.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Yes unless you’re in club class or part of the upper level of captain circle this is the case. As soon as you make your final payment, reserve the times you want. I don’t think you’ll have a problem

[@mechanicm1413]

One thing that is nice about the new Medallions is you can also make your dining reservations before you even board the ship. Using the app you can make all your dinner reservations for the entire trip. So if like my wife and I like to go to the show at 1930 (7:30pm) so I have all our reservations set for 1700 (5 pm). Now you can do this on embarkation day but if you wait you may not get the time you want. Through the app or even online you can set it up. I set our 30 days before our cruise on the Discovery Princess. Our last cruise we went down for dining and there was a line of people that didn't know you could do this ahead of time and we got in the reservation line and were sat right away while the other line had to wait tell reservations were sat and see what was available.

[@lindatscott]

Thanks for the info. When can you start adding info on medallion app? Do you have to wait till all your payments are made?

[@calcham1]

Re drinks: I don't drink much at home but on a cruise ship I drink a lot, partially because I try to take advantage of the beverage package which I always get, and partially because I like to just taste a lot of different drinks I would never ever drink at home. So one of the first things I do when boarding is grab a drink, and it's usually champagne because it feels celebratory.

[@lilotoole6617]

Thank you for the great videos! Where is this dress from? I just ordered one that you linked to amazon 😍

[@chanchan1076]

Awesome video Ilana! I normally like to get a delicious drink/ margarita as soon as I get to the lido deck. 🍸 🧉 🍹 And, I use to nap during sail away.... but you are right....that was a big mistake.😏

[@LifeWellCruised]

Sounds like a great start!! Lol, thanks for sharing

[@costaricaflyer1532]

Your videos are EXCELLENT! One question. You say NOT to arrive more than 30 minutes before your scheduled check-in time. What happens if you arrive AFTER your scheduled check-in time?

[@anabelidelagarza3692]

Expectacular. Super.

[@glasser2819]

honesty this was good 😊

[@jeangallagher3793]

Welcome Drink:. I have sailed with Celebrity 10+ years. At boarding area they have always greeted guests with a tray of mimosas, champagne or juice. Cabin Attendant:. They have several cabins to tend so upon greeting I give a paper list of what I would like ( ice, remove items from fridge, etc.) Cabin Attendant:. They work so hard to make our trip memorable so I, too, always give an additional tip at end of each cruise (I usually do back-to-back(s) so at the end of each trip. Same if I have same Dining Room servers. I am hopeful and anxious for my booked Celebrity to Asia; Japan is still on a CDC #4 category. Thank you for your videos 🛳️.

[@kr1234566]

Leaving Saturday on my first princess cruise. This video was a great reminder. I am very confused about tipping. I usually sail in the haven on NCL and bring quite a bit for tips for the butler concierge and csbin steward. Another princess video suggested bringing small bills for tips for all room service 1-2 per drink maybe 5 per meal. I want to be sure I have enough with me. We are in a suite snd I did get 50 1's and 50 5's do I need more?

[@jodietimheitz9066]

We just came back from the Celebrity Apex this past Saturday and kept a few of our traditions going. The first thing we do is go into our room and watch the safety video while unpacking some small items. After that we go eat and have our first beverage of the cruise. When sail away occurs we have our bottle of champagne on the balcony (aft balcony this time) and have our toast. Hope this helps!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Sounds amazing! Hope you had a fantastic cruise!

[@user-pr3yi6mx7m]

Going to Norway's Fjords and Edinburgh, Scotland sailing from Southampton, England July 12!

[@Jodster223]

I like to get lunch and then go to my cabin and change to go to the hot tub. It really brings in the idea of "vacation started." I would love to go to another restaurant coming in, but I have to be gluten free, so I tend to be careful of doing that after cruise has settled in.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Love the idea of heading to the hot tub! That definitely says vacation 👌. Yes being gluten free you have to be careful

[@richhahn7852]

Yes when we get on drink first and then lunch

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Hokie. Big time but on the interactive boards they have an adventure that takes you all over the ship and I even got in about 11k steps in

[@LifeWellCruised]

Haha true it’s a great way to get those steps in 😂

[@elizabethwalker3272]

Our "last" cruise was a 2019 Panama Canal cruise! It was not a Medallion cruise but now all ships have the Medallion; we are taking a short California cruise in October so I am trying to get all info I can so I'll kinda know what I'm doing!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Have a wonderful cruise!

[@allanmedin2477]

Just booked Emerald Princess for 2023 First time aboard Princess Cruise Line.

[@judithpearson8870]

We’re on the Emerald August 21. Ocean to Ocean

[@bobkrakovich1851]

Hi Ilana, most of your tips, other than being cruise line specific, hold across the board for other lines as well. The one extra thing I did on embarkation day while walking around the MDR on the Millennium, was to find the exact table number we wanted to sit at for dinner for the entire cruise. That gave us the perfect spot to relax for dinner. Hi from Bob and Jill ( who loves the colors and design of your blouse) in Connecticut.

[@dianeallen7313]

Hi Bob! We'll be sailing on millennium soon and do you know if solarium cafe is open on embarkation day or is it just the buffet?

[@bobkrakovich1851]

@@dianeallen7313 Hi Diane, the Cafe in the Solarium was hardly open. And we were in the pool there everyday. But yes the buffet is open when you embark. It was a great ship and we lucked out having an aft corner Family Oceanview Veranda 8166 for just us two. Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great idea for the MDR table!! Thanks Jill - you’ll like my next video I think 👗. Thanks Bob too 😉

[@richardguardiani8326]

If you are using traditional dining, I think it's a good idea to go to the main dining room and find your table. If you don't like it, you may be able to change it.

[@alfredopons618]

Not sure if I need Medallion app. Do not use my cell phone once on board. Apparently a Medallion will be at embarking check in. Definitely enjoyed your video suggestions. Thank you! Off the Mexican Riviera. A welcome relief from three years of pandemic fatigue. Due to my demographic, will continue to observe necessary pandemic protocols. Be well, stay safe. Will look for your future postings. Abrazos!

[@brianburton6154]

My wife and I never cruised before and are considering it this year for our vacation. We were watching this video and you said put you phone on airplane mode, but never said why. I think for our first cruise it should be a smaller and older cruise ship. Because if we like it, and are thinking about doing it again next year we could pay an extra 100 for a newer cruise and be blown away. What I'm saying is we love the love boat television show, so if we got on a 30 year plus cruise ship like the margaritaville at sea for 3 days and 2 nights to the Bahamas that would be awesome. And next year do a week on a more modern cruise ship for a week. Typically we do one mini vacation at Daytona Beach, a weekend, then later we will do a hole week at Daytona Beach.

[@realcdcruze3558]

It’s been a while since we sailed from Florida (we are UK based) and I was told on Edge when at Florida port the drinks packages pays for your drinks but you still need to pay tax until it’s in international waters.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Interesting. I’ve heard this on NCL, but hadn’t on celebrity. If so it will only be 1$ or so per drink. This was the case on NCL out of NYC for me a few years ago

[@susanbarnett761]

Thanks for the info. I have a question about boarding passes . Do they automatically show up on the medallion app or is having the medallion the boarding pass. I have sailed Princess but before the medallion was introduced

[@russellyeley2561]

I hope Alfredo's is not busy on my Feb 12th cruise now that you gave out the secret!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Haha those who watch cruise KZbin videos know all the tricks!! Enjoy your cruise 🎉

[@willgaukler8979]

... tip ... check out the closing time of LUNCH in the MDR ... shoot for a boarding time before then ... and plan your day from there ... TIP ...take a cell phone photo of the daily patter ... later you can zoom in on times you interested in ...

[@larryvaladez8964]

Two things I've never seen you recommend for taking on a cruise is a night light and a digital scale to weigh your luggage. The night light is very handy in the bathroom for those really dark cabins at night and the scale takes away worry whether your suitcase will be a couple pounds overweight when you get to the airport.

[@UNREDACTEDTRUTH]

cell phone is the BEST flashlight!

[@david-wright]

We are travelling from the UK and wonder how much we should tip the cabin attendant. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[@lenas7419]

Thanks for your great advice for us. But for the first time cruiser that I don't understand is why @ 10:44 in your video (unpack) is very important thing. I still do not understand that, can you please give little more details, what if I don't unpack my suitecase, what will be happen? Thank you so much for your time and details. Have a great day.

[@russellyeley2561]

I usually ask for a bucket of ice and I do give a small gratuity in the beginning.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s smart!! Thanks for sharing

[@MaryAnn-is8ku]

We do the same, plus I ask for another pillow

[@joanbjornas682]

Speaking of the medallion - I forgot mine in the room one time, and didn't want to go back and get it. We didn't think anything about it until we met our room steward who was waiting outside of our room at 8pm, waiting for me to leave the room so he could do turn down service. Oops! They know if you are in the room, by the signal your medallion sends out.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Oh my!! A good reminder

[@barbarashuster9029]

Snow storm coming Thursday and Friday flight to LAX already cancelled! Hoping later flight 2 hours south and evening not morning works out! Bummer

[@LifeWellCruised]

Oh no!! I hope all works out

[@jimmiejoeschannel3735]

On our last several Princess cruises we carried our luggage on board and immediately went up to the stateroom and unpacked. We tend to try and get on board as early as possible, and we have never found that the stateroom was not yet ready. If it would happen that it wasn't, we would probably just bring them back down to the main dining room for lunch and I would think the stateroom would be open by the time we finished lunch. This avoids having to keep checking to see if your luggage has arrived yet and it gets that task out of the way. Also, as you mentioned in your video, muster is now online so while or after we unpacked, we listened to the video and stopped in at our muster station on the way to lunch. I think your best tip is to try the MDR or Alfredo's for lunch and avoid the buffet crowd. That's not to say that after a great MDR lunch we don't stop by the International Cafe to see what they are offering (and maybe sample), and then go up to the buffet to see what they are offering (and maybe sample), and then go to slices to check out the pizza (and definitely sample). I'm not going to admit if we grabbed some fries by the pool! Then we explore the ship and do the other things you suggest. By the way, I agree there hardly is anything better than a cruise embarkation day. I kind of compare it to Christmas morning when I was a kid.

[@glasser2819]

very true 👏

[@steveread3303]

If you are Elite in Princess for the first time, you will note that the mini-fridge has been stocked. Know that you can ask for items to be swapped. Maybe swap the whiskey for vodka or wine .. or swap all the alcohol for non-alcohol. Ask the stweard or leave them a note.

[@maryullrich6792]

Have watched about 10 of your videos. I never see links you talk about. How do I find them? Thanks Love your videos!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Hi Mary! Thanks so much for watching! The links are in the video description, below the title. To see this you can tap on the arrow down, on the right of the title if you’re on a mobile device. On the computer I believe it says see more

[@lindalacrosse2546]

What do you do with your carry-on luggage til you can get on your cabin

[@terrymurphy2637]

Great helpful video. Any suggestions where to get Covid tests in Fort Lauderdale? We sail on Caribbean Princess March 19th to Panama Canal & VCR ending on April 7 so need to get test on the 17th.Thanks for any help with this. We are from Calgary.

[@LifeWellCruised]

I wish I had specific recommendations. I’ll look out for this and mention in a future video or post. I know it’s important info

[@terrymurphy2637]

Thanks so much again : ) !

[@sherrills.2332]

TY - great tips! Quick ? Do you need WiFi to use the Ocean Now good or drink delivery on the ship? I REALLY don't want to have my phone, work, etc bothering me so was NOT going to purchase the WiFi.

[@donnafigalora1777]

We love a drink first to celebrate

[@wingandhog]

Princess Cruise #25 is booked for October. We wanted to check out the Discovery Princess and booked a cruise for that reason. The itinerary didn’t matter to us, we have been everywhere. Most likely we will just hang out on the ship or our balcony when in port. As far as gratuities, I always pre-pay or get a package that includes gratuities, but if our cabin steward has some time off while in port, I usually slip him or her a twenty dollar bill to help defray phone calls or cover a few incidentals. I have no expectations because if that. I also give a little more at the end of the cruise.

[@ritadaccache]

❤

[@amberandianpayton2823]

I would like what to expect on cruise its my family first time going on cruise and what is included and whats not included

[@FoxxyHawk]

Great video. Does the Medallion App allow you to message (text) your family on board for free?

[@LifeWellCruised]

Yes it’s awesome for this

[@radioabi88]

Great video, thank you! I'm going on my first ever cruise in May to Alaska on the Ruby Princess!! I'm so excited. Where do you recommend you go for sailaway if you've not got a balcony room? Also do you recommend the Sanctuary? Thank you!

[@troyjollimore4100]

That would probably depend on the port you’re sailing from, but anywhere outside on the upper decks should do. Or even the Promenade deck.

[@marilynwolff-hall6014]

Hi, Are u on the 5/20 sailing out of San Francisco? We are.

[@radioabi88]

@@marilynwolff-hall6014 Hi Marilyn! We are on just before you, we get back on 20 May. It's fantastic and you'll have an amazing time!! Sorry to miss you xx