Embarkation day on the Oasis of the Seas (and any other cruise ship for that matter) is an exciting time for the whole family, especially when you have two small children in tow. Here are some must-do ideas to make the most of your first day onboard:
1. Adventure Ocean Open House: Take advantage of the Adventure Ocean Open House session, usually throughout embarkation day. It allows parents and children to explore the Adventure Ocean facilities together, meet the staff, and get a taste of the exciting activities that await them throughout the cruise. This way, your children can get familiar with the program and start looking forward to the days ahead. One of mine is 3 and the other is 6, so it was important to me for the kids to both get a feel for their space and decide if they would be comfortable. My 3 year old did not want to leave the open house he was having such a great time! Make sure you grab a schedule for the week and see if any activities will be held the first day. We set sail on Easter, so that afternoon they had an Easter egg hunt and after party planned. The original plan of having the part on the Boardwalk got rained out, but they were able to move it down to the Promenade. Both of the kids (and family members) had a blast. (We don't know why all of our Easter Bunny pictures turned red, but this was the best we could get)
2. Explore the Ship: Set aside some time to explore the ship with your children. Let them marvel at large the ship truly is and check out the Royal Promenade, where they can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and perhaps even catch a street performance or parade. Walk through the various neighborhoods, such as the Boardwalk, with its nostalgic carousel and arcade games, or Central Park, with its serene gardens and cozy seating areas. Now is also a great time to ride the carousel, do the zip line and play putt-putt! My kids really just enjoyed going up and down the elevators that looked down into each neighborhood.
3. Aquatic Fun: The Oasis of the Seas offers an incredible array of water-based activities. Take your children for a dip in one of the ship's pools, including kid-friendly splash areas and water slides. The H2O Zone is a particularly popular spot for young children, with fountains, water sprays, and interactive water features for endless fun and splashing. Since many people are exploring the ship, the crowds will be much smaller on embarkation day (same goes with port days). We didn't get to enjoy this because it was rainy and pretty chilly on our embarkation day.
4. Lunch at Windjammer Marketplace: Head to the Windjammer Marketplace, the ship's main buffet restaurant, for a relaxed and casual lunch. With a wide range of food options available, including kid-friendly favorites, it's a great opportunity to satisfy everyone's appetite after a morning of excitement. The buffet setup allows you to choose from various cuisines and dishes, ensuring there's something to please even the pickiest eaters. We were so pleased with the variety of food offered and I was able to be adventurous each day, while the kids stuck to their chicken tenders and fries.
5. Sail Away Celebration: Don't miss the Sail Away Celebration as the ship sets sail from Miami. Head to the upper decks with your children to witness the stunning views of the city's skyline and the open sea. Enjoy the lively music, dancing, and festivities as the ship starts its journey. It's a memorable moment that marks the beginning of your family's adventure at sea. Remember to consult the ship's Cruise Compass for specific embarkation day activities tailored for children. Unfortunately due to the weather, the traditional Sail Away party was not on the pool deck, but there was a party offered in the Promenade in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt.
6. Set Reservations: Make sure if you did not pre-reserve your entertainment and dining, you do so first thing when getting on the ship. There are employees there to help you secure these reservations at any of the dining locations. Even if the shows and dining say Sold Out on the app prior to boarding, Royal Caribbean holds a block of reservations for people to book after boarding the ship. You do not want to miss the performance at the AquaTheater or any of the other shows Royal Caribbean has to offer!
7. Decorate Your Door: This isn't a MUST-DO for everyone, but it is for my family! I loved decorating our door and it make it so easy for the kids to find our stateroom as we were going back "home" each day. All of the hallways and door look the same and all mush together in my mind so I would have walked past my door several times had I not decorated. I did this after we were allowed in our room and before dinner. I tried to unpack everything at once and get settled in so that I would not have to worry about it later.
While you don't have to know exactly what you're going to do after you board the boat, it is always better to board with a plan. By checking a few things off of your list, it will allow you to put all of those tasks aside and just enjoy the rest of your week at sea!
What is the first thing you do once you board a cruise? Let me know in the comments!
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