Packing:
You can drop your luggage upon checking in at port and someone will bring it to your room or you can carry it on yourself. Keep in mind if you carry it on yourself your stateroom might not be ready when you board. This will leave you carrying around your luggage for a while. You could always check larger luggage and bring a smaller carry on with you for the in between time.
What to put in your carry-on bag:
Unlike a hotel where people check in on different days and at varying times, people check in to a cruise ship en masse. As such, a ship receives thousands of pieces of luggage in a matter of a few hours, which means your bags might not arrive in your stateroom until a few hours after you've boarded. Carry-ons are key. Pack everything needed to get you and your family through dinner time -- ID and documentation, wallets, bathing suits, cameras, medications, sandals, sunscreen, a change of clothes and toiletries, and if you're traveling with small children, enough diapers, wipes and diversions to get you through a day. This packing strategy will save you should the airline or cruise line lose your bag, as you'll have many necessities on hand.
Gratuities:
Gratuities on the ship go toward your wait staff, concierge, room attendants, etc. I added gratuities onto your cruise fare when you booked. Technically you don't owe any more for this, but I generally take some small bills and give a bit extra to bartenders, pool staff, and other staff I might not interact with as regularly. I also might give extra to anyone who went above and beyond.
Dining:
There are many dining options aboard the ship.
Dining Times:
The Main Dining Room has multiple options for dinner seating. Your option is highlighted.
Formal Nights:
This is a night where people dining in the main dining room or specialty restaurants dress up. Think of the formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. The Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.
Making the Most of Embarkation Day:
Cashless system:
Most people incur some expenses on their cruise even with some meals and entertainment included in the fare. Alcoholic drinks (unless you're sailing on select luxury lines), shore tours, gift shop purchases, specialty dining, casino and bingo play, and spa services all cost extra. In order to make payments easy, you'll receive a swipe card upon check-in (which doubles as your room key) for charging various items and services to an account that can be settled at the end of your trip with a credit card or cash. Some technology-pushing cruise ships now offer passengers RFID wristband alternatives that perform the same functions as the classic swipe card.
Onboard doctors:
Medical services typically consist of a physician and nurse to take care of minor temporary illnesses and accidents for a fee. In most cases, those with health and/or travel insurance will need to pay up before debarking and submit their claim once they return home. If you have a serious illness or injury, you will likely be sent to a land-based hospital and miss the rest of the cruise. Many commonly used medications are kept onboard and can be prescribed by the ship's doctor. However, it's generally cheaper to get over-the-counter medicines in port -- or better yet, bring them with you from home. If you take prescription medicine, it's a good idea to carry copies of your prescriptions with you in case your medicine gets lost or stolen.
Seasickness:
Some cruise lines will provide complimentary motion sickness medicine (Bonine or something similar) to passengers through the infirmary, purser's desk or room service. Cruisers have also had success with patches which are placed behind the ear and dispense medicine through the skin, and Sea-Bands, which are acupressure wristbands that press on a particular point inside the wrist associated with nausea. Eating green apples or ginger may also relieve queasiness.
Settling your account:
On the last evening of the sailing, you'll receive an itemized bill of your charges. Be sure to look it over and contact the cruise line's guest services or hotel desk to dispute any charges if necessary. If all looks good, just keep the bill as your receipt; the balance will be charged to the credit card you provided at check-in or via the app. Some lines will also allow you to settle your account in cash. It's a good idea to check your onboard statement (either at the guest services desk, through an in-cabin interactive TV system or, in some cases, via the cruise line's app) prior to the last night. Lines at the desk can be long on debarkation day, so if you can spot a problem and resolve it early, you will be saved the hassle of waiting in a long line.
Packing to disembark:
Many cruise lines require you to pack your bags the night before you disembark and place them outside your stateroom to be collected. This procedure expedites the disembarkation process. Utilize your carry-on again for toiletries and any remaining in-cabin items on the last morning of your stay. Don't forget to leave out a change of clothes for the following morning so you don't have to exit the ship wearing your pajamas!
You may also carry off your own luggage if you wish.