'Chaos and stress': Experts reveal the one thing to avoid on the first day of a cruise
The first day of a cruise is always the most exciting.
Especially if your first time on the ship, it's a time to explore all the facilities, scope out the best pools and find the perfect sun lounger to relax on with a cocktail.
However, as some first-time cruisers aren't aware, you can't get into your stateroom straight away.
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There's one place to avoid on embarkation day. Getty
On embarkation day, guests can't access their rooms until housekeeping is finished preparing them - usually about two hours after boarding.
Which is fine: there are heaps of other things to do on the ship while you wait.
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But one thing you shouldn't do? Hit up the buffet.
Melissa Cabey has worked on hundreds of cruises as an entertainer, and she warned passengers to avoid the buffet in the first few hours after boarding.
"For the few times that I did brave the masses and go, I immediately regretted it."
Avoid the buffet on your first day. Getty
This is simply because it's immediately the busiest place on the ship. People are hungry after travelling plus they're excited to scope out the buffet situation. To make matters worse, they likely have all their carry-on luggage with them, too.
"Since the guests don't know their way around the ship and how things flow yet, traffic jams and human pile-ups are common to see," Melissa wrote for Parade.
The buffet on day one is the complete opposite of the idyllic cruise holiday you pictured.
"Nobody wants chaos and stress the second they board the ship, and that's what you're going to experience if you head up to the buffet with everyone else," said Melissa.
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The dining room is a quieter option. TikTok
A similar tip was shared to TikTok by That Cruising Couple, who wrote, "there's nothing more jammed than a cruise ship buffet on embarkation day".
Thankfully, most large cruise liners have heaps of food options beyond the buffet, if you're starving but want to avoid the masses.
"Instead, check your cruise app, to see what secondary dining options are open. Then head there to try and avoid the crowds," the couple recommended.
Melissa suggested heading to the main dining room, if it's open for lunch.
"Instead of fighting for a seat at the buffet, you'll have your very own table to relax and keep your things in the dining room. Then, when the rooms are announced to be ready, you can leisurely finish your meal and head up when you're ready."
