Day 1: Boarding Day Excitement & Exploring the Ship

Morning – Getting to the Port

    The day finally arrived! Waking up with the buzz of excitement, we could hardly believe it was our very first family cruise. The kids were practically bouncing out of bed, and the drive to Miami felt like a blur. Arriving at the port was overwhelming and exciting all at the same time—there were so many people, and luggage was stacked high on carts, being checked in to be delivered onto the ship. My husband dropped us off while he went to park the car and take the shuttle back. Even the short wait felt like eternity as we were filled with anticipation—there’s something about that moment right before an adventure begins that makes everything feel magical.

What to Expect

    When you arrive at the port, porters will help with your luggage while you head inside. Just like at the airport, you’ll go through security and then check in (Tip: be sure to print out all luggage tags beforehand and have them strapped to all bags being checked). Once you're checked in, each guest gets a key card—keep it handy because you’ll need it to get on and off the ship. You'll also use these key cards for drinks if you purchased the drink package which I'm so happy we did (Tip: we packed lanyards for our key cards- having them around our necks at all times made it super easy to use and not forget them. Bonus: Kids loved having their own key cards to carry around.)

    Before you even step into your stateroom, grab a fun photo with the ship’s photographers as a first vacation memory. Then, head to your stateroom. If it’s not ready yet, don’t worry! You can meet your room steward, explore the ship, or grab a bite to eat. 

    Finally, make sure to listen to the safety announcements and find your muster station (your key card will have the info). It’s always good to know in case of an emergency. 

Boarding & First Impressions

    As soon as we stepped onto the ship, the kids’ excitement hit a whole new level. I’m not sure they were ready for just how big the ship really is! Boarding felt like it took forever, but in the best way possible—every minute building our anticipation. After checking in our luggage (which conveniently gets delivered right to our cabin doors), we were greeted with music, singing, and the friendliest smiles. It was clear the crew genuinely enjoyed welcoming each family aboard—it immediately set a fun and cheerful tone for the trip.

    We weren’t able to go to our rooms just yet, but that didn’t matter. We met up with the rest of the family as they arrived, excited to start this adventure together. The energy was infectious, and the first glimpse of the ship already had us dreaming about all the fun to come.

Tip: Pack a carry-on. Something you can put your essentials in like a swimsuit or a change of clothes, medication, or anything else you may need while you wait for your luggage to arrive at your cabin.

Lunch & Settling In

    After all the excitement of checking in, we were ready for lunch. Tip: Skip the crowded buffet at first and head to one of the complimentary sit-down restaurants. It was so much more relaxing, and a great way to start our cruise without feeling rushed or stuck in a line. Most of the people boarding will be heading for the buffet. Something to note: not all complimentary dining will be available for lunch.

    After lunch, we headed to our cabin—and wow, it was amazing! The balcony view was the best part, and the kids were overwhelmed with excitement. We spent a little time unpacking and getting settled. Our cabin wasn't huge, but it was enough. Spending a little extra time organizing all our little things was key.

    Here’s a tip we loved: pack small magnetic hooks. We hung them on the walls to create extra space—perfect for hats, towels to dry, or anything else we needed to hang. Total game changer! Once we had everything in place, we spent some time just hanging out in the room, enjoying the view, and soaking in the excitement of being on our very first family cruise together.

Afternoon Fun & Exploring the Ship

    Once we were settled into our cabin, we couldn’t wait to get out and explore the Norwegian Escape. We didn’t do anything too crazy that first afternoon—mostly just walked around to get a feel for the ship. And let me tell you, this ship was big! Everywhere we turned, there was something new: endless dining options, fun bars and lounges, and entertainment spots like the Choir of Man show and the Cellars Wine Bar. For the more adventurous, there were water slides, a ropes course, and even a huge spa and fitness center.

One important tip: this is the perfect time to make any dinner reservations you’re interested in. Popular restaurants like Cagney’s Steakhouse and Food Republic fill up fast, so snagging a reservation early will save you stress later in the week.

Evening- Sail Away Fun

    As the ship slowly pulled away from the dock, we all grabbed a drink and found a few chairs along the edge to take it all in. The kids were grinning from ear to ear, sipping on their virgin strawberry daiquiris as we watched the shore shrink behind us. The excitement was unreal—it finally hit us that our family cruise adventure had truly begun. The breeze, the music, the laughter—it was one of those moments you just want to freeze in time.

    After the sail away, we wandered the ship for a bit before settling in for dinner at The Manhattan Room, one of the complimentary restaurants onboard. The vibe was perfect—elegant but still comfortable for families. The staff was so kind and patient, especially with the kids, taking time to talk with them and make them origami animals. Dinner was amazing! Everyone got to enjoy an appetizer, their main course, and dessert, which the kids absolutely devoured. Between the delicious food, friendly service, and relaxing atmosphere, The Manhattan Room quickly became one of my favorite spots on the ship.

Family Tip of the Day: Be Cruise-Ready Before You Board!

    Before you even set foot on the ship, make sure you’ve downloaded the NCL app — it’s your best friend for the entire cruise! You’ll use it for everything from online check-in and reserving activities or dining, to viewing your itinerary and tracking your onboard account.

 Reserve your check-in time early through the app — this determines when you can board, so don’t wait!

 Have your documents ready: Passports, photo IDs, and your eDocs (electronic boarding passes).

 Label your luggage with the official NCL bag tags before arriving at the port.

 Bring a credit card for onboard purchases and set it up in the app for a smoother process.

 Pack a small carry-on bag with essentials like swimsuits, sunscreen, medications, chargers, and anything you might need while waiting for your checked bags to arrive at your stateroom.

    Getting these small details done ahead of time makes embarkation day smooth and stress-free — so you can start vacation mode the moment you arrive!