Embarkation day is one of the most highly anticipated days on any cruise vacation. Not only does it mark the first time that you'll see the ship in person, but it signifies the true start to your vacation. Hours after stepping foot onboard, you'll be sailing away and watching the coastline disappear. 

Amidst all the excitement, however, there are some common embarkation day mistakes that you should avoid making. Though not all will ruin your vacation, you certainly don't want to start off on the wrong foot. 

Before booking a cruise, it's important that you research the line to know all the ins and outs that can make your sailing more enjoyable. All have their quirks that make them unique from competitors. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, differentiates itself from the rest of the cruise line industry in their approach to onboard dining. 

Norwegian markets itself as a cruise line that gives its guests the ultimate freedom to create their ideal vacation onboard. One of the ways they do this is through their Freestyle Dining approach. 

Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater is one of the most unique entertainment venues at sea. Dancers and divers alike captivate the minds of audience members performing an array of synchronized dancers and daring feats. 

One performer, Ginni van Katwijk, took to social media to give a behind-the-scenes look into the adrenaline-fueled stunts that high divers perform onboard some of the world's largest cruise ships. 

Would you ever think to try and smuggle a portable washing machine onto a cruise ship? Most likely not. Those on vacation typically don't want to think about doing household chores. 

Even if you find yourself needing to wash a few articles of clothing, many ships have self-service laundromats in addition to valet laundry service, albeit the latter is more expensive. 

Although the debut of a new cruise ship is undoubtedly exciting, not everything can live up to its hype. Even the most highly-anticipated cruise ships have kinks that need to be ironed out. Glitz and glam aside, brand-new cruise ships can also bring about disappointment when the bar is set high.