Over the past 10 years, I've spent 253 days at sea. First-time cruisers need to do these 6 things as soon as they board.

As a frequent traveler, I know all the best things to do as soon as you board a cruise ship.

Sharon Fisher After spending over 250 days at sea over the past decade, I have some tips for first-time cruisers .

As soon as you board, it's important to review safety protocols and unpack your belongings.

I like to explore the entire ship as soon as possible, so that I don't miss out on any amenities.

When I went on my first cruise in 2016, I had no idea how much I'd grow to love this form of travel.

But throughout the past decade, I've spent a total of over eight months at sea.

Although I'm now a seasoned pro, I often think back to my first cruise, when I had no idea what to expect or how to take full advantage of the ship's amenities.

Here are six things I think new cruisers should do as soon as they board the ship.

It's important to review the safety protocols right away.

Sharon Fisher When it comes to cruising, safety is the most important thing.

That's why I recommend finding the muster station — where passengers meet if there's a ship-wide emergency — as soon as possible.

Some ships may also have other requirements, like watching a safety video after boarding.

If that's the case, it's a good idea to review this information as soon as possible.

Plus, you'll want to find out where your life jackets are located — before you need them.