The blade may have been shave ready but always requires stropping before shaving. I usually do about 50-60 passes on the leather side. Some use the linen side; I do not. Be careful when stroppinig; this is an easy time to do some damage to the blade. The damage is called rolling the edge and is caused by not keeping enough tension on the strop and by applying pressure on the blade while stropping. Always use only the weight of the blade when stropping to avoid this potential problem.
Concerning multiple passes: almost everyone that I know needs them usually following a with the grain, across the grain in different directions and occasionally against the grain. Check out the stickies in the newbie forum.

Congrats on your first shave and keep us posted on your progress!