What do you do following embarkation after the Lido?

[HeatherInFlorida]

After you've embarked, and gone to the Lido for a bite to eat, what is the next thing that you do the first day. Lie down and wait for luggage? Tour the ship? check to see what shops are onboard?

My personal choice is to check to see where my table is situated in the dining room and how many people are sitting with us.

Love to get some other ideas for those first several hours before dinner!

[Pudgesmom]

I book spa appointments. When DH sat down on the bed on the O dam, the first thing HE did was take an hour-long nap! :rolleyes: He probably would still be sleeping if I hadn't woken him up for a ship tour!

Beth

[HeatherInFlorida]

Beth, I messed this up and didn't post the poll with the question. I actually used both your ideas in the poll!

[doone]

I always feel my cruise vacation starts AFTER life boat drill, then I can relax and have a great time. But til then, I voted I unpack.

[ekerr19]

We get a drink! Let the vacation begin!!! :D We rarely even eat anything in the Lido, just go check out the bar area - see if know anyone and then take a quick tour of the ship.

Then, it's on to the cabin for a bit of unpacking before lifeboat drill. :)

[jhannah]

We generally grab a bite then tour the ship. On the tour we'll make Pinnacle reservations and take some pictures before the ship has too many people roaming around. Then, it's back to the cabin to unpack before lifeboat drill. By that time, it's almost sailaway ... so up to the Lido deck to hook up with any CCers and let the good times roll!

[TinaLee]

Tour the ship if it's my first time on that particular vessel. Usually make alternative restaurant reservations and spa reservations if I've been on the ship before... THEN tour the ship. It takes me a day or 2 to get the lay of the 'land' so to speak, so that's important to me the first day on a new ship.

Speaking of which... does HAL give you little maps when you board or in your cabin to help those of us who are directionally challenged?

TinaLee

[the2ofus]

During our tour of the ship we check out wherever the chart of the DR is located to see where our table is.

Also try to take some pics before the ship gets too crowded.

[ron46936]

We generally like to check out the ship after lunch. However we prefer to have lunch in the dining room where there is less hustle and bustle on embark day. Too bad HAL doesn't offer this option.

[SForman]

First, I go to my cabin and light some candles. Then it's off to the pool to hog a few chairs.

We go to the room and freshen up, then tour the ship.

Seth

[jhannah]

Speaking of which... does HAL give you little maps when you board or in your cabin to help those of us who are directionally challenged? Yes, they do. You will find one on the dressing table in the material that is there. Also, plackards are on the walls throughout the ship showing that deck with a dot showing where you are. Very convenient for reference while you get acquainted with the ship.

[jhannah]

First, I go to my cabin and light some candles. Then it's off to the pool to hog a few chairs. You don't also plug in your iron to be heating up so you can press your wrinkled garments? ;)

[TinaLee]

Thanks Jim! Got very attached to those maps on Princess! Glad to hear HAL has them as well.

[Bengoshi]

Good answers, Ekerr19 and 'Vegas Jim!

[beachprincess]

I do agree that the true cruise does not start until after the dreaded life-boat drill. But we usually split up at the beginning- parents head to the room to unpack and "relax" (I love how they still use euphemisms for drinking even though I'm 18!), my aunt heads to the pool to save us some chairs, and I try to take a tour of the ship. I am always the most likely one to get lost on the ship so I start early trying to learn where I'm going! We all meet up by the pool and spend the rest of the time trying to soak in as much sun as possible.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We get a drink! Let the vacation begin!!! :D We rarely even eat anything in the Lido, just go check out the bar area - see if know anyone and then take a quick tour of the ship.

Then, it's on to the cabin for a bit of unpacking before lifeboat drill. :)

Laura, I am with you:D crack open that bottle of champagne in the room:p

Actually I needed to vote for several, we immediately check back in the cabin to see if by chance our luggage has arrived, it usually has so we then unpack. Next we take off to tour the ship while touring the ship, while out and about we do stop to see where our table is located in the Main Dining Room, then we stop by the Spa and jump into one of the little tours they give. I either book then or book in the Neptune Lounge with the concierge. While walking around I usually am taking all my pictures of the inside of the ship then to get it out of the way.
Then back to the cabin for the Life Boat Drill by that time we have cracked open the Champagne and drank about half. Then after Life Boat Drill it is back to the cabin to enjoy Sail Away out on our verrandah drinking the rest of our champagne:p

Just think a week from Sunday I will be doing this whole routine.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Our last HAL cruise we got the ship's maps when we embarked before we even got on the ship! They came along with our dining card and a packet of info.

The reason I said "after the Lido" is that when you get on the ship early, that's generally the only place you can go because the cabins aren't ready.

Seth, I have to guess that after you've lit the candles, you've also unpacked your Listerine bottles full of booze and hidden them away. And don't foget to open the door to your verandah and stick something in there to make sure it won't blow closed in the wind. Also, you'll want to be putting something other than paper in the toilet.:D

And then of course get those silly life jackets down from the closet and stick them under the bed behind your luggage so you can free up that space!

Then go have a smoke somewhere you're not supposed to.;)

(I think something is wrong with me today ... I'm feeling particularly feisty!:o )

[ekerr19]

Seth, I have to guess that after you've lit the candles, you've also unpacked your Listerine bottles full of booze and hidden them away. And don't foget to open the door to your verandah and stick something in there to make sure it won't blow closed in the wind. Also, you'll want to be putting something other than paper in the toilet.:D

And then of course get those silly life jackets down from the closet and stick them under the bed behind your luggage so you can free up that space!

Then go have a smoke somewhere you're not supposed to.;)

(I think something is wrong with me today ... I'm feeling particularly feisty!:o )

OMG - I have a cold and I am coughing so hard - I can't breath!!!! This is hysterical !

Don't forget to hang some junk from your balcony, pull out your Cd's and blender and get the margaritas and Jimmy Buffet going strong!!!!

Oh, and lifeboat drill - who needs it! That's for sissies! We're cruising now - if the ship sinks, oh well - just make sure you grab the blender!

[dakrewser]

Head back to the cabin, take off all my clothes and put on the robe. Well, it almost fits. Then explore the ship. Try to remember not to bend over so I don't scare the blue-haired lady behind me.

We usually wait a while before going to the dining room and check our table - it's usually too crowded around noon time. Its a good place to head during lifeboat drill, though, you can be pretty sure you won't be interrupted as you switch the little brass number tag you've been assigned to a better location near the window. Why bother with that fuss of "asking" the maitre d'? He's probably just looking for a bribe anyway!

[ekerr19]

Head back to the cabin, take off all my clothes and put on the robe. Well, it almost fits. Then explore the ship. Try to remember not to bend over so I don't scare the blue-haired lady behind me.
!

That was you! I didn't recognize you - it must be the 20 year old photo... :D

[SForman]

Heather..... Great response!!! *LMAO*

[cactuslady]

Well, there are soooo many things to do before the lifeboat drill:

Hang those Christmas lights out on the balcony (did I remember to pack the cordless drill for putting up the hooks?).

Decorate the door with the moose head I packed in the big roller bag (you can save suitcase space by using the antlers as shoe trees).

Start the hot water in the shower running so it's good and steamy by the time the other suitcase with the clothes arrives (then complain that I can't tell which way the steward hung the toilet paper because it's alll limp and mushy).

Find the boutique, complain that it's not open yet.

Find the casino, complain that it's not open yet.

Check out the fellow passengers and laugh at what they think is a cruise wardrobe (especially that guy in the bathrobe)

Start up the blender and ice crusher, so I can take my own drink (from the Listerine bottles) to the sailaway party and avoid having to pay those exorbitant prices.

Set up the Weber grill on the balcony to get the coals going for the shrimp hors d'ouvres I packed in my carry-on

Complain that the boat is rocking too much (even though we're still at the dock)

THEN (whew!) take that nap during the lifeboat drill.
;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather..... Great response!!! *LMAO*

Why, Seth ... Ah do declare ... Ah'm blushin' from the compliment ...;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Cactus Lady! I LOVE it!!!:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Well, there are soooo many things to do before the lifeboat drill:

Hang those Christmas lights out on the balcony (did I remember to pack the cordless drill for putting up the hooks?).

Decorate the door with the moose head I packed in the big roller bag (you can save suitcase space by using the antlers as shoe trees).

Start the hot water in the shower running so it's good and steamy by the time the other suitcase with the clothes arrives (then complain that I can't tell which way the steward hung the toilet paper because it's alll limp and mushy).

Find the boutique, complain that it's not open yet.

Find the casino, complain that it's not open yet.

Check out the fellow passengers and laugh at what they think is a cruise wardrobe (especially that guy in the bathrobe)

Start up the blender and ice crusher, so I can take my own drink (from the Listerine bottles) to the sailaway party and avoid having to pay those exorbitant prices.

Set up the Weber grill on the balcony to get the coals going for the shrimp hors d'ouvres I packed in my carry-on

Complain that the boat is rocking too much (even though we're still at the dock)

THEN (whew!) take that nap during the lifeboat drill.
;)


It must be Freeky Friday and reminds me of the Blender Thread:D

I LIKEY:p

[richnorto]

Thank you so much!!!:D We just got clobered in tennis and I needed a laugh more than I ever have!!! Now I have my head back where it should be - anticipating this cruise. Life really is good!:) Thank you!!!

[SForman]

Cactus Lady. That post is fantastic

[jhannah]

reminds me of the Blender Thread In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan, "There you go again!" :D

[RevNeal]

Let's see ... after eating a bite in the Lido I usually go back to my cabin and unpack my bags:


I hang up my 4 Tuxedos and 3 suits with white-shirts and ties.
I haul the cow out of my bags, and the chain saw, and lead ol' Bessie down to the Lido deck pool, where I kick out the kids, drain out the water, push the cow into the deep end, fire up the chain saw, and carve up some sides of beef for the kitchen ... I can't stand that shoe leather they normally serve.
I bring out the still, set it up, unpack the potatoes, and start brewing Vodka. It sells well by day three.
I unpack, clean, check, and load my guns for skeet shooting off the sports deck. I also unpack, check, and prepare the trolling hooks and chains for fishing off the aft of the ship. I also check to make sure where Club HAL will be meeting.


That's a good start! :D ;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

LOL, Greg!!! I am loving this. I went and PIMPed again.

[Bill S]

I check the view from my verandah, and if it faces the pier, I go down to the Front Desk and complain bitterly about it and demand an upgrade to a cabin with an ocean view!!!!!

[richnorto]

Let's see ... after eating a bite in the Lido I usually go back to my cabin and unpack my bags:

I hang up my 4 Tuxedos and 3 suits with white-shirts and ties.
I haul the cow out of my bags, and the chain saw, and lead ol' Bessie down to the Lido deck pool, where I kick out the kids, drain out the water, push the cow into the deep end, fire up the chain saw, and carve up some sides of beef for the kitchen ... I can't stand that shoe leather they normally serve.
I bring out the still, set it up, unpack the potatoes, and start brewing Vodka. It sells well by day three.
I unpack, clean, check, and load my guns for skeet shooting off the sports deck. I also unpack, check, and prepare the trolling hooks and chains for fishing off the aft of the ship. I also check to make sure where Club HAL will be meeting.

That's a good start! :D ;)


Oh! I get sooo much good advice here!!! What caliber do you recomend? I just love shooting skeet! Does anybody mind if I just shoot birds to avoid paying for the skeet? Are you on our cruise? I just love fresh beef! I hear the Sole is wonderful, but not served every cruise. Do you have the correct bait so we can cook it on my grill on the balcony - you know the one - it has the laundry hanging over the sides and Christmas lights drilled in! LOL!!!:D

[sueb]

I check the view from my verandah, and if it faces the pier, I go down to the Front Desk and complain bitterly about it and demand an upgrade to cabin with an ocean view!!!!!

Tooo Funny : )

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I check the view from my verandah, and if it faces the pier, I go down to the Front Desk and complain bitterly about it and demand an upgrade to cabin with an ocean view!!!!!

Bill, You should not give out all us frequent cruisers secrets:eek:

[Bill S]

Lisa: Uh, oh! I guess I will be banished from the "secret" Mariner Society! Sorry!

[JaniceB]

I wait for the muster call. Just kidding. I will let you know in a few weeks after my first HAL cruise. I have many new ideas after reading this poll.

[dakrewser]

Oh! I get sooo much good advice here!!! What caliber do you recomend? I just love shooting skeet! Does anybody mind if I just shoot birds to avoid paying for the skeet?

Umm, search the board for instances of "skeet". The rev does NOT use clay pigeons!:rolleyes:

[soccerfootballmom]

I wait for the muster call. Just kidding. I will let you know in a few weeks after my first HAL cruise. I have many new ideas after reading this poll.

I'm with you Janice...are you bringing the weber or should I? ;)

[richnorto]

Good to see you back soccerfootballmom! Are you excited yet? Only 15 more days!!!:D

[richnorto]

Umm, search the board for instances of "skeet". The rev does NOT use clay pigeons!:rolleyes:

I thought about throwing in a (skeet) reference to diapered babies in the pool, but thought that might be in really bad taste!!:D Besides, he'd already emptied the pool to butcher his cow!

[soccerfootballmom]

Good to see you back soccerfootballmom! Are you excited yet? Only 15 more days!!!:D

Excited is NOT the word...Driving my family absolutely bonkers cuz every morning I tell them exactly how many days til I get to go on my cruise...whatever the word is that describes the above affliction, I've got it ;)

[JaniceB]

I am with you Soccerfootballmom. This poll has made me more excited thinking about what I will do when I step foot on the Zaandam.

[cactuslady]

I check the view from my verandah, and if it faces the pier, I go down to the Front Desk and complain bitterly about it and demand an upgrade to a cabin with an ocean view!!!!!
:D
We were looking at the RSSC brochure, which bragged about "all oceanview cabins," and DH said "Well, what else would the view be of?"

I thought he was being ridiculous. Then I wondered how they can keep that promise while the ship is in the Panama Canal. Should there be a partial refund on that itinerary? :rolleyes:

[ekerr19]

OMG!!! It's finally come back to life! Thank you, thank you! I miss the blender thread so much and here we go again!

Revneal - don't you think you better get that Club HAL schedule squared away before you start slicin' and dicin' in the pool??? LOL! Those kids may start to scatter... :eek: Harder targets, ya know.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

OMG!!! It's finally come back to life! Thank you, thank you! I miss the blender thread so much and here we go again!

Revneal - don't you think you better get that Club HAL schedule squared away before you start slicin' and dicin' in the pool??? LOL! Those kids may start to scatter... :eek: Harder targets, ya know.

I will bring the Blender:D Does anyone have one of those JUMBO George Forman Grills?, it's easier to drain the drip pan in the toilet as opposed to the weber grill:eek:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Oh, Lisa, good idea!!! That would be far better!!! I hope someone has one because the pan is removable. It's so cumbersome to have to hold the whole grill over the toilet.

Of course, we could simply let it drip over the railing if we just move the Christmas lights aside so they're not spoiled.

[Iggipolka]

Of course, we could simply let it drip over the railing....

Perfect! Now we have bait for the fishing line! :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

One good thing I'm finding out with this poll is that the Lido is empty so if I want privacy that's a good place to go.

Then I'll get ready for the wing ding BBQ on Cactus lady's balcony where she'll be cooking up the fish that Iggipolka has caught! Maybe Revneal will let us have some of Bessie to throw on the Forman. Sure hope so. Nothing like a good Surf and Turf.

[lindleyjulie]

Cactuslady, soooooooooooooooooooooooo funny :D hope your on my next cruise.:)

[RuthC]

It's wayyyyyyyyy too late for a serious post, and I'm clean out of funny for the night. :(

You guys are the greatest. It's nice to be having fun on this board again.

[stanford's girl]

My thanks to each and every one of you for making me laugh so hard. Your sense of humor was infectious. You all should be stand-up comedians.:D :D :D :D

[kryos]

After you've embarked, and gone to the Lido for a bite to eat, what is the next thing that you do the first day. Lie down and wait for luggage? Tour the ship? check to see what shops are onboard?

I'm usually dragging my butt on the ground by the time I board the ship. I've worked the entire night before, then flew to the embarkation point directly from work. By the time I board the ship, I've usually been up for close to 24 hours.

As soon as I get the okay to go to my cabin, I generally head there hoping ... hoping ... that my luggage, or at least one piece of it, has arrived. If so, I'll quickly unpack so that I have everything set up the way I like it for the cruise. If no luggage yet, still no problem. I have a full change of clothes in my carry-on luggage, including undies. I also pack my travel alarm in my carry-on. I set the alarm for about 10 minutes before muster drill, and then it's into the shower and then under the sheets for a nice nap. This nap gives me the recharge necessary to enjoy sailaway, or at least dinner and the evening's entertainment.

As for touring the ship, I couldn't be bothered. I figured I've got plenty of time to find all those places I'll be spending time in during the cruise. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Ziggy7]

(I think something is wrong with me today ... I'm feeling particularly feisty!:o ) I sure hope your not pregnant !!!! :p

[Ziggy7]

Well, there are soooo many things to do before the lifeboat drill:

Hang those Christmas lights out on the balcony (did I remember to pack the cordless drill for putting up the hooks?).

Decorate the door with the moose head I packed in the big roller bag (you can save suitcase space by using the antlers as shoe trees).

Start the hot water in the shower running so it's good and steamy by the time the other suitcase with the clothes arrives (then complain that I can't tell which way the steward hung the toilet paper because it's alll limp and mushy).

Find the boutique, complain that it's not open yet.

Find the casino, complain that it's not open yet.

Check out the fellow passengers and laugh at what they think is a cruise wardrobe (especially that guy in the bathrobe)

Start up the blender and ice crusher, so I can take my own drink (from the Listerine bottles) to the sailaway party and avoid having to pay those exorbitant prices.

Set up the Weber grill on the balcony to get the coals going for the shrimp hors d'ouvres I packed in my carry-on

Complain that the boat is rocking too much (even though we're still at the dock)

THEN (whew!) take that nap during the lifeboat drill.
;)There goes my newly replaced keyboard and monitor !!!! You know what kind of damage spewed pepsi does to them! Thanks hehehehehe:)

[Ziggy7]

Ok now you all done it again !!! DH wants to bring his gas powered skooter to race up to the lido and back( you know so he can make it back to our cabin before his ice cream melts to a shake)! He said he could put a funnel with a hose attached the the muffler so he could aim the exhaust up so no one would pass out from the fumes. I told him no cause the side car wont fit down the hallways, so if I have to walk, so does he!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I sure hope your not pregnant !!!! :p

Well, Ziggy, I sure hope I'm not, too!!! Although, it would be "some kind off miracle";)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Great idea, Ziggy ... you tell that guy of yours to pack up that skooter. A few of those on the ship and he can start charging people to take them from one end of the ship to the other. Some of us seniors would really appreciate that!!!:D

[kryos]

There goes my newly replaced keyboard and monitor !!!! You know what kind of damage spewed pepsi does to them! Thanks hehehehehe:)
LOL ... I know the feeling. JHannah trashed mine a couple of weeks ago on another thread. :)

Coffee does a lot of damage too. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[WISCruiser]

Let's see ... after eating a bite in the Lido I usually go back to my cabin and unpack my bags:

I unpack, clean, check, and load my guns for skeet shooting off the sports deck.

That's a good start! :D ;)

HaHa... I can remember (back in the GOOD old days of cruising:o ) when they actually offered that off the Fantail(back) of the ship. I believe it was $1.00 per shell. Not to many people were sunbathing out there that afternoon:D!

[Devin]

If there is anyone at HAL in Seattle reading this, methinks they have their next rotation of CC-C'ers (Cruise Critic Comedians (and Comedienne's!). Somehow I dont think any of ya would mind pulling that duty :cool:

Thank you all for the laughs....I havent laughed so hard (and had so many people wondering!) what on the bloody computer could be so funny!


PS...Im wondering if the Captain wouldnt mind flooring it so I can boogie board behind Oosterdam on my way to Mexico! :D

[ryansmemom]

I usually rush up to the Spa and make my appiontments for the cruise because I worry that I won't get the times that I prefer if I don't do that. Then I have to make my second trip to the Spa to register the coupon that I usually find entitling me to a discount for booking said spa appiontments on the first day.

At that point, I am usually exhausted and need to take a nap so that I can actually stay awake for dinner.

We do like to unpack ASAP. It helps keep up the fantasy that we actually live on the ship full time. Come to think of it. Fantasy plays a HUGE role in our cruises. Not fantasies about who we are. We like ourselves too much for that. Just fantasies about where we actually live. ON BOARD ANY SHIP WE HAPPEN TO BE ON. Ah, home sweet, suite.

Lets face it, now that the kids have grown up we have lost all hope of training them to wait on us at home. The grandkids are still too young and their parents have claimed first dibs on them. We just have to cruise.

Linda :) :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Linda, you changed you avitar picture also, very nice:)

[Mary Ellen]

I see the Blenders (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=58003) thread has been moved back to the main page. It may help explain to our newer members some of the comments here - and why the good Rev needs the Club HAL schedule for the 'skeet'. ;)

[RevNeal]

... why the good Rev needs the Club HAL schedule for the 'skeet'.

:D
hehehehe
"Children? I love children. PULL!"

[ryansmemom]

Linda, you changed you avitar picture also, very nice:)


Thank you, Lisa. I like your picture, too. Isn't it wonderful getting all dressed up with your sweetie? That is one of my favorite parts of cruising. And the men look so sexy in their tuxes.

Linda ;)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thank you, Lisa. I like your picture, too. Isn't it wonderful getting all dressed up with your sweetie? That is one of my favorite parts of cruising. And the men look so sexy in their tuxes.

Linda ;)


Linda Thanks, I totally agree!! What is funny before our first cruise DH was sure he would not like cruising because he would have to dress up, now that is the part he loves. Just today he went out and bought another Tux jacket. The new one is a 1 button tux jacket his other one is a 3 button. I think he likes how he looks too;)

[RobbieCruises]

One of my favorite things in the world to do is to tour the ship as soon as I get aboard. It's so great to know you'll be on there a whole week (some lucky people longer, I know) and it will become so familiar! It never looks as exciting as it does on that first day!

Then I book a great massage for right AFTER the lifeboat drill. Then I'm so relaxed for the rest of the cruise !!!! Leave the tension in Ft. Lauderdale (or wherever . . . )

[SeaYa52]

Grab a drink or two - tour the ship and try to meet up with cc bud's from online.......then we like to sit on our balcony - and chill
Only 17 more days!!!!!
:-)
Sandy
Charlotte

[Renorita]

I eagerly await our luggage so we can unpack my shorts and sequined tank top, and DH's black and white Speedo's with matching Bow Tie, to get them ready for Formal Night. :D

[Time2sail]

I eagerly await our luggage so we can unpack my shorts and sequined tank top, and DH's black and white Speedo's with matching Bow Tie, to get them ready for Formal Night. :D

The black socks with the sandals and a really long cigar for DH? See that all the time on the beach here:D

[Ziggy7]

Some go to the pool and try and hog many chairs for sail away :)

[Candy]

We find Hunky Dory and have a feast in the Lido.

[Himself]

Re the Poll:

I wait for the luggage to arrive so that I can unpack. There are two things I dread. Packing and unpacking, so I get it out of the way as soon as I can and then I take a short nap.

Himself

[CamilleandNick]

Actually, we boarded the ship and immediately went to the front desk to inquire about upgrades. No luck >..ICK> then to check out our room and browse the other floors to peek in the better suites and balconies....and weird layouts...so then on to the spa to make appointments. We got ours first. Prime appt. times. Then to lunch. Then to unpack. Dreaded unpacking. Ick.

[Krazy Kruizers]

After embarking on the ship, we go to the Neptune Lounge and have some snacks. We have always been able to go right to our suite - usually around 12:30 at the latest. If it a HAL ship that we haven't been on before, then we tour the ship to see what is different about her compared to her sister ships that we have been on.