This, that and the other - your cruising style

This is a response to a post in another thread, where it didn't really fit, but feel free to join in!

We do like the Celebrity molecule bar, but the Martini Bar is our haunt, sometimes it depends on staff and people who are there too, but the drinks there are great.

We haven't really every found the "official" Celebrity LGBT gatherins even when we've seen them listen and wonder in (late). On our TA there were so many family they actually organized a Tea Dance on the decks above the pool which was very well attended. I wanted to go, but I had just found out my dog had to be out to sleep and I was a wreck.

I'm the "travel agent" in our couple and book all the big travel, cruises, and flights. I travel a ridiculous amount, more than 250 days a year :eek: Dee, my partner does a lot the excursions, but I fill in a few. We agree on budgets, or lack there of together. She thinks lack of w butler or private lounge is camping so we book suites, and are spoiled. I actally love the suite life, but it is costly, so I'd be willing to sail in a veranda, she'd rsther not sail than not sail in a suite. Who needs a retirement fund anyway :rolleyes: I actually camp (out of a kayak) and sleep on the ground. Car camping for her means having a generator and a blow upbed with a frame. I fly enough that when we fly for vacation, it's first class with miles, especially on long haul so we can lie down to sleep.

I was just in Maui for a day, long flights from th east coast, but nothing consider to the flights back from Asia I did the day before going too Hawaii. I'd like more time in Hawaii, that's for sure, but not sure how to schedule it with all the cruising! I'd love to meet a cruise buddy I can dive and paddle with (kayak, get your minds out the gutter boys) while the wives relax more. Dee is only a princess on vacation really, she works hard when we're home, and is actually a bit of a farmer.

I play the tables (blackjack) in the Casino, but interesting, mostly only on cruises. I was in Vegas for 5 days this fall and never gambled. I went to another town in eggs for a few days and played there but only $3 tables. She never gambles.

Some days I can't sit still onboard for sea Days, but always find something to keep me busy, the ships are big enough, there is generally a lot to do, especially on a transatlantic with many sea days.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Jenna, thanks for starting the new thread, since the Olivia pricing thread had definitely veered OT!

Pfeilm: I hope you enjoy your first TA. They are not for everyone. We have friends who love cruising and are experienced cruisers who just took their first TA and realized that all those sea days were not for them. I love the sea days, I'd be happy if a ship just left the port and sailed around in circles for a week. Fortunately, my spouse enjoys the sea days as well. We have learned enough not to be scheduled, and just do whatever we feel like that day. Sometimes, it's nothing more than spending a morning in the shade on the pool deck, staring out at the ocean. I'm pretty much a Type A go-go-go person, but at sea I seem to be able to wind that down, which is wonderful.

If I'm not mistaken, your TA is the Equinox eastbound, yes? If so, keep in mind that you'll be losing an hour nearly every night during the crossing. This doesn't sound like much, but we found it pretty tiresome after several days. It was our first TA, we had late dining, and when 11 PM became midnight and midnight was then 1 AM, and so on, and we had team trivia at 10 AM, well, it was finally too much. My advice would be not to be scheduled.

The Florida/through the Canal/South America cruise is one we really want to do. In fact, we want to combine it with the Chile/BA leg, but this will all have to wait till we retire. (Another drawback is that the Infinity is not a ship on which we really want to spend an entire month....)

It's fun thinking about all this and planning.... :)

My, my! You do travel a lot. We used to for work but that has sadly slowed to a crawl. Still not nearly what you do. Our frequent flyer miles suck. We'll be using the last of them to fly home from Barcelona in May. Lost my Hilton Diamond status two years ago and the Gold went bye-bye this year. I really do need to find another job that travels. I don't know what you do Need2bespoiled but I'll help!

We both love traveling and pretty much only work to fund it now. Much like your family, our styles of travel are quite different. I run the gamut -- have slept on the ground for six months hiking the Appalachian Trail but also love five start hotels (when I can get them at a good rate of course). Char has no interest in the camping so it's normally nicer hotels when she's involved. I hiked the Road to Santiago (across Spain) and that involves living with numbers between one in a hotel room and 160 of your closest strangers in a church filled with bunks. Char would probably agree to a driving tour. I love all non-competitive sports (not a team player ... so to speak) -- kayaking, scuba, boogey boarding, hiking, backpacking, etc. Char played softball and basketball in school but I've never seen her do either. Racquetball is her game now. I'm learning. I have a gypsy spirit and don't really need the whole big house thing and Char is a nester and does. Or did? We are ying and yang on most everything except travel. That we both love.

With all that said we have yet to do a suite. Neither of us can do an inside room; a balcony is a must. The casino often gives us a suite and we love it and know full well why you would want one; I just can't balance it out in my mind for us. Moving to Aqua this past cruise was on a trial basis. We really enjoyed it with the healthier cuisine, open dining, spa, etc. so I have no doubt that once you move to a suite there's no going back. Thinking it's too risky for us to do the suite any time soon! Choices -- suites? Or more cruises? Going with the cruises for us! But good on ya if you can do both!

Hawaii for a day from the east coast? You're a glutton for punishment. Should you ever go to spend some time don't hesitate to let us know. We know people! And places. Ahhh... now I'm homesick.

One of these days we will have to meet at the tables.... or beach or kayak or .......

Wow, reading your post sounds so familiar. I have so many friends who've done the AT, PRT, Across Spain. Etc. I've never been one to walk or run, but I'd bike, ski, paddle or dive anywhere.

Our travel styles sound so similar except the walking part. Would I pay for the Ritz, nope. Points? Heck yes! I love my to man tent that barely fits me, Dee would never. Maybe our Yin and Ynag is why we've been together for 18 years this February? I'm more the free spirit and nomad, good thing I like to travel, she is the Nesterr, but does love the vacations.

Oh, the travel status thing...I have so many it's really scary. Hyatt and Hilton is more than there lowest levels, not sure what they are. Marriot Platinum (I'll actually get that for life in 2015, nuts) and United treats me well :cool: I havent gambled enough for comps the size of cruises, or more than a nice dinner, and find Celebrity requires so much to be "tracked" I don't bother.

We'll be driving to FL in March and usually stop in VA for a night. its probably not a great idea, but if you're not far off the highway, maybe we could meet for dinner on our way through. We usually try and make it from Maine to VA the first night :eek: so we get there pretty late and hit the road in the AM. Not sure if our plan will be 2 days or 3 driving.

Feel free to email offline at my first name, the letter g, the number 6 at gmail.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

The suite life is good for extra space, but I've found it rather unnecessary to have a butler. Cunard put me up in a Q1 grand duplex on QM2 last year. While living in the largest cabin on any ship in the world was fun, I just didn't need the space. The butler service was a let down - had no need for him. Now a valet would have been better. I hate messing with cuff links!

I'm quite happy with a balcony stateroom as a solo traveller. Plenty of space and the service is still excellent.

However, I must fly First (business if necessary) when travelling long distances by air. Living in Australia means long flights to anything decent. I also like top hotels - unlike a previous poster I will pay for the Ritz (and have many times). It's all part of the seamless travel experience.

I'm single, so I can book what I like. Love not having to compromise on anything.

All this said, I see the OP is doing a TA. I would never do a TA on anything but a true ocean liner. Cruise ships are not designed for rough seas at all - the Atlantic can be unforgiving!

Hey Aussie,

I think you jumped in the middle of the conversation without seeing the beginning. "Travel agent" in quotes was mean to respond to someone else who was the travel planning in their relationship. I plan lots of travel, but am not an agent. We travel much like you but have figured out how to make use of our butler. A few examples:

Ugh, we've been onboard for 3 weeks and that was a long day touring in Morocco, let's have the butler bring us dinner in our cabin, table cloth, silver, and all.

Shoot, my dress is wrinkled, quick, call the butler, we need it pressed

Eek, I don't feel well, can I have some tea?

Damn, my key card doesn't work again, Butler to the rescue. No need to wait in line or go to guest services, new cards delivered to the cabin.

Just a few examples, but with a butler's pantry hidden in among the suites on the line we sail, we find the service much faster than it may be from room service or general cabin services. On Celebrity the butler used to take care of spa, dining, and other reservations, now it is done by the Suite Concierge.

We agree on first, or in the minimum lie flat business for long flights and nice hotel for holidays. The Ritz in Hong Kong is wonderful, a great club room as well, can't be the view anywhere.

Finally, don't discount the experience you can get on a tans oceanic cruise on a cruise ship, as we've had a wonderful experience, even with a day or so of mildly bumpy seas. I agree the newer ships aren't built for crossings, but there are still value in the itineraries and crossings they do.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Jenna, thanks for starting the new thread, since the Olivia pricing thread had definitely veered OT!

 

Pfeilm: I hope you enjoy your first TA. They are not for everyone. We have friends who love cruising and are experienced cruisers who just took their first TA and realized that all those sea days were not for them. I love the sea days, I'd be happy if a ship just left the port and sailed around in circles for a week. Fortunately, my spouse enjoys the sea days as well. We have learned enough not to be scheduled, and just do whatever we feel like that day. Sometimes, it's nothing more than spending a morning in the shade on the pool deck, staring out at the ocean. I'm pretty much a Type A go-go-go person, but at sea I seem to be able to wind that down, which is wonderful.

 

If I'm not mistaken, your TA is the Equinox eastbound, yes? If so, keep in mind that you'll be losing an hour nearly every night during the crossing. This doesn't sound like much, but we found it pretty tiresome after several days. It was our first TA, we had late dining, and when 11 PM became midnight and midnight was then 1 AM, and so on, and we had team trivia at 10 AM, well, it was finally too much. My advice would be not to be scheduled.

 

The Florida/through the Canal/South America cruise is one we really want to do. In fact, we want to combine it with the Chile/BA leg, but this will all have to wait till we retire. (Another drawback is that the Infinity is not a ship on which we really want to spend an entire month....)

 

It's fun thinking about all this and planning.... :)

Aloha Turtles06! My apologies for not responding earlier but I'm just seeing this. I've recently learned that you don't receive all the thread postings via email. It seems you have to log in ever so often too and if you don't CC stops sending the email notices. Oops!

As far the TA, one of the biggest discussions is my restlessness. I don't tend to sit long any time and not often at all on a cruise. I'm a walker by self-claimed addiction and restless by nature. My concern was/is the six days straight at sea time followed by one quick stop and two more days at sea. I agreed to give it a try so we shall see. I'm sure I'll find ample things to keep me busy but sitting at a crowded pool or frying in the sun isn't really my thing. Give me a scuba tank or a kayak and we can talk! We're hoping that this may be the cruise that actually teaches me how to just be still. Not holding our breaths but maybe! My partner on the other hand will happily join you on the circle cruise!

We hadn't even thought of the time changing; especially on an almost daily basis. That will be a little odd. We're in Aqua class so we have the Blu option which will allow us to easily adjust our hours. We're late eaters anyway so the time probably won't bother us much. It'll be the stomach that says it's not time yet; especially after snacking at the Oceanview cafe (me) or the buffet (her)! But we will persevere!

We also understand the need to retire before booking all the dream cruises. Partner is trying to book a quick one late this month or next. I've had to remind her that we are not self-employed and though we're treated well with benefits they frown on our taking months off at a time. (We know because I have taken extended sabbaticals to hike. Teehee!). Anyway, cruises are cheaper than the casino so...... Maybe!

All this said, I see the OP is doing a TA. I would never do a TA on anything but a true ocean liner. Cruise ships are not designed for rough seas at all - the Atlantic can be unforgiving!

Okay, for the new kids, me, what's OP? And an example of a "true ocean liner" is........?

Oh... And should I be scared? Or just up my does of Transderm? Mandatory before even getting on the shop. And yes, that's the only way I can boat dice and ocean kayak. My life.

SNIP

 

especially after snacking at the Oceanview cafe (me) or the buffet (her)! But we will persevere!

 

LOL, Ocean View and Buffet are one in the same ;) Maybe you mean Aqua Spa and Ocean View :P

Okay, for the new kids, me, what's OP? And an example of a "true ocean liner" is........?

 

Oh... And should I be scared? Or just up my does of Transderm? Mandatory before even getting on the shop. And yes, that's the only way I can boat dice and ocean kayak. My life.

OP = Original Poster

True Ocean Liner = QE2, Queen Elizabeth, etc. Very few out there like that now. Don't worry about it, these are BIG ships.

Not sure what transderm means, but I know what trans-dermal means ;) Trans Oceanic is pretty self explanatory TA can mean Travel Agent (what he thought I was) OR Trans Atlantic (what you're doing).

Tah tah and Happy Sailing,

Jenna

LOL, Ocean View and Buffet are one in the same ;) Maybe you mean Aqua Spa and Ocean View :P

No I didn't. Just kidding! Yepper, my bad. The spa cafe. Some tasty salads up there. yum. No so great on the juicing but that's okay. I can live awhile without them.

Transdem isn't then patch you see behind half of the ears on a ship. A medication that does wonders for me in stopping motion sickness. It's prescription only but Incouldn't travel without it. I can get sick standing on the pier! Don't leave home without them!

No I didn't. Just kidding! Yepper, my bad. The spa cafe. Some tasty salads up there. yum. No so great on the juicing but that's okay. I can live awhile without them.

 

Transdem isn't then patch you see behind half of the ears on a ship. A medication that does wonders for me in stopping motion sickness. It's prescription only but Incouldn't travel without it. I can get sick standing on the pier! Don't leave home without them!

You're problem is you haven't cruised enough, book a few more ;)

Happy sailing!

Jenna

 

Transdem isn't then patch you see behind half of the ears on a ship. A medication that does wonders for me in stopping motion sickness. It's prescription only but Incouldn't travel without it. I can get sick standing on the pier! Don't leave home without them!

Well, if you need the patch to be on a ship and you love being on a ship, then by all means have that patch on for your TA. :) No way to predict how the Atlantic will be on any given day!

I have the good fortune of never getting sea sick; I also like to feel the "motion of the ocean" and find it disappointing when I go through an entire cruise (as we did on our recent crossing) hardly ever feeling the ship move. My spouse will get sea sick if it's really rough, so she brings meclizine (generic Bonine) in case. And when we went to Antarctica (small ship expedition), which required crossing the infamous Drake Passage twice, she actually wore a patch, as did about 2/3 of the people on board (including some of the naturalists). We had some very rough weather -- what the Drake is known for -- and I'd say most of the folks on board spent the day in their cabins. I, on the other hand, was absolutely loving it, and hung out on the bridge with several other like-minded crazies, getting photos like this: :)

(crossing the Drake, turtles06)

I'm like you Turtles, I love the movement!

GREAT pic!

Happy sailing,

Jenna

You're problem is you haven't cruised enough, book a few more ;)

 

Happy sailing!

Jenna

Ain't that the truth! Workin' on it for sure!

Well, if you need the patch to be on a ship and you love being on a ship, then by all means have that patch on for your TA. :) No way to predict how the Atlantic will be on any given day!

 

I have the good fortune of never getting sea sick; I also like to feel the "motion of the ocean" and find it disappointing when I go through an entire cruise (as we did on our recent crossing) hardly ever feeling the ship move. My spouse will get sea sick if it's really rough, so she brings meclizine (generic Bonine) in case. And when we went to Antarctica (small ship expedition), which required crossing the infamous Drake Passage twice, she actually wore a patch, as did about 2/3 of the people on board (including some of the naturalists). We had some very rough weather -- what the Drake is known for -- and I'd say most of the folks on board spent the day in their cabins. I, on the other hand, was absolutely loving it, and hung out on the bridge with several other like-minded crazies, getting photos like this: :)

 

 

(crossing the Drake, turtles06)

Great pic! I will admit that I don't know how I would handle those waves and a small ship but I'd be willing to try. I tried all the bands and ginger and Bonine and Dramamine and bananas and every grandma cure out there but Transderm has been my savior.

My first cruise ever we were to meet friends at one of the bars after boarding. The ship wasn't leaving until after Whoopie Goldberg did her show. How bad can it be sitting on a big ship dockside for six or so hours? With that thought in mind I didn't put the patch on. Bad idea! Within 2.5 hours I was green, green, green. Partner woke me at 8 to see if I could make it to dinner. By then the patch was getting in the system but eating wasn't on the program... or the sail away party! Whoopie, yes... party, no. On the other hand, on the last night of the cruise friends were tremendously worried about me. It seems the seas were so rough that one was even bounced out of bed. Me? I slept like the dead and didn't even know we had rough seas! Yeah... I am a patch girl to the max. So much so I add new every two days vice the recommended three if there's much more than flat seas. Guess we'll see on the Transatlantic. Fingers are crossed and the Transderm is piling up!

Now... Stop trying to scare me! You're making me queasy!

OMG, you're a lightweight! How do you paddle? There is no way I am taking you kayaking in Maine. If you barf on my sprayskirt, well, just plan on bringing your own, and cleaning your own, because the rules say, no barfing to side, only forward, unless of course you want to swim, or do one of those 3/4 rolls ;)

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Hey, hey... Don't be jealous. I may be a lightweight but I bet you haven't mastered paddling and puking at the same time. Well I did so there! Then I found the Transderm... Now all seas are made for lightweights!

:d :d

need2bespoiled, I've been reading some of your posts. We're on the Summit with you in a few weeks! Maybe we can meet up. I entered our info in the google spreadsheet someone posted. Are you going to the Sunset Bar after muster? We're renting a car in St. Croix to go to the Buccaneer.

need2bespoiled, I've been reading some of your posts. We're on the Summit with you in a few weeks! Maybe we can meet up. I entered our info in the google spreadsheet someone posted. Are you going to the Sunset Bar after muster? We're renting a car in St. Croix to go to the Buccaneer.

Really looking forward to this cruise, but I guess that is true of all cruises :)

We should be there given the late sail away, and the fact we won't need to deal with unpacking, etc as we'll be onboard from the previous cruise.

Do you have 4 in your cabin or did you post for 2 cabins?

Are you on the same catamaran as us for St Thomas / St John (daydreamer) or did you book with someone else?

See you onboard (we're in Cabin 6142), happy sailing,

Jenna

Okay, for the new kids, me, what's OP? And an example of a "true ocean liner" is........?

 

Oh... And should I be scared? Or just up my does of Transderm? Mandatory before even getting on the shop. And yes, that's the only way I can boat dice and ocean kayak. My life.

Though it's an old post. A good example of a "true" Ocean Liner is the Queen Mary 2.