Positive Things you love on cruise ship

I fell in love with cruising on my first cruise on the old Celebrity Meridian when they only had 2 ships (I think). After 10 or 12 cruises the excitement and anticipation hasn't changed. As others have mentioned, walking up the gangplank and using the seapass for the first time knowing what's ahead. The service, the food, the people, the wake of the ship, the deck or balcony at night, walking by the pool after midnight and feeling the calmness as if we are the only people on board. The casino!! I hit for $600 last time. As a recovering alcoholic unfortunately I can't drink BUT I am on such a high I don't need it. Going into port and visiting new beaches and towns and people. Being by the pool on sea days and seeing all the towels holding chairs for people who are not going to return that day (I smile, I don't get upset anymore, I refuse to let the few inconsiderate people take away any of my pleasure) What's not to like, I hate to sleep because I don't want to miss a second of it.

I agree with everyone's posts, but I must admit that the smile on my wife's face beginning when we leave home is priceless. I truly love this time we share together.

How nice, you certainly have your priorities straight.:)

I can leave the driving to someone else! (I'm a long haul truck driver.)

Nice thread!

Many times for me it's the journey. Not only the first time we walk on the ship, but also,...

1) The walk from our cabin to breakfast in Blu. All the warm, smiling morning faces on the crew and pax.

2) The walk to and from dinner and seeing all the nicely dressed people on formal nights.

3) Seeing the waves go by while having dinner and breakfast in Blu.

4) Seeing what ethnic delights have been created in the buffet.

5) Watching from our balcony as we arrive at a new port.

6) Having a peaceful breakfast on our balcony.

7) The movement of the ship under my feet and the way the ship gently rocks me to sleep every night.

8) The interesting people se see and meet.

9) Presentation and cooking ideas I get from our meals.

10) Bonding with members of the crew that we meet everyday.

I could go on and on,...

The list could go on and on:). To sum it all up, I love relaxing and spending time with family without the distractions of home life. That's one reason I stay away from email and calling home. Others may feel more comfortable connecting, but I like the idea of disconnecting. There are so few chances to do that in this world anymore. I leave an emergency number, and then try to forget reality for awhile. Same reason I refuse to put the news channel on during the cruise. Unless the sky is falling I don't want to know about it. This was particularly important when I was still working. When you are on a land trip, today there is the expectation that you are to be reachable 24/7 no matter what. On a cruise, that option is eliminated. It was great. Heck, even POTUS takes time out of his life for a golf outing or two (granted, he is still reachable for emergencies, but you get my point). Now that I am retired I still enjoy not having to worry about following up with the lawn service, scheduling the doctor appointment, remembering to pick up milk at the store and on and on. Ahhhhhh...........I am starting to relax just thinking about my upcoming trip.:D

I love cruises with a lot of sea days. I can sit on my balcony looking at the ocean all day. I`m a happy girl when " My Floor Floats "

I love the day my luggage tags arrive. And I love getting up at 4:00 am on embarkation day to make sure all my luggage is tagged and ready to go. I also love being lulled to sleep at night feeling the gentle waves (well, hopefully gentle).

One more thing - I love this post. Thanks OP.

I love walking around with my dh and my coffee early in the morning with the ship to ourselves. I love looking for flying fish and watching them sail just above the water.

LOL! Boink means something totally different in the US, then the sound the card makes when swiped.

So when we walk around the ship copying the machine going 'Boink, Boink' our American cousins are , errrr , surprised? :D:D:D

Ooppppsssss

PS It still goes 'boink, boink' to us ;)

PPS I will now go and find out what this means in the USA --- I dread to think.

Hi All

Oppppps and double ooooops :o

Have just googled the word for the USA ---- oooops :eek:

Imagine us standing in line with lots of Americans, fed up of waiting and standing there going 'Boink, boink, boink' as we listened to the security checking cards.

Oh dear.

Sorry, I have to say, its made my day - so funny. And thanks to the moderators for trusting in our naivety and not banning us ;)

hi all

 

oppppps and double ooooops :o

 

have just googled the word for the usa ---- oooops :eek:

 

Imagine us standing in line with lots of americans, fed up of waiting and standing there going 'boink, boink, boink' as we listened to the security checking cards.

 

Oh dear.

 

Sorry, i have to say, its made my day - so funny. And thanks to the moderators for trusting in our naivety and not banning us ;)

lol!

Thinking about it, I am now concerned that an American cruise line like Celebrity has a machine that says 'Boink' ---

I guess that's what they call 'Modern Luxury' ;)

Sometimes we love going against the flow...using the pool while everyone else is preparing for formal night, getting up early to have it to ourselves.

Getting into thermal chairs an hour before closing, when it is frequently empty.

1. Kids playing with/in the elevators - JUST KIDDING!!!

Okay, let's start again:

1. The fresh sea air

2. A pool in the evening and no one there but me

3. Good food that is well-prepared and -presented

4. ROOM SERVICE - thank you, God...Queen for a week

5. Sitting on a lounge chair atop a comfy cushion covered w/clean towels

reading a great book, feeling the sun and cool breezes, sipping a just-delivered

icy drink included in my BEV pkg. (WHAT?? TOO LONG??)

Cruising in 2 months on the Reflection!

I share a few likes with some of you on this topic:

1. Looking for flying fish and dolphins

2. The colors of the sea

3. Being rocked to sleep

Oh, let's face it, if you love to cruise and don't sweat the small stuff and the engines don't stop working and it doesn't rain...

THEN IT'S ALL GOOD!!!

I share a few likes with some of you on this topic:

 

1. Looking for flying fish and dolphins

 

2. The colors of the sea

 

3. Being rocked to sleep

 

Oh, let's face it, if you love to cruise and don't sweat the small stuff and the engines don't stop working and it doesn't rain...

 

THEN IT'S ALL GOOD!!!

Appreciate the great and varied mentions on this thread. Helps bring back nice memories from our five previous sailing experiences. We are somewhat "newbies" compared to others on these boards.

 

Yes, the sail-aways can be great, especially in scenic locations such as Venice, Sydney, Kotor, Norway's coast, etc. Love nice areas of the ship, such as the Solarium on the Solstice-class ships. Like the evening entertainment programs. Below are a few visuals to prove why and how for these opinions.

 

We are now getting ready for a Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo back-to-back sailing over 26 days. First time for these areas of the world. Fun doing that future research and planning!!

 

PLUS, the best part? Seeing great locations around the world, not having to do too much work with the logistics, packing and unpacking, etc.

 

Yes, lots of good food and drinks, too!! Being with friends, wife, etc.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 79,422 views for this fun posting.

 

 

The Solarium was one of our most favorite areas. Food and drinks were nearby and it was very relaxed and sophisticated. Quieter, too, as it is an adults-only area. Two hot tubs here. Not crowded, especially in the evenings. Nice art and design with this facility. Wonderful setting for relaxing and watching the outside water/shore views, enjoying subtle inside action, etc.:

 

 

 

Don’t miss the sail-out and/or sail-in for Venice. This was our view from the top of our ship as we approached the historic center of Venice. On a beautiful day, as we enjoyed, this is so spectacular!!!:

 

 

 

Here is one of our Cruise Critic group, capturing some of the folks during our sail-away party at the Sunset Bar on the magical 15th level of the Solstice. Such a wonderful location to soak up the spectacular sights during this sail-away.:

 

 

 

Here is a photo highlight from our ship's production show called "Ghostlight--The Spirit of Broadway". Lots of great tunes, including many from the Four Seasons as done on Broadway with Jersey Boys. Nice lighting, staging, sets, etc.:

 

^ This. The first cocktail on ship regardless of the time is what I enjoy the most.

I'm looking forward to my first Celebrity Cruise!

What a great thread !:)

I love the adult summer camp atmosphere you get on a cruise. The idea that everything

is there for your enjoyment with both the staff and the other happy passengers adding to this feeling.

All cruises are wonderful and we have never had less then a good one. Being specific to

the Celebrity experience I would include being treated as a trustworthy honored guest.

Limited PA interruptions, the boarding champagne, the cold towel provided upon re-boarding ,

are some of the special X touches . :)

The flippant part of my personality would reply, "what's not to like about cruising?"

However people obviously have different preferences, so here are mine:

1.) Comfortable deck chair in a relatively quite part of the pool area, a good book and a cold beer.

2.) The architecture, atmosphere, service, food and good company found in the MDR.

3.) A shore excursion that involves a catamaran and snorkelling followed by indulging in the beverages offered at their open bar.

4.) Meeting people from all over the world, virtually all of whom are in a good mood.

5.) As others have mentioned, seeing many destinations but unpacking only once.

6.) And as still others have mentioned, sitting on our balcony with a glass of red wine watching the waves and sunsets. Let's not forget breakfasts on the balcony too.

7.) The gentle rolling motion of the ship as you gradually fall asleep.

8.) The talented musicians found in various locations.

9.) Trivia contests (DW and I are 2 for 2 in the Motown trivia contests - defending our title on the Silhouette in February 8, assuming they hold one.)

10.) The friendly, professional staff - six cruises (7 come Feb.) on two cruise lines and yet to meet anyone close to rude or inept.

11.) Being on the ocean. I live about as far as you can get from an ocean in North America. This is a real treat!!

12.) Standing at the front of the promenade deck watching the wake that the ship makes going over the waves.

13.) Everything else.

Positive things I love about being on a Cruise ship ?

Getting away from my typical 18-20 hour work days, being under constant stress (I'm a Senior VP in the financial industry), and watching 3 computer screens (and a tablet) all day and night.

I get to trade that in, for 14 wonderful days on a beautiful Celebrity ship, cruising with my loved ones... enjoying outstanding cuisine, service and entertainment, incredible scenery in the Caribbean, and, last but not least... spending mornings and afternoons on a heavenly lounge chair by the pool... allowing me to relax and recharge !

Instead of worrying about millions of dollars ? When I'm on a Celebrity ship... I get to feel like a million dollars. It doesn't get any better than that :)

Great Thread.

For me, sitting on my balcony, looking out to sea with no commitments, no worries, no demands...

Oh, there's a bird....

Oh, some seaweed...

Oh , pretty cloud.....

ordering room service, snuggled into bed with the lights down low and watching a new-ish movie.

it's something I only do on cruises and I love it. For me, its the feeling of being completely cut off from "regular" society, no cares, no worries about crumbs in the bed or the telephone ringing or having to watch the time.

It's my "stop and enjoy" moment.

I love looking at the wake. Mesmerizing. Whether you do it from the Sunset Bar or your own aft cabin, it is one of my favorite, unique things about a cruise.

Yes, Warmwinds you are so right. The view from the Sunset Bar is often breathtaking. Certainly on my list of positive things.

Leave on a cruise with 83 yr. young with my dad tomorrow. You do not see a lot of father and daughters cruising alone together. DH will stay home and dad and I enjoy sharing old memories. My mom passed away 8 yr. ago and he thought he would never cruise again. Drinks on the balcony, casino fun and wonderful dinners with my dad, priceless... Heather