Stuff you didn't think to do until you were a repeat cruiser

On my next cruise I'm going to get a nice slushy drink and bring it back to my room so I can drink it on my balcony while reading my Kindle. I've gotten slushy drinks in the afternoon before. I've read my Kindle on the balcony before. But for some reason it never occurred to me to both together. Anybody else not realize a way to have more fun until their 2nd, 3rd, or even later cruise and think why they didn't do it sooner? And what was it?

On our first cruise we didn't use Room Service, what a big mistake!!!:eek:

Nothing like having morning coffee on your balcony, as the world sails by...:cool:

I agree the room service is something a lot of people miss out on! Also, enjoying a nice relaxing nap is something my wife seems to enjoy that we didn't always take the time to do, just relax on the cruise. Thought we had to do everything else.

Go to trivia

Get out on deck early for a chair on sea days

Go to the fun farewell party (gone now)

First 2 cruises, we made sure to book an excursion at every port, so although fun, we felt like we were always on the go. The upcoming 3rd cruise, we have no excursions book, and plan on taking it easy and relaxing!

Relax more with kindle in hand! Especially in one of the big clam shells on the Serenity deck on a warm day at sea and wait for the waiter to bring you your pina coladas! :p

Afternoon tea on sea days.

We went to some of the trivia games but not until our 7th cruise and wish we'd done this earlier.

Bought a Bon voyage bottle and made drinks in the room then I didn't have to run on the lido deck all the time especially getting ready for dinner just sipped all week way more relaxing. I had vodka and I bought champagne lasts me the whole time.

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Coffee on the balcony is a must...can't wait to do it again!

definitely the trivia... allows us to get to know more people and the crew. made the cruises much more enjoyable.

And then the YTD. we did that on the last cruise and enjoyed that more than the seated dining.

Lastly... learning where the ice cream machines are and getting it in a bowl instead of a cone :)

 

On my next cruise I'm going to get a nice slushy drink and bring it back to my room so I can drink it on my balcony while reading my Kindle. I've gotten slushy drinks in the afternoon before. I've read my Kindle on the balcony before. But for some reason it never occurred to me to both together.

 

Anybody else not realize a way to have more fun until their 2nd, 3rd, or even later cruise and think why they didn't do it sooner? And what was it?

Hi Silverspringcruiser :)

My answer is slightly outside of the box and really doesn't have anything

in common regarding having more fun, however it is has a common aspect

concerning the title of your post, 'Stuff you didn't think to do until you were

a repeat cruiser'...

After our very 1st voyage 31 years ago, my wife & I wrote down everything

we experienced when we got home. From our 2nd voyage on, until the present,

we decided to keep cruise journals.

Prior to going to sleep each evening my wife & I discuss the days events and

log them.

We have been doing this for over three decades now and have many journals.

The strolls down memory lane are wonderful. In some ways more entertaining

than the photo's or video we have collected over the years.

Even picking out/purchasing the journal prior to the cruise has become

a fun task in itself.

To us, it is another way, an interesting way, to save and also relive the

voyage...

:)

Things we now do:

*We don't rush to the ship on embarkation day. Instead of being there first and playing the hurry up and wait game, we go just a tad later and walk right onto the ship.

*We always choose to self debark now. Eat in the MDR that morning, grab our bags and walk off the ship (sometimes there is a little line, but usually not too bad.)

*If we do an excursion we will usually do a little research then do it on our own instead of booking through Carnival, or just enjoy the nearly empty ship while everyone else is in port.

*Ahead of time, since DH is a gambler, we call Ocean Players Club to see what perks he might have for the next cruise.

*Always bring the allotted wine! Gets the party going before we leave the cabin.

ETA: I guess mine aren't all about fun, but efficiency or reducing stress.

On my next cruise I'm going to get a nice slushy drink and bring it back to my room so I can drink it on my balcony while reading my Kindle. I've gotten slushy drinks in the afternoon before. I've read my Kindle on the balcony before. But for some reason it never occurred to me to both together. Anybody else not realize a way to have more fun until their 2nd, 3rd, or even later cruise and think why they didn't do it sooner? And what was it?

When we first started cruising (many years ago) it didn't occur to us to try to be among the first to board so that we could have ample time to explore the ship prior to sail away. There were some things, like the omelet station, or romantic little "secret" places on the ship, that we didn't discover until our second or third day. Now, with the advent of "FTTF", until we reach Platinum level, we can board early and have plenty of time to explore. Also, like snc_cam, we gave YTD a try on our last cruise and really liked it. I wish we had tried it sooner. We also opted to skip Formal Dining. It was so much more enjoyable not having to dress up for dinner.

We didn't really do room service either. We also ne cleated to go to the pubs or clubs. We did trivia, shows and casino. We went to the red frog pub as soon as we got on board, but that was it.

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Things we now do:

 

*We don't rush to the ship on embarkation day. Instead of being there first and playing the hurry up and wait game, we go just a tad later and walk right onto the ship.

 

Excellent idea, and I think I will try this on my next cruise.

This is a fun thread, let's keep it going! I'm going to be going on my 5th cruise, so I'm sure I can learn a lot from this thread.

Hi Silverspringcruiser :)

 

My answer is slightly outside of the box and really doesn't have anything

in common regarding having more fun, however it is has a common aspect

concerning the title of your post, 'Stuff you didn't think to do until you were

a repeat cruiser'...

 

After our very 1st voyage 31 years ago, my wife & I wrote down everything

we experienced when we got home. From our 2nd voyage on, until the present,

we decided to keep cruise journals.

 

Prior to going to sleep each evening my wife & I discuss the days events and

log them.

 

We have been doing this for over three decades now and have many journals.

The strolls down memory lane are wonderful. In some ways more entertaining

than the photo's or video we have collected over the years.

 

Even picking out/purchasing the journal prior to the cruise has become

a fun task in itself.

 

To us, it is another way, an interesting way, to save and also relive the

voyage...

 

 

 

 

:)

I just love your idea!!!

Visit the Salsa bar in Cozumel/

Speaking of room service, I just learned about the chocolate cake and how good it is. I might have to try it.

Don't forget to take time to relax.

A lot of people think cruising isn't for them since they go a mile a minute trying to do everything on their first one.

definitely the trivia... allows us to get to know more people and the crew. made the cruises much more enjoyable.

 

And then the YTD. we did that on the last cruise and enjoyed that more than the seated dining.

 

Lastly... learning where the ice cream machines are and getting it in a bowl instead of a cone :)

The coffee cups are good to use for ice cream.

A bit deeper and the handle is good.

Bought a week long spa pass for the first time on my last cruise. Pure Heaven!! Now I won't ever cruise without one.

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Relax :o

On my second cruise and every cruise since, I have brought a good pair of binoculars. I like to get a closer look at the objects floating on the horizon.

Participate! First cruise we just kind of hung out and watched everything, pretty unsure of everything. Next one and every one after, we have learned that the more you participate, the more fun it is! Join in that line dance on Lido, even if you don't really think you can dance...no one cares! Go dance in the club for a couple of songs, join a trivia match, have your picture made even if you don't want to buy any...we've had a ton of fun just taking the pictures and making crazy faces or silly stances and looking at them later!