Cruising with friends

[jakesmom04]

We usually have a large group of family and friends. We have dinner together each evening where we discuss what we did that day and what we planned for the next. If someone wants to join in on something that is great if not no big deal. Have a great time.

[dopescally]

We have only ever cruised with friends before (another couple that are our close friends) and we're actually going by ourselves at the end of April on Oasis and are worried we will miss them a lot! :) We tend to do some breakfasts/lunches together, but we always do dinner together, and this is where we're especially wondering if we'll miss them! Our dinners are always so much fun, and the four of us are usually dying laughing by the end of the meal. During sea days, we tend to do our own thing, but in the ports, the four of us agree beforehand on excursions that appeal to all of us. We've always had staterooms next to each other, and when you have balconies, it's nice, because the attendant can open the dividers and make them adjoining. The key is what other people mentioned: make it clear that you don't have to be tied at the hip, and that way no one's feelings are hurt. We had many times where the four of us were doing totally separate things during the day, or a couple of us decided to do one thing (girls shop while boys in the casino). It is perfect! We love to vacation with them, and it has made our friendship stronger. It also helps that there's only one heavy planner in the group (me) so the three others tend to be pretty agreeable once I present options on reaching a decision.

[reney313]

A LOT of great feedback here. I have taken many people on their "First" cruise.

 

A 3-day for the first one really makes it easy (it's not enough time for everyone to get on each others nerves) although there are still some ground rules because it is, afterall, everyone's vacation.

 

I am not a dictator (I will read that over and over to myself so I can sleep..lol), but here is what I've done that works well.

 

1. Set Ground Rules. And #1 on that list is "This is vacation for each of us. It is going to be a great time, but remember #1, it is a vacation for each of us. That means "do what YOU want when you want to" and "we'll do what WE want when we want". NO HURT feelings from anyone.

 

2. For a 3-day cruise, I would suggest MDR each night as the "meet" up spot. I would suggest traditional dining. Then you have a "set" time and don't have to worry about meeting up with them during the day to confirm when to eat. I prefer MTD, but generally only do it when it's just the two of us (although we are on our next cruise with my parents, it's their 3rd with us, so I feel more confidant in that relationship). If you decide to go to Chops or windjammer, that's OK too...but at least they know that there is a time to meet if needed.

 

3. Give them info. on what they can do in Nassau and Coco Cay. Give them an idea of what you are planning on doing. Ensure they feel free to pick something different, or to go along with you. Then you both know what to expect. Coco Cay really doesn't have many "additional" things, so it is very easy. Nassau has many options.

 

4. We generally always have a "favorite" spot. On our last ship, it was Bolero's. My dad's was Schooner's. We always knew where to find each other if we hadn't already talked about what we were doing, etc. I am like clock work on certain activities. I LOVE trivia...so my parents, friends, other family, etc. knew at certain times they had a 95% chance of finding me during those times.

 

I assume you are on Enchantment or Majesty. Both of these ships are great--but another good benefit is you will naturally run in to each other. I would take my bar staff (years ago) on a 4 day cruise as our New Year's bonus. We never had to "find" each other--we'd all be in a bar...and we'd bar hop and eventually run in to each other. we never went to each other's rooms (why would we be there??). LOL. Think about your habits while cruising and let them know what the two of you normally do....Onboard, they'll know what to expect and where to most likely find you.

 

At dinner you can talk about the evenings activities and each go your own way. Then if someone decides to go to a show and the others don't...and they end up not liking it, they'll generally know where you will most likely be...

 

Above all--have a great time!

[Hobiecat01]

We have almost always cruised with a large group of friends (4-5 other couples) . We have astanding rule. No one is joined at the hip. If there is something we all want to do great. if some want to do this and others want to do that that is great too. We get two large tables together at dinner and meet everynight there , and usually all go to the show together , but then again that is subject to change too.

 

Sometimes the women go one way and the guys do something else.

 

Go with the flow and enjoy :)

 

We are cruising with 5 other neighbor couples in June on the Allure. Babyher's comments are right on point. No one is joined at the hip and there are many thinks we want to do together. In this case this is the second group cruise where I have been the unofficial leader. Sometimes the guys went on certain excursions and the ladies went on theirs. We all had a ball!

 

For both cruises, I created a 150+ page cruise book complete with pictures gleaned from fellow cruisers to walk them through the entire cruise, from booking to walking back, into the house. With today's technology, I can add restaurant menus, bar menus, even the Daily Cruise Compass. I wrote them in Word, print them in PDF's and everyone looks at they with their iPad.

 

In addition I create a monthly countdown newsletter denoting major milestones and any hints or changes from the Cruise Book. I love doing it, and everyone loves reading it.

[michigal]

So many great ideas here. We travel every year with another couple; we alternate years in choosing the type of vacation. We almost always select a cruise whereas they always select a land vacation. On our cruises, we don't worry about adjoining cabins; you're never 5 minutes away from each other. We always have dinner together in order to plan the next day. Each day we review the Compass and decide what we might want to do together (if it's a sea day). For your days in port, you might want split up and go your own ways. Then it's fun to catch up and share your stories over dinner.

 

I take sticky notes so we can leave messages on each other's cabin doors. Of course, leaving messages on the cabin phone works just as well. Enjoy!