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

[MichelleChell]

On our last cruise one of the kids had a major craving for a chic chip cookie. The buffet was closed and the cafe didn't have any. I ordered some from room service and a plate showed up nice and warm. Then a few min later they brought a second plate by mistake. I was lucky to have zip lock back. We stored them and had yummy cookies whenever since they sent so many. I swear we had close to 3 dozen!

[snc_cam]

The coffee cups are good to use for ice cream.

A bit deeper and the handle is good.

 

Loolue... not a bad idea... will have to look at the "storage" amounts between the two :)

[snc_cam]

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.

 

Amen to that... :) it's fun to sit back, a bowl of icecream in your hands on the lido deck, and watch the scenery and drama wander by. A relaxing day, no care in the world at the moment... peaceful, serene.

[dmarie1623]

Trivia, enjoying coffee and pastries on the balcony, and relaxing.

[kmc500]

Hi Silverspringcruiser :)

 

...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...

:)

 

What a wonderful idea!

 

Kevin C

[tinyrose]

First cruise was rush, rush, rush! Rush to buffet right when getting on the ship. Rush to see all of the ship on the very first day. Rush in ports to see all we can. Rush to do ALL of the activities on the schedule.

 

Now, it is slow down, enjoy the moments, and relax. I love sitting to watch the water and people. I love to sit and read in the warmth of the sun. I can close my eyes right now and feel it. Ahhhhh.......bliss!!!

[mamieof3]

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...

 

 

 

 

:)

What a beautiful thing to do together. The idea is great but the sitting together discussing the days events and then logging them is the best part of the memory-maker. Good for you folks!

[Mysticks1]

I agree with the taking time to relax. On our first cruise we were always rushing around trying to do and see everything. I needed a vacation from the vacation. I would say make time to go up on the upper decks and watch a sunset. Get up early at least one morning and watch the sunrise. The last 30 min or so before you leave port be on one of the upper decks to watch the pier for pier runners, especially if you are in Cozumel. Wait until later in your cruise to buy souvenir type items on the ship, the better sales are later in the cruise.

[snc_cam]

OMG, yes... the pier runners... Best we saw was in Cozumel... not for our ship, though we were waiting for some too, but for the Princess next to us... guy came dancing along, certainly very well "lubricated". He received a "PERSONAL" escort from the security folks. Certainly wish we knew more about that one :)

[Scrapenthusiast]

What a fantastic idea!! I'm definitely going to start doing this too! I forget many of the details after the cruise is over and this will help me to remember them forever! :D

 

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...

 

 

 

 

:)

[Mysticks1]

OMG, yes... the pier runners... Best we saw was in Cozumel... not for our ship, though we were waiting for some too, but for the Princess next to us... guy came dancing along, certainly very well "lubricated". He received a "PERSONAL" escort from the security folks. Certainly wish we knew more about that one :)

 

It can be hilarious :D- I forgot to add be sure you can take video. We are on the Dream next and I plan to watch from the Lanai on deck 5. I will have the camera ready. :)

[larkz]

Two things. First, I come up with with most of my own plans in the ports now, rather than Carnival's -- or any other firm's -- excursions. Second, I laze around, reading and enjoying the ocean and my Kindle while on the ship.

 

I stopped humping around from on ship activity to the next because they were mostly lame and I'd rather save my energy for kayaking, hiking, and biking the the ports. To me, the ship is for complete relaxation.

[Johnsblonde]

Room service for sure. It was my fourth cruise before I tried it. DH likes to get up early, walk the decks and sit down and socialize for breakfast. Me? Not so much....

 

I like to take my time waking up and drink my coffee on the balcony while getting ready for the day. By the time he comes back, I'm ready to go, awake and in a good mood. Wish I'd figured that one out sooner. I'm not fit for company first thing in the morning!

[sirebors]

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

 

 

how much is a week long spa pass? What does it get you? Do they offer it on the Legend

[ccruisequeen]

Karaoke and cabin service!

[jgr8fulbear]

chocolate extravaganza.....we always seem to miss it:eek:

[marshabear]

in all the cruises we have taken, we have never played mini golf!! each trip we say we HAVE to do that this time...then we never do...maybe next week????

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha

[frito58]

in all the cruises we have taken, we have never played mini golf!! each trip we say we HAVE to do that this time...then we never do...maybe next week????

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha

 

After 16 cruises we finally played LOL. It was fun :D:D Took us 5 cruises to finally play some trivia , now its a do not miss.

[txmom11]

I asked DH about this one, and he said to take it easy and relax. I'll add that we want to play mini golf as well. Just never seem to get around to it.

[sjcruiser]

It took me a few cruises, but paid attention or keep up with the CD's on the ship. Some are memorable, and some were well, way to busy to interact with the cruisers, and just raced from one event to the other, or lacked personality.

[BobbyD]

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.

 

I have never taken advantage of room service. Every cruise I say I'm going to get room service and I don't. Next cruise!

[richstowe]

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

be thinking and planning the next cruise just after getting off the last cruise.

 

Seriously !

[keith75]

A few cruises ago we were table mates with a wonderful couple from Chicago and they said we won't see you all tomorrow night because we're having dinner at the steakhouse. The wife said, you all should join us!

 

Well we didn't want to intrude, and I figured the food couldn't be much better than the dining room anyway. The husband later said.....you guys have to join us, it's our treat and we won't take no for an answer.

 

We met them in the steakhouse house the next night and had a wonderful meal, so wonderful that we treated them there the next night. So thanks to that awesome couple kindness and generosity we discovered something new that is now one of our favorite parts of the cruise.

We now eat at the steakhouse every cruise.

Edited April 10, 2014 by keith75

[retnuh281]

What a great thread!

So many things I do from cruise to cruise. !st one was impromptu happy hour in the library before dinner. Three couples ordered cheese and fruit plates from room service, then brought it and a bottle of wine

and relaxed and mingled.

Join me while I join in this wonderful thread.

[keith75]

One ship I was on had a nice cigar lounge tucked away with a full bar comfortable leather seats and I think even a piano player. Wish I could find that again.