Biggest Waste of Time on a Cruise Ship...

[LA_CA_GAL]

 

This post was what I consider a waste of time on a cruise and I gave my opinion and questioned their appeal.

 

I think I agree with you in that some posts are a total waste of time, this being another in that category, as is the aforementioned.:rolleyes:

[Velvetwater]

I think I agree with you in that some posts are a total waste of time, this being another in that category, as is the aforementioned.:rolleyes:

 

For the second time within a thread you failed to read my posts.

 

Never said anything about posts being a waste of time and quote you mentioned was about my own original posting on this thread.

 

Ooops ;)

 

Anyway...moving on

 

I was starting to wonder if sleeping was actually a waste of time on a cruise ship especially as nightclubs open til 2ish (I think) and some places have early morning activities or ports.

 

If only there was away to not need sleep! :)

[luddite]

Walky-talky radios.

[LrgPizza]

Posting on message boards while on the cruise

[clackey]

I think I agree with you in that some posts are a total waste of time, this being another in that category, as is the aforementioned.:rolleyes:

 

And yet we read it and post.:rolleyes:

[vacation luvver]

Not sure if you saw my earlier post (somewhere) about our personal program of "Queue Avoidance." It is based on the philosophy (developed by moi) that most folks who wait in Queues have only themselves to blame. They wait on those long queues, complain to anyone who will listen, and then can't wait to get back into another queue :)

Yes, I did see it. But I don't see that I had only myself to blame, and I don't agree that I couldn't wait to get back into another queue.

 

For example, in your case you continue to book cruise line excursions...just so you can wait in another queue. The "Queue Avoidance" strategy is quite simple....Do not book any excursions.

I have no idea what you mean by saying that booking cruiseline excursions means waiting in another queue. I book them online, at home. No waiting in a queue. Every other time, the tickets were in my cabin when I got on the ship, and I expected them to be in my cabin that time. I did not expect to have to wait on line to get them (and argue with the Shore Excursions guy).

 

And I certainly didn't expect to have to wait in the theatre for my group to be called to get on a bus. Every other time, we were told to get on the bus when we were at a docked port. I do not agree that booking shore excursions in a docked port while sitting in front of my computer at home is an indication that I will have to wait on line.

 

As to waiting in queue at the dining room, although they cannot always be avoided one can certainly decrease the possibility by dining after 8.

This makes absolutely no sense at all, because I didn't say what time my dinner reservation was for. What gave you the impression that my reservation was for before 8:00 PM? And I wasn't complaining about having to wait. I was complaining about having to wait unnecessarily because some woman's dining companions didn't show up for their reservation, and instead of asking her to wait on the side, the hostess talked and talked and talked to her, delaying everyone behind her on line. I don't think this is the best way to handle things.

 

So we think your examples are more a statement of insanity...in that you will follow the same activities again and again, wait in Queues again and again, and expect a different result?

So, according to you, I am insane if I ever book another shore excursion online or if I ever choose to have MyTime/Anytime Dining and expect to eat dinner in the MDR instead of at the buffet. Sorry, but I'm not buying that. I am not the insane one here.

[thehappycruiserchick]

Waiting for everyone to show up for the obligatory safety muster. It is the worst when it is hot and we are on an outside deck standing in tight, crowded lines. It was even worse when we had to wear the life vests.

 

Now at least we often can sit comfortably inside and not wear life vests. Still, I wish folks could show up in a more timely manner and not keep so many people waiting.

 

I know the muster is a vital part of the cruise experience. But I wish some folks would take it more seriously and arrive on time, so we can all get on with the fun parts of the cruise.

 

I couldn't agree more!

[winnifer]

I'm with you here. It's not the muster by itself, it's waiting for people who seemed surprised it was going to happen.

 

FWIW, I'm a first-time cruiser and am just now learning about the muster. Maybe don't be so quick to judge and assume everyone knows the same things you do? This is a huge learning experience for me, and I'm glad I found this forum so I know about these things ahead of time! :)

[MichaelCMTX]

FWIW, I'm a first-time cruiser and am just now learning about the muster. Maybe don't be so quick to judge and assume everyone knows the same things you do? This is a huge learning experience for me, and I'm glad I found this forum so I know about these things ahead of time! :)

Valid points, but you'll find they make absolutely no secret about when the muster drill will be held. For some folks, you'd figure they totally weren't expecting that might happen.

[winnifer]

Valid points, but you'll find they make absolutely no secret about when the muster drill will be held. For some folks, you'd figure they totally weren't expecting that might happen.

 

Ahhh, I see. Are these done where everyone on board must show at once, or are they staggered? I imagine for bigger ships that would take a lot of doing to get that many thousands of people together in one place at one time!

[beachbum53]

Biggest Waste of Time on a Cruise Ship...

 

For me, that's easy. On every cruise, we go to the "Welcome Aboard" Show. About ten minutes into it, I think to myself, "Why am I wasting my time sitting here watching this dumb show? I could be at the pizza station right now. There's probably no line, and I could be stuffing my face with some pizza and gaining about five pounds." But do I get up and leave? Nooo. Because I love my wife, and she wants to see the show. So there I sit, wishing I could leave, and having a serious craving for some pizza.:rolleyes::D

[Mary Ellen]

Ahhh, I see. Are these done where everyone on board must show at once, or are they staggered? I imagine for bigger ships that would take a lot of doing to get that many thousands of people together in one place at one time!

Yes, the muster drill is held for the entire ship at the same time. Given that the drill is for what to do in an emergency, staggering wouldn't work - unless you also expect an evacuation to happen in a staggered manner. :rolleyes:

 

Don't worry about having to know what to do for the drill before you board. There will be plenty of announcements making it abundantly clear what will be expected of you. More than likely the TV in your cabin will on when you arrive. The channel showing will be about what you need to know for the drill. You'd have to really work at it to be unprepared.

[winnifer]

Yes, the muster drill is held for the entire ship at the same time. Given that the drill is for what to do in an emergency, staggering wouldn't work - unless you also expect an evacuation to happen in a staggered manner. :rolleyes:

 

Don't worry about having to know what to do for the drill before you board. There will be plenty of announcements making it abundantly clear what will be expected of you. More than likely the TV in your cabin will on when you arrive. The channel showing will be about what you need to know for the drill. You'd have to really work at it to be unprepared.

 

Oh wonderful! Good to know - thanks! :D

[travlnblueberries]

Waiting for everyone to show up for the obligatory safety muster. It is the worst when it is hot and we are on an outside deck standing in tight, crowded lines. It was even worse when we had to wear the life vests.

 

Now at least we often can sit comfortably inside and not wear life vests. Still, I wish folks could show up in a more timely manner and not keep so many people waiting.

 

I know the muster is a vital part of the cruise experience. But I wish some folks would take it more seriously and arrive on time, so we can all get on with the fun parts of the cruise.

 

Well Said !

[Twice_a_year]

Biggest Waste of Time on a Cruise Ship...

 

For me, that's easy. On every cruise, we go to the "Welcome Aboard" Show. About ten minutes into it, I think to myself, "Why am I wasting my time sitting here watching this dumb show? I could be at the pizza station right now. There's probably no line, and I could be stuffing my face with some pizza and gaining about five pounds." But do I get up and leave? Nooo. Because I love my wife, and she wants to see the show. So there I sit, wishing I could leave, and having a serious craving for some pizza.:rolleyes::D

 

 

I'll bet there are more than TWO of these women who make their hubbies "enjoy" the show.

[Twice_a_year]

Every ship that really had a disaster in recent years seems to have the same story about their evacuation. “IT WAS DISORDERLY AT BEST”

 

Does anyone think that after the ship starts going down that they will be looking for Muster Station D3?

 

The best we can hope for is a well trained and disciplined crew. For passenger orientation, that aforementioned TV show should suffice.

 

What is the muster drill really good for you may ask - The crowded conditions gives the noro virus a good start to start in spreading:)

[LA_CA_GAL]

Every ship that really had a disaster in recent years seems to have the same story about their evacuation. “IT WAS DISORDERLY AT BEST”

 

Does anyone think that after the ship starts going down that they will be looking for Muster Station D3?

 

The best we can hope for is a well trained and disciplined crew. For passenger orientation, that aforementioned TV show should suffice.

 

What is the muster drill really good for you may ask - The crowded conditions gives the noro virus a good start to start in spreading:)

 

Long before "the ship starts going down", hopefully everyone will be assembled at their muster stations.

[TracieABD]

Waiting to tender...

[A2Mich]

As said before, what one considers "essential to the experience" can easily be a "waste of time" for others.

 

My waste of time list would include -

Bingo / Casino - we have enough casinos at home if I really want to gamble. I work too hard for my money to simply give it away to someone else. Ever notice how beautiful and clean many casinos are, not to mention the free drinks and comp'ed rooms? Ya think they give this stuff away if the patrons are really raking in the winnings and the house is losing money?

 

Art auctions - while I can appreciate fine art, it doesn't interest me.

 

Port shopping talks - Do we really need to be told which stores give the cruise lines a kickback?

 

Wine tasting - simply doesn't interest me at all, though others pay big bucks for fermented grape juice.

 

Working out at gym - Really? This is vacation after all, but some people do so on a daily basis. Whatever.

 

Endless hours of sunbathing - I can do this at home in the summer by the pool, though sunbathing in the winter is not an option for a lot of people, myself included.

 

Ice skating - sorry, but can do this year round.

[iancal]

Formal nights in the MDR and about 80 percent of the shows.

[Calgon1]

The "biggest waste of time" ?

Concentrating on what's "wrong" with the _______________ (boarding process, ship, dining companions, staff, food, music, angle of the sun, air-conditioning, debarkation process, venue hours, color of the carpeting, laundry, casino, weather, movie selection, service, excursions, flights, shows, etc., etc., etc.).

Negative people need drama like normal people need air. Remain positive. Take their breath away!

Edited July 13, 2014 by Calgon1
'cause I can't spell . . .

[winnifer]

The "biggest waste of time" ?

Concentrating on what's "wrong" with the _______________ (boarding process, ship, dining companions, staff, food, music, angle of the sun, air-conditioning, debarkation process, venue hours, color of the carpeting, laundry, casino, weather, movie selection, service, excursions, flights, shows, etc., etc., etc.).

Negative people need drama like normal people need air. Remain positive. Take their breath away!

 

Hi... I've never met you but I love you. :P Excellent point!!

[aussielozzie18]

Being a newbie, it was stopping what we were doing in our cabin and having to prop open our cabin door for the pa announcements - only to hear the Cruise Director's annoying promos for Bingo Time.

 

The Captain's midday announcements on the other hand were funny and informative.

Edited July 14, 2014 by aussielozzie18

[Donray]

Eating at any buffet. Why would anyone do this when they can be served and enjoy a meal without getting it yourself and then finding a table.

[mr green]

Eating at any buffet. Why would anyone do this when they can be served and enjoy a meal without getting it yourself and then finding a table.

 

On a cruise many of us have a time element to consider.

 

john