How would you describe a SEA DAY to a rookie?

[cynt]

My BFF is going on her 1st cruise. She wanted to me to describe a sea day to her. What is a sea day? What do you do on a sea day? etc, etc. You know that 1st cruise when you're trying to wrap your mind around what exactly is going to take place. This Sea Day thing has her scratching her head. LOL!!! I know she's going to enjoy it but she can't really understand it since she's never cruised. So I thought I would ask my CC buddies.

 

Cruising Carnival Freedom - 3 sea days.

 

I told her it's kind of like you're at a get together with many friends and family at a huge resort. All the free food you can eat, pools for swimming, water slides for the young at heart, crazy games to be enjoyed by all, pool side music and contest, or get a quiet place to relax away from the crowd. Or you can go inside the "resort" and relax in your room, go shopping, go to the casino, enjoy the spa or indoor activities and trivia.

 

How would you describe a SEA DAY to a rookie?

Edited May 20, 2015 by cynt

[Chief93]

A sea day is getting up late, then having a long breakfast while watching the endless ocean go by. After that, there are a series of repeated naps, meals, laying around in the sun, ocean watching and relaxing. You can add the occasion (or the frequent) adult beverage if you choose.

 

At least that's my sea day.

[dljones]

We usually hit the shops on sea days, go swimming, read, enjoy leisurely meals, maybe go to a show, play trivia, try our luck at the casino and just generally hang out.

[sid_9169]

My sea day normally goes as follows: Wake up early and have coffee while watching the sun rise. Spend some time in the hot tub right when it opens. Have some breakfast with a spectacular view of the open sea. The troubles of everyday life melt away into the wake. Have a few adult beverages by the pool. By now, it's lunch time, so I find something good to eat. A few more cold frosty adult beverages, and soon it's getting later in the afternoon. Sit out on my balcony and relax because it's been such a "tough day" so far... Get ready for dinner, while having more adult beverages. Dine on whatever my heart desires, in the quantities I desire, followed by desert and more adult beverages. (Boy, I'm really starting to sound like an alcoholic here...) That's my average sea day...

[SMSACE6]

My BFF is going on her 1st cruise. She wanted to me to describe a sea day to her. What is a sea day? What do you do on a sea day? etc, etc. You know that 1st cruise when you're trying to wrap your mind around what exactly is going to take place. This Sea Day thing has her scratching her head. LOL!!! I know she's going to enjoy it but she can't really understand it since she's never cruised. So I thought I would ask my CC buddies.

 

Cruising Carnival Freedom - 3 sea days.

 

I told her it's kind of like you're at a get together with many friends and family at a huge resort. All the free food you can eat, pools for swimming, water slides for the young at heart, crazy games to be enjoyed by all, pool side music and contest, or get a quiet place to relax away from the crowd. Or you can go inside the "resort" and relax in your room, go shopping, go to the casino, enjoy the spa or indoor activities and trivia.

 

How would you describe a SEA DAY to a rookie?

 

I think you described a sea day very well to your friend. As for the food, do not forget to go to Sea day Brunch! Also on sea days, you may find they will do a tea time with excellent desserts, sandwiches...and tea! For me sea days are really relaxing time, and are so nice not to have to get up early to get off the ship early for excursions. You can sleep in, or get up early, whatever you wish. But I do think you described it well. Freedom is one of my favorite Carnival ships btw. Enjoy:)

[elliair]

Some lay out by the pool if it's warm, some walk around the ship, some go to the casino, play Bingo, read a book, eat, drink, eat some more, get a massage, surf the internet, go to trivia, and whatever activities show up on the patter. There's plenty to do - some just lay around all day - whatever you want to do.

[skittl1321]

I'm not a fan of sea days. I consider them necessary evils to get to distant ports, even though I know they aren't really necessary because the ships could go faster. I know they are there for a) Carnival to make money and b) for people who love sea days and not ports to be happy. To me, sea days are best when you are with groups of people who can help you pass the time while having fun, and less fun if it is just 2 of you who aren't really partiers. We've had both experiences.

 

I'd tell people that sea days are what they make of them.

You can sit on your balcony and read a book and watch the ocean go by. It is lovely and relaxing.

You can lay out and work on your tan.

You can whoop it up, drink just the right amount (or too much), and party all day long (often while working on your tan.)

If it is your thing there is lots of gambling to be done.

I hear there is a gym on the ship- but I've never seen it :)

 

We usually do a combination of napping, playing trivia, and eating. We bring games to play as well.

[PurdueChefAmber]

My sea day normally goes as follows: Wake up early and have coffee while watching the sun rise. Spend some time in the hot tub right when it opens. Have some breakfast with a spectacular view of the open sea. The troubles of everyday life melt away into the wake. Have a few adult beverages by the pool. By now, it's lunch time, so I find something good to eat. A few more cold frosty adult beverages, and soon it's getting later in the afternoon. Sit out on my balcony and relax because it's been such a "tough day" so far... Get ready for dinner, while having more adult beverages. Dine on whatever my heart desires, in the quantities I desire, followed by desert and more adult beverages. (Boy, I'm really starting to sound like an alcoholic here...) That's my average sea day...

 

 

That is my sea day, too! Haha

 

 

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[Frank12]

A sea day is getting up late, then having a long breakfast while watching the endless ocean go by. After that, there are a series of repeated naps, meals, laying around in the sun, ocean watching and relaxing. You can add the occasion (or the frequent) adult beverage if you choose.

 

At least that's my sea day.

I like this one!

[Izzybee]

A sea day is the ultimate day off. Get up whenever, wander over to the eating place of your choice, hang with friends, shop, trivia, gamble, find something fun to try you've never done before, or just lay around and do nothing, in your choice of ship location, serenity, lido, balcony...

 

I love sea days... Ports are fun, but if feel pressured to "make the most of it" wheras sea days are for anything or nothing.

[InTheWASide]

My BFF is going on her 1st cruise. She wanted to me to describe a sea day to her. What is a sea day? What do you do on a sea day? etc, etc. You know that 1st cruise when you're trying to wrap your mind around what exactly is going to take place. This Sea Day thing has her scratching her head. LOL!!! I know she's going to enjoy it but she can't really understand it since she's never cruised. So I thought I would ask my CC buddies.

 

Cruising Carnival Freedom - 3 sea days.

 

I told her it's kind of like you're at a get together with many friends and family at a huge resort. All the free food you can eat, pools for swimming, water slides for the young at heart, crazy games to be enjoyed by all, pool side music and contest, or get a quiet place to relax away from the crowd. Or you can go inside the "resort" and relax in your room, go shopping, go to the casino, enjoy the spa or indoor activities and trivia.

 

How would you describe a SEA DAY to a rookie?

 

Option 1) It's a way to explore and enjoy what the ship has to offer without missing out on a port of call.

 

Option 2) It's a way to recoop and recover between shore excursions and exploring in all the various ports (this is good if it's a very port intensive cruise )

[Taters]

Days at sea are my favorite! I start out with coffee delivered by room service out on my balcony. Once up and around, Sea Day Brunch is not to be missed! Then it's usually off to the casino for a little while followed by time at the pool swimming, listening to my iPod and having cocktails with my friends. If the Love & Marriage show is happening that day, I love to attend! Then I may go to my cabin and read, take a nap, get ready for dinner... Check out a comedy show after dinner. Maybe back to the casino for a toddy and then sleep like the spoiled princess that I am!

 

For this next cruise, we're bringing Cards Against Humanity. Awesome!

Edited May 20, 2015 by Taters

[sjcruiser]

Depending on what time I leave the club or casino and get to bed, a sea day to may is getting up at between 8:00-9:00, grabbing a bite to eat on the Lido, doing a quick walk around Lido to see how many people are sleeping late, and how many are out on deck or occupying loungers (including Serenity deck). Most times I dressed for lounging in the sun, so once I locate a lounger or another quiet area on deck (table with chairs), I settle in with a book or the table and music. While catching some rays, I may peruse the FunTimes or the take off section to see whats going on that day which I usually also do the night before. If there's some activity I want to participate in, or see, if its not on deck, I may go the venue and check it out, sometimes not, I may just hang out on deck. Next up is lunch, which by then I'm usually found by family, or spot them on the way to grab something to eat. We may go to the Lido, or Taste bar for a quick bite, along with talking with fellow cruisers, or playing cards, table games, dominoes, etc. This may last the rest of the afternoon, which may include returning to hang out in the sun. Late afternoon I usually settle in for a nap in the room to get ready to hang out for the night. Between 6:30-7:30, I'm getting ready for dinner, or family is calling around to see if we're going to the MDR, or opt for the Lido, if we don't have reservations at a specialty restaurant. After dinner its catching a show, watching/sinking karaoke, hanging out at one of the bars, or in the casino before the club opens. Since I love music, but can't/don't dance, my time is spent going between a table in the club with my family, and the casino, or exploring other shows or musicians/bands around the ship, and enjoying a drink while doing so. Sea days are for anything that you want. You can do a little or as much as you want. It may be a good idea to find some YouTube videos, or some one here to show them what goes on out on deck on sea days, or on cruises overall. It took me awhile to learn that you don't have to everything on a cruise, and that you are on vacation, so spend some time doing nothing at all, but maybe watching and listening to the water.

[cynt]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. These will surely help me explain a sea day to her in a little more depth.

 

3 MORE SLEEPS FOR US BEFORE WE BOARD THE CARNIVAL FREEDOM!! :D

[KatRat416]

My typical sea day: Wake up around 8. Eat buffet breakfast. People watch. Head back to the room around 10 since food doesn't like my tummy even though my taste buds love it. Spent time on balcony with husband after taking care of business. Leave husband to nap on balcony while curling up in bed with my Kindle. Possibly taking a nap myself. Going back up for a game of mini golf or just people watching with an adult beverage. Time for lunch! People watch and relax. Maybe see if we can squeeze into a hot tub somewhere. Head back to the room for....whatever you want. People watch some more and watch the sea go by. Walk around the ship and check stuff out. Have dinner. Walk around more. Hit up the casino for a while. Check out a dive in movie or some comedy shows. Hit up the casino. Hit up the late night snacks. Back to room for reading and bed.

 

We're not very exciting....but we cruise to relax and honestly love just sitting and people watching and enjoying being together (since we have a 2 year old, we don't get much time just the 2 of us anymore and she stays with grandparents when we take our summer vacation)....and napping whenever we want and being lazy without feeling like we SHOULD be washing dishes/cutting grass/doing laundry/working on lesson plans....

[karessamom]

In a very good way! Down because there are no time limits--no ports or activities to make no time Frames! TOTALLY relax and do what ever you want days!! Go swimming, sit in the sun, shop the shops, go gambling, explore the ship--Dive in movies, Art auctions don't have to buy but sometimes it's a hoot to go and listen to the others that go and get drunk lol, there's a lot to do. On our first cruise DH was ready to jump ship at the first port because he didn't know how to turn off his type A personality and relax. It took us our first cruise 10 years ago for him to learn! we're looking forward to our next cruise together in Aug! and Oh how I love sea days!!

[kona_wahine]

Our last cruise we had 4 port days followed by 2 sea days. I found this to be perfect! We were on the go go go, then 2 days to relax. First day was much of nothing, with a nice long nap in the middle. Last day we found a couple chairs on serenity for the afternoon. Found our way to the fish and chips. Went down the slide a couple times. Sat in the serenity hot tub overlooking the ocean. Hit the casino and cashed out the little we had saved. Bought a couple bottles of hootch. Gosh, can't even think what else. Few drinks, watched the hasbro show, went to the comedienne show... Just whatever came along.

 

Dang, I want to go back!!! Lol

[dolphin2012]

Sometimes i wish the whole cruise were sea days! We sleep late and do the sea brunch. Then we each pick something fun to do from the fun times. It usually is something like the hairy man contest, ice sulpture, or trivia. I love to just sit and watch the ocean. We love the dive in movie at nite with popcorn and blankets and watching people. The dances at nite are fun too. Its just the most relaxing day ever. There are games in the library and dont forget to go take some pics. You can be as busy or lazy as you want that day.. have fun!

[doneinne]

Wake up early and eat some breakfast. Watch the flying fish jump away from the ship. Wander around until my wife wakes up. Go have a 2nd breakfast with her. Go find a place to lounge around. Go eat lunch when hungry again. Maybe take a nap. Stroll down to the casino. Have a few drinks here and there. Maybe take in a couple of the events going on through out the day. Go change for dinner in the MDR. Go see a show or back to the casino. Have some more drinks. Sea Days are like a vacation within your vacation. Port days seem busy with lots of activity (they don't have to be). Sea days are relaxation and recuperation.

Edited May 21, 2015 by doneinne

[bakersdozen12]

On my land vacations, I have a tendency to want to do too much. I usually over-plan with activities, and then we end up exhausted from our vacation. To me, sea days are a good excuse for me to not plan anything so that we can actually get in some R&R!

[lido deck larry]

Wake up. Drink excessively. Eat whenever hungry. Lie by the pool most of the day. Drink some more. Hit the casino. Party most of the night away. All while drinking as much as possible.

 

And no people watching. Don't understand why so many folks enjoy that....

Edited May 21, 2015 by lido deck larry

[AmberTeka]

good food. Nice naps. Much fun at Trivia. Much despair at Casino slots. Much fun meeting other passengers. Much fun seeing good production shows. Much fun eating wonderful cookies and drinking wonderful lattes

 

Much fun...........not making beds. Not cooking. Not cleaning. Not working.

 

Much fun. reading a good book. Sitting & looking at the sea.

 

Humbling...................Knowing you are darn lucky to be on that ship.......and enjoying a week or two of..............down time. good time. time with mate. time with family.

 

WIN WIN. except for the casino. Smart people avoid it. I am not that bright. I remain convinced that one day the screen on my slot machine will be filled with unicorns or whatever.....the ringer will be going off and I will have WON. one day.

Edited May 21, 2015 by AmberTeka