What's Your Cruise Routine?

[Robbinsa87]

For at least 2 nights we are dressed and ready for our night out, before sunset and enjoy wine on our balcony while we watch the sun set. (and saying a silent thank you that we get to witness such wonder in such a setting)

 

I love this idea and think we might implement this as a "ritual". We're cruising for the first time and staying in a SF Suite on the Jewel, can you have glasses of wine sent to the room? Or do you bring your own bottle or grab a glass and then head back to your balcony?

 

Thanks =)

[wilmingtech]

We havent cruised enough yet to have a ritual.

 

But so far -

 

1. Always eat in the MDR after embarkation. No sense fighting your way through the buffet. All that food will be there all week.

 

2. Like others have mentioned, we like to take the stairs. We are grateful for our health and working knees (for now) and we will leave room on the elevator for those who need to use it.

 

3. Go and see the ship before we cruise on it. All three cruises we have been (will be on in 18 days) on we have had the opportunity to go to the pier and see the ship a couple weeks or days before or cruise. Thats made it exciting for us. I dont think we will always be able to do this but its been fun that we have been able to for each cruise.

 

-Sean

[jlajr]

Thanks for starting such a great thread.

 

• As when I'm not on a cruise, play things by ear for the most part
  
• Usually awake for sunrise
  
• Fruit from the buffet
  
• Gym, walk around the ship, or watch the ship dock
  
• Breakfast, sometimes in a dining room, sometimes from a buffet, usually not in my room
  
• Port days - I don't plan anything ahead of time, and I don't rush to get off the ship. I've walked off the ship and rented cars (Ponta Delgada and in Funchal, an all-electric Renault Twizzy), walked around town (Casablanca and Malaga), and taken public transportation to a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). Watch the ship leave port.
  
• Sea days - Again, I don't plan anything ahead of time, but I do usually go to trivia, go to the spa/hot tub/pool, play golf, etc.
  
• Watch the sunset, sometimes from the comfort of an outdoor hot tub.
  
• Dinner, sometimes in a dining room, sometimes from a buffet, sometimes with people I've met on the cruise. I've only had one meal in an added-charge specialty restaurant and that was because my mom wanted to (and paid for it).
  
• Nighttime - Surprise, I don't plan anything ahead of time, but I usually spend the evenings with people I've met on the cruise, either at shows, bars, the casino, and so on.
  

Edited January 13, 2016 by jlajr

[Capella Black]

Lots of mine have already been mentioned (using balconies, pre-breakfast room service, daily bar visits etc). Another is our cruise driving music, including rocking up to Lonely Island's "I'm on a boat"! Also doing a DIY wine tasting using our drinks package - basically ordering one glass of wine at a time between us (we both have the package, that's just to reduce the quantity drunk), and spending an afternoon working through all the whites-by-the-glass.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Capella Black

[collectingcoke]

Awesome topic idea. We always start off with our first drink ASAP then lunch in the haven restaurant.

- My husband always delivers a drink for me to enjoy while I get ready for dinner.

- at least once after a late night order room service pizza.

- pictures off the balcony of sunset.

- hit all the photo ops have ended up with some great pictures of us.

- go to the meet and greet set up in cruise critic for our sailing.

 

Ummmm- balcony sex - note to self!

[NCLfamily]

Drinks in the room whilst getting dressed for dinner is a must

 

I like to sit at the poolside bar for a good part of the day, you meet some great characters from all over the world.

 

Breakfast and lunch are almost always in the GC but we plan to change that on this years cruises. Going to use the MDR for breakfast more often.

[PSUfan1313]

Just a few rituals for us...

 

- We always make plans to go to the gym daily, but NEVER do.

- Drink responsibly, but on the fringe of excess at times (It can be done)

- Have a tumble in bed at least 5 out of 7 nights -- It has happened on a balcony too ;)

- Always ask for a seating assignment that will let us meet new people

- Stay on the ship on at least one port day (enjoy all the amenities without the crowd)

- Plan all excursions in advance so there is more time for relaxing

- Get as much sun as we can...

[brookie848]

quick question, where do we get crabcakes benedict?

 

Crabcakes benedict was on the Haven breakfast menu -- but I think it's been replaced with something else similar.

[Linda the Book Lover]

quick question, where do we get crabcakes benedict?

 

It is part of the suite menu for breakfast.

 

We are retired and so that means no routine for us except eating and drinking. Thank you NCL for the UBP promo.

[NCLfamily]

As for the gym? [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

[riddle]

Early trip to the buffet by myself (while DH sleeps) for a bowl of muesli and cups of coffee while I ready in the early sunshine. Back to room to get DH up and start our day by getting a real breakfast in the restaurant.

 

Of, always the MDR for the first lunch on board, look over the ship, go to our room when ready and take a quick nap, then muster drill, then run DH off so I can quickly unpack. Now ready to hit the casino or whatever and start the cruise.

[cruisingforfun72]

Crabcakes benedict was on the Haven breakfast menu -- but I think it's been replaced with something else similar.

 

thank you, they sound magnificient

[Greciangirl]

Crabcakes benedict was on the Haven breakfast menu -- but I think it's been replaced with something else similar.

Its lobster benedict now

 

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

[geegee1]

Another thing I do is, tap into the wifi for a minute and download that day's newspaper. I can only take CNN International for so long and whatever version of ESPN they show.

[wilmingtech]

Its lobster benedict now

 

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

I wish. If they had a lobster burger to replace the shrimp burger I'd be over the moon :)

Edited January 14, 2016 by wilmingtech

[crayola1932]

Unfortunately we can't do the stairs anymore (one flight OK, but that's all the knee will take), but we try to keep exercising anyway.

 

I

• get up 5 AM, sneak out of the room while DH sleeps, get the "good" coffee at the back of the buffet and read my Kindle. Then I do some exercises in the Fitness Studio while it's still unoccupied.
  
• By then DH is up, and we eat breakfast together as soon as the full buffet opens.
  
• More exercises in tiny cabin (DH has to crawl over bed if he needs to get to the other side of the cabin).
  
• Walk around the promenade deck for a mile (usually separately, because we have different morning personal routines)
  
• On sea days: We may or may not see each other during the rest of the day before supper, but it's always a pleasure when we bump into each other.
  
• DH does all trivia sessions available and makes friends that way. He goes to a number of events. He likes to sit in the shade on the pool deck and take a dip now and then. I have to stay out of the sun, so don't do much on the pool deck.
  
• I walk around the deck several times during the day. I hit the gym around lunchtime, because it's less crowded. Otherwise, unless there's a really interesting lecture or something, I spend a lot of time reading on the balcony or in the cabin. I let the room steward kick me out when he/she is ready to clean. I go to the buffet for early lunch--I like the Indian and Asian food and the salads.
  
• We usually end up eating supper a little earlier than we prefer, because we make our reservations last minute. When we eat in the MDR, we always offer to share and thus meet people. (I'd love to do a separate post on the universal dinner conversation script for shared table with strangers.)
  
• Almost never go to shows. We enjoy the music at the bars, and usually bar hop a bit looking for a good musician and perhaps a drink.
  
• Early to bed (especially me).
  

[NCLfamily]

Interesting read crayola.

 

Re. The shared seating, it's not something I've ever considered. I'm usually in a larger group, so not really an option. If I wanted to try it, does it happen on NCL ships much? I've never been aware of it. Do 'younger' guests do it? I'm 41, my wife is 38.

[crayola1932]

Interesting read crayola.

 

Re. The shared seating, it's not something I've ever considered. I'm usually in a larger group, so not really an option. If I wanted to try it, does it happen on NCL ships much? I've never been aware of it. Do 'younger' guests do it? I'm 41, my wife is 38.

 

When you check in at the maitre'd desk in the main dining room, tell them you're willing to share. They are always grateful to accommodate you, because there too many people, not enough tables. In fact, at peak times, it can greatly shorten your wait-time for dinner.

The types of cruises we go on usually attract an older demographic, and the shared tables tend to match the demographic. We've had some younger couples at dinner, but usually it's middle-aged folks who are close to, but haven't retired yet. We are 70 now, although you wouldn't guess it. But we've been doing this for 15 years and have always met a disparate, interesting group. Sometimes people we don't like, but it's still interesting, and we can always laugh about it later.

 

Another option that they don't publicize: Sign up at Guest Services for the Dinner-with-an-Officer lottery. Everybody wins--it's just that you sometimes get a low-level officer. But it's always interesting and involves a free specialty dinner, great service, and unlimited free wine.

[PSUfan1313]

When you check in at the maitre'd desk in the main dining room, tell them you're willing to share. They are always grateful to accommodate you, because there too many people, not enough tables. In fact, at peak times, it can greatly shorten your wait-time for dinner.

The types of cruises we go on usually attract an older demographic, and the shared tables tend to match the demographic. We've had some younger couples at dinner, but usually it's middle-aged folks who are close to, but haven't retired yet. We are 70 now, although you wouldn't guess it. But we've been doing this for 15 years and have always met a disparate, interesting group. Sometimes people we don't like, but it's still interesting, and we can always laugh about it later.

 

Another option that they don't publicize: Sign up at Guest Services for the Dinner-with-an-Officer lottery. Everybody wins--it's just that you sometimes get a low-level officer. But it's always interesting and involves a free specialty dinner, great service, and unlimited free wine.

 

We have met some of our best lifelong friends around an 8-10 seat table. It's a must to share if you enjoy meeting people and having conversation... ;)

[EyeSeaEwe]

Ours consist of Breakfast in the cabin everyday, sitting on the balcony having morning coffee, taking in all that is beautiful!!!:)

Sex on the balcony at least once during the cruise!!!:eek:

Martinis before and after dinner every night...:cool:

 

What's your cabin number again? :D

[EyeSeaEwe]

1) Get on the ship.

2) For the next seven days do whatever I decide I want to do right now.

3) Unfortunately get off of the ship.

 

The end

[BigEasyCC]

Crayola You said -"I'd love to do a separate post on the universal dinner conversation script for shared table with strangers".

Please do. I'd love to know. I always feel a bit uncomfortable, but really do enjoy meeting new people.

Edited January 15, 2016 by BigEasyCC

[TheDougOut]

My favorite cruise tradition actually happens the night before.

 

Once we check-in at the hotel near the port, we'll hit the hotel bar and have our kick-off cocktails. It's that deep-sigh transition - the exact moment when all of the frantic preparation and travel are left behind and the unobstructed anticipation is fully sensed. Bliss!

[crayola1932]

Crayola You said -"I'd love to do a separate post on the universal dinner conversation script for shared table with strangers".

Please do. I'd love to know. I always feel a bit uncomfortable, but really do enjoy meeting new people.

 

Script:

Have you cruised before? Where have you cruised? What cruise line(s)? If they've cruised with other lines: What do you think of XXX cruise line? How does it compare?

 

Discuss destinations they mentioned (e.g., What did you do in St. Peter Petersburg? How did it work out?)

 

Share tips and tricks for the NCL ships if people don't seem to know (tell them about bridge viewing room or the behind-the-scenes tour)

 

After 2 or 3 days of sharing, we always give ourselves a break and eat alone together for one night.

 

What work do you (did you) do? Discuss that, ask questions about it.

 

Discuss kids, grandkids. (We never had kids, but are always happy to listen to people on the subject.)

 

Avoid politics, although some people get very close to the line on that. I actually enjoy meeting people with different perspectives (people are always courteous).

 

Avoid religion, although that can work: we've held hands and joined our dinner-partners in pre-dinner grace even though we happen to not be religious ourselves.

 

Avoid complaining. I'll never forget the first day of a Hawaiian cruise in 2006. At our very first lunch, an elderly gentleman at our table scraped the crumbs off the tablecloth in front of him and said "This is the WORST cruise I've ever been on!" That's become an inside joke for DH and me: we quote it to each other whenever one of us gets irritable.

 

We always take a one-night break from sharing after 2-3 days--a necessary respite.

Edited January 15, 2016 by crayola1932
Additional info

[davesgirl51]

When you check in at the maitre'd desk in the main dining room, tell them you're willing to share. They are always grateful to accommodate you, because there too many people, not enough tables. In fact, at peak times, it can greatly shorten your wait-time for dinner.

The types of cruises we go on usually attract an older demographic, and the shared tables tend to match the demographic. We've had some younger couples at dinner, but usually it's middle-aged folks who are close to, but haven't retired yet. We are 70 now, although you wouldn't guess it. But we've been doing this for 15 years and have always met a disparate, interesting group. Sometimes people we don't like, but it's still interesting, and we can always laugh about it later.

 

Another option that they don't publicize: Sign up at Guest Services for the Dinner-with-an-Officer lottery. Everybody wins--it's just that you sometimes get a low-level officer. But it's always interesting and involves a free specialty dinner, great service, and unlimited free wine.

 

Hi Crayola :).

 

Enjoyed reading your piece. My hubby and I had a terrible time many years ago on a Carnival cruise when we were seated at a table (3 meals a day for 7 days, 21 days !!) with 3 couples from Kansas who knew each other. There were only two conversations ... 1) how "my hubby's new cab on his truck has a shower" (the males were all truck drivers) and 2) how awful the food was and "where's the beef?" (so to speak) three times a day, every day! Awful! That was a time twenty years ago when Carnival's food was to die for.

 

Regarding the dining with officers, on NCL, it is always posted in the Daily and except for a very rare occasion, the dinners are held in the MDR or one of its offshoots.

Edited January 15, 2016 by davesgirl51