Does anyone else get a little anxious before a cruise? About all the details?

[dadofjessie]

I do the vacation planning with DW's approval, of course. I get stressed planning it and then at the beginning of it. I stress over everything, even if we will have problems with our flights for the February cruise. And yes, we are going 2 days in advance of the cruise.

[Johnamac123]

There are so many variables involved with taking a vacay which causes all of the stress. It's so much more complicated than a non-planner would realize. I'm pretty fortunate in that I travel solo these days, so the number of things that can go wrong gets divided. I think when I step on my flight to the embarkation port, a large amount of stress is relaxed. I'm lucky I haven't had too many issues come up to deal with!!!!

[dreadpirate3]

I have found my people!

 

I am the planner, reservation maker, researcher, and follow through woman.

 

I do not plan what we are doing every minute, but I do plan what we are doing in ports, when our specialty dining is, what tours we want to do on the ship, etc. I am also the person who watches for price drops and tries for an upgrade.

 

This trip is a little different, since it involves going out of a different port, staying in a pre-cruise hotel, parking there, shuttles, and this is our first time at Port Everglades.

 

I'm not nervous, but filled with anticipation and excitement. Oh, and DH broke his prescription sunglasses, so the replacements had to be ordered. :eek:

[luvscruising2007]

I too am the planner. But for me it is only for DH and myself.

We took a cruise the first week of December a few years ago and I swore, never again. But, here I am planning our next cruise for Dec 2018. The Christmas planning really stressed me out and I didn't preplan the holidays. So this time I will go in knowing to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and start my shopping in September.

 

To alleviate some of the stress I start planning as soon as we book the cruise. I have a folder with all of my invoices, I pay a little monthly. I have a folder for excursions and for the hotels we will stay in. We will drive from Maryland to Miami as part of our vacation.

I also plan clothing so that I know what I have. We don't pack until the day before but I will have piles in the spare room.

 

I love the planning and it does help to make the time go by faster.

[dpostman]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most (Perhaps not all) but most of the frequent CC users are also the planner type...;p I know there are different "level" of planners but at least on some scale.

 

dp

[oldguysandgalls]

Conversation while packing: ;)

 

"Honey....you are NOT wearing those shorts onboard ship again...ARE you..."???

"Why not"

"What would the neighbours think"???

"Why....are they joining us on our cruise"????

"Noooooo......"

 

" And...." ?????

[oldmom]

Dreadpirate3-I do EVERY single thing you mentioned-and funny thing is- My husband and I are on the 6 day Freedom-Dec 3rd cruise-this is my 4th time on Freedom-love her ! ( Have been following your LIVE-post.)When we did the same trip-same time last year- I think it is the timing of the week -so close to the holidays-that makes me a little more busy-freaked out than usual pre-cruise-but it is the cheapest week for us to cruise-our son graduates college next December-so no cruise next Dec. (we are going Oasis-all together in June 2018). We live in Savannah, Ga-so my husband drives us down the day before- NO WAY-would I arrive the same day we cruise out. I am fine once I get on the ship-and have my first drink- I am getting so excited and I love the anticipation-almost like waiting for Santa when I was a child!:D

[dreadpirate3]

Dreadpirate3-I do EVERY single thing you mentioned-and funny thing is- My husband and I are on the 6 day Freedom-Dec 3rd cruise-this is my 4th time on Freedom-love her ! ( Have been following your LIVE-post.)When we did the same trip-same time last year- I think it is the timing of the week -so close to the holidays-that makes me a little more busy-freaked out than usual pre-cruise-but it is the cheapest week for us to cruise-our son graduates college next December-so no cruise next Dec. (we are going Oasis-all together in June 2018). We live in Savannah, Ga-so my husband drives us down the day before- NO WAY-would I arrive the same day we cruise out. I am fine once I get on the ship-and have my first drink- I am getting so excited and I love the anticipation-almost like waiting for Santa when I was a child!:D

 

I am an hour from Port Canaveral and 3-4 from Port Everglades, but driving day of seems risky to me for this one. I can't wait to be on the balcony of our JS with cocktail in hand. :halo:

[BecciBoo]

Slightly OCD here as well, but the only thing that makes me really anxious is the thought that it will all be over soon....sniff, sniff:') I really get a little melancholy right before the cruise.

[merinski]

I know this is silly-but I sometimes get a little anxious before I actually get on the cruise! I am the vacation planner in our house- I book the cruise-motel before-meal times-excursions,etc. We drive about 7-8 hours to the port-so I have to figure time off-motel room-dog boarding. This year-our cruise is the first week of December- so I need to do the tree and get presents done- also before the trip. My husband does not understand- "We get on the ship-relax-drink-repeat-get off the ship-no big deal"- I don't really "relax"-till I actually step foot on the ship-oh-and make sure my luggage made it on (the porter didn't leave it on the dock-because I didn't tip him enough-lol). Anyone else feel this way? This will be my 12th cruise- I think-so I know all the stuff to do- and I love planning for my cruises-BUT? I'm thinking the holiday stuff-added in-is stressing me out -:eek:

 

Never!;p Yes especially when we went before Christmas and one time we went right after Christmas. It is a lot of planning and you throw in the holidays and it is very stressful! It takes me awhile to unwind and relax. I prefer not to go around Christmas now. I hope you have a great trip.

[ZoeyVictoria]

My SO passed away earlier this year. We cruised together twenty times, so every detail was routine for us. I am cruising with a total newbie next week, and feel slightly stressed by being the one “in charge” and wanting the cruise to be perfect for him - I am counting on him becoming addicted, too! I am looking forward to trying some new activities and having a different experience. Once I am on board and have my luggage, I think I will be as relaxed as usual.

[yuvraj]

30 yrs' history with cruises. Enjoy them very much but still get anxious. In fact it takes me the first 1-2 nights to wind down and relax. Just the way I am.

 

With me it is not stress or even worrying. It is just that I am not fully relaxed until we are on the ship and got past the first day - muster drill, luggage, get unpacked, get things organised etc. Sometimes it takes me an extra day before I get into cruise mode and happy to let go.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most (Perhaps not all) but most of the frequent CC users are also the planner type...;p I know there are different "level" of planners but at least on some scale.

 

dp

 

Not me,

I am anti planning. I have friends that do spreadsheets and plan every second of a vacation. I would NEVER do that. To me it's seems crazy. I go on vacation to relax not to follow a schedule.. How do I know on day 4 at 5pm I am going to want to do xx ? I dont so the people I travel with just wing it. We would not have it any other way. I dont go on CC to schedule things, I go to get information on things that I may not be clear on, or something to help me make a better decision. But definitely NOT to schedule every second of my cruise. Personally I always find it funny when I see threads about.. What should I drink with my coupon, or what should I eat?... why not drink and eat what you like? But I guess some people just need to schedule or be told what to do.(in the end.. it's a cruise, which is awesome) However YOU best enjoy it is up to you. But Nervous? NO.. Schedule everything.. Absolutely NOT

However, to the person that was talking about 14 rooms (which does make you more of a travel agent then a cruise vacationer). I could see the need for scheduling if everyone was trying to eat together or do some type of excursion.

[oldmom]

I don't schedule everything-just dinner-and some excursions on the Freedom style. On Oasis style-if one does not schedule shows-you may have a hard time/miss some-because the space is so limited. We mainly relax on our cruises-but I have 2 ports this time with only a "vague" idea what we may/might do.We have been to both of these ports (Cozumel/Costa Maya) several times- so nothing must see for us.Just found out I don't have to work tomorrow-low census day at my work-RN- so my name got drawn to stay home-YEAH- now I have a whole day to do stuff-my stress level just went way down-We are doing Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday-so now I can cook ahead tomorrow.

[Jasukkie]

My people! I do wonder what it's like to just get on the ship with no idea of what to expect. My husband kept telling people we were going to the Bahamas on our last cruise, nope supposed to be Bermuda. No clue on food, entertainment, activities on board. Just let it unfold as you go along, no missing something you expected, just take it as it comes. I did make him watch a ship's tour video on youtube so he had some sense of things lol. It works for us, I love all the planning and details, and he trusts that I have it all taken care of.

[Domino D]

My people! I do wonder what it's like to just get on the ship with no idea of what to expect. My husband kept telling people we were going to the Bahamas on our last cruise, nope supposed to be Bermuda. No clue on food, entertainment, activities on board. Just let it unfold as you go along, no missing something you expected, just take it as it comes. I did make him watch a ship's tour video on youtube so he had some sense of things lol. It works for us, I love all the planning and details, and he trusts that I have it all taken care of.

 

I wonder what would happen if a family had two planners. My wife starts looking at the ship and ports on the ride to port. I have contingency plans for each port, Every medicine we may ever want, google map directions for any excursion where transportation isn't provided, etc. I'm actually glad she just lets me do it.

[dpostman]

Not me,

I am anti planning. I have friends that do spreadsheets and plan every second of a vacation. I would NEVER do that. To me it's seems crazy. I go on vacation to relax not to follow a schedule.. How do I know on day 4 at 5pm I am going to want to do xx ? I dont so the people I travel with just wing it. We would not have it any other way. I dont go on CC to schedule things, I go to get information on things that I may not be clear on, or something to help me make a better decision. But definitely NOT to schedule every second of my cruise. Personally I always find it funny when I see threads about.. What should I drink with my coupon, or what should I eat?... why not drink and eat what you like? But I guess some people just need to schedule or be told what to do.(in the end.. it's a cruise, which is awesome) However YOU best enjoy it is up to you. But Nervous? NO.. Schedule everything.. Absolutely NOT

However, to the person that was talking about 14 rooms (which does make you more of a travel agent then a cruise vacationer). I could see the need for scheduling if everyone was trying to eat together or do some type of excursion.

 

Funny... reading your post I get the feeling you're the least relaxed in this thread... no wonder you need a relaxing vacation ;p

 

dp

[jagsfan]

I love the planning because it makes the cruise real instead of something in the vague future.

The luggage doesn't go on the dining room table till a few days out. We're in a condo and I have a back problem. The table is the perfect height for packing for me.

I look at all the excursions but seldom book one. I can usually find similar ones more reasonably priced.

I check fares occasionally and sometimes rewarded with a price drop.

I start a packing list a couple of months prior and add and remove items without having to lug anything back and forth

I keep some things in my luggage like shampoo, conditioner and body wash. They're in Ziplock bags so I can eyeball them when I start packing

We live about 5 hours from PT Everglades but I like to go several days early and relax.

For me, the cruise begins when I book it. Somewhere in my brain I'm revving my engines.

I don't stress, but I anticipate. I get active again on CC, reading others' experiences, looking at food porn photos, and enjoying the family we've got here.

 

.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[adventurous twin A]

Dear Midwest girl....take a deep breath!! I think we all try to do too much, maybe scale down the shopping, wait to put a tree up after the cruise when you are more relaxed. The holidays are no fun if you are stressed and uptight, so go on the cruise and just try to relax.

 

This is my husband's first cruise, plus we leave TN end of Nov to go to RV park for 3 months, so I have ironed dresses, clothes, etc and have his suit coat ready and put in RV Closet.. Will fill a large suitcase with the shorts, tops, jewelry, etc., so being away from home 3 mo..and a cruise is great but a lot of planning I hope to just relax with our group of 13 and help our friends celebrate their 50th Anniversary. No Chrismas gifts for us, it will be the cruise. Have fun

[Russ Lomas]

I know this is silly-but I sometimes get a little anxious before I actually get on the cruise! I am the vacation planner in our house- I book the cruise-motel before-meal times-excursions,etc. We drive about 7-8 hours to the port-so I have to figure time off-motel room-dog boarding. This year-our cruise is the first week of December- so I need to do the tree and get presents done- also before the trip. My husband does not understand- "We get on the ship-relax-drink-repeat-get off the ship-no big deal"- I don't really "relax"-till I actually step foot on the ship-oh-and make sure my luggage made it on (the porter didn't leave it on the dock-because I didn't tip him enough-lol). Anyone else feel this way? This will be my 12th cruise- I think-so I know all the stuff to do- and I love planning for my cruises-BUT? I'm thinking the holiday stuff-added in-is stressing me out -:eek:

Only cruise that has ever had me stressed out is our upcoming New Year cruise on the NCL Dawn. It sails from Puerto Rico, so that should tell you why we are stressed out. Two of our pre-cruise hotels have closed due to relief workers staying in them and damage to the properties. Our Delta flights down were cancelled and we were moved to the next day, then 3 weeks later, reinstated on our original flight when they added it back to their choices. Our direct return flight on Air Canada is cancelled because they are not flying in or out of San Juan til at least the spring. Now we have a tight layover in Chicago added, with potentially bad weather delaying our arrival home. Three of our ports have been changed due to damage from the hurricanes. One of the cancelled ports was reinstated and a replacement port dropped due to hurricane damage....

 

See why we are anxious prior to this upcoming cruise? Normally we are excited and not anxious at all.

[3monkeys4me]

I do get a bit nervous or anxious with trip planning. I am the one that does the majority of the trip planning for the family and I try hard to make sure everyone has a great time. My husband has a high stress full time job (and a part time job he does for "fun" that he loves) and is very, very busy. The kids have full schedules with school activities and sports so vacation is really a good time for us to really connect again. The stress of planning does get to me sometimes, but I mostly love it.

 

It has been awhile since our last cruise and our next one is still almost 15 months away so not much to do with that right now. I found cruise planning to be less involved so I am hoping it will be a welcomed break from hardcore trip planning. We have 2 major vacations and one quick long weekend trip planned before our next cruise. Our next land vacation is just under 3 months away and has been by far the most stressful trip I have ever planned, though the two trips we took last year were both fairly easy.

[riclop]

It happens all the time.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Deleted

[chrisby]

I do all the planning and no, I don't get stressed out! If we forget something we just buy it! It's vacation, no worries [emoji3]

 

Sent from my K88 using Forums mobile app

[chrisby]

It's the same for me here. Our last cruise was on Anthem with a group of 8 families. I was the go-to guy for most of the cruise planner questions and reservations. Thanks to CC and our roll call, I was able to let the others know when it was time to book shows and activities. I had a FB event that I used to communicate the information to the other families. It all turned out fine and we had a great time. Only one big hiccup that happened and it was to our families cruise planner bookings and reservations got all mixed up 6 weeks prior because of and RCI IT glitch (Like that never happens right?) I'm just glad it happened to us and not one of the other families.

 

My wife is a school principle so I end up having more time on my hands to do all this stuff, plus I'm just an ity bity little OCD

 

My relaxing officially started when we got on the motor coach for the 15hr drive to get to the port. Once we had our luggage in the cargo hold, hoped up on the bus and from then on, it was out of my hands. 2 of the 8 families chose to fly instead, and both had one suitcase go missing:mad:

 

dp

I used to plan groups, that got old so now it's only the two of us. In fact we don't even tell people we are going anymore if we can help it!

 

Sent from my K88 using Forums mobile app