Don't Rush... Soak it all in

[Overtyme]

If you're always looking ahead, pretty soon you'll realize that life has passed you by and you haven't enjoyed a moment in time.

 

I don't beleive that I've ever heard anyone admit it, but part of the fun of cruising comes about 3 or 4 days out, when you start to pack, go over your documents, look at excursions, sit on the couch with your cruising partner/loved one and dream about what each day will be like.

There's nothing like the first time you pull up to the pier and get a look at her for the first time - the bright white paint with the blue writing, and the first look you get at the atrium when you make it up the gang-way and the marble and the glass and the lights hit your eyes for the very first time.

After that, walking around the ship and seeing all of the public areas and your cabin for the first time are equally exciting.

But something happens after you catch a first view of these areas - something that makes us all transient as we just come and go through these areas, paying them little attention.

Then, before you know it, you're cruise is over. Pictures help to preserve the memories, but if you spend too much time taking pictures, reviewing them later on will be the only way that you realize where you were.

I'm not really sure what I'm getting at. I think I just needed an outlet for some creative writing... ;)

[jennew]

I love the anticipation almost as much as the cruise itself. I also love that my DH and I are totally in sync with our cruise styles. We are there to relax, to gaze at the beauty of the ocean, and to totally unwind. On the CB in September, we were walking around on the promenade soon after boarding when I saw a couple of steamer chairs. I pointed them out and DH grabbed my hand and led me to them. He said "let's just take this moment to sit here, do nothing, and know that it's ok to do that."

 

I was so glad he took the time to voice this. I have a hard time slowing down (5 kids, full time job, recently finished grad school). He set the tone for the entire week....I just love that man.

[Sandytoes]

I feel exactly the same.

Just knowing your off to a new destination. In some ways, the anticipation of not knowing what's instore - food, entertainment, ports makes it even more exciting....Leaving all your daily activities behind....

 

But I do have to disagree with spending too much time taking pictures. I can never take too much.

The more - the merrier.... The memories......

It only takes a second to capture a breathtaking sunset on the Caribbean Sea. Cruise lines charge an arm & an leg for photos so by taking some really nice shots (sometimes better ones) saves you money....

And when you look at the photos of your cruise vacation it simply reminds ya of the great time you had. A little escape from your daily routines....I always say "I'll be back 5 minutes - I'm on vacation".....:)

[KariB]

I am 3 weeks out from cruising (for the first time!!) with my 3 kids. We are sooo excited until my FDH tells us it will be over in a month. We are sooo excited though...planning is half the fun!! Very motivating creative writing by the way!!

Kari

[spongerob]

Every cruise has its moments, even before we leave...

 

• The great rush you feel when you first book a cruise
  
• The inevitable 'oh-sh*t-how-am-I-going-to-pay-for-this' moments that happen soon thereafter
  
• The sense of freedom from worrry you feel when you decide you can get another year out of the old car and put the money towards another cruise
  
• The final payment plunge into the deep end
  
• Arrival of cruise documents (not nearly so exciting now that e-tickets are a reality)
  
• Pre-packing laundry day(s)
  
• Packing
  
• Turning over all your tasks to a co-worker (I LOVE this one!)
  
• Loading the car

[KKB]

My husband knows I'm not happy unless I have a trip (preferably a cruise!) booked sometime within the next year! I LOVE having that trip out there to look forward to and think about every day. I have often said the anticipation is nearly as wonderful as the exact trip. I do go into a small depression the last day of any trip...I never want it to end!

 

DH & I vacation the same...we are DOERS! Wanna see it all & do it all.

But one of our favorite parts of our first cruise was on Paradise beach in Cozumel. Just sit in the sun, drinking Sol & taking it all in! Doing nothing surrounded by such beauty is DIVINE! We will definitely spend the WHOLE day there in March!

 

Happy cruising!

Kris

[Robroy]

Overtyme:

 

My sentiments exactly! We've recently returned from the CB and your description echoes what I feel each time we cruise. Particularly arriving at the pier - dumping your bags - entering the embarkation hall - getting your documentation and key - having the photo taken and the most fun of all.....the short walk up the gangway and boarding for the first time. Taking in all the lights/ambiance and hearing the "welcome back" from staff. I just can't stop smiling from the time we hit the port until we finally get into the room and get the feeling of "mi casa" for the first time!

This feeling just doesn't wear off and I find it hits me each and every time we cruise. Your description is right on the mark - the various stages of excitement building to the actual boarding. Even hitting the Horizon Court for the obligatory first grazing encounter is magical.

It's nice to be a little kid with a sense of wonder isnt it.....?????

 

Thanks for the great post - brings back super memories!

 

Rob

[FloridaLaura]

It's funny you wrote this post...we were just saying half the fun of cruising is planning for and anticipating it!!!

 

 

Spongerob you list is sooo true, esp. the part of oh s**t how are we going pay for it now that its booked..funny story, we booked our cruise and put 500.00 down having until Feb 13th to pay the balance off was good news for us since my daughter's wedding is in Feb also...well I thought I would make 100.00 a month payments to get down the balance before final pmt due date, well the first 100.00 pmt I made on Princess.com and I typed in 100.00 and the screen says thanks you new balance is zero, it took all of my remaining balance and paid it..yikes, had to transfer money to cking account to cover that one, well long story short my my cruise is paid for now, early than I expected but none the less its done

[jhannah]

Overtyme, you're absolutely correct. There is so much of a ship to see than just the furniture. Cozy little nooks and crannies ... unusual art ... intricate patterns in the wallpaper. Stroll slowly, and truly soak it all in. That's one thing that attracted me to cruising. Getting away from the work-a-day, rush-rush world and letting your cares slip by at 20 knots!

[SailAways]

What beautiful thoughts!

We too love the anticipation, preparation, and initial arrival at the pier so very much.

Our first cruise was last year, next one will be next year.

I can still remember our first glimpse of the ship we were to board. It was absolutely awesome to realize that this would be our "home" for a full week!

As we parked our car, we could see signs indicating which way to go for embarkation. This alone was exciting - and proved to be just the beginning. As we meandered our way up the ramp, great anticipation of things to come engulfed each of us. The wonder of it all!

Pictures were taken as we neared the top of the ramp; our first experience with the photographers - all of which were wonderful.

Entering the ship was breath taking. How very lovely it was with the soaring glass elevators, the beautifully decorated atrium, and there stood the Captain - greeting guests! This we had not expected at all.

We were directed to our cabin, and quickly were met by our steward and stewardess, who already knew our names. They were delightful, and took care of our every need throughout the cruise.

We took advantage of every minute we could to scout out different parts of the ship. Visiting with other cruisers was so easy; conversations flowed constantly. We discovered our favorite parts of the ship, and would find ourselves gravitating back to them over and over.

The cruise was over much too quickly, but we have such wonderful memories - and hundreds of pictures. We do love the pictures, but the memories which we hold in our hearts and share in daily conversation are much more gratifying to us.

We are anxiously awaiting our next cruise which will be for 17 days. Our first was for 7 days, and over much too quickly.

Happy Cruising To Each Of You.

Thanks to the OP for posting beautiful thoughts.

[TCF]

This, in my opinion, is one of the most pleasant I have read on the CC Boards.:)

Of all the thngs I have done in my life, cruising is the one thing that has most of all taught me about relaxing. On our first cruise, we went crazy sorting out which excursions to take, how many we could cram into one port call, how we could arrange the times to get everything done on a schedule...it was just nuts! :(

All of a sudden out of nowhere the question came to us..."What the hell are we doing?"...this is what we wanted to get away from...this is what we do every day...this is just crazy. :eek: So we stopped planning and started anticipating. We did not book a single excursion until we got on the ship...we decided that if the one we wanted was already sold out...well then we would just have to find another one. We read about the ports and the places we just might see and anticipated every moment of what was to come from the moment we got on the ship.

We spent a couple of hours every day wandering around the ship finding new things...those little corners someone talked about earlier.

I needed this thread. I needed it to remind me that I can always find something everyday to complain, whine and bitch about. I can always find the screw up...I can always find the imperfect! Why do I want to spend money to do it at sea? Now....that's crazy!:eek:

So to the OP....thanks for this. After reading all the complaining, whining and bitching on this board...I needed a reminder of why we cruise.

Tom:)

[jennew]

Amen to everything Tom said...AMEN.

 

We have cruised 4 times and managed to book only ONE excursion. We don't want to be scheduled to do a single thing. We pick 5 or 10 activities in the patters each day and we might actually follow through on two of them...or none. It feels so good to not have to be anywhere, at anytime.

 

I expecially love that my cell phone won't be ringing and my email will not be checked.

 

After reading through this thread, I remembered one of my favorite parts of a cruise. I love stepping out on my balcony for the first time. I love knowing that this will be my private connection to the ocean for the next week.

[JotWorld]

This, in my opinion, is one of the most pleasant I have read on the CC Boards.:)

 

Of all the thngs I have done in my life, cruising is the one thing that has most of all taught me about relaxing. On our first cruise, we went crazy sorting out which excursions to take, how many we could cram into one port call, how we could arrange the times to get everything done on a schedule...it was just nuts! :(

 

All of a sudden out of nowhere the question came to us..."What the hell are we doing?"...this is what we wanted to get away from...this is what we do every day...this is just crazy. :eek: So we stopped planning and started anticipating. We did not book a single excursion until we got on the ship...we decided that if the one we wanted was already sold out...well then we would just have to find another one. We read about the ports and the places we just might see and anticipated every moment of what was to come from the moment we got on the ship.

 

We spent a couple of hours every day wandering around the ship finding new things...those little corners someone talked about earlier.

 

I needed this thread. I needed it to remind me that I can always find something everyday to complain, whine and bitch about. I can always find the screw up...I can always find the imperfect! Why do I want to spend money to do it at sea? Now....that's crazy!:eek:

 

So to the OP....thanks for this. After reading all the complaining, whining and bitching on this board...I needed a reminder of why we cruise.

 

Tom:)

 

Tom, Well Said! A Great Thread & Thank you! Bill

[FuzzyMelton]

When we start the trip (the actual day) we begin our favorite mantra.

 

Just repeat after me:

"Im on vacation!" say it over and over again until it sinks in and you believe it. Do what you want when you want. This is our time to relax or break free, however we recharge our batteries for everything else.

 

Thanks overtyme!

[Overtyme]

Thank you for all of your compliments. It's good to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way!