favorite/least favorite shipboard activities

[smylegirl]

My husband and I are going on our first cruise in a few weeks (sailing on the Gem), and I'd like to get feedback on the different activities available on the ship, aside from the 'traditional' ones of eating, drinking, swimming, gambling, and relaxing. ;)

 

I've read lots of things about the newsletters delivered to the room each night listing all the different things you can do the next day, and how you shouldn't try to do everything. I have no intention (nor desire) to try to do everything, but I don't even know what my choices will be. :confused:

 

What are some ship-sponsored activities you've done that you would definitely recommend - and on the flip side, what are things you would definitely NOT recommend?

 

Thanks in advance for the advice!:)

[LOWTYD]

One thing I will not do any more is play Bingo. I beleive it is very pricey for my liking.

I did do a galley tour on a Carnival cruise and would love to see more of that type of activity on NCL.

I liked the towel animal demo and martini tasting.

[suzyed]

No more Bingo for me either! Used to be a "must do", as a matter of fact, I played almost every day! But not now...those darn electronic contraptions just don't do it for me and the price to play is outrageous!! :eek:

[bakerintn]

Here is a link to the Freestyle Dailies from out 7-day western caribbean cruise this January on the Pearl. You experience won't be exactly the same, but these should give you an idea. Check the Page 3 for each day for the list of activities. To be able to read these, you will need to zoom in on the picture...click on the small picture, to see a bigger one and then zoom in by clicking on the magnifying glass icon on the page.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/bakerintn/NCLPearlFreestyleDailies

[daring]

I like the shows!

[Ms belp]

I'm with the others, just skip bingo. I don't care for the casino either. Or the theatre shows, sorry to say. I want quiet!

 

What we do enjoy is the lectures they had on our last cruise; it was CSI for real (I don't watch the show but Chris told me); walking around the ship looking at everyone/everything; going into the ship's store(s) to see what they offer; buying postcards to send back home to those who are stuck at home; having a Bloody Mary on the top deck overlooking the pool; getting off the ship to explore, even if I don't do an excursion. This pretty much fills up the day. Sitting by the pool is nice, reading a good book. Going to LeBistro/Cagneys/the main dining rooms.

 

It is all about relaxation as far as I'm concerned; not having to do anything according to a clock or by a schedule.

[Iluvmypuggle]

I especially liked the comedy shows with Second City Improv as well as when they bring a comedian on for the main show & then a late-night adult show. On the Gem last year, every night we ended up in Spinnaker becaause the entertainment in there was great night after night.

[smylegirl]

Bakerintn -thanks so much for link to the Freestyle Dailies! This really gives me a much better idea of what's offered each day. Some of the activities definitely sound interesting - luckily not all of them do, since we won't have time for them all anyway!

 

I've also seen many good reviews for the Second City shows. We'll definitely have to check that out.

 

Probably will skip the bingo, but will probably end up in the casino at least once or twice- we're not high rollers, but we have been to Las Vegas every summer for the past four years!

[Ms belp]

Here is a link to the Freestyle Dailies from out 7-day western caribbean cruise this January on the Pearl. You experience won't be exactly the same, but these should give you an idea. Check the Page 3 for each day for the list of activities. To be able to read these, you will need to zoom in on the picture...click on the small picture, to see a bigger one and then zoom in by clicking on the magnifying glass icon on the page.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/bakerintn/NCLPearlFreestyleDailies

 

Dang it all! It's pretty sad when you enlarge it and still can't read it.:o Must be the meds I'm on.:confused::D

[mia10010]

I agree that the Second City improv is always great. There is always at least one late night deck party and those are always fun. Also, some NCL ships play a late night game called Quest, which is a blast.

[Ask4Jay]

Least favorite activity: Anything that is organized a Cruise Director.

Most favorite: Sitting on aft balcony with DW, a book and/or iPod, and sipping sherry. Happy camper.

[jondirk]

No more bingo for me.

 

I did catch the Liar's Club which I'll do again and I would like to see the Not So Newlywed Show as everyone has told me it's a lot of fun.

 

Otherwise, I love the magic, comedy, and theatrical shows.

 

Also just love sunning on deck with my iPod.

[Azure Moon]

Favorite activites:

*Wander around and see what is available at the buffets, look at the menus for the restaurants.

*Grab an iced tea, coffee, cappucino or latte, find a seat or lounger and look at the scenery, people watch, read, or do a Sudoku puzzle.

*Play shuffleboard...the equipment and board are awesome on the Pearl!

* Go to the shows (the production ones, magician, comedy or whatever is offered), go listen to the band(s) play or go to karaoke.

Least favorite activity:

* Quest (game where passengers participate). I'd read lots of people say how fun it was, so we had to check it out. It was fun to a point and hubby and I participated for a bit, but as the game went on, it went beyond our comfort zone. So we'll skip it on future cruises.

[Kim.]

Least favorite activity:

 

* Quest (game where passengers participate). I'd read lots of people say how fun it was, so we had to check it out. It was fun to a point and hubby and I participated for a bit, but as the game went on, it went beyond our comfort zone. So we'll skip it on future cruises.

 

 

 

What is Quest?

[cv322]

Some of my favorite onboard experiences are trivia (both team trivia and solo) and Wii sports (bowling, baseball, boxing etc.).... an incredible amount of fun!

 

Least favorite is craft-making. I'm just not a crafts-type girl, although alot of people seem to like it. That's why it's so fantastic that they have so much variety to offer.

 

Although it counts as "drinking"...the martini and/or margarita clinics are great. We actually learned alot ;).

[MadBrewer]

I'd agree with skipping the bingo.

 

Sometimes they do a film 'showing' (as opposed to putting films on in the cabin). Only been to one - depends on the film as to how much you'll like this.

 

Lectures are great, you may get port lectures and jewelry lectures (either are worth the time invested in my opinion). Not sure what other lectures come up from time to time though sometimes the entertainers (magician/ juggler) do their own 'workshop' though usually this is also to allow them to sell their book/dvd or whatever. However there's no pressure and we just go with the flow.

 

Have done dvd-movie quiz activites on board the Jewel once too, this was alot of fun.

 

We pretty much organise our evening around the entertainment though. The evening shows are well worth doing.

 

Never done a towell-animal demo & a Martini Tasting but never say never!

[smylegirl]

Thanks again to everyone for all the great info!

 

I'm liking the sound of the Martini Tasting activity! :-)

[retiredonthesea]

We also like the martini & BEER tasting. Must go to the Quest game. We also take in the Art Auction (please no flamming read too many threads on this) because we enjoy sitting sipping on free cheap champagne and looking at all the art. DON'T do bingo anymore, takes up alot of my pool, balcony, nap & spa time, even tho my sister won a free cruise playing bingo.

[lambs2]

I really like the Murder Mystery dinners! Just enjoyed one on the Jade! DH turned out to be the murderer and I never even guessed it was HIM (I think because he was doing such a lousy job with following the script for his character - but later he said that was just part of his "act"!) Only one person did 'guess' it was him - the lady on the other side of him, and he told me she had looked over his shoulder when he had been reading the page that said he was the murderer, so that really wasn't very fair!!

[Dukegirl5577]

On the Sun to Alaska a few years ago, the ballroom couple was actually quite a famous professional couple who I'd seen compete at several of the big ballroom competitions (yes, I used to compete in ballroom and latin on the pro-am and intercollegiate levels, so I was quite familiar with who the top pros were), so it was great to take their classes...even if the group classes were very much geared to beginners and too easy for me. But DH is a total beginner, so I enjoyed getting him to learn the basics.

 

I also love the shows, although, yes, the quality can range from excellent to meh.

 

I've enjoyed the cookin demos, the improv classes, port lectures...not to mention just laying out with a good book.

 

We also enjoy using the fitness center...gotta get our workouts in so we don't gain the dreaded pound-per-day.

 

We never play bingo or go to the casino, however.

[Azure Moon]

What is Quest?

 

Kind of a scavenger & charade game for adults.

[smylegirl]

Wow!! There really are a TON of things to do onboard the ship that I didn't even know about!! I think I might be into doing the Quest game - and I love trivia games. A cooking class might be cool too, depending on what they cook...

 

I think I'm getting a better understanding of why so many people say to "pace yourself" and "just relax!" :)