Do you have a cruise tradition?

[Puffinater]

Keep every Sea Pass Card.

[prekteacher]

Thanks for sharing all of your memories and for giving great ideas as I am going on my first cruise with DH, DS, and 2 DD's as well as 5 friends this thanksgiving on Freedom. I look forward to starting a tradition and having something so fun to look forward to!

Barb

[kristyintx]

Best tradition posted on here.

 

Awww Puff! What a nice thing to say! :)

[wolfganghowell]

What a fun and uplifting thread. It's funny how many of us share the same traditions.

 

In addition to many that have been mentioned - Jammer, MDR table check, spa appts etc

 

We must have a pinacolada first. Don't drink them at home but on a cruise - it's a must.

 

If it's a new ship, we see how much we can explore before muster. If it's a repeat, we'll chill on the Pool Deck and just enjoy the happy energy around us. Sailaway is ALWAYS on the pool deck to hear the band. (unless it rains ;( - that's happened 2 out of 14 times so we're still pretty lucky.)

 

I also have a special tradition of taking a picture of Mr Wolf spread eagled on the bed at some point. He claims to be "napping" but I prefer to use the term "passed out." ;) I have at least one from each cruise for blackmail purposes and they never fail to make me laugh.

[nanner10]

Embarkation: same as many others mentioned. Get there early, make reservations for specialty restaurants, Windjammer, check out dining room table assignment (may change to signing up for MTD as we did last cruise and enjoyed it), wander the ship, check out our cabin as soon as it is available.

 

Our Port tradition is to have a drink (preferably at a pier bar) right before we get back on the ship to toast the Port and offer thanks for their hospitality and make a wish that we will return again soon. If we have not been there before we take a picture of the bar too. Sharky's on the dock in St Martin is one of our favorites. Just to make sure we pay proper homage, we sometimes have a beer at the last bar on St Martin where you wait for the water taxi and then one at Sharky's too!

 

Trouble is we find we get too tired if we drink during the day so these days we sometimes skip some of the Island toasts each cruise. That said a tradition is a tradition so we give it our best effort, LOL!

[sleepless]

We live in a small university town, we bring university logo t shirts for our cabin attendant, waiter and assistant waiter and one extra one for that staff member that gives us great service. Don't remember how we started this tradition, but the staff love them. So, if you see a crew member wearing that University of Michigan shirt you'll know that they are execptional crew members!!

 

Izzy

 

 

Hello neighbor, I live just outside of Ypsilanti.

[ISABELLA]

We're new to cruising, but we've been buying magnets for every port we stop at. Not terribly creative, but it's a fun reminder when we see them on the fridge.

 

Is there something you do on each and every cruise - a tradition of sorts? I'd love to hear it.

 

We book another cruise or two...................

[moneygirl]

I do the magnet thing too for each new port, I also buy them when I do land vacations.

 

I also try to have a drink from each bar on the ship - unfortunately, I haven't completed that yet. Oh, well, it gives me something to work towards!

 

Also, I take a picture of the sign (above the pool bar) that says the name of the ship.

[izzy10]

Hey sleepless: Grew up in Willow Run...always lived in the Ypsilanti area! Izzy

[WeBCruisin]

LOVE this thread! So many great ideas!

 

Like many others we also purchase the magnets and Christmas ornaments! Makes decorating the tree so much fun each year - re-living all our wonderful memories and counting our blessings!

 

We always have our first drink of the cruise in the Viking Crown Lounge! BBC for DH and I and Strawberry Smoothies for our 2 DS! Picture is required as well!

 

Oh - we also pose for the mandatory welcome aboard photo. Not always the best photo of the week but it's always the first photo included in our photo album!!

[onyourtoes]

We're new to cruising, but we've been buying magnets for every port we stop at. Not terribly creative, but it's a fun reminder when we see them on the fridge.

 

Is there something you do on each and every cruise - a tradition of sorts? I'd love to hear it.

 

As soon as I get to my stateroom I say to myself "welcome home". I only cruise once a year, but as soon as I set foot on the ship, whichever ship it is, I get a peaceful feeling. I know it sounds crazy:eek:, but that's what I do. Then I find my table in the dining room, go to the pool deck and have a pina colada:D. Once the ship sets sail, I stand at the door of the casino and wait for all the slot machine lights to come on and bells to ring, and say hello to my best friend, Gretchen, who passed away in 2002. (That was one of her favorite parts of the cruise was watching the casino "power up") Miss you Gretchen:(

[B767drvr]

After boarding the ship we go to our cabin, close the door and jump up and down. We then walk out of the cabin, pretending that we didn't just act like a couple of little kids jumping up and down.

 

I like this one the best! :D

[bluegirlum]

We live in a small university town, we bring university logo t shirts for our cabin attendant, waiter and assistant waiter and one extra one for that staff member that gives us great service. Don't remember how we started this tradition, but the staff love them. So, if you see a crew member wearing that University of Michigan shirt you'll know that they are execptional crew members!!

 

Izzy

 

Izzy, I'm a Michigan grad, so I love this! Go Blue!

 

I start a countdown with my bf 6 weeks beforehand and e-mail him a picture from webshots or flickr of our ship or a port each day before we go. It's nice to know when we're in single digits. We're going on a trip in 17 days and it's been fun finding pictures of the Cayman Islands to count us down.

 

We always buy one ship photo and get a magnet from every port. We try to find the silliest one we can, and then we put pictures from our cruise up on the fridge with the magnets.

 

Also, we don't usually do excursions, but we try to have a drink (or three) in each port. And I try to buy a t-shirt from at least one port.

 

Also, I have to have a drink of the day each day. :)

 

And I have to have a nap each day!

[PhinsAndGills]

If we have a first time cruiser, we take them up to the bow of the ship, near the top deck, just before siling, and giggle as they jump out of their skin when the horn sounds.

 

We buy Christmas ornaments at every port and on every ship. We have a palm tree we set up at Christmas time and we hang our vacation ornaments on it. GREAT way to remember each cruise.

 

I try to see at least one new animal on each cruise. I've checked off puffer fish, shark, barracuda, jellyfish, stingray, and sgt. majors. I hope to check off turtle and manatee soon.

 

I research the daylights out of each port before going. I give port history lessons and basic Spanish lessons (when travelling to a Spanish speaking area) to my family in the airport.

 

I drink rum. Unless I'm in Mexico then I drink tequila. I max out the "nothing to declare" limit every cruise.

 

I do SOMETHING new.

[MellieInWI]

I try to see at least one new animal on each cruise. I've checked off puffer fish, shark, barracuda, jellyfish, stingray, and sgt. majors. I hope to check off turtle and manatee soon.

 

 

Where did you see the puffer fish at? I used to have one in my saltwater tank and it was the coolest fish ever!

[whiteway906]

Keep every Sea Pass Card.

 

I have every seapass. The latest one is always showing as the other side of my work badge which hangs on an RCI lanyard (duh) next to my key ring with the EOS crew key ring attached to it. LOL!

 

My other tradition is collecting glasses from the bars, particularly Champagne and Sky. Swoozie glasses, blinking glasses, Drink of the Day plastic glasses with the different colored bottoms, Loving Cups, etc. Am I the only one noticing a theme here? Hmmm..:p

[DrmnOfMaui]

Originally Posted by Happy ks

After boarding the ship we go to our cabin, close the door and jump up and down. We then walk out of the cabin, pretending that we didn't just act like a couple of little kids jumping up and down.

 

 

I like this one the best! :D

 

I agree Happy and B7! This along with a shot glass or Christmas ornament sound perfect to me.

 

B7... nice avatar :)

[beachseeker]

Keep every Sea Pass Card.

 

Our last cruise was on Celebrity's Solstice and they took our sea passes as we departed. I was so upset since I had our sea passes from our previous cruises and looked forward to large collection someday. Glad to hear that RCI lets you keep your cards.

[Robin G]

Our last cruise was on Celebrity's Solstice and they took our sea passes as we departed. I was so upset since I had our sea passes from our previous cruises and looked forward to large collection someday. Glad to hear that RCI lets you keep your cards.

 

Bummer - I like to keep my cards too. We were just on the Summit in December and we were able to keep those cards. I wonder why??? :rolleyes:

[cruislovin]

I hope that RCI does not have a "new tradition" of keeping Sea Pass cards... I keep the card from every cruise that I take (and every Disneyworld and Disneyland trip too!):confused:

[Teeara]

Our last cruise was on Celebrity's Solstice and they took our sea passes as we departed. I was so upset since I had our sea passes from our previous cruises and looked forward to large collection someday. Glad to hear that RCI lets you keep your cards.

 

Well that just sucks. I put all my sea passes in my scrapbooks. I mean, heck, I'd fork over an extra buck or two to keep my sea pass if it came down to it.

[Florida_cruisers]

We always buy Christmas ornaments to place on our tree each cruise! :)

 

we also buy Christmas ornaments from all of the places we have visited. It is nice to look at them when we are putting the tree together. But I always make sure that my Christmas Balls are uniform (one year red and gold, another year blue and silver) and the ornaments are from travels or special things that have happened in our lives.

[job09]

We go on vacation in December (low crowds, nice Christmas decorations) So we always pick up an ornament for the tree. I have santa in a seashell, on a surfboard etc. The kids love it.:p

[EBFURR]

Oh boy, what a great thread! We are very much creatures of habit and wind up doing the same things on most every cruise, so I suppose that qualifies as tradition. We have two sets of traditions with some overlap. One set is for when it is a family cruise and one set for when it is me & DW only. Many of these are mentioned before, but here goes:

 

• Pre cruise visit to Wal-Mart for water shoes, sunblock, etc.
  
• Pre cruise visit to dollar store for ponchos, umbrellas, air fresheners, etc. (see the dollar store thread)
  
• At least one new outfit for DW (usually more) and a new pair of Sperry’s for me! (Don’t want to slip on the wet deck y’know)
  
• Have a get together with friends sailing with us 1-2 weeks ahead of cruise and drink Dos Equis (with lime) while reminiscing about previous cruises. We never fail to discover some new “secret” about a previous cruise no matter how many times we have discussed it. Maybe the XX helps with that!
  
• Stay at a hotel with a view of the port & wake up early to see our ship in port on departure day.
  
• Get to the port too early & wait.
  
• Once on board, go to Guest relations and rent DECT phones (family cruise).
  
• Check out table assignment.
  
• Spa reservations
  
• Chops reservations
  
• Go to the pool bar and have a Dos Equis or two – BBC for DW. Tip the pool bartenders in cash so they remember me. I never have to order for the rest of the week – they have it ready when I walk up!:D
  
• Drop of carry on bags when cabins open, put passports & cell phones in safe.
  
• Muster drill, complain about heat as necessary, try to find out names and hometowns of everyone around us.
  
• Be on pool deck for sail away! Wave to onlookers and think about how lucky we are.
  
• Unpacking on first night – we know where everything goes!
  
• Have escargot appetizer – only time I ever eat this.
  
• After dinner on first night we go down to the fantail of the ship and watch the wake. Sometimes we can still see the lights from shore in the distance. This recreates a moment from our very first cruise that became our favorite “WOW” moment of all time. Think about how lucky we are.
  
• Formal nights – I go to the room first and shower & dress. I go to Schooner or Champagne Bar (depending on ship) and wait for DW to get dressed. Strike up conversations with bar patrons. Finding they are not from US is a bonus, I love to learn about other cultures and perspectives in such a relaxed and enjoyable setting where everyone seems contented.
  
• Have my breath swept away when DW walks into the room looking fabulous. Think about how lucky I am.
  
• Go to casino of formal night, pretend to be James Bond in my tux.
  
• Sea days – we have a favorite poolside spot for each ship & try to get chairs near there. Relax and listen to the band, watch the pool activities, enjoy a drink or two.
  
• Breakfast on the balcony!
  
• We try to buy at least one piece of handmade local décor (carving, wall hanging, artwork) on each trip. Usually we come back with more than one. They are on display throughout the house. Some people may think they look strange, but they are very special to us since we know the origin.
  
• Scuba diving with Eagle Ray in Cozumel
  
• River tubing in Jamaica
  
• We have at least one favorite bar at each port and have a drink there every time.
  
  • Dragons Breath at Labadee
    
  • Any bar on Coco Cay
    
  • The little “bar” at the entrance to river tubing Ocho Rios
    
  • Margaretville in Ocho Rios
    
  • Margaretville in Georgetown
    
  • The little grocery store/bar in the shopping complex at Cozumel pier
    
  • Senor Frogs dockside in Cozumel
    
  • No Name bar in Cozumel
    
  • Sloppy Joe’s in Key West
    
  • Margaretville in Key West
    
  • “Smallest Bar” in Key West
    
  • And on & on!!
    

  [*]T-shirt from every port. Still have most of them – well worn!

  [*]Stay ashore until the last minute if possible.

  [*]Be on the pool deck for sail away from every port with Dos Equis in hand.

  [*]Take the video camcorder and come back with no more than 5 minutes of video (Dohhhh!)

  [*]Buy the boarding photo and at least one formal picture. Try to find all the rest and buy too many of them.

  [*]Get the little “loving cup” after dinner drinks every night.

  [*]Pictures of the towel animals.

I could make this post even more excruciatingly long & boring, but I will stop now. Ahhh… to be cruising right now!!!! :rolleyes:

[olemissreb]

• Once on board, go to Guest relations and rent DECT phones (family cruise).
  

 

What are DECT phones? How much are they? We are taking our boys on their first cruise in April and I want to give them some freedom, but I still want to stay in touch. I've thought about walkie talkies and adding an international feature to my & DS (14) phones (both AT&T) - this may be another option.