What goes on in a cruise ship between 2 and 5 AM? Anything interesting to do?

So I asked this question 4 years ago (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1822016)

I am going on my 3rd cruise in August and would love to hear some new answers to this question, or maybe something new that has become the norm in the last 4 years?

For those who have been on more than a few cruises, what are some of the things that you can do between the hours of 2 and 5 AM, when almost all clubs and activities are closed and over.

I ask this because I do plan to stay up late at least for one day in my 7-day cruise this time. Even if there is nothing interesting to do, I will keep myself occupied at the top deck, maybe stargazing? just walking the tracks? what else? is the casino open past 3 AM on the Allure of the Seas?

Watch the cleaning crews! :cool::eek::p

Watch the stars and let the other passengers sleep.

Typically, there are no activities...that's for sure! You can certainly go pretty much anywhere during those hours, but you won't find bars or clubs open that late.

Typically, there are no activities...that's for sure! You can certainly go pretty much anywhere during those hours, but you won't find bars or clubs open that late.

What? No library suggestion? ;)

You can do anything your little heart desires................................

...... Just do it quietly!!!

You can do anything your little heart desires................................

 

...... Just do it quietly!!!

Watch the stars and let the other passengers sleep.

Hold on, if I am on the upper deck, walking on the tracks, or in Central Park, Royal Promenade, Boardwalk etc. that shouldn't be close to any rooms where I would wake people up by simply walking? Sorry, never been on this ship so I am not sure about the layout. I do remember reading about someone who were awaken everyday because their room was close to one of these neighbourhood.

It might be a good time to take photographs of some of the open areas without anyone else around.

Watch the water next to the ship and spy the flying fish!!! That's always fun!! I agree that walking around and taking photos of the deserted areas of the ship is a fun thing (if you like to do that). I've also just taken a lounge chair and laid out on the deck and looked at the stars.

I would think the casino is open 24 hrs if you are not in port.

You can do anything your little heart desires................................

 

...... Just do it quietly!!!

Watch the stars and let the other passengers sleep.

Assuming it is a clear sky, how good and clear are the stars? Is there a specific area in the ship to be at to see the stars? I really enjoy stargazing but never got to do it on my two previous cruises.

At the 5am end of the time frame or whenever a couple hours before sunrise is, while the sky is still dark, watch for satellites. Up where they are they will be lit by sunlight and easier to spot. If really lucky (check schedules for location and date) you can spot the ISS - very bright. There are satellite spotting web sites where you can feed Lat/Long, date and time and get a list of what should be visible.

Posting also to see if CC is still acting up today. :confused:

To have a picture log to look back at, the ship's areas that are normally full of people are best taken late at night or on a port day when most people are off the ship.

Assuming it is a clear sky, how good and clear are the stars? Is there a specific area in the ship to be at to see the stars? I really enjoy stargazing but never got to do it on my two previous cruises.

I don't know the Allure but I just head up to the top deck where I can find a lounger, grab a coffee, lay back and enjoy the stars, or satelites etc.

Sleep

We have had some pretty epic Ping Pong games during that time frame. Nothing better than drunk ping pong.

CNN International

What? No library suggestion? ;)

:D haha, I see what you did there

I would think the casino is open 24 hrs if you are not in port.

Then you would be very, very wrong.

Hold on, if I am on the upper deck, walking on the tracks, or in Central Park, Royal Promenade, Boardwalk etc. that shouldn't be close to any rooms where I would wake people up by simply walking? Sorry, never been on this ship so I am not sure about the layout. I do remember reading about someone who were awaken everyday because their room was close to one of these neighbourhood.

Please lighten up Ashoor. Cant you take a joke??

You can order room service, sit on the balcony and eat, drink and watch the sky and the water.

You can order room service, sit on the balcony and eat, drink and watch the sky and the water.

That is something I have done and will do again for sure.

But this time, I would like to order food and go to the very top deck and enjoy it while watching the sky.

Just watch the TV till you sleep again. Don't bother anyone at work or asleep.

I can imagine there are actually some people who wake up that early. There are some people who sleep few hours, but not because some sleeping problems, and if they go sleep very early then certainly some might wake up at 2 AM. Most people however, they stayed up kind of late, and then they have to get up 'kind of early' for breakfast.

I have been getting up for work between 2 and 3am for many years and still wake up during vacation. On the last cruise, I laid around waiting for the rest of my party to wake up and grab an early breakfast. I think I will roam the ship this time and take some pics

If you're thinking that you will have a very dark place from which to stargaze, realize that ships leave on a significant number of lights at all times, even on the upper decks at night. This is for safety reasons.

We found this out on a recent Princess cruise where a star-gazing session was offered (ship's navigation officer was to show us some stars and constellations). Even though they turned out a few more lights just for this session, it was still difficult to see due to the low-level light all around us. Officer confirmed that the additional lights had to remain on.