Jghendrick24

I made my own journal for our last cruise. It was just my best friend and I who went and I made one for each of us. I used really pretty binders and created pages on my computer with paper that had a beach background. I started with a page that had all of our traveling info and then had a page for each day. Each page included a section to write what we ate for each meal, the ports that we visited(or what we did on sea days), and any items we purchased. Then, there was a section that let us describe everything we did each day. At the end, I had pages to write what our favorite ports were, least favorite, favorite meal, least favorite, etc. I also included in the journal pages to insert pictures. Finally, I decorated the cover with all sorts of cruise stickers. We made ourselves write in the journal each night before we went to bed. Now that I have an upcoming cruise in January, it's great to look back on the other one and get ideas of what to do and what not to do. This time, my entire family is going, so, instead of making one for each person, I will make one for each cabin. The trick is going to be getting everyone to write in theirs! I plan on using these to make a scrapbook after the cruise.

I am considered the planner in my family. Next January, there are nine of us going on the Mariner. We have decided to do a scavenger hunt on board, so,now there will be more planning for me!

I was one who made a three ring binder for my last cruise. My best friend and I went last year. I made a binder for each of us with a page designated for each day of the cruise. We made ourselves sit out on the balcony in our jammies before going to bed each night and writing in it about our day. I still enjoy looking through it. There are so many things that you do on a cruise that it's easy to forget some things. This is a great way to remember everything, right down to the names of the dishes you had for dinner. I put picture pages with each page so we have pics that go with each day.

Just to annoy family and friends, I made a cruise cd and played it for about six months before the cruise. It got me in the mood each time.

This time, I will plan the little extra things, but, except for shore excursions, I am not planning out the days. I want to just relax. I don't want to get upset because I didn't get to do something that is on my list.

I do this with every trip we take, whether it's a cruise, going to Disney, or to a Nascar race. It makes the anticipation greater!