How to have the laziest, most relaxing vaca

[freefallen]

I'm going on my first cruise (yay) on Destiny in about 2 week with my fellow graduate students. We are sooooo burned out with work, we're just hoping to survive until we get on the ship. We are looking forward to a lazy lazy vacation of lounging, drinking, and soaking up sun.

 

So any tips? On good lounging places? Relaxing beach spots (Half Moon Cay, Nassau, Grand Turk)? Possible excursions (not sure if we have the energy)? Areas/programs to avoid?

[F22Smitty]

I'm going on my first cruise (yay) on Destiny in about 2 week with my fellow graduate students. We are sooooo burned out with work, we're just hoping to survive until we get on the ship. We are looking forward to a lazy lazy vacation of lounging, drinking, and soaking up sun.

 

Do not watch TV in your room.

 

Do not watch TV on the Lido deck. Set where you can't see the screen.

 

Do what you want to do when you want to do it.

 

Drink what you want, when you want.

 

And most of all, have fun and make friends.

 

Oh, and learn to play craps, you will have a blast.

[misguidedangel]

I have a few suggestions for you...

 

Half Moon Cay--pool your money and book a cabana. True, it may be for four people, but all you need to do say it is for four and just take the deck chairs in front of the cabana and use those for the overflow. The food/munchies will run out quick with more than four, but hey, the island bbq will be there to over indulge......A cabana s $225 and you need to be on board and at the shore tour desk for when it opens, around 1130am....you'll need shoe sizes for the four people and drink choices...

 

Don't get off the ship if you want to, or get off when you want to

 

Plant your butt on a deck chair by the pool and do not leave until you are completely cooked--a nice golden brown, and NOT a bright red....

 

Stay up late, have fun and enjoy

 

Do as much or as little as you want to...

 

Park yourself on the comfy chairs on promenade and people watch

 

GO, enjoy and remember there are a lot of people who wish they were going with you!!!

[hi2you]

Destiny is a great ship. The best way to relax is to have no plans - just go with the day, hour, minute. As for drinking - well, you are graduate students, so you may want to keep tabs on your bar tab via the television in your room - they aren't included in your trip sorry to say. Since I haven't been to the islands you mentioned as yet, I can't be of any help in that area, just find some sand and flop yourself down. Have fun!

[RodandMary]

you are looking for. Half Moon Cay is fantastic for beach and relaxing - in fact not much more... it's beautiful. You will be fed nicely there also by Carnival. Take some time up around the eating area to just enjoy the trees and scenery which is nice. Take an interest in having a nice camera and learning the settings probably to take some nice interesting photos. Cannons are great. Snorkling is very relaxing. If your interested, over to the left side will be some ok snorkling - not great but I enjoyed very much. Snorkling is very easy as you float well on salt water and the fish are really easy to see. American Divers or Speedo (Speedo is our brand - got mask for about 12.00 in FLL - regular 29.99) are good brands that are most comfortable and don't leak which is the best quality to look for - a good seal around your face to prevent leaking. Grand Turk is similar with not too much excursion wise available, and a very nice beach area very close to the ship. Last April in Nassau, our first time there, we just got off of ship, walked a block through the aggresive vendor area to the main street (research if you need to on this site) and then took the #10 Jitney (there local bus service) down to around the Westin, then walked down to a public access road and walked onto beach - from there we spent the day swimming, walking, snorkling (good areas around the dark areas in the water - you mostly see the colourful fish hanging around these eating areas), bought a beer at the Westin or Sheraton so something. You will love the ship, Carnival and service and find this a very relaxing vacation as you will not have to think too much about what to do and where to go. I hope you have great weather, cruise and vacation. PS Have patience on the ship and in line-ups - you're with a lot of people -smile, relax and enjoy it for what it is and don't get hung up on any problems - most Carnivaler's are fun to be around :) Rod

[SueG]

I do very little when I cruise. My two most important factors are Any Time Dining and having a balcony. Those two things really make my cruise. I love sitting on my balcony away from the crowds watching the ocean. I can do that all day. With Any time Dining you are not on a schedule. You eat when you want. I usually hit the casino every night for a little bit of play time. I rarely take shore excursion any more. I usually just walk around and shop a bit or hit a beach on my own. Cruising can be very relaxing.

 

I rented a cabana the last time I was on HMC. I would definitely get one again. You are going to love that place. Extremely relaxing.

[KenMo]

I second the cabana rental on HMC...very nice and relaxing!! Get as far down the beach as you can. The higher the number of the cabana, the further from all the action.

 

Grand Turk...the beach is right there at the port and is free. Or grab lounge chairs by the pool..free also. If you plan on drinking there, bring lots of $$$. Drinks are expensive.

 

Can't help you with Nassau. We got off the ship once there and now stay on the ship, which is very relaxing. You almost have the ship all to yourself!

 

Other than that, don't plan anything. Do what you want, when you want!!

[freefallen]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! :) Everyone kept telling me how crowded and energetic Carnival is, which will be great at times, but I just *know* we will need tons of relaxing time.

 

As for HMC, if we don't get to rent the cabana, what would be a nice area? We can still walk further down on the beach--less crowds?

 

I'm not sure yet about Nassau and what would be relaxing there, haha.

[Tbay-eh]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! :) Everyone kept telling me how crowded and energetic Carnival is, which will be great at times, but I just *know* we will need tons of relaxing time.

 

As for HMC, if we don't get to rent the cabana, what would be a nice area? We can still walk further down on the beach--less crowds?

 

I'm not sure yet about Nassau and what would be relaxing there, haha.

 

I will probably be the only one to say find lounge chairs up on the 10th or 11th deck - away from the pool and the frenzy. You can be out in the sun for a bit but then can move your chair into the shade - too much sun is not a good thing either. Take a good book but don't plan on reading too much - you will be so relaxed. Order room service - tip a buck or two - go to the secret deck for a very calming time. Enjoy - it sounds like you need it and will enjoy. Oh ya - take out half of what you packed - you will never use it. The anytime dining is the way to go - you are not held to anyones schedule but your own.

[soonermom]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! :) Everyone kept telling me how crowded and energetic Carnival is, which will be great at times, but I just *know* we will need tons of relaxing time.

 

As for HMC, if we don't get to rent the cabana, what would be a nice area? We can still walk further down on the beach--less crowds?

 

I'm not sure yet about Nassau and what would be relaxing there, haha.

 

There is really just one big long beach at HMC. Most people pile up close to the shops and pier area. Just walk down the beach quite a ways and you can get away from the crowd. There are lounge chairs and hammocks all along the beach. You don't need a cabana to relax.

 

The beach right by the pier at GT is nice and relaxing. The loud crowd is over at Margaritaville.

 

You don't need to spend any extra money in either of these ports to have a relaxing, enjoyable time.

[okwriter]

I've only been on one cruise, so here is my "first-timers" advice. Even though you want to kick back and enjoy, read the FUN TIMES that is delivered to your room. It details the activities on the ship (when/where), but it also has important information like which night they are serving lobster in the dining room. Ummm, I missed that... and I missed other stuff, too. :rolleyes:

 

At least glance at it every day so you don't come back and hear about everything you missed that you WOULD have done if you'd known at the time. ;)

[Houston Texas Mom]

Check to see if the duty free shop has a free liqueur tasting the first night; usually nor crowded and lots of nice samples.

 

Take some soft earplugs and maybe a very small fan in case your cabin has a noisy area above or below it.

 

You can use the showers in the exercise area locker room if you're sharing cabins and need some exgtra space to get ready.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

[freefallen]

Thank you everyone! Wonderful, wonderful advice. :)

 

Is it quieter on the 10th or 11th deck?

[bumbles]

Thank you everyone! Wonderful, wonderful advice. :)

 

Is it quieter on the 10th or 11th deck?

 

A cruise is the perfect way to relax!! It's the only vacation we take that my husband can truly relax and not talk about work...as a matter of fact, he asks if we really have to leave when it's time to leave!

 

Yes it's noticeably quieter on deck 10...the 9th deck is where the pools are, the buffet, etc. it can get noisy and crowded especially on sea days. If you want a real escape from crowds, go to deck 3 (exit through the lobby area) outside under the lifeboats...no sun...but it's quiet...there's also no bar service out there, but the lobby bar is just through the door...order a bucket of beer or a bottle of wine and enjoy!! This was our favorite napping spot!

[lawyergirl25]

SO and I are beach bums and we like to just kick back and relax. Twice when I've been to Nassau, I've gone to the British Colonial Hilton and paid for a day pass. It's $40/person, but you get a $30/person food & beverage credit that can be used at their beach restaurant (and I think it's worth it). It's a business hotel, so extremely quiet. The pool is nice, the beach is quiet, and we had fun watching the ships pulling into port. It's about a 10 minute walk from the pier, so no worries about being late back to the ship. Not sure what the status of the harbor dredging project is though - I would check on that if you're looking to do some swimming.

 

If you eventually feel like partaking in traditional spring break activities, Senor Frog's is literally around the corner. I haven't been, but it always sounds like the folks inside are having a ball. ;)

[chachi]

Half Moon Cay will be the perfect beach to relax on. I would not go to Nassau without an excursion planned. There is a market and Senor Frogs near the port, but I would plan something else too. The Blue Lagoon is very nice. Atlantis is nice but expensive.

[Nunu]

Is no one else concerned that a group of grad students are looking to relax? What's the world coming to? :confused:

[freefallen]

Thanks everyone for the fantastic advice, especially for Nassau. I did assume we probably wouldn't be able to kick back on the beach there. For British Colonial Hilton or any similiar place (more recs?), could we just go the day of and purchase a day pass?

 

LOLOLOLOL @ Nunu. :P We're the nouveau generation of scholars.

[2brattyboys]

I second the area outside of the lobby on deck three. It is perfect for some quiet time when you have had your fill of the sun.

 

I also suggest making use of the steam room. I always find it peaceful to lay in the steam room and watch the ocean go by outside the window.

 

Oh....now I'm depressed that I don't have a cruise booked. :(

[mrpayroll]

Thank you everyone! Wonderful, wonderful advice. :)

 

Is it quieter on the 10th or 11th deck?

No, since noise rises.....:rolleyes:

[salty dingo]

Best tip ever... when you arrive on the ship, call everyone and tell them you are safely onboard and will be incommunicado until your return.

 

Then, turn the phone off and lock it in the safe.

 

The biggest stress factors are back home, and it is pure luxury to be out of the loop (an not able to help solve anyone's problems) for a week.

[LovingVacation]

Thanks everyone for the fantastic advice, especially for Nassau. I did assume we probably wouldn't be able to kick back on the beach there. For British Colonial Hilton or any similiar place (more recs?), could we just go the day of and purchase a day pass?

 

LOLOLOLOL @ Nunu. :P We're the nouveau generation of scholars.

 

 

You can go and kick back for free on the beach in Nassau. Cabbage Beach is on the other side of Atlantis. You can take a cab there for about $6 a person. You will walk down a short path to the beautiful ocean. We usually just sit on our extra towels to soak up the sun. We bring our cooler to have cool drink on the beach. Then jump in the beautiful water. I LOVE the BEACH!!! Also, there will be locals trying to sell beach chairs, drinks, etc. If you are a gambler or not stop in to the Atlantis casino and spend a dollar at the penny machine. As long as you play you can order any drink you would like for free.

[LovingVacation]

Best tip ever... when you arrive on the ship, call everyone and tell them you are safely onboard and will be incommunicado until your return.

 

Then, turn the phone off and lock it in the safe.

 

The biggest stress factors are back home, and it is pure luxury to be out of the loop (an not able to help solve anyone's problems) for a week.

 

 

That is what I like best about cruising. No one to bother and stress me out!!

[mjl1960]

Don't get off the ship, don't look at the bar tab until it is time to get off the ship, don't eat in the steak house, the dining room food is better...and do what you want to do when you want to do it....and use room service as much as you like!

[sassy0930]

That was the iten of our first cruise. we absolutely LOVED it. We wouldn't get off in nassau again, just because it was more for shopping, but others say they liked the beaches there, so I suppose you can try that. If I were you I'd hang out and enjoy the ship with a lot fewer people on. It's very relaxing to just hang out and enjoy the wind on the deck.

 

Have a great time!!