DO YOU HATE DAYS AT SEA or IS IT JUST ME?

[BosoxI]

I love the sea days, as the Italians say "Dolce far niente". I think it boils down to having or not having inner resources. Those who have them can always amuse themselves somehow; those who don't are dependent on being entertained. It shouldn't be a problem in either case, as it's a matter of choosing cruises that suit one's taste.

[Bramcruiser]

Must be the op! :D

 

I LOVE "at sea" days. I find the port day after day rather tiring. I did a transatlantic once wondering how it would affect me seeing no land for a week. Funny but it was the best trip yet and I was more busy on the crossing than on any cruise. Its all a matter of what we make of it.

[getsy]

I book with more port days, I can only relax so long, on sea days I tend to spend to much at the casino:eek: or those yummy slushy drinks

[Krazy Kruizers]

We don't mind sea days.

 

Lots to do -- read, relax, trivia games, pool games, golf chipping, cooking demonstrations, kitchen tour, etc. -- so much to do.

[trish1c]

I get so bored on days at sea....what do you do to stay entertained?

 

It's them not you. I abhor sea days & usually want to jump overbaord b/c they are so dreadful. The pool is too crowded. The majority of on-board activies are lame; it's worse if it's cold. We've sailed from NYC to the Carribbean a few times -- 2 sea days in the beginning & 2 coming back. Going down isn't so bad; I use it as one whole day to sleep. Midway through the 1st sea day on the way back I'm pacing like a caged animal.

When getting off is not an option, assuming good weather, I'll get up early & snag a deck chair, preferably in a secluded spot away from the main pool. I will be a chair hog, leaving a book, towel etc. then go to the buffet. I bring my tray back & eat at my pool chair. I'll read a book in the morning. When I'm done, I'll again chair hog & go get another from the ship's library. I'll come back & start reading that, then go get some lunch. . . either from a grill or outside then back to finish the 2nd book. Mid way through the 2nd book around 2 ish, I might start on the adult beverages. There's usually a nap in here somewhere b/c adult beverages + sun + boredom = sleep. I also stand up occassionally & venture to cool off in the pool.

If there is a great on board program you might convince me to go but there rarely is. An ice carving demonstration or a shopping tour is no reason to get up, neither are bingo or the casino. If I do go, I may abandon my pool chair.

By 3-4 pm DH usually comes to find me. We may play a board game if there are any left in the library. BTW, DH is not a sun guy. He usually sleeps past noon, has lunch, takes a nap & then comes looking for me. Whoo Hoo exciting.

Really sea days are just awful & it's not you. Book more port intensive cruises. One of my dear friends was trying to get me to go on a transatlantic with her. I'd die.

[moniquet]

Don't mind the odd sea day as a rest between ports but I go with Trish1C post. I too would go stir crazy on a transatlantic.

 

Once sailed from Tampa, 2 days at sea in unusually cold weather and the third day couldn't berth because of rough seas. I was beginning to feel like at home when we are snowed in!

[Caribbean Sunsets]

I enjoy having a sea day at the beginning and end of a cruise. I find them to be very relaxing. On my last cruise, we boarded on a Thursday and didn't reach our first port until Sunday. It was wonderful!

[Skywench]

I prefer port days over sea days. I like the port intensive itineraries. My favorite cruises so far have been on the Victory where there were no sea days and a different port each day. Did that cruise a few times. I like waking up somewhere new each morning. I cruise to see different places.

[artypharty]

HATE HATE HATE SEA DAYS!!!!!!

I love waking up in a new country everyday. I seek new adventure and seeing gods creation before I die. I do have fun on sea days but its NOT the same as port days to me which is why I travel in the first place.

 

I don't know as I hate sea days...but I certainly could do without them. I live near the ocean (can see it/sit by it anytime), can read a book whenever I want (and do) BUT, I cruise for the destinations. I like to do and see and eat things that I can't at home. I really don't care at all about the ship, it's all about the adventure awaiting me when I step off...:)

[soozles]

I love sea days. They are the most relaxing days for me. I go to the spa, sleep in late, do whatever I want, and I don't feel guilty for not getting off the ship. My boyfriend on the other hand, he doesn't enjoy relaxing as much as I do, he likes to always be doing something. But even he gets surprised how quickly sea days pass.

[LilLeebird]

I enjoy having a sea day at the beginning and end of a cruise. I find them to be very relaxing.

 

I concur. The first cruise we went on was a real "trip" for me. Right out of the gate we had a day at sea. I was totally lost - couldn't figure out what to do. I didn't get it. After 3 cruises, now I get it. I enjoy the day at sea right out of the gate to decompress. I had to learn how to relax and go with the flow, I guess. And I love the last day on the ship as a sea day too. It's fun to have that last day to see all the things on board you've missed, etc.

[tak81288]

I get so bored on days at sea....what do you do to stay entertained?

 

I am not a huge fan of sea days either and try to do cruises that are port intensive. I can handle about 2-3 sea days but that's about it. Preferably the last day being at sea and a sea day at the beginning.

 

However, I am pretty good at self-entertaining. I love when the weather is hot and can sit for hours on a lounge chair with a good book, cross word puzzles, sudoku...etc...I'll participate take in the some of the ship activities too, so I never get bored. However, I can't do that for days at a time.

[Lady Chew]

We love sea days! We get in our exercise, on deck if we can (we can walk on a treadmill anytime at home!), spend a lot of time on deck somewhere with a good book ...Mr. Chew likes to spend an hour or so in the hot tub before getting ready for dinner (we always take the late dining) ... they are so relaxing ...

 

and then we're well-rested & ready to go exploring on port days!!

[kendon]

HATE HATE HATE SEA DAYS!!!!!!

I love waking up in a new country everyday. I seek new adventure and seeing gods creation before I die. I do have fun on sea days but its NOT the same as port days to me which is why I travel in the first place.

 

My feelings EXACTLY. I find the time to do those self-enriching activities at home. Some just can't find that time. Therefore, I need to get off the ship to explore and experience. I just won't book a cruise with more than two sea days if at all possible.

[Hlitner]

We try to book cruises with the most days at sea....but perhaps that is just us. Our record is 9 straight days at sea and it was one of the most relaxing cruises ever. We think it just comes down to the Type A vs Type B thing. For us, relaxing days curled up in a deck chair with a good book is heaven. No phones, doorbells, etc to distrub. The only annoying part of the day is when they make annoucements...which is why we try to go on lines like HA where they limit annoucements.

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

Thank you all for your very kind responses...and yes, I love days at sea also and I LOVE cruises just as much as anyone. I was just asking what you do on your days "off".. RDSGRL..I am fine with cruises and appreciate your response.

 

Last year we did a 42 day Prinsendam cruise and had 8 days (in a row) at sea early in the cruise. We met a nice lady who was nearly screaming (just a figure of speech) to let her off the ship. The other 750 souls seems quite happy. But the fact that you need to ask "what do you do" makes me think you are not the sea day type. For many of us, doing absolutely nothing is a good thing. We sometimes have to drag ourselves to an activity on a sea day (often a lecture) just to keep our muscles from atrophy :)

 

Hank

[Andee]

We don't hate sea days, but we certainly don't love them, either. They're a welcome respite after 3 or 4 days in a row of all day sightseeing, but we don't want them any more often than that.

 

Although we find ways to keep ourselves occupied, we'd rather be visiting an intersting port.

[panoramaofthepast]

My husband loves sea days and is really looking forward to a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic. I am dreading the thought of such a cruise! I like one or two sea days, but I really prefer visiting ports. And sea days get expensive for us, as my two favorite things to do on those days are the casino and the spa!!

[Haoie]

Sea days are great! If you don't like the sea, don't get on a ship!

[suezyq50]

I love sea days. I like to just do nothing or be as busy as I want.

[euro cruiser]

For many of us, doing absolutely nothing is a good thing. We sometimes have to drag ourselves to an activity on a sea day (often a lecture) just to keep our muscles from atrophy :)

:D Too funny, and it sounds very familiar!

 

Our HAL Panama Canal cruise last month had four sea days, the most of any recent cruise for me. I loved them, and didn't do half of the things I thought I would (lectures, classes, movies, etc.). I'm not sure exactly where the time went, but it did. We did explore the ship somewhat, but I know I didn't get everywhere. Of course, several afternoons were taken up enjoying cocktails on the balcony while playing trivia ...

[Memiki]

Sea days are the best. No rushing, can just relax. Don't have to worry about running here or there.

To me I could take a cruise that just sailed around the ocean and back.

I can't even list all the things I can do on a sea day. To many to list.

It is nice to go to a port but the everyday ports are sometimes almost to much. I could always fly there instead of take a cruise there.

Just my opinion

[ldubs]

Sea days or port days. Both are better than being at work!

[KAWS]

Thank you all for your very kind responses...and yes, I love days at sea also and I LOVE cruises just as much as anyone. I was just asking what you do on your days "off".. RDSGRL..I am fine with cruises and appreciate your response.

 

 

Sea days are days when we like to have a leisurely breakfast (or lunch) in the dining room (instead of the buffet). Lounging around poolside, drink in hand, hot tub, catching a nap, exploring new places on the ship, maybe trying something new (like the minigolf), people watching......all great activities.

 

If you like port intensive cruises, give a southern caribbean one a shot. There's usually one sea day on those (on Carnival there were NO sea days). Beautiful cruise but by the end of that week we were exhausted.

[trish1c]

Sea days or port days. Both are better than being at work!

 

Very true!