What would you do differently?

[elisabethr_21]

My husband and I are getting ready for our 3rd cruise in May, the first being our honeymoon and second with our son and DH's sister a few years ago. While we are gearing up for our upcoming trip, I keep thinking about things I will do differently this go around. What will YOU do different on your next trip?

 

Here's a start to my list:

1) Go to the muster drill. Somehow we skipped out on it both trips before and managed to not get kicked off of the boat. Not risking it again.

2) Tip room service. I knew about the included gratuities but (not having been on CC) didn't realize you were supposed to tip room service. Now I feel like a cheap tourist and hope they never spit in my food ;)

3) Visit the straw market in Nassau. Our first cruise stopped in Nassau, but we were so consumed with planning our wedding that I never researched things to see and totally missed this.

4) See a show onboard. We skipped all the shows so we could party a little more both previous trips. Guess it's time to see what all the fuss is about :o

[sailingwithfriends]

My suggestion is to go to the very front of the ship one clear night and look up at the stars. It will be very windy, so if you have long hair, pull it back. We actually lay on the deck floor and enjoyed God's creation.

[mephistoles]

Some of the things I plan to do on our upcoming cruise:

• I definitely plan to go to one of the afternoon teas this time around...especially since we'll be at sea for 2 days;
  
• I spent a lot of time in Waterworks with our son but the only different thing I'm planning to do this time is spend even MORE time...
  
• Get up early enough to catch a sunrise...not from our balcony but from the Lido deck...
   
  

[momof3cruisers]

Fun thread idea

 

I will

#1 NOT go to the straw market. Went to the one in Freeport and hated it. :p

#2 Really save up some extra money--more than I think i'll need so I can just do whatever or drink whatever.

#3 Not take my children. LOL Seriously, we had a great time with them, but the next cruise is to celebrate our anniversary and I am SO excited to have an adult trip.

#4 Spend the majority of time on my balcony. (Last one was an oceanview.)

[seashinesunshine]

Spend more time relaxing. Our last (5th) cruise, we did more of this. Some of my best times on the ship, we when I was relaxing. One of the funnest things, I laid down on the H of the helipad. It was pitch black, and I laid there and looked up at the stars. It was below and in sight of the bridge, so I'm sure they could see me and thought I was nuts, but it was SO COOL! I also followed a suggestion from CC to go to the lowest deck that is open along the sides late at night and soak up the ambiance. Its dark, you can see the stars, hear the water hitting the side of the ship and there are very few people there. so peaceful.

[seashinesunshine]

My suggestion is to go to the very front of the ship one clear night and look up at the stars. It will be very windy, so if you have long hair, pull it back. We actually lay on the deck floor and enjoyed God's creation.

 

I love that we posted almost the same thing at the same time! :) Truly brings you closer to God.

[elisabethr_21]

Some of the things I plan to do on our upcoming cruise:

• I definitely plan to go to one of the afternoon teas this time around...especially since we'll be at sea for 2 days;
  
• I spent a lot of time in Waterworks with our son but the only different thing I'm planning to do this time is spend even MORE time...
  
• Get up early enough to catch a sunrise...not from our balcony but from the Lido deck...
  

 

Here's a few more...

-Don't wear a short dress while on deck if ship is moving, unless I have a free hand to hold it down THE WHOLE TIME :eek:

-Go down the slides- how have I not done that!

-Go to the tea- didn't even know about it until I saw it on a thread on here...

[tinyrose]

Two things:

 

1. Watch one sunrise (instead of sleeping late every morning)

 

2. Get into one of the pools; every cruise I take my swimsuit but have never even put a toe into a pool.

[leaveitallbehind]

See my response to your same thread on the "First Time Cruisers" forum.

[griffy116]

We always walk along the lowest deck after dinner. The ship is slicing through the water, the stars are out and you really know that you are on this huge ship. It never gets old.

[mousey]

Since every cruise we've been on has been amazing...I probably wouldn't change anything.:D

[Smiles3usa]

I'd spend more time getting to know some of my fellow cruisers. The places we sometimes remember, the relationships formed is something to be treasured.

[JimAOk1945]

Enjoy the sunset from our balcony. We try to do this on every cruise but don't always make time for it.

Edited March 22, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[CowPrincess]

Eat one dinner out by the aft pool. Lateish, so it is dark. (I have been threatening to do this since DH started cruising with me -- we will do it eventually)

 

Find the perfect balance (hahaha! :D) between doing and being. Our cruises are either very busy, with tons of active shorex, or totally slothful. There has to be a happy medium!

[OCruisers]

3) Visit the straw market in Nassau. Our first cruise stopped in Nassau, but we were so consumed with planning our wedding that I never researched things to see and totally missed this.

 

You did NOT miss anything by not going to the straw market in Nassau.

Some things a best missed! :D

LuLu

~~~

[Roadtripster]

Really had to think about this one.

 

1. Take advantage of the room service. For some reason I never do.

2. Maybe eat lunch in the MDR.

3. Open the book that I always seem to bring but never read.

4. Try to stay less "internet connected"

5. Do all spa things. LOL

[LazyDays64]

Our next cruise is on NCL so we'll be doing the freestyle dining for the first time. We're looking forward to it. And since it's more casual, we won't have to bring any formal wear. We're really trying not to overpack for this cruise, that will definately be different for us. lol

[Mytime2014]

I love that we posted almost the same thing at the same time! :) Truly brings you closer to God.

 

 

How am I going to remember all these awesome ideas?????

[luvscruising2007]

I'm going to try to spend more time on deck at night. We always have late seating and after dinner I think we will go for a walk each night.

 

We might participate in trivia.

We always get into a routine and forget to check out all of the activities on board.

[Noelchristian92610]

We would get an inside room instead of a balcony. Use that $$$ for other stuff.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Noelchristian92610

[cruiselover**]

On my next cruise:

 

1. Actually WIN money in the casino!

 

2. Spend more time on my balcony.

 

3. Savor every single moment of my vacation. The week goes by quickly so I want to really linger over each and every minute that I can.

 

4. Order room service more often. It's wonderful to have a snack out on my balcony and enjoy the view.

 

Right now, I am enjoying my countdown - less than five weeks until my next cruise!

[runner2013]

My husband and I are getting ready for our 3rd cruise in May, the first being our honeymoon and second with our son and DH's sister a few years ago. While we are gearing up for our upcoming trip, I keep thinking about things I will do differently this go around. What will YOU do different on your next trip?

 

Here's a start to my list:

1) Go to the muster drill. Somehow we skipped out on it both trips before and managed to not get kicked off of the boat. Not risking it again.

2) Tip room service. I knew about the included gratuities but (not having been on CC) didn't realize you were supposed to tip room service. Now I feel like a cheap tourist and hope they never spit in my food ;)

3) Visit the straw market in Nassau. Our first cruise stopped in Nassau, but we were so consumed with planning our wedding that I never researched things to see and totally missed this.

4) See a show onboard. We skipped all the shows so we could party a little more both previous trips. Guess it's time to see what all the fuss is about :o

I will stay up much later at night this time around, even if it means taking a nap in the afternoon before dinner.

Like another poster said, I will definately bring a bottle of wine and my bf and I will sit on the highest deck we can and watch the sunset. It was amazing last time and I don't want to miss out.

I will climb the rock wall no matter what !!!

I won't worry if I look all right compared to everyone else. (I dress appropriately but tend to overthink it).

One last thing, I will stop and take a deep breath, taking it all in. and just be thankful i'm even there to begin with.;)