When does your "cruise" start?

[crystalspin]

@marshhawk

 

So it appears that mine starts when I put a hold on a stateroom! As I did this weekend for a cruise 15 months out! I'm more excited for that one than the one in two weeks (which is actually a stressor at this point!).

 

[freanesi]

Mine starts when I book the cruise. I then spend the next year planning flights, hotels, excursions, reading cruise critic, joining a roll call etc. Living in Aus, the rest of the world is so far away and DH and I like to save our money and travel OS to Europe. This makes it quite expensive. We have decided that we need at least a month away if we are travelling all that way. (22 hours flying time' not counting transits). My cruise doesn't end when we arrive home as I then spend the next six months or so putting together the scrapbook of our travels. I guess all up my cruise lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 years. Well worth the money it all costs. Then I start looking for the next one!:)

[tbmrt]

We live in FL so usually drive about 4 hours to the Ft. Lauderdale or Miami ports and check into a hotel the night before cruise.

 

The excitement really builds when we're having drinks at the hotel and anticipating the adventures that await us on the ship.

 

We're hoping to cruise from other ports in the future to different locales, but it just seems so much easier and less expensive to cruise from FL ports without paying airfare, waiting for flights, etc.

[GTO-Girl]

I guess for me, I feel it starts a little later than the others. Even though I always board early, eat early, and enjoy a drink or 2, my "ahhhh" moment is when the muster drill is over and I turned off my phone. That's when I feel my cruise has officially begun.

 

 

This is exactly what I was going to say because once muster drill is done then my time is now my own!!!

 

Happy Sailing Everybody!!!!

Edited November 12, 2014 by GTO-Girl

[Freezerburnt]

More of a question of when I plan to board the ship: My Departure time is 4:00 pm so what time should I plan to be there? They may send this in the final paperwork but I was curious so we could make other plans. Is there any time that is better than other?

[rjdcruises4fun]

More of a question of when I plan to board the ship: My Departure time is 4:00 pm so what time should I plan to be there? They may send this in the final paperwork but I was curious so we could make other plans. Is there any time that is better than other?

 

We are usually on board the ships around 11:30 to 12:30 depending on the cruise line, ship etc. They are times that we have also had to wait to board later due to ship issue or customs, etc again.

But to answer the question, we tend to board ASAP or as soon as they let us on.

[Freezerburnt]

We are usually on board the ships around 11:30 to 12:30 depending on the cruise line, ship etc. They are times that we have also had to wait to board later due to ship issue or customs, etc again.

But to answer the question, we tend to board ASAP or as soon as they let us on.

 

So do you just usually get there around 11:30 or 12 as a rule of thumb? Do you end up standing around a lot waiting? Because I heard often you can't get into your room until later either. I feel like such an idiot when it comes to things like this but my husband and I come from non-traveling families so neither of us are used to vacationing and I like to know a little what to expect I guess.

[rcclfanbp]

For my wife and I, the "cruise" starts once we board the ship and have a cocktail in hand. Then we usually enjoy exploring the ship or people watching as others board. However, our "cruise vacation" starts with the pre-cruise segment of our trip (usually a hotel stay in a city of interest). Its even better when the hotel room affords a view of the ship when she arrives in port.

 

Planning for a cruise has its own rewards, but there is nothing like being on board the ship and having an official toast to our cruise - Let the Games Begin!! -.

[screwsmcernst]

So do you just usually get there around 11:30 or 12 as a rule of thumb? Do you end up standing around a lot waiting? Because I heard often you can't get into your room until later either. I feel like such an idiot when it comes to things like this but my husband and I come from non-traveling families so neither of us are used to vacationing and I like to know a little what to expect I guess.

 

We usually get to the port around 11, and are on board by 11:30. We take a backpack as our carry on. It has all our important papers, electronics, a bottle of wine, a change of clothes, and a swim suit. Once on board, we go to a restroom, and change into our swim suits, and then find a nice chair in the sun. We eat lunch, have a beverage, and then later, when our room is ready, we head down there. unload our stuff and explore the ship or head back up to the lido deck for some pre-sailing fun. :)

[Guest maddycat]

My cruise starts as soon as I board the ship. Before that it's all chores: packing, contacting the cat sitter, contacting the cc companies, contacting the bank, driving to the port, etc.

[Davey Wavey]

Travel is always such a bummer, the cruise starts when we hand off the bags to the cruise porter. That means from that point on, everything is about the cruise and not the getting there.

[cruiserking]

Our cruise starts while we're walking up the gangway. Just a few feet a way from the lovely welcome aboard sail pass Ding and another cruise adventure. :D

 

Jonathan

[Babycat]

Unofficially, after my last day of work.

Officially, after muster.

[Freezerburnt]

Unofficially, after my last day of work.

Officially, after muster.

 

So I hear a lot of people talk about muster, can you tell me what to expect with that? Does it take a while and when do they usually do it? I have just seen a lot of people say on here their cruise starts after the muster...is it terrible?

[maywell]

So I hear a lot of people talk about muster, can you tell me what to expect with that? Does it take a while and when do they usually do it? I have just seen a lot of people say on here their cruise starts after the muster...is it terrible?

 

Usually takes about 30 minutes -1 hour, depending how hard staff has to look for those trying to avoid it. They'll make an announcement to everyone to head to muster station that is printed on the sail card. The instructions are usually in English and sometimes other languages like french, Spanish, German, etc. It usually takes place about 15-30 minutes before the ship sets sail. The only terrible part about it is waiting on the missing people - you might be standing for a good long while for those people to show up.

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[cruiserking]

So I hear a lot of people talk about muster, can you tell me what to expect with that? Does it take a while and when do they usually do it? I have just seen a lot of people say on here their cruise starts after the muster...is it terrible?

 

Muster is the Lifeboat Drill. Sometimes it's outside which can be a drag when you're sailing from a cold weather port like New York or New Jersey.

 

Once everyone has gathered at their specific Muster Station, a crew member will check passengers off their list and explain the various emergency procedures.

 

Typically it lasts about twenty minutes, sometimes less. It's usually the only time you see just about everyone aboard except of course for the breakfast rush in the lido. :rolleyes:

 

Jonathan

[trev71]

All you got to do is put a drink in my hand. JK, Just though that sounded funny :rolleyes:

 

Normally when we are on the drive to the airprort, is when it starts for me

[flyingv4me]

Vacation starts when we're picked up by the car service to take us to the airport, but I'm not totally relaxed until I hear that wonderful "boing" as my card is swiped as I board. :)

[rcclfanbp]

Unofficially, after my last day of work.

Officially, after muster.

 

Nice video. Congrats on your expected addition to the family.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

When we board the ship ...

[sprint180]

The minute I book it. To me the planning is just as fun as the cruise.

[Babycat]

Nice video. Congrats on your expected addition to the family.

 

Thank you 😉

[Azure Moon]

My cruise starts the moment the friendly representative at the check-in desk hands me a newly personalized sail and sign card.

 

On one trip I actually forgot my purse at the security screening area in my haste to get to the desk and get that key card in my sweaty little paw! Thankfully my sister was behind me and knew that it was my purse and brought it to me at the desk :cool:. My husband had a good laugh about it :rolleyes:. What can I say, that cruise was reaallllyyyyy needed!

[ducklite]

For me it starts after I am unpacked. Until that time I do not feel settled and relaxed.

[JimAOk1945]

Unofficially, it starts the moment I book the cruise! Officially, it starts with the "bong" as our cards are scanned and we get our embarkation picture taken. That big grin is something plastered on my face until I leave the ship!

 

Then I start planning the next cruise! :D

Edited November 23, 2014 by JimAOk1945