Taking time out to relax...

[nator555]

We tend to stay very busy when we cruise but I would like to slow us down a little on our next cruise in May. It's not fun needing a vacation after a vacation lol. Is there anything you do to ensure relaxation?

I will be going with my boyfriend and our 6 year old daughter. I am not a fan of the spa because I am not assertive enough when the girls try to sell me stuff so it kind of ruins the experience for me:(

[mousey]

The DH and I like to go to the wine tasting and to "tea time". We find those fun and relaxing. Also, I like to find a nice quiet spot and sit with the DH and watch the world sail by or if he's in the casino...I'll sit in a quiet place and read a good book that I've brought with me.

 

I hope you have a great relaxing cruise whatever you choose to do.:D

[PurdueChefAmber]

Your level of relaxation on the cruise is what you make of it. If you don't want to be on a rigid schedule, allow yourself to get up when you want, eat where you want, sit in a quiet area of the ship, and have an ice cream cone when you feel stressed :).

[reerun25]

We are leaving on our 3rd cruise this Saturday, and we have vowed to have a relaxing time. I guess since cruising was new to us, we packed in every excursion we could on our first two, and really did not get to enjoy the ship except on sea days and at night for supper and a show, if we were not too tired ... This cruise there is no excursions planned, everyone gets to sleep lounge, and we will stay on the ship for a while in port, to enjoy a less crowded lido!

[Lerin]

Don't read the fun times or go on any excursions.

You can't stress out about activities and schedules if you don't know them. ;)

[Warm Breezes]

We have had a couple cruises now that were intended for relaxation. I don't book any excursions on these cruises. We play it by what we feel like doing. We may stay on the ship at a port and enjoy an empty serenity area. We may take a taxi to the beach. Or we may just get off the ship and do a little shopping or self walking tour. Onboard we book a balcony so DH can chill in a cold room for an afternoon nap and I can pretend I'm reading my tablet as I fall asleep on the balcony. We wake up whenever we wake up. We eat breakfast and lunch whenever we are hungry. We do anytime dining so we can go to dinner when we want to. If it is busy no problem...we either come back later or go to the buffet if we decide to eat or have a snack there then we do. If we want to see a show we go. If want to do a little gambling we do. There is no rush to run and get somewhere on time, we just go with the flow. We also make sure to fly in a day ahead and out a day later. That extra day helps keep the stress of trying to get to the ship or the plane on time away. We don't feel hurried to get on and we are usually one of the last ones to get off as we sit and play cards on the promenade waiting for the last calls to get off.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Warm Breezes

[Anyislandwilldo]

I can relate to this. I have a very hard time relaxing no matter where I go. My mind is always racing around thinking about this that and everything in between. I find shopping helps me relax. You will able to get off in the ports and just leisurely walk around in the all shops. Plus there is something about being in the Caribbean that helps you relax as well......island time. It's easy to get in on the vibe with the locals and it helps me step back and take the time to stop and smell the roses.

[prophet0621]

My girlfriend and I think that relaxing is a big part of vacationing. We leave all our worries at the dock. Don't think about bills, house, cars, jobs, or kids, whatever is happening outside of that ship doesn't matter for the rest of the cruise, everything will still be there when we get back.

 

We sleep and wake up when we want with the exception of any excursion we booked. We pay little attention to the time and even with late assigned dining, we may or may not go. Doesn't matter

 

We have no agenda, no rush to do anything or get anywhere. We would spend more time on our balcony if we had drinks in the room so instead we find somewhere quiet with a nice breeze and shade to relax, stare at the ocean and have several drinks, maybe even doze off and take a short nap.

 

This year we booked with the kids and I'm second guessing before we have to fully pay off the cruise in a couple weeks. There is no relaxing vacation with kids, part of vacationing was to get away from kids and everything else that sucks the life out of us the rest of the year. Not being in parent mode is one of the great things about being away from the kids, and on a cruise ship without phone, email, or social crap we are really separated from things for a brief period of time.

[winddawn]

We tend to stay very busy when we cruise but I would like to slow us down a little on our next cruise in May. It's not fun needing a vacation after a vacation lol. Is there anything you do to ensure relaxation?

I will be going with my boyfriend and our 6 year old daughter. I am not a fan of the spa because I am not assertive enough when the girls try to sell me stuff so it kind of ruins the experience for me:(

In my early days of cruising, I used to do a lot of excursions and activities. But after a few cruises, I just focus on a couple of things that I enjoy when I cruise. Maybe that's called old age. Lol. Just give me a sunny spot in a lounge chair watching the water and I'm happy. Making good use of Camp Carnival could give you and your boyfriend more down time to relax. Let them keep your daughter entertained. Everyone deserves time to relax and reflect.

 

Have a great cruise!

[jpegg0]

I'm also attempting to relax more this cruise.

 

Btw, you can buy a spa pass that gives you access to the therapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, special showers, etc. We loved sitting in a heater ceramic lounger in one of the steam rooms and watching the ocean. The employees never bothered us once.

[paradoc1]

After 18 cruises with Carnival we find the serenity deck good book and sunshine a good way to chill. We also like tea time and people watching from the deck above lido we can still hear the music but do not have to be in the crowd

[kelkel2]

My husband and I are exactly the same way. We are so scheduled on our time at home that when we are actually on vacation I enjoy just doing things when I want to.

I know it's not for everyone, but one of the things we do is not plan excursions. We feel like when we do, we have this "gotta go attitude" where we are always rushing. Like "excursion starts at 9, gotta leave by 8, lets set an alarm" etc. I hate that on vacation. So, we have just started doing our own thing in ports. Shopping, stopping for a drink in a local bar, getting a bite to eat, etc. Do we get to see as much as those on excursions? No, but we have a great relaxing day and we enjoy it. Plus when you have 4 port days back to back it gets really exhausting, I know you all understand.

So on our 8 day, we aren't planning a darn thing. But rest and relaxation. We will wander our way off the ship when we can. We will get up when we can, and we will do whatever sounds fun that day!

[forwardcabin]

We take at least one day to do nothing. Sleep late, sample a little from each buffet, walk around. On Magic, they have some really comfortable loungers on deck 11 just above the Lido pool. We will lounge there all afternoon, order a DOD, and listen to the concert on the big screen. It's so relaxing.

[RenoNanaOz]

NAPS!! DH and I love our naps on our cruise. We do late dining so it works out perfect for us whether sea day or port day. Whatever you do just take a breath and enjoy the moment.