Half the fun!

[amsred2]

I don't know about others, but half the fun for me is all the planning leading up to my cruise. OK ...we maybe not half the fun but I love the anticipation and planning. The light at the end of the tunnel what gets me through my grueling workdays. After particularly rough days, I always come home and research pics of the ship, read the reviews, research the ports and generally dream and scheme about my next adventure.

 

I am, however experiencing a bit of a lull this time around. You see, I am cruising on my Favorite ship, the beautiful Carnival Miracle, in 100 days. I am totally excited to spend some quality time aboard but I am intimately familiar with her and don't really need to research the ship. On past cruises, I did TONS of research on PV and Cabo excursions and areas. So what do I have left to do to lift me up after a grueling day at work?

 

I have started a FB page for my sailing in the effort to drum up the excitement and keep me busy planning activities and such. However so far we only have three members (including myself) and a guy who keeps trolling the group with naked Gumby (complete with private parts) pictures. The roll call for the group is pretty quiet as well.

 

Any suggestions?

[cmukid87]

What I get a kick out of is youtube-ing videos of ship tours, ship events, ports, and various excursions that we have done or haven't done.

 

We will sit in our living room and I will look up these videos on my phone/Ipad and I can stream them to my TV for the whole family to watch. That's how we have found a few different excursions that are on our "to-do" list for future cruises.

[amsred2]

Oh ...I hadn't thought of that. The putting them on the TV part....I have researched plenty of videos but putting them on TV to get everyone excited....that's a thought.

[BigB0882]

Absolutely! I also enjoy checking the VIFP offers daily to see if there are any great rates, especially casino offers.

 

I have found that I don't have the same excitement with my Carnival cruises anymore since I have been out of New Orleans 4 times and will be going on my 5th in a couple of weeks. I am going to Alaska this summer on Celebrity for the first time and the excitement is definitely there, so much new stuff to research!

[cmukid87]

Oh ...I hadn't thought of that. The putting them on the TV part....I have researched plenty of videos but putting them on TV to get everyone excited....that's a thought.

 

We are all big snorkelers so we like watching videos of snorkeling excursions. Anything with wildlife, nature, or adventure is a blast for us. That is how I found out about Cliff Jumping when we were visiting Montego Bay, Jamaica!

[RenoNanaOz]

I totally agree, by the way we leave on the Miracle this Saturday!!!! It was over 100 days when we booked so it is now "Go" time and we are all thrilled. I too have been looking at YouTube, first time doing that. It's our 11th Cruise and first time on The Miracle....can't wait. Big time single digit dance going on. I'm actually in training now at work (shhh) just trying to get through the day.

[originalgeek]

yah, I booked our anniversary cruise on March 31st and since then have been scarfing up every post I can here and watching youtube vids of our boat (and others) and even just looking at all the excursions on Carnival's site (and trying to cross reference those with non-carnival excursions to see if I can get the same thing for less or different things not offered on Carnival).

 

Each new step forward inflames my passion anew - from ordering 2 12-packs of water for our stateroom to finally (after much refreshing of the page) scoring FTTF).

 

Today I made an appointment with the post office to turn in our passport applications and money. We've never had passports before but decided this was as good a time as any to have one. We plan to go to Scotland/Ireland/England some day so we'll need them anyway (oooh, there's something new to do lol. can I cruise there?) And now I can start making some passport covers for the trip (I've been getting into leather working) so that's another new thing to add to the fun.

 

I never knew I would but it turns out I love planning a cruise lol.

[Ready 2 Go]

OP I enjoy the planning also...it's a big stress relief. We have to travel to the ports so there is always a lot of picking and choosing the hotel, transportation to and from port, etc. So I can always find something to occupy me. When all else fails, I come here and try to help the newbies out when they have questions. Happy Sailing...

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[originalgeek]

...We have to travel to the ports...

 

I used to think I was ready to move out of Florida but now I've discovered cruising and don't think I could give up the pretty easy drive to 5 cruise ports.

 

 

and I haven't even been on my first (real) cruise yet!

[IslandGirl3000]

I like to google number images and post a new one on Facebook everyday for my countdown. Also, we have a big jar labeled cruise fund and whenever I find change, earn an extra buck here and there, I drop it in. It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction with every penny. As you can see, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

 

 

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[amberry]

I would love to hear about why you love the Miracle so much!! We are celebrating our honeymoon October 15(159 days) on the Miracle... it feels like forever away and I just sit at work researching and finding out things about the ship... It feels good to not be the only one!

[Hog Rider]

I don't know about others, but half the fun for me is all the planning leading up to my cruise. OK ...we maybe not half the fun but I love the anticipation and planning. The light at the end of the tunnel what gets me through my grueling workdays. After particularly rough days, I always come home and research pics of the ship, read the reviews, research the ports and generally dream and scheme about my next adventure.

 

I am, however experiencing a bit of a lull this time around. You see, I am cruising on my Favorite ship, the beautiful Carnival Miracle, in 100 days. I am totally excited to spend some quality time aboard but I am intimately familiar with her and don't really need to research the ship. On past cruises, I did TONS of research on PV and Cabo excursions and areas. So what do I have left to do to lift me up after a grueling day at work?

 

I have started a FB page for my sailing in the effort to drum up the excitement and keep me busy planning activities and such. However so far we only have three members (including myself) and a guy who keeps trolling the group with naked Gumby (complete with private parts) pictures. The roll call for the group is pretty quiet as well.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Link to join.

[summersigh]

DH and I like to search for then cut and paste to print all the sailings of our ship before we go. If you Google cruise timetables you'll find a site that shows your ship and you can get the itineraries.

 

Then we use a site that maps ships live and follow the ship using web cams when she's in port.

 

I can't name the sites specifically - CC frown on that :D but I think you'll see what I mean.

 

You can also use "Carnival Fun Ships Live" to see where your ship is.

Edited May 12, 2016 by summersigh

[bury me at sea]

Being an old single woman I have not experienced that. I ask a different child, sister or grandchild each time. In the case of children/grandchildren my deal is you get a passport and personal souvenir/gift money, I'll do the rest.

 

That way it's a new experience each time. My next cruise is with the same granddaughter I took last time. I chose the timeframe and she chose the ship and ports of call. I probably wouldn't have chosen Key West and the Bahamas, but it's pretty exciting that she did.

 

Each cruise is so different for me that I haven't yet become jaded. What fun!

[amsred2]

I would love to hear about why you love the Miracle so much!! We are celebrating our honeymoon October 15(159 days) on the Miracle... it feels like forever away and I just sit at work researching and finding out things about the ship... It feels good to not be the only one!

 

 

There are a million reasons why. If you are on FB feel free to join my cruise group even if you aren't going. ( search Carnival Miracle August 27th 2016) I will be glad to answer questions and talk about the ship. I am sure that if I eventually get more people in the group...they would be interested too.

[amsred2]

Being an old single woman I have not experienced that. I ask a different child, sister or grandchild each time. In the case of children/grandchildren my deal is you get a passport and personal souvenir/gift money, I'll do the rest.

 

That way it's a new experience each time. My next cruise is with the same granddaughter I took last time. I chose the timeframe and she chose the ship and ports of call. I probably wouldn't have chosen Key West and the Bahamas, but it's pretty exciting that she did.

 

Each cruise is so different for me that I haven't yet become jaded. What fun!

 

I am not at all jaded on the cruising part...every voyage is a wonderful new adventure...even on the same ship. Whenever I am on a trip, hubby and I always manage to find some hidden gems.

 

I just miss the excitement of discovering new treasures leading up to the cruise. Also the planning of what to pack, learning about the food, insider tips, browsing shore excursions and etc. I am an old pro at that stuff and pretty much know all the tips for the cruise I am going on. I know many will say that I need to look at different ships/ports ,but time (off work) doesn't really permit me to leave the West Coast too much.

 

I am hoping now that I can spend my daydreaming time coming up with stuff for a group (if it ever gets off the ground).

[OCruisers]

I also enjoy the planning. DH could not care less. He just wants me to plan things that I know "he will like". :D

[ledelstein]

I am a day dreamer too.

I read reviews

Plan future cruises

 

But my favorite, pass the time, activity is trying on my cruise clothes. My next cruise (Dream at the end of August) is 107 days away and today I tried on all of my outfits and even started thinking shoes and jewelry.

 

I love to look at places I want to go in the future (Aruba is at the top of my list) but then I get frustrated because I want to go NOW!! [emoji23][emoji23]

 

 

 

 

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[ledelstein]

I also enjoy the planning. DH could not care less. He just wants me to plan things that I know "he will like". :D

 

 

My husband is the same way!! [emoji23]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[originalgeek]

I am a day dreamer too.

I read reviews

Plan future cruises

 

But my favorite, pass the time, activity is trying on my cruise clothes...

 

lol my wife is a little peeved at me bc we went to the mall and I found about 6 shirts and pairs of shorts and other stuff I liked and she couldn't find anything.

 

she wants new cruise clothes too! of course, it helps I'm not quite as picky as she is. It covers my gut and my butt? alright we'll take it.

[65stang]

I don't know about others, but half the fun for me is all the planning leading up to my cruise. OK ...we maybe not half the fun but I love the anticipation and planning. The light at the end of the tunnel what gets me through my grueling workdays. After particularly rough days, I always come home and research pics of the ship, read the reviews, research the ports and generally dream and scheme about my next adventure.

 

I am, however experiencing a bit of a lull this time around. You see, I am cruising on my Favorite ship, the beautiful Carnival Miracle, in 100 days. I am totally excited to spend some quality time aboard but I am intimately familiar with her and don't really need to research the ship. On past cruises, I did TONS of research on PV and Cabo excursions and areas. So what do I have left to do to lift me up after a grueling day at work?

 

I have started a FB page for my sailing in the effort to drum up the excitement and keep me busy planning activities and such. However so far we only have three members (including myself) and a guy who keeps trolling the group with naked Gumby (complete with private parts) pictures. The roll call for the group is pretty quiet as well.

 

Any suggestions?

 

I totally agree, by the way we leave on the Miracle this Saturday!!!! It was over 100 days when we booked so it is now "Go" time and we are all thrilled. I too have been looking at YouTube, first time doing that. It's our 11th Cruise and first time on The Miracle....can't wait. Big time single digit dance going on. I'm actually in training now at work (shhh) just trying to get through the day.

 

Which itinerary are you each sailing? I would love it if you would post some reviews of the Miracle when you are back. I leave after both of you and would love to read it. I have never been on that ship and I am looking forward to it. Would love it if you could include menu pictures just so I can get my hopes up. And yes I do like the A/T menu. Some bar menus would be great too, especially the Alchemy. And if you could the FunTimes. I know I am asking a lot. However, as you said this is part of the fun to live vicariously through others.

Edited May 12, 2016 by 65stang

[amsred2]

Which itinerary are you each sailing? I would love it if you would post some reviews of the Miracle when you are back. I leave after both of you and would love to read it. I have never been on that ship and I am looking forward to it. Would love it if you could include menu pictures just so I can get my hopes up. And yes I do like the A/T menu. Some bar menus would be great too, especially the Alchemy. And if you could the FunTimes. I know I am asking a lot. However, as you said this is part of the fun to live vicariously through others.

 

 

The last two times I was on the Miracle, I was still getting acquainted with her and spend lots of time exploring but not writing down my thoughts. When I returned I had to go right back to work and never had a chance to write down my experience before I forgot all the little cool details. I plan on doing a full "live from"review this time now that they have the new internet plans.

[cruznduo]

I thought I might be the only one who loves the planning of every cruise, but I see that I am (thankfully) not the only one. My DH chuckles when I find new stuff about our upcoming cruise and share it with him, but he loves that I find things that I know he will enjoy. We are booked for our 3rd Miracle cruise in September and I am already on countdown! We have been on many cruises (Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess), but living in San Diego makes the left coast cruises. We enjoy the Miracle because it's a smaller ship and takes us only an hour and a half to board. The staff on the Miracle are among the friendliest we have found on our cruises. I can't wait until September 24th!

[bamaparrotheads]

What I get a kick out of is youtube-ing videos of ship tours, ship events, ports, and various excursions that we have done or haven't done.

 

We will sit in our living room and I will look up these videos on my phone/Ipad and I can stream them to my TV for the whole family to watch. That's how we have found a few different excursions that are on our "to-do" list for future cruises.

 

We do this as well. It helps build anticipation.

[cdamion]

I would love to hear about why you love the Miracle so much!! We are celebrating our honeymoon October 15(159 days) on the Miracle... it feels like forever away and I just sit at work researching and finding out things about the ship... It feels good to not be the only one!

 

Miracle is one of my favorite ships. I was on board a year ago and found the crew to be very very friendly. The ship is much less crowded than the larger ships and has much better passenger flow - it never felt crowded. The steak house is attractive and has fantastic food. While the Breeze is my favorite (despite the crowds), Miracle is a very close second.