It never gets old...

[christyran1228]

This .... can you see it?? Lol

[winddawn]

Many of us are fortunate to have quite a few cruises under our belts, but there are a few things that never get old. For me, it's the anticipation of check-in and waiting for them to hand me that precious S&S card. It never gets old!

 

Another thing that never gets old...my traditional embarkation day lunch of cheeseburger, french fries and DOD. That's my sign that vacation has officially started.

 

What never gets old for you? (Play along...help keep me entertained for these next 22 days until I board Valor!) :D

For me, it's just knowing that for X number of days, I do not have to be concerned with the stresses of work and I can get up and go to bed when I want and honestly just enjoy the hospitality that Carnival staff extend to me.

 

Is everything perfect? Heck no! But I don't have to cook, clean, do dishes or housework, or listen to petty work concerns.

 

I love Carnival staff and the amazing way they take care of me when I cruise. I can find something to enjoy on the ship, even if the weather doesn't cooperate. As long as I can get on the ship hassle-free I'm happy.

 

Enjoy your Valor cruise, and then come back here and keep the rest of going until our next cruise! Lol. Have a great time!

[ScottsSweetie]

Referring to the lido deck as the "libido deck". It's our little joke. :p

 

Waving goodbye to the poor people left on land at sail away.

 

Looking at the star filled sky.

 

Walking in to my room and seeing my bon voyage purchase, with my silly little note that I've written to myself.

[winddawn]

This .... can you see it?? Lol

Oh, I see that whale tail! I totally get it! Great capture of that first cruise thrill--seeing our ship in the distance and knowing the next few days are going to be fun!

[patrice1]

1st, the "Ding"

2nd, the thrum under my feet of the ship's engines

3rd, the DOD in the Atrium watching the faces of people boarding

4th, the deli sandwich in the Lido - it's tradition. (DH wears the same shirt on the first day of every cruise - 14, I eat the same sammy!)

Edited August 26, 2016 by patrice1

[jensloser]

The sunset ( every one we have onboard) and the photo that goes with it.

[Muumuu]

The look on a virgin cruisers face as they first board.

[angiem0217]

My first DOD! And I will have it tomorrow on the Magic!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[OCruisers]

Still love to cruise but as time goes by the excitement is less when first boarding the ship but the comfort level is a good thing. :)

Edited August 27, 2016 by OCruisers

[deborahjo]

When I board the plane knowing I am heading for Florida. Then the next morning when we head to the port and catch that first site of the whale tale.

 

My heart beats a little faster and this smile come across my face. I am on a cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[easyboy]

Boarding.

[just4cruzin]

Putting my cell phone in the safe and putting work out of my mind for a week.

 

When the pit boss gives me my free cruise voucher.

 

Spending one on one time with DW.

[code_d]

The boing when you get on. Didn't have it on HAL and I missed it.

 

 

Yes! I thought I was weird.That first time when the card goes in and it feels real. :D

[JohnSpo]

Yes that boing as you board. Then I quickly drop off my carry on at the cabin. Then I head over to the Atrium Bar for my first iced cold beer on tap and strike up conversations with our fellow passengers. This is when I know the cruise is actually starting. Nice!:cool:

[michiganirish]

The crew saying Welcome Back:D

[BallFour4]

For me, it's walking across the gangway from the terminal to the ship. That first step onto the ship gets me every time.

 

The same. We've been able to cruise a great deal over the last decade due to several contributing factors. Price, being empty nesters, over 50, Texas residents and a decent mix of ships 45 min down the freeway in Galveston.

 

Now that my wife retired from teaching the rates for sailings during school have been great, so we've taken advantage of them.

 

Unlike the Ecstasy I was critical of the Triumph over the last couple of years she was here, but enjoyed something special on each cruise. That walk up the ramp, the obligatory photos we never buy, then the gangway with the poor A/C and then... the breeze hits you and "ding." I could cruise a Conquest class ship once a month.

 

I'm no different than most of us on here, high stress career, many things to juggle but the vacation has started. Sure I worry about my company, elderly dad, dog, house and all the rest out of my control, but a 5 night run to Cozumel or a splurge for a 7 nighter and drop the lines, fire up the thrusters, lets sail.

 

.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited August 27, 2016 by BallFour4

[pearose]

All the planning, research, reading the cruise boards to learn new things about the ship, the ports, and all the little valuable tidbits you people here on CC provide.

 

(always sail out of Galveston) So getting there the day before so I can be on the "patio" as my ship comes in knowing I will be on board soon.

 

Getting the S&S card at check in.

 

The welcome aboard photo (usually the only photo I buy and a tradition!)

 

That first step from the gangway onto the ship.

 

And last but not least.........getting that first Funship drink! THAT finally signifies that vacation has begun!

 

Oh, and of course, the gentle rocking the ship and Carnival's comfort bedding. I never sleep so good as I do on board a Carnival ship at sea.

[mrsdoc3]

The first completely new thing I learned on our first cruise: 1 ding it's going up, 2 dings it's going down. Much easier to get on the right elevator when you know the system lol.

 

I always know which way the stairs are going. No way to get on one going the wrong direction.

[PattBenatar]

For me its the first night sitting on my balcony at 3-4 am in peace just smelling and having a cool see breeze misting my face. Then to watch the amazing sunrises each morning just is breath taking for me.

[brewrat]

On my first cruise on the Destiny, I remember looking down after getting off the gangway and seeing the wood decking beneath my feet and thinking to myself "I 'm on the ship, I'm on the ship, this is great!!" I am getting ready to go on my 8th cruise in a fe months and I still get that sensation every time.

 

The other thing that never gets old is waking early on sea days and wandering through a nearly empty ship. It's like I have it all to myself.

[bugsokc]

I really look forward to the MDR and the "Didja" menu items (now just called "food you always wanted to try, but haven’t yet dared...") - I always try them!

 

I also look forward to Chef's Table - a little pricey ($75 per person) but it's an experience we really enjoy.

[Warm Breezes]

Many of us are fortunate to have quite a few cruises under our belts, but there are a few things that never get old. For me, it's the anticipation of check-in and waiting for them to hand me that precious S&S card. It never gets old!

 

Another thing that never gets old...my traditional embarkation day lunch of cheeseburger, french fries and DOD. That's my sign that vacation has officially started.

 

What never gets old for you? (Play along...help keep me entertained for these next 22 days until I board Valor!) :D

 

Staring out at the ocean as it puts me in dazed stupor and lulls me to sleep.

[SummerXU]

The crew saying Welcome Back:D

 

 

Oh yes! I love this too! Or sometimes they say, "Welcome home!"...even better!

[dcwalker]

I love this thread and have to agree with everything everyone has said, even though the casino has never left me a free drink card, but for sure that wouldn't get old.

 

What comes to mind for me is just making the booking and what a relief that provides. Once our cruise is booked and I've memorized the details of the itinerary, no matter how many days out, in a moment of stress, I can step back and say, ok, breath, a cruise is coming. This is Monday at 10am - it will be a sea day. I'll be wearing my white shorts and yellow t-shirt, purple flip flops, sipping my pre-brunch coffee on the serenity deck, sun is shining, warming, ocean is swelling and rolling and lapping gently against the ship . . . Stress is gone. I'm back to current Monday at 10am in the office and all is good.

[tandemcruzr]

Actually for me it's checking into hotel the night before the cruises and heading straight to Fish Lips in port canaveral and watching the ships leave knowing it will be our turn in the morning!!!

 

I second this. Last time we had a Sunday sail away and really enjoyed the band at Fish Lips on Saturday afternoon. :D