Compulsive cruise prep

[Desert_ Dweller]

Really- I use a smartphone and as to pre planning a waste of time suitcase- flight - cruise Why spend longer packing than cruising

 

bmwman,

What up with you ?? You are usually far more supportive to others comments.....really !

Maybe you just didn't have a good day.

Remember, people do things for their reasons..not ours.

 

Planning is part of travel in general. There is the anticipation, the cruise, and the memories.

 

It's just fun !!!!:cool:

 

Want to see some over the top planning ?? Have a look at the spreadsheet (below) for our roll call set up for October 2019. Port by Port by Port.

[TSUmom]

You guys/gals are the best! I have done everything in this thread. My husband thinks I go overboard in planning each cruise, yet he never complains during vacation when everything goes like clockwork.

 

One thing that I do that has not been mentioned. I put my cash in envelopes labeled for what it is for. I separate my tip money by day and by activity. I earmark an amount of money to tip on the ship, porters, shuttles and excursions. Some of the excursions I go on state that they prefer to be paid in cash, so that goes in a marked envelope as well. I try to prepay as much as I can before I leave, but for the things I can't prepay, I have an envelope. All the envelopes go in the safe in my cabin and I get them out as needed each day.

 

Thanks, everyone, for sharing in my planning obsession. I am not alone!

 

 

I do the exact same thing. Envelopes with the date and port and a list of everything with the $ amount written on it. I even have a separate envelope with Casino cash. I put them in the safe in order by date......

[TSUmom]

We are on the same cruise.

 

I am packed except for last minute items - kindle, etc. My spreadsheet of what I am wearing by time of day is complete - including shoes and jewelry. I have booked my dining, have all the excursions taken care of, wrote out the itinerary, etc.

 

I don't know what else to do ... I can't wait! Jan

 

 

I include what I am wearing on my spreadsheet too....helps me from over packing ( NOT):o

[Shellbelle28]

Really- I use a smartphone and as to pre planning a waste of time suitcase- flight - cruise Why spend longer packing than cruising

This just isn't the thread for you. Those discussing planning here ENJOY these activities and dont consider it a waste of time. You and your smartphone are happy your way, we are sharing the things that make us happy together on this thread. As many of our comments have mentioned, we know a lot of people don't understand our pleasure in the detailed planning activity. That's why so many of us were excited to participate in this thread. Just leave us to it.

[TSUmom]

Really- I use a smartphone and as to pre planning a waste of time suitcase- flight - cruise Why spend longer packing than cruising

 

 

OK, you sound like my DH. He packs the day before we leave and has no part of the planning process. I just tell him when and where (I omit the how much)……..He is a spur of the moment kind of guy and I am the obsessive planner. I just can't imagine winging it and am sure I would totally freak out not having plans.

[TSUmom]

This just isn't the thread for you. Those discussing planning here ENJOY these activities and dont consider it a waste of time. You and your smartphone are happy your way, we are sharing the things that make us happy together on this thread. As many of our comments have mentioned, we know a lot of people don't understand our pleasure in the detailed planning activity. That's why so many of us were excited to participate in this thread. Just leave us to it.

 

I need a "like" button......

[TSUmom]

bmwman,

What up with you ?? You are usually far more supportive to others comments.....really !

Maybe you just didn't have a good day.

Remember, people do things for their reasons..not ours.

 

Planning is part of travel in general. There is the anticipation, the cruise, and the memories.

 

It's just fun !!!!:cool:

 

Want to see some over the top planning ?? Have a look at the spreadsheet (below) for our roll call set up for October 2019. Port by Port by Port.

 

This spreadsheet is awesome...Just saying!;)

[Kitten112]

bmwman,

 

What up with you ?? You are usually far more supportive to others comments.....really !

 

Maybe you just didn't have a good day.

 

Remember, people do things for their reasons..not ours.

 

 

 

Planning is part of travel in general. There is the anticipation, the cruise, and the memories.

 

 

 

It's just fun !!!!:cool:

 

 

 

Want to see some over the top planning ?? Have a look at the spreadsheet (below) for our roll call set up for October 2019. Port by Port by Port.

 

 

 

Why can’t I see the spread sheet?? I want to see the spreadsheet!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Seafan22]

You mentioned envelopes...when my kids were young, I would bring spending money for them on vacations - when on cruises it was for each port - and each envelop had a different amount in it. The two kids would have a chance to randomly pick an envelop each day to see how much they would have that day to spend. There were pairs of envelops so they each had the same each day.

[Shoppie124]

OK, you sound like my DH. He packs the day before we leave and has no part of the planning process. I just tell him when and where (I omit the how much)……..He is a spur of the moment kind of guy and I am the obsessive planner. I just can't imagine winging it and am sure I would totally freak out not having plans.

 

 

 

If my DH has his way, he’d be chasing the ship down the pier... lucky for him, I’m a planner!! Sounds like your DH is the same way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Desert_ Dweller]

Why can’t I see the spread sheet?? I want to see the spreadsheet!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Click on the link in my signature (it's in blue)

[Shoppie124]

Click on the link in my signature (it's in blue)

 

 

 

If you are using the app, you can’t see signatures. You have to login on a computer

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Shellbelle28]

If my DH has his way, he’d be chasing the ship down the pier... lucky for him, I’m a planner!! Sounds like your DH is the same way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Ugh my DH *always* suddenly realizes he needs to do some preparation about a week before. Then he insists I run all over town with him while he finds clothes, shoes, whatever else he needs because he just realized things in the closet are worn out, don't fit or are 20 years out of style (LOL).

Just when I'm ready to relax and enjoy calm anticipation because I am 500% ready, there he is with "should I bring this?" "what should I do about ... ?" over and over and over.[emoji35]

[Tatka]

Why can't he drive to stores by himself? Mine always does. Only he knows what he wants and needs.

[Desert_ Dweller]

Why can't he drive to stores by himself? Mine always does. Only he knows what he wants and needs.

 

Good Lord.. NO !!! Not in this house. I think your DH makes better choices than some of our DH's choices. I'm sure they can drive themselves to the stores.. but we may spend the next few days matching things up to go with those choices..;p Not all.. I'm just saying,...some of us .

[TheCruisingBrewers]

This is a funny topic... I too am a compulsive prepper, and fear I have passed this down to my daughter and now she is.

 

 

Cruises in General:

I would suggest getting a Kindle APP for your phone or tablet and using it instead of buying books. Saves so much packing room and having to lug books there. I usually just leave them in the ship library.

 

For long complicated trips: Europe is upcoming for me:

I have a set of spreadsheets I make while planning a big overseas trip, one for each port and use it to track costs of excursions and details of possible excursions pre cruise for the roll call and them as a list for the tour organizer. It helps keep track of things. Each persons name gets filled in to the lists of the excursions they wish to go on.

 

Since I am travelling with friends who have not cruised, I am going to put together possibilities so they know what to do in each port and get them to help decide what to do in port. I am getting that material ready now.

 

I do not compulsively pack anymore though I seem to have graduated this step. But I do start looking at what my husband and I will wear and what to pack early on, to catch good sales! Now is the time for bathing suits... I will wait till Spring for jackets!

 

I go over menus and when to eat where on the ship... this is especially important on NCL where there are so many dining options. Check show dates and times I want to see. to make sure we get to then shows we want to see. I also look at and make a list of good restaurants to eat at in ports for pre and post and DIY shore excursions. I use Trip advisor and mostly choose only Certificate of Excellence tour providers and very well ranked restaurants. I also use Rick Steves to help me find well vetted fun things to do in ports and use his walks apps while in port at some places.

 

About a year out, I start nailing down flights and pre / post hotels. Start making a list and tracking prices. I start booking those first, then the excursions first in the ports with the highest port load, since they will sell out faster. That is where I am for my Europe cruise... I book hotels I need fully refundable and note the cancellation date. If hotel room inventories start decreasing, I try to book my hotels. Note some hotels in Europe look like they are booked on some websites. It is ALWAYS best to write the hotel directly to ask. Their booking system may just not be open that far in advance.

 

I save all cruise related emails.conformations and correspondence in a dedicated email folder. If the cruise is very active I save all other cruiser emails in a folder within the cruise one. Everything is loaded onto my Trip it and before the cruise I edit and check the information and print the Trip it and the spreadsheets. I make copies for tour leaders if needed.

 

For my upcoming to Mexico, there is very little prep.... been there and back many times so just going to chill on that one!

 

Happy prepping!

Edited August 15, 2018 by TheCruisingBrewers

[Shellbelle28]

Why can't he drive to stores by himself? Mine always does. Only he knows what he wants and needs.

He *can* go alone, but he wants me to come because he enjoys going together. His form of cruise prep enjoyment.

[TheCruisingBrewers]

Least DH goes Joan! I am lucky if I can get mine to shop at all, and it is not till I threaten him, with "well I am going to buy your pants then, cause you are not taking the ones you have been wearing to do yard work".... He makes me crazy. I try to get him to do a little at a time for about a year and he does better. LOL

 

Love your spreadsheets too BTW, mine are quite like yours... Like minds :) I wish my roll call was as busy as yours, it seems to be a growing problem people not doing the roll calls and planning FB groups I think. Seems crazy not to in Eurpoe! Still it is less for me to do but it is still fun planning.

[GA Dave]

OK, you sound like my DH. He packs the day before we leave and has no part of the planning process. I just tell him when and where (I omit the how much)……..He is a spur of the moment kind of guy and I am the obsessive planner. I just can't imagine winging it and am sure I would totally freak out not having plans.

 

This made me laugh because my DW and I are just the opposite. I have lived on CC since I found it months ago and have tried to plan every detail of our trip, including using spreadsheets, dedicating special areas in the house to "trip only" items, deciding which drinks I want to try, etc., etc. My DW just looks at me when I show her anything with her "just chill" look. :')

[Misself]

Loving this thread! Already downloaded the Drinks list from PelicanBill... thanks :-)

 

I'm always really organised with regards to ports particularly if I'm DIY'ing it as nothing worse than turning up and not knowing where to go or how to get anywhere. Found some real gems by doing a bit of research.

 

Although last year I had printed a map to get to the Underground Tunnels in Naples and somehow lost it between breakfast and getting of the ship! Google Maps wasn't that helpful as it took us to the wrong 'entrance' although eventually we did find it. But lesson learnt to keep downloads etc stored on the phone in future!

[BigNance]

bmwman,

What up with you ?? You are usually far more supportive to others comments.....really !

Maybe you just didn't have a good day.

Remember, people do things for their reasons..not ours.

 

Planning is part of travel in general. There is the anticipation, the cruise, and the memories.

 

It's just fun !!!!:cool:

 

Want to see some over the top planning ?? Have a look at the spreadsheet (below) for our roll call set up for October 2019. Port by Port by Port.

 

That spreadsheet is simply amazing.

[Shellbelle28]

Click on the link in my signature (it's in blue)

Wowser! That is some spreadsheet! My Roll Call tab has mostly the same columns, but it's so inactive I only have 16 attendees (they must not understand my need to plan and organize!). My Roll Call invites are amazing I want to give them to more people!

[Desert_ Dweller]

Wowser! That is some spreadsheet! My Roll Call tab has mostly the same columns, but it's so inactive I only have 16 attendees (they must not understand my need to plan and organize!). My Roll Call invites are amazing I want to give them to more people!

 

 

Invites ?... I wanna see 'em too,

[Desert_ Dweller]

Wowser! That is some spreadsheet! My Roll Call tab has mostly the same columns, but it's so inactive I only have 16 attendees (they must not understand my need to plan and organize!). My Roll Call invites are amazing I want to give them to more people!

 

I think our whole roll call is made up of the likes of this tribe :halo::cool:.

[TheCruisingBrewers]

Yes mine has a whopping 16 too... sighs. I need people to prep!

 

I would like to see them too!

 

Nancy