Your Perfect Day on a Cruise

[taylortime05]

We'll be on the Apex this Sat, Jan 15th.  I'm curious to know what your perfect cruise day looks like, either  a port day or a sea day.  Please share.  

[bespin]

Sleeping in, then a leisurely, quiet breakfast, followed by quality time sitting quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. Then a leisurely, quiet lunch, followed by quality time napping quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. A leisurely, quiet dinner, followed by a quality sunset, then an entertaining performance in any uncrowded venue. Ending with a flexible bedtime, and a quality, quiet, uninterrupted sleep.

 

You may notice a theme....

[anniedave]

First cruise 2 years ago, Cruising again next month. We discovered our ideal sea day was a leisurely lie in , Husband fetched us coffee & pastries from Al Baco -- late breakfast at Blu or buffet, sat & had a late morning drink at sunset bar ( I have a mimosa) wander round the ship & maybe bit of shopping. Then husband goes off to play in a poker tournament and I enjoy the solarium- a cocktail , reading my book , dip in the pool & some time in the hottub. Meet up and get afternoon tea - take it back to the cabin and eat on the balcony. Then nap time.

Get ready go out for late dinner in blu, followed by entertainment & a drink or 2. 

On port days usually early breakfast in buffet, morning excursion followed by wandering round port area/ shopping.  Back on board-  Late lunch at mast grill or buffet , drink at the sunset bar , nap then same as sea days.

On our last cruise after 4 days of port days/ excursions we went for our afternoon nap about 5pm.... woke up 10pm !!! Had a few drinks followed by late night pizza.  

 

[Guindalf]

I’ll let you know Sunday!

 

We’re in the Retreat for the first time Saturday, so looking forward to making a new cruise ‘normal’!

[chemmo]

What a lovely thread to take our minds off doom and gloom!

 

The perfect start to me is stepping out onto the balcony to the smell of the sea or the bustle of a port. We will sit out for a while and simply savour the view with a coffee.

 

Breakfast to us is made better by the variety on offer. A couple of full breakfasts at Luminae, a few at the Elite breakfast, some on the balcony and an occasional visit to the buffet…We will vary these according to the time we wake up and what we are planning on doing during the day. Excursion days are usually coffee and croissants.

 

Our favourite excursions are ones where you can simply get off the ship and enjoy where you are. Valletta in Malta, Rhodes Town and St Johns Antigua are a few that spring to mind. We love to return to ports like this. First time you visit you feel ‘obliged’ to squash in the highlights but on return you can head to your favourite spots. Over recent years it has been wonderful to return to the church in St Johns and watch it’s restoration. On our itinerary again for 2023. We love in these ports to find a cafe/bar with a view. Nothing fancy, just a place to enjoy a quiet cold beer and watch the world go by.

 

If we are not on an excursion we will have a swim in the Solarium then head to the retreat deck, find a comfortable sun bed and relax. No book or iPad necessary….

 

Our favourite lunchtime ship venue is the Porch on Silhouette. We will keep our choices light, I love the Sangria they offer. Although we will not eat much we will enjoy the fresh air and simply relax….

 

Afternoons are time for relaxing back on the balcony, maybe a little reading or iPad time or a nice little snooze! At four fifteen the doorbell will ring and our butler will arrive with afternoon tea. We always request just a couple of small sandwiches and mini cakes to enjoy on the balcony with a cup of tea as we refresh….Leisurely bath or shower, glass of something on the balcony while my hair dries (hate those hairdryers)…

 

Pre dinner drinks at the Retreat lounge, chat to new people, make new friends, share conversations about places seen and done….

 

We usually dine in one of the speciality restaurants, Murano being a favourite. No rush, a leisurely choice of wine paired with the food, coffee and cognac to follow…After dining we will (very slowly) head for a bar. If it isn’t too blustery I love after dining to head to the sunset bar to enjoy the sound of the sea and feel it blow through my hair…After a while we will return back inside (looking wind blown but very relaxed). Our son and GF will tell us the bar they fancy visiting and we will join them for just one, trying something adventurous to drink we normally wouldn’t, one of the pleasures of cruising with family. 
 

We will then return to our suite where our butler will have left us ‘a little something’ just in case  we are peckish….We will take a drink outside on the balcony and simply watch the sea, smell the air and count our blessings….

 

 

Edited January 10, 2022 by chemmo

[lola2013]

7 hours ago, bespin said:

Sleeping in, then a leisurely, quiet breakfast, followed by quality time sitting quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. Then a leisurely, quiet lunch, followed by quality time napping quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. A leisurely, quiet dinner, followed by a quality sunset, then an entertaining performance in any uncrowded venue. Ending with a flexible bedtime, and a quality, quiet, uninterrupted sleep.

 

You may notice a theme....

Ditto...😍

[cgolf1]

Honestly we have always loved sea days. I must have some issue, that at home I really can't settle down and even feel the need to multi task when watching my favorite sports teams, my brain wants to go a million miles an hour. For some reason on a cruise I can find a covered spot on deck to watch the ocean go past and read a book and be totally relaxed, I guess you could say it is my happy place. In the past we liked the port days when we stayed on the ship because it was quieter than normal, so sailing now has lots of appeal to us because it sounds like the ship will be like that for the whole trip.

 

For some reason watching the prop wash is mesmerizing too. At first I thought I was crazy, but I have found may others enjoy it as well. So for me it is just the ability to relax and for my brain to finally take a break.

Edited January 10, 2022 by cgolf1

[bigbenboys]

Sea day

Our routine is a small breakfast and coffee at 7am in a sky suite. Breakfast in Luminae before they close. Then to the Elite breakfast for a snack and mimosas until 10am. After EB go to the Retreat for drinks. Might only be water by then. Play some slots. Time to go back to the cabin and get ready for lunch at 12 in Luminae. After lunch free time until Elite drinks at 5pm. As their is not a dedicated place any more, probably go to the Retreat instead. Dinner 6:30 in Luminae, after dinner drink at the Retreat. More slots. Back to the cabin about 9pm.

[Ken the cruiser]

Every day on our November B2B on the Apex in a SV! 😎

 

 

[George C]

Wake up just in time to get to Luminae before breakfast hours are closed , then spend the day in edge retreat area by there pool , also lunch in outdoor retreat area, then drop by martini bar for a couple of dirty martinis while listening to music then dinner at Le Petit Chef,  then see the show , followed by a cognac, then return to our penthouse suite.

[baldilocks]

A perfect day.....no COVID onboard.

[miched]

Booked the cheapest cabin for a 3 month world cruise. 

 

Upon check in I find  that our cabin was needed for something and we are upgraded to the Penthouse suite with all the amenities and perks 

 

Use the SBC and play in the casino that night and hit the mega giant jackpot. 

 

Bought  2 bottles of Louis XIII from the Duty free store  and won the raffle that paid for our  liquor purchases

 

Purchased a few future cruises and won’t the raffle for a free cruise

 

retired for the evening and got lucky again.  🥰

 

Perfect day and night 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

[miched]

Booked the cheapest cabin for a 3 month world cruise. 

 

Upon check in I find  that our cabin was needed for something and we are upgraded to the Penthouse suite with all the amenities and perks 

 

Use the SBC and play in the casino that night and hit the mega giant jackpot. 

 

Bought  2 bottles of Louis XIII from the Duty free store  and won the raffle that paid for our  liquor purchases

 

Purchased a few future cruises and won’t the raffle for a free cruise

 

retired for the evening and got lucky again.  🥰

 

Perfect day and night 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

[chemmo]

2 hours ago, miched said:

Booked the cheapest cabin for a 3 month world cruise. 

 

Upon check in I find  that our cabin was needed for something and we are upgraded to the Penthouse suite with all the amenities and perks 

 

Use the SBC and play in the casino that night and hit the mega giant jackpot. 

 

Bought  2 bottles of Louis XIII from the Duty free store  and won the raffle that paid for our  liquor purchases

 

Purchased a few future cruises and won’t the raffle for a free cruise

 

retired for the evening and got lucky again.  🥰

 

Perfect day and night 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

Wonderful!

 

May all your dreams come true! 
 

By the way, our next cruise is in the PH….Please evict the other PH occupants!

[taylortime05]

20 hours ago, bespin said:

Sleeping in, then a leisurely, quiet breakfast, followed by quality time sitting quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. Then a leisurely, quiet lunch, followed by quality time napping quietly in the shade, with a nice breeze. A leisurely, quiet dinner, followed by a quality sunset, then an entertaining performance in any uncrowded venue. Ending with a flexible bedtime, and a quality, quiet, uninterrupted sleep.

 

You may notice a theme....

Sounds wonderful!   I do wish that the breakfast venues stayed open later.  I always feel I need to get up early to get to breakfast and then try to get a seat near the pools & hot tubs.  I'm going to try to relax more on this next cruise.  Your day sounds perfect. 

[taylortime05]

18 hours ago, anniedave said:

First cruise 2 years ago, Cruising again next month. We discovered our ideal sea day was a leisurely lie in , Husband fetched us coffee & pastries from Al Baco -- late breakfast at Blu or buffet, sat & had a late morning drink at sunset bar ( I have a mimosa) wander round the ship & maybe bit of shopping. Then husband goes off to play in a poker tournament and I enjoy the solarium- a cocktail , reading my book , dip in the pool & some time in the hottub. Meet up and get afternoon tea - take it back to the cabin and eat on the balcony. Then nap time.

Get ready go out for late dinner in blu, followed by entertainment & a drink or 2. 

On port days usually early breakfast in buffet, morning excursion followed by wandering round port area/ shopping.  Back on board-  Late lunch at mast grill or buffet , drink at the sunset bar , nap then same as sea days.

On our last cruise after 4 days of port days/ excursions we went for our afternoon nap about 5pm.... woke up 10pm !!! Had a few drinks followed by late night pizza.  

 

I'm going to take more naps on this next cruise.   Your day sounds perfect!  

[taylortime05]

16 hours ago, Guindalf said:

I’ll let you know Sunday!

 

We’re in the Retreat for the first time Saturday, so looking forward to making a new cruise ‘normal’!

We'll be in the retreat on the Jan 15 Apex sailing.  Which ship are you on? 

[taylortime05]

16 hours ago, chemmo said:

What a lovely thread to take our minds off doom and gloom!

 

The perfect start to me is stepping out onto the balcony to the smell of the sea or the bustle of a port. We will sit out for a while and simply savour the view with a coffee.

 

Breakfast to us is made better by the variety on offer. A couple of full breakfasts at Luminae, a few at the Elite breakfast, some on the balcony and an occasional visit to the buffet…We will vary these according to the time we wake up and what we are planning on doing during the day. Excursion days are usually coffee and croissants.

 

Our favourite excursions are ones where you can simply get off the ship and enjoy where you are. Valletta in Malta, Rhodes Town and St Johns Antigua are a few that spring to mind. We love to return to ports like this. First time you visit you feel ‘obliged’ to squash in the highlights but on return you can head to your favourite spots. Over recent years it has been wonderful to return to the church in St Johns and watch it’s restoration. On our itinerary again for 2023. We love in these ports to find a cafe/bar with a view. Nothing fancy, just a place to enjoy a quiet cold beer and watch the world go by.

 

If we are not on an excursion we will have a swim in the Solarium then head to the retreat deck, find a comfortable sun bed and relax. No book or iPad necessary….

 

Our favourite lunchtime ship venue is the Porch on Silhouette. We will keep our choices light, I love the Sangria they offer. Although we will not eat much we will enjoy the fresh air and simply relax….

 

Afternoons are time for relaxing back on the balcony, maybe a little reading or iPad time or a nice little snooze! At four fifteen the doorbell will ring and our butler will arrive with afternoon tea. We always request just a couple of small sandwiches and mini cakes to enjoy on the balcony with a cup of tea as we refresh….Leisurely bath or shower, glass of something on the balcony while my hair dries (hate those hairdryers)…

 

Pre dinner drinks at the Retreat lounge, chat to new people, make new friends, share conversations about places seen and done….

 

We usually dine in one of the speciality restaurants, Murano being a favourite. No rush, a leisurely choice of wine paired with the food, coffee and cognac to follow…After dining we will (very slowly) head for a bar. If it isn’t too blustery I love after dining to head to the sunset bar to enjoy the sound of the sea and feel it blow through my hair…After a while we will return back inside (looking wind blown but very relaxed). Our son and GF will tell us the bar they fancy visiting and we will join them for just one, trying something adventurous to drink we normally wouldn’t, one of the pleasures of cruising with family. 
 

We will then return to our suite where our butler will have left us ‘a little something’ just in case  we are peckish….We will take a drink outside on the balcony and simply watch the sea, smell the air and count our blessings….

 

 

Your day sounds perfect.  I need to slow down and relax more on this cruise.   Do you have coffee delivered in the mornings?  Does your Butler leave snacks or drinks in the evening?  

 

It's so nice to have your son & his girl friend traveling with you.   I can't wait until we can have a family cruise again.  We have 2 grand babies 20 & 22 months.  

[RichYak]

My perfect cruise day was my last cruise day. That will be eclipsed by my next cruise day. Each one is a gift. It is refreshing reading the comments in this thread.

[taylortime05]

12 hours ago, cgolf1 said:

Honestly we have always loved sea days. I must have some issue, that at home I really can't settle down and even feel the need to multi task when watching my favorite sports teams, my brain wants to go a million miles an hour. For some reason on a cruise I can find a covered spot on deck to watch the ocean go past and read a book and be totally relaxed, I guess you could say it is my happy place. In the past we liked the port days when we stayed on the ship because it was quieter than normal, so sailing now has lots of appeal to us because it sounds like the ship will be like that for the whole trip.

 

For some reason watching the prop wash is mesmerizing too. At first I thought I was crazy, but I have found may others enjoy it as well. So for me it is just the ability to relax and for my brain to finally take a break.

We love sea days too!   But I do need to relax more.   This cruise I'm going slow down,  take time to enjoy my balcony, take naps if I feel like it and try to read a book or two.   What is prop wash?  

[taylortime05]

9 hours ago, baldilocks said:

A perfect day.....no COVID onboard.

I agree.  I hope we have a covid free week for our sailing.  

[DaKahuna]

Just now, taylortime05 said:

We love sea days too!   But I do need to relax more.   This cruise I'm going slow down,  take time to enjoy my balcony, take naps if I feel like it and try to read a book or two.   What is prop wash?  

Prop wash is what you see when you look behind the ship.  That white ‘foam’ in the wake is called prop wash.

[taylortime05]

10 hours ago, George C said:

Wake up just in time to get to Luminae before breakfast hours are closed , then spend the day in edge retreat area by there pool , also lunch in outdoor retreat area, then drop by martini bar for a couple of dirty martinis while listening to music then dinner at Le Petit Chef,  then see the show , followed by a cognac, then return to our penthouse suite.

Your day sounds like our days on our pre covid cruise on the Edge but we were in a Sky Suite.  We had so much fun!   On our next cruise I want to find some time to enjoy our balcony.   Also, I do wish the Luminae stayed open later for breakfast.  

[taylortime05]

11 hours ago, bigbenboys said:

Sea day

Our routine is a small breakfast and coffee at 7am in a sky suite. Breakfast in Luminae before they close. Then to the Elite breakfast for a snack and mimosas until 10am. After EB go to the Retreat for drinks. Might only be water by then. Play some slots. Time to go back to the cabin and get ready for lunch at 12 in Luminae. After lunch free time until Elite drinks at 5pm. As their is not a dedicated place any more, probably go to the Retreat instead. Dinner 6:30 in Luminae, after dinner drink at the Retreat. More slots. Back to the cabin about 9pm.

Your day sounds perfect too!  I enjoy playing slots but hubby isn't interested.  Hubby goes to the gym and I'll walk for 1/2 the time and then go play slots.  We do enjoy the evening entertainment so we're in bed between 11 to midnight.  Sometimes it's hard to get to Luminae before they close for breakfast.  I got some great ideas from all the posts.  I'm going to be flexible with breakfast and just relax more. 

[taylortime05]

11 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Every day on our November B2B on the Apex in a SV! 😎

 

I can't wait to read through your trip report!  I did start and saw that you like to spend time on your balcony.  That's one of the things I want to do more of this next cruise.