"Humor" for the Over Planner going on their First Oceania Cruise

[Sthrngary]

Many folk say, just go with the flow, no real planning needed.  Other do what I do, take the time since we have so much time before a cruise, and plan the things that we ALL have "Messed Up" in the past.  For me, it is a informal religious experience because after many frustrations in the planning process. Why religious? I keep using god name in vain than ask for forgiveness. Not god's fault, god was kind enough to tell Noah to build an ark so their would be NO missing ports for Noah.  I am NOT Noah, and I have educated my guest we will HAVE at least one or two missed ports. This is an Oceania Itinerary isn't it.  Just managing expectations folks. 

 

Home Made Cruise Calendar: My Planning start like it always does, with a Homemade Excel Spreadsheet calendars.  A work of true art. Works great for a Page-At-A-Glance for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but not so much for a 10-day Mediterranean cruise with a pre and post hotel stay.  At 64, 66, 70, and 75 years old, no one in my party can read the calendar because the font is so small. Packing list Item #1: High Powered Reading Glasses. Print options is to break the calendar in to two pages and tape them together.  At least I have a plan of sorts. Nothing perfect on any cruise.

 

Importance of Advanced Reservation: Since we are wisely arriving one day early (should have done two) for safety and to visit Athens, Greece, I felt proud to find a unique dining experience on the highest mountain with the best view of Athens, Greece.  The restaurant's name is, Orizontes Lycabettus.  This can be a hard reservation to gain and I booked it months ago.  My wife wanted to cancel it because there were to many steps and she has a hard time sometimes with steps.  Then she FINALLY read about the view, food, service and it was a "once in a life time experience".  Now she is getting cortisone shots in both knees and ordered a knee brace.  All it took was a google search of the place and experience to make certain alterations in ones attitude.  

 

Homemade YouTube.com Video: I get so frustrated when I plan a vacation that not one person take one bit of interest until the week before we leave.  That is when I get the stupid questions of when is the flight, what time does it leave and WHY is it so early.  Depression and frustration kicks in. The other questions are even more frustrating like, "Why are we going to this specialty restaurant on this particular night?"  Instructions are given to, change it to another night and time.  Anyone who has EVER cruised Oceania knows, giving up a Specialty Restaurant reservation with the hope of another exact day and time is a huge RISK if not impossible.  With all this in mind, I took my 50-page "Journey document", that showed every decision made and why. Realized it would not be read so I did a 47-minute YouTube.com video for my guest with the high-hard-ones.  Problem number #1: We started drinking double vodka's an hour prior to the video presentation.  Problem #2: No one was listening to the narrative of the video and all of a sudden, lots of questions starting happening causing every scene so the video had to be pause ever 30 seconds or so.  Problem #3: We kept on drinking (heavily, since I was frustrated, I was part of that decision to drink).  Result: Total and complete frustration for ME.  We only got 15 min into the 47 min video and that took over an hour.  PRIOR to beginning the cruise video, one of my guest wanted to put on a movie pre-video.  Abbott and Costello Meet Dracula and Frankenstein (no clue where that choice came from). One hour later, not even 1/4 the way through the vacation video, my best friend was falling a sleep on the couch, and waking up every five minutes saying, "I want to watch Abbott and Costello".  

 

Journey Document: This is a very organized travel document to basically answer all my guest anticipated question.  Not my first rodeo folks. Since none of them participated during the research except to say, "I am not paying for one of the ships Excursions, not one". I did all the months of work.  How to get from the Port to City Central, arranging all transfers, booking all hotels, listing websites to gain online tickets for events and transportation, creating "My Google Maps", listing with explanations of famous attractions in each port,  and the list goes on. After all the "PLANNING" my wife finally gets interested and Googles bad knees in (each Port) followed by the words to me, "I might not leave the ship at some ports", followed by "I need those shots in my knees!!!". My lovely bride has been working out every day, walking 3-4 miles a day, and three weeks ago, kicked the door by accident and has not walked since.  This cruising planning is so accurate.  You can't plan for the non-controllable so just have a double vodka and call it a day. 

 

Oceania Drink Programs: We booked our cruise prior to "Simply More" so we had a choice of one of three amenities.  I choose the $600.00 On-Board-Credit for each cabin. Then I purchased the "Prestige Unlimited Drink Package" for three of the four guest with one guest that simply did not drink.  This was NOT an easy decision because Oceania let's you bring wine and spirits onboard, I plan to buy my wife nice wine pre-cruise in Athens, we have a Vista Suite with six bottles of Wine or Spirits, Oceania has two "Happy Hours a night", during the Captain's meet and greet there is an open bar and the list goes on. So drink packages take LOTS of thought and my final decision was, buy the "Prestige Drink Package".  The comments I got at 45 days out from the cruise from my wife was, "Why do we need a drink package, I am reading on the Facebook forum we don't need a drink package".  Months of research, waffling back and forth with NO HELP or Feedback.  NOW She has an opinion.  45 days out my wife becomes the expert!!!! I showed her!!! I said, "To late, my decision.  If you don't like it call your congressmen!!!"  A man has to stand up for his rights, you know.

 

What to Order In the Restaurant Onboard: I love food, so much so what my wife and I have been on Keto for over 150 days, lost over 25 lbs each.  All to enjoy the food on this Oceania Cruise.  I read EVERY food related topic for Oceania on CruiseCritic.com.  Nothing like "Food Porn". I take notes and put it in my "Journey Document".  We all know food is relative to taste and everyone is different.  I learned so much and appreciate all the educations and feed back.  So as I have learned from the wisest of the wise; Cookies tasteless as well as bad but then again Cookies great, Steaks aways over cooked but then gain steaks cooked perfect, daily souffles tasteless but then again daily souffles outstanding, portions sized to small but then again the portion sizes are to large. Viking food is better but then again Oceania food is the best. All those comments were fine.  I understood them as relative to taste. However now my new resident expert who has eats like a bird because of "lap band" surgery's is informing me on menu choices.  

 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my agony, frustration and lack of respect.  The truth is, "I love it all."  I just love that for the first time in 30 ++ cruises over 44 years of cruising, my lovely bride is intensely engages on the planning 45 days in advance.  That so far is my favorite experience.   

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

 

 

 

 

[SATaxman]

17 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Many folk say, just go with the flow, no real planning needed.  Other do what I do, take the time since we have so much time before a cruise, and plan the things that we ALL have "Messed Up" in the past.  For me, it is a informal religious experience because after many frustrations in the planning process. Why religious? I keep using god name in vain than ask for forgiveness. Not god's fault, god was kind enough to tell Noah to build an ark so their would be NO missing ports for Noah.  I am NOT Noah, and I have educated my guest we will HAVE at least one or two missed ports. This is an Oceania Itinerary isn't it.  Just managing expectations folks. 

 

Home Made Cruise Calendar: My Planning start like it always does, with a Homemade Excel Spreadsheet calendars.  A work of true art. Works great for a Page-At-A-Glance for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but not so much for a 10-day Mediterranean cruise with a pre and post hotel stay.  At 64, 66, 70, and 75 years old, no one in my party can read the calendar because the font is so small. Packing list Item #1: High Powered Reading Glasses. Print options is to break the calendar in to two pages and tape them together.  At least I have a plan of sorts. Nothing perfect on any cruise.

 

Importance of Advanced Reservation: Since we are wisely arriving one day early (should have done two) for safety and to visit Athens, Greece, I felt proud to find a unique dining experience on the highest mountain with the best view of Athens, Greece.  The restaurant's name is, Orizontes Lycabettus.  This can be a hard reservation to gain and I booked it months ago.  My wife wanted to cancel it because there were to many steps and she has a hard time sometimes with steps.  Then she FINALLY read about the view, food, service and it was a "once in a life time experience".  Now she is getting cortisone shots in both knees and ordered a knee brace.  All it took was a google search of the place and experience to make certain alterations in ones attitude.  

 

Homemade YouTube.com Video: I get so frustrated when I plan a vacation that not one person take one bit of interest until the week before we leave.  That is when I get the stupid questions of when is the flight, what time does it leave and WHY is it so early.  Depression and frustration kicks in. The other questions are even more frustrating like, "Why are we going to this specialty restaurant on this particular night?"  Instructions are given to, change it to another night and time.  Anyone who has EVER cruised Oceania knows, giving up a Specialty Restaurant reservation with the hope of another exact day and time is a huge RISK if not impossible.  With all this in mind, I took my 50-page "Journey document", that showed every decision made and why. Realized it would not be read so I did a 47-minute YouTube.com video for my guest with the high-hard-ones.  Problem number #1: We started drinking double vodka's an hour prior to the video presentation.  Problem #2: No one was listening to the narrative of the video and all of a sudden, lots of questions starting happening causing every scene so the video had to be pause ever 30 seconds or so.  Problem #3: We kept on drinking (heavily, since I was frustrated, I was part of that decision to drink).  Result: Total and complete frustration for ME.  We only got 15 min into the 47 min video and that took over an hour.  PRIOR to beginning the cruise video, one of my guest wanted to put on a movie pre-video.  Abbott and Costello Meet Dracula and Frankenstein (no clue where that choice came from). One hour later, not even 1/4 the way through the vacation video, my best friend was falling a sleep on the couch, and waking up every five minutes saying, "I want to watch Abbott and Costello".  

 

Journey Document: This is a very organized travel document to basically answer all my guest anticipated question.  Not my first rodeo folks. Since none of them participated during the research except to say, "I am not paying for one of the ships Excursions, not one". I did all the months of work.  How to get from the Port to City Central, arranging all transfers, booking all hotels, listing websites to gain online tickets for events and transportation, creating "My Google Maps", listing with explanations of famous attractions in each port,  and the list goes on. After all the "PLANNING" my wife finally gets interested and Googles bad knees in (each Port) followed by the words to me, "I might not leave the ship at some ports", followed by "I need those shots in my knees!!!". My lovely bride has been working out every day, walking 3-4 miles a day, and three weeks ago, kicked the door by accident and has not walked since.  This cruising planning is so accurate.  You can't plan for the non-controllable so just have a double vodka and call it a day. 

 

Oceania Drink Programs: We booked our cruise prior to "Simply More" so we had a choice of one of three amenities.  I choose the $600.00 On-Board-Credit for each cabin. Then I purchased the "Prestige Unlimited Drink Package" for three of the four guest with one guest that simply did not drink.  This was NOT an easy decision because Oceania let's you bring wine and spirits onboard, I plan to buy my wife nice wine pre-cruise in Athens, we have a Vista Suite with six bottles of Wine or Spirits, Oceania has two "Happy Hours a night", during the Captain's meet and greet there is an open bar and the list goes on. So drink packages take LOTS of thought and my final decision was, buy the "Prestige Drink Package".  The comments I got at 45 days out from the cruise from my wife was, "Why do we need a drink package, I am reading on the Facebook forum we don't need a drink package".  Months of research, waffling back and forth with NO HELP or Feedback.  NOW She has an opinion.  45 days out my wife becomes the expert!!!! I showed her!!! I said, "To late, my decision.  If you don't like it call your congressmen!!!"  A man has to stand up for his rights, you know.

 

What to Order In the Restaurant Onboard: I love food, so much so what my wife and I have been on Keto for over 150 days, lost over 25 lbs each.  All to enjoy the food on this Oceania Cruise.  I read EVERY food related topic for Oceania on CruiseCritic.com.  Nothing like "Food Porn". I take notes and put it in my "Journey Document".  We all know food is relative to taste and everyone is different.  I learned so much and appreciate all the educations and feed back.  So as I have learned from the wisest of the wise; Cookies tasteless as well as bad but then again Cookies great, Steaks aways over cooked but then gain steaks cooked perfect, daily souffles tasteless but then again daily souffles outstanding, portions sized to small but then again the portion sizes are to large. Viking food is better but then again Oceania food is the best. All those comments were fine.  I understood them as relative to taste. However now my new resident expert who has eats like a bird because of "lap band" surgery's is informing me on menu choices.  

 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my agony, frustration and lack of respect.  The truth is, "I love it all."  I just love that for the first time in 30 ++ cruises over 44 years of cruising, my lovely bride is intensely engages on the planning 45 days in advance.  That so far is my favorite experience.   

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

 

 

 

 

I have read that the evening entertainment is sometimes not so great. I would pay to have you present this in the theater with AV slides and handouts! Thank you

[Sthrngary]

11 minutes ago, SATaxman said:

I have read that the evening entertainment is sometimes not so great. I would pay to have you present this in the theater with AV slides and handouts! Thank you

@SATaxman LMAO, I can be bribed.  I was a professional speaker before I had a stroke, "I think???". We actually go to the shows, sit in the last seat in the back of the theatre, closest to the exit.  We watch 15 min, determine our enjoyment level and usually leave quietly.  We then go to a bar and tell stories while have one to many night caps.  Sorry, I might be old but learned how to drink on a cruise 40 years ago on Carnival.  Thank you for getting my humor. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every bit of the Entrainment on board.

Edited September 21, 2023 by Sthrngary

[bobnsandi]

 

>> We booked our cruise prior to "Simply More" so we

>> had a choice of one of three amenities.  I choose

>> the $600.00 On-Board-Credit for each cabin.

>> Then I purchased the

>> "Prestige Unlimited Drink Package" 

 

I still don't understand the whole "simply more" system. We

just booked, so it appears that we have no choice(s). We

do get some booze with our PH1 cabin. Adding to the

humor a little, we both stopped the alcohol a couple of

years ago, but fell off the wagon on our most recent

Princess cruise. (Maybe having dinner with my inlaws

may have triggered a new need to drink...at least

before dinner.)

 

Loved your detailed description of the planning process.

 

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, bobnsandi said:

(Maybe having dinner with my inlaws

may have triggered a new need to drink...at least

before dinner.)

@bobnsandi LOL, that will do it.  I would explain the SimplyMore program but that would not be humous or funny.  I thought having three choices was confusing so I am not your expert on that little topic.  I used to take my planning very seriously and personally.  NO MORE.  I am the topic for jokes by my friends and family all the time because of it.  UNTIL, they realize, we are going on a cruise next week, "I wonder if my expired Passport Will work????" 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment of "Nothing Going Exactly As Planned". 

[Woofa]

In theory choices become easier, in reality..

 

Booze becomes easier, you get beer, wine and champagne with meals.  Only choice is to upgrade to full liquor all the time.  Seems like additional $30 per person per day and one can upgrade and the other does not have to and you can wait and upgrade during the cruise and save money.  You can still bring wine and liquor aboard for consumption only in your cabin.  If bring wine you can pay a $25 corking fee and enjoy in the restaurants.

 

With no real evidence of how SM works yet theoretically excursions also easier.  You choose what excursions you wish to take from the full list and you have a credit towards this purchase depending upon the length of your cruise (10 days is $800 per cabin.) You pay the difference and if money left over you lose that credit.

 

We don't doubt additional details will come as the program implements and we also don't doubt there will be issues and problems.  

 

Time will tell.

 

 

29 minutes ago, bobnsandi said:

 

>> We booked our cruise prior to "Simply More" so we

>> had a choice of one of three amenities.  I choose

>> the $600.00 On-Board-Credit for each cabin.

>> Then I purchased the

>> "Prestige Unlimited Drink Package" 

 

I still don't understand the whole "simply more" system. We

just booked, so it appears that we have no choice(s

[LHT28]

43 minutes ago, bobnsandi said:

I still don't understand the whole "simply more" system. We

just booked, so it appears that we have no choice(s). We

do get some booze with our PH1 cabin.

 

There are several threads  from June +  on the SM topic

 

Not sure what booze you get  with PH   the bottle of Champagne  ?

[Vineyard View]

Loved this story of your pre-cruise lead in!  Holy moly. Had me chuckling. 
Do you always travel with these friends? Maybe next time plan a secret trip and hope it sells out before you say anything!  
Cheers to your sanity. I would have been imbibing as well! 

[bbwex]

Loved it!!  I am the one that does all of the planning for our trips, and like Sthrngary, I get zero help but all kinds of why's and wherefores after I have done it.  It is one of the ultimate thankless jobs.  But I stick with it.  I must be a masochist.

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, bobnsandi said:

We

do get some booze with our PH1 cabin

 

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Not sure what booze you get  with PH   the bottle of Champagne  ?

AFAIK, and as I confirmed by reading the category amenities on the Oceania website, the PH category only gets a bottle of champagne . Only the top suite categories above PH get a 6 bottle liquor or wine set up.

[Sthrngary]

9 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Do you always travel with these friends?

@Vineyard View No, this is the first time we have gone with this couple.  They are our best friends but always do family things due to the size of their family.  This was our friends wife 70th birthday wish so her husband did what he needed to do to make it happen.  Specifically, he told me a budget that was to low, put the fear of god in me to make it as all inclusive as possible, said "NO" to every single time I made a recommendation  then two months later wanted it.  One was going in a day early and staying in a really nice hotel.  I did it anyway, did not tell him, and still stayed within his budget. 

 

The whole process was fun for me and keep me working on something fun and production. Should be a nice trip.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

 

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, bbwex said:

I must be a masochist.

@bbwex LOL, "Yes ma'am/sir, may I have another???"  Anyone that goes on frequent cruise is some level of a masochist.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[shepherd really]

8 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@bbwex LOL, "Yes ma'am/sir, may I have another???"  Anyone that goes on frequent cruise is some level of a masochist.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I just want to thank you for your positive attitude, it is much appreciated.

[Sthrngary]

6 minutes ago, shepherd really said:

I just want to thank you for your positive attitude, it is much appreciated.

@shepherd really How NICE of you to say.  I led a very stressful life and had to force myself not to lash out or be harsh to folks as part of my career.  This led to the love of a way to simply decompress, chill out and lose myself in something other than work.  Cruise were the ticket for me.  I did enjoy my cruises better when there was "No Email", "Telephone Call" or way ANYONE could get to me.  Those were the days.  Now, I am retired and all I look forward to are emails, telephone calls or someone, anyone to visit.  I get a extra beat in my heart when the UPS, USPS or Federal Express person walks by my window.  Gee times do change.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Vineyard View]

46 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Vineyard View No, this is the first time we have gone with this couple.  They are our best friends but always do family things due to the size of their family.  This was our friends wife 70th birthday wish so her husband did what he needed to do to make it happen.  Specifically, he told me a budget that was to low, put the fear of god in me to make it as all inclusive as possible, said "NO" to every single time I made a recommendation  then two months later wanted it.  One was going in a day early and staying in a really nice hotel.  I did it anyway, did not tell him, and still stayed within his budget. 

 

The whole process was fun for me and keep me working on something fun and production. Should be a nice trip.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

 

Well that is a sticky wicket…..and good for you in making this happen. You are truly a good friend 

[ToxM]

Marital unit wants no part of planning for travel, and is a terrible grump until he is in situ on the ship. 

 

I print every stage of the trip so that he understands the process when he takes a begrudging interest at about the month to go mark. I also give him a list of clothing suggestions. He gets one reminder and then I leave him to his own awful packing. He’s a terrible packer, but he is a grown up so his appearance is down to him. 

 

He generally doesn’t even bother to know what ship he is going on til about 2 weeks out. 

 

I on the other hand enjoy every second of the planning process. 

 

I suppose this is why we have a good marriage.

 

 

[Sthrngary]

2 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Well that is a sticky wicket…..and good for you in making this happen. You are truly a good friend 

@Vineyard View I was truly helped by you, and others here on the CruiseCritic.com Oceania Blog. Also, I was helped by Oceania.  This was one of the only times I could take two promotions and use them together.  The Four Category Upgrade was great.  However when the ESE Sale saved both cabins $1800 each, it made everything even easier.  I got lucky is the bottom line. 

 

Funny, my wife just said to me, "Honey, there is no way we can do everything we want to do in Athens. We will be jet lagged and tired.  We need to hire a car to show us around Athens." I fully agree with her.  I will hire the car, and tell my friends the cost when we get in the car.  Worst case is I pay for it.  I would have done it anyway.  What will happen is my guest agree reluctantly.  Just the way things work.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

[Sthrngary]

6 minutes ago, ToxM said:

Marital unit wants no part of planning for travel, and is a terrible grump until he is in situ on the ship. 

 

I print every stage of the trip so that he understands the process when he takes a begrudging interest at about the month to go mark. I also give him a list of clothing suggestions. He gets one reminder and then I leave him to his own awful packing. He’s a terrible packer, but he is a grown up so his appearance is down to him. 

 

He generally doesn’t even bother to know what ship he is going on til about 2 weeks out. 

 

I on the other hand enjoy every second of the planning process. 

 

I suppose this is why we have a good marriage.

 

 

@ToxM Bingo.  Opposites attract.  My wife asked for her luggage from storage in the garage, yesterday.  She does lots of lists.  So for her clothes, she starts 6 weeks in advance.  Yesterday she warned me she was going to get a whole new wardrobe.  My response was, "I will believe it when I see it.  I double dare you to buy all you want."  She talks a good game.  Opposites attract. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[njhorseman]

45 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Now, I am retired and all I look forward to are emails, telephone calls or someone, anyone to visit.  I get a extra beat in my heart when the UPS, USPS or Federal Express person walks by my window

Isn't that the truth!

 

I use the Amazon, UPS and FedEx apps as well as USPS Informed Delivery in order to know when anything is supposed to arrive and then eagerly go outside to retrieve it immediately upon arrival.

 

My wife just asked me "Did I just hear that (the nickname we use for our postal service delivery employee) arrived ?" When I said yes she dashed out to the mailbox, only to face the disappointment of yet again getting nothing but junk mail. 

 

I think she has a Pavlovian conditioned response ever since a check from the State of NJ for almost $1 million intended for our local school district was mistakenly delivered to our house about 30 years ago, buried in a pile of state checks paying her for services she performed for state agencies. Not reading the name and address on the mailing as it looked identical to the other checks, her jaw dropped when she saw the amount...but then looked closely and saw that the check was intended for the school district, which had its offices in the elementary school about two blocks from our home. When she took the check to the school office they looked none too pleased that she had opened it.

 

Edited September 21, 2023 by njhorseman

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

 

AFAIK, and as I confirmed by reading the category amenities on the Oceania website, the PH category only gets a bottle of champagne . Only the top suite categories above PH get a 6 bottle liquor or wine set up.

Yes  that is why I asked  what they meant by their comment

[davencl]

30 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

 

 

Given the quality or lack thereof of the comedians on some of my recent cruises perhaps you should apply for the job?   I would attend your show.  🙂 🙂 

Edited September 21, 2023 by davencl

[Hlitner]

A few years ago I worked with a woman (also a good friend) that was an obsessive travel planner.  She also used Excel, and planned out everyday, minute by minute!  When she took her family to Disney World she even allowed for various waiting times at each attraction.  While her family (DH, DD, and DS) went along with the obsession, it drove them completely nutz.  Finally, after one cruise vacation where she even scheduled wake-up and sleep times, her husband decided to have an "Intervention" involving a confrontation with the entire family.  Our friend did take the hint and now goes along with the crowd, but I am sure she is still trying to internally deal with her obsession.

 

DW and I have been very independent travelers for much of our lives.  We travel and cruise all over the world, and generally do our own thing in most ports and on independent land trips (often with a rental car).  Our technique is to do our pre-trip homework and focus on various options for most days.  But we do not often commit to our actual plans until that same day!  Why?  We adjust our plans to deal with the weather, our moods, whether we are up for a long walk or would prefer using public transit or a rental car, etc.

 

We have preached this "know your options" technique for years.  While it certainly does not work for everyone, it can really make a difference on trips.  There are even some days when we might say, "we are tired and do not want to do anything," and would simply stay on the ship (if on a cruise) or perhaps spend much of the day just sitting in a well-placed outdoor cafe (and people watching).  On our many cruisers, I cannot even count the number of times folks will say to us (often at one of the bars) "we have this long excursion tomorrow and really do not want to spend the day on a bus."  But, of course, they have already paid for the excursion and feel obligated to follow through.

 

Hank

[Sthrngary]

4 minutes ago, davencl said:

Given the quality or lack thereof of the comedians on some of my recent cruises perhaps you should apply for the job?   I would attend your show.  🙂 🙂 

@davencl "Take my wife, Please!" Not this cruise, I really need a vacation.  However, if Oceania makes me an offer, I am IN!!! Now we all know that is not going to happen.  HOWEVER, happy to hold COURT at Martini's, after I had two drinks.  Timing is everything because after the third drink I slur my words.  "One Martini, Two Martini, Three, Martini, FLOOR!"  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. "My set is over, so make sure you tip your service, they need money also.  See you at the midnight show!"

[Sthrngary]

9 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

A few years ago I worked with a woman (also a good friend) that was an obsessive travel planner.  She also used Excel, and planned out everyday, minute by minute!  When she took her family to Disney World she even allowed for various waiting times at each attraction.  While her family (DH, DD, and DS) went along with the obsession, it drove them completely nutz.  Finally, after one cruise vacation where she even scheduled wake-up and sleep times, her husband decided to have an "Intervention" involving a confrontation with the entire family.  Our friend did take the hint and now goes along with the crowd, but I am sure she is still trying to internally deal with her obsession.

 

DW and I have been very independent travelers for much of our lives.  We travel and cruise all over the world, and generally do our own thing in most ports and on independent land trips (often with a rental car).  Our technique is to do our pre-trip homework and focus on various options for most days.  But we do not often commit to our actual plans until that same day!  Why?  We adjust our plans to deal with the weather, our moods, whether we are up for a long walk or would prefer using public transit or a rental car, etc.

 

We have preached this "know your options" technique for years.  While it certainly does not work for everyone, it can really make a difference on trips.  There are even some days when we might say, "we are tired and do not want to do anything," and would simply stay on the ship (if on a cruise) or perhaps spend much of the day just sitting in a well-placed outdoor cafe (and people watching).  On our many cruisers, I cannot even count the number of times folks will say to us (often at one of the bars) "we have this long excursion tomorrow and really do not want to spend the day on a bus."  But, of course, they have already paid for the excursion and feel obligated to follow through.

 

Hank

@Hlitner YOUR plan sounds PERFECT to me.  The key is know your options and if you decide not to do them, it was your decision.  PERFECT!!!

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[nparmelee]

I too am the planner, what I find annoying is the questions from me of "what do you think about....?" Followed by the "just do what you think is best." Then a month later, "why are we doing that?" Have a wonderful time! I know I will on our trip in a month, the other 3 will just have to live with it at that point.