Mike981 Posted January 10 #1 Share Posted January 10 As my wonderful wife and I get ready to set sail in a few days, I started thinking of how a lot of energy in our early cruises was spent worrying if we will "fit in." Don't be like Mike, you be you. Trust this semi-old guy, almost everybody is going to be into doing their own thing, and not thinking about you. If you do come across someone that does not play nice, smile and walk away. Even a 'small' ship is huge, there are lots of places to make a day home. And I can almost guarantee you that when other passengers find out that this is your first cruise, they will love to share all of their wisdom. Cruising is so different from most of our lives, it can be hard to make the leap. Just know the cruise lines want you to have a great time so you come back again and again, so they make it easy for you to have a good time. You will be fine, it's your vacation, have fun. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted January 10 #2 Share Posted January 10 Same can be said for all travel. They say to try to blend in, don't stand out. It's all hogwash in my opinion. The first time I open my mouth to say a greeting, no matter what country or even US State I may visit, it's going to be obvious I'm not a local. The minute I pick up my knife and fork in Europe, the locals know I'm not from around there. You're a tourist. Accept that. That doesn't mean to let your guard down. Always be aware of your surroundings and maybe watch a few YouTube videos to find out what the local scammers are doing to try to separate you from your money. But, like Mike said, be you. Have fun, meet new people, be respectful and gracious and maybe try a new dish that you never thought you would. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy8 Posted January 10 #3 Share Posted January 10 We all were First Timers once in the past, my experience was 53 years ago. And my DW was 42 years ago. We enjoy each and every Sailing meeting "Newbies" on board or on a Roll Call to exchange ideas, suggestions and comments. We are so blessed to have built relationships online and zoom to this day even with Crew Members. Each sailing also sometimes turns into an adventures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike981 Posted January 11 Author #4 Share Posted January 11 6 hours ago, klfrodo said: maybe try a new dish that you never thought you would. My daughter is a little more adventurous like me. When our family would cruise on Carnival they have that menu area something like "have you ever" and it was fun to pick a couple of dishes and then share. I can't remember many of the items, but I believe there was tongue and ox tail. She was in here early teens and now at 28 she is still adventurous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted January 11 #5 Share Posted January 11 I can't imagine wasting energy worrying about what others are thinking about me. “You'll worry less about what people think about you when you realize how seldom they do.” ― David Foster Wallace 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy8 Posted January 11 #6 Share Posted January 11 2 hours ago, Mike981 said: My daughter is a little more adventurous like me. When our family would cruise on Carnival they have that menu area something like "have you ever" and it was fun to pick a couple of dishes and then share. I can't remember many of the items, but I believe there was tongue and ox tail. She was in here early teens and now at 28 she is still adventurous. WOW, those were two items introduced to me in my childhood. Now in NYC you can't afford those dishes so expensive. Back then they were cheap to buy. We always like to try new dishes that we wouldn't think of cooking at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CDNPolar Posted January 12 #7 Share Posted January 12 You be you is the only way to live. There is NO advantage to being something or someone that you are not. (But, I do say that there are times and places that you may have to tone down who you are a bit....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clackey Posted January 12 #8 Share Posted January 12 Be yourself. You will probably never see these people again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z'Loth Posted January 12 #9 Share Posted January 12 I disagree. There are some key words to remember on a cruise, among them "please", "thank you", "yes sir", and"no ma'am"among them. A little bit of patience helps too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted January 13 #10 Share Posted January 13 I would hope that "you be you" does not mean good manners would be ignored. If you being you includes being grumpy, rude, and constantly complaining about everything around you, then please don't be you. 🙂 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlawrence01 Posted January 22 #11 Share Posted January 22 (edited) On 1/10/2024 at 7:26 PM, BklynBoy8 said: WOW, those were two items introduced to me in my childhood. Now in NYC you can't afford those dishes so expensive. Back then they were cheap to buy. We always like to try new dishes that we wouldn't think of cooking at home. You make a good point. I would like to add that MANY of the dishes that you are served in the MDR and NOT dishes that many modern chefs have made since they left culinary school. I take pictures of a lot of the dishes on board so that I can duplicate a lot of them in my home kitchen. Some of the combinations are really great and not ones that I would have thought of (Heart of palm, Phillipine Mango and Florida avocado salad on HAL). Edited January 22 by jlawrence01 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted January 23 #12 Share Posted January 23 On 1/10/2024 at 4:02 PM, Mike981 said: My daughter is a little more adventurous like me. When our family would cruise on Carnival they have that menu area something like "have you ever" and it was fun to pick a couple of dishes and then share. I can't remember many of the items, but I believe there was tongue and ox tail. She was in here early teens and now at 28 she is still adventurous. Oh praise be 🙂 !!!!!! Eating local food is one of my very favorite things to do. On the ship and especially in ports. Give your daughter my congratulations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy8 Posted January 23 #13 Share Posted January 23 22 hours ago, jlawrence01 said: You make a good point. I would like to add that MANY of the dishes that you are served in the MDR and NOT dishes that many modern chefs have made since they left culinary school. I take pictures of a lot of the dishes on board so that I can duplicate a lot of them in my home kitchen. Some of the combinations are really great and not ones that I would have thought of (Heart of palm, Phillipine Mango and Florida avocado salad on HAL). Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy8 Posted January 23 #14 Share Posted January 23 32 minutes ago, clo said: Oh praise be 🙂 !!!!!! Eating local food is one of my very favorite things to do. On the ship and especially in ports. Give your daughter my congratulations. We enjoy the Greenhouse in St Tom and Martin with the same menus. Learn of it from the crew members we know on board. Great Local food like Conch..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z'Loth Posted January 23 #15 Share Posted January 23 As a general rule when traveling, I avoid the chain restaurants that are readily available in my area such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Carl's Jr/Hardees. or Taco Bell, and prefer the local restaurants. I broke this rule when in FLL when I wanted to try the local PDQ Chicken in Fort Lauderdale, but the dining room was closed, so I ended up at a Panda Express where I haven't gone to in years. Same with the MDR. I will try some meals that I normally would not choose because of the expense or rarity such as duck or some preparations of the chicken. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted January 23 #16 Share Posted January 23 On 1/13/2024 at 1:00 PM, ldubs said: I would hope that "you be you" does not mean good manners would be ignored. If you being you includes being grumpy, rude, and constantly complaining about everything around you, then please don't be you. 🙂 Exactly —- when you are among others, it is a good idea to follow that old kindergarten mantra: “play nicely with others”. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted January 23 #17 Share Posted January 23 5 hours ago, Z'Loth said: As a general rule when traveling, I avoid the chain restaurants that are readily available in my area such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Carl's Jr/Hardees. or Taco Bell, and prefer the local restaurants. I broke this rule when in FLL when I wanted to try the local PDQ Chicken in Fort Lauderdale, but the dining room was closed, so I ended up at a Panda Express where I haven't gone to in years. Same with the MDR. I will try some meals that I normally would not choose because of the expense or rarity such as duck or some preparations of the chicken. After enough time on the road and trying the local cuisine, sometimes, I just want some comfort food. Something I'm more accustomed to. I was just in Paris. While I enjoyed much of the food and wine while there, I just had to run into Popeyes Chicken across the street from Gard Du Nord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z'Loth Posted January 23 #18 Share Posted January 23 3 hours ago, klfrodo said: After enough time on the road and trying the local cuisine, sometimes, I just want some comfort food. Something I'm more accustomed to. I was just in Paris. While I enjoyed much of the food and wine while there, I just had to run into Popeyes Chicken across the street from Gard Du Nord. That is completely understandable, and I did say "local restaurants", not "local cuisine". And, you did state that you were there for a while. What bothers me is when someone travels to a different region and beelines it to a MickeyDees. (I might make an exception if I ever travel to Maine). In my two cruises to the Carribean, I did notice multiple Burger Kings and KFCs, but rarely a McDonalds. Haven't been in one though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted January 28 #19 Share Posted January 28 (edited) On 1/23/2024 at 3:49 PM, Z'Loth said: That is completely understandable, and I did say "local restaurants", not "local cuisine". And, you did state that you were there for a while. What bothers me is when someone travels to a different region and beelines it to a MickeyDees. (I might make an exception if I ever travel to Maine). In my two cruises to the Carribean, I did notice multiple Burger Kings and KFCs, but rarely a McDonalds. Haven't been in one though. Where someone who I don't even know wants to eat doesn't bother me at all. For those who beeline to the fast food places, I suspect it is mostly about convenience and familiarity. In the spirit of you be you, I guess they are being them. 🙂 Edited January 28 by ldubs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z'Loth Posted January 29 #20 Share Posted January 29 On 1/27/2024 at 9:10 PM, ldubs said: Where someone who I don't even know wants to eat doesn't bother me at all. For those who beeline to the fast food places, I suspect it is mostly about convenience and familiarity. In the spirit of you be you, I guess they are being them. 🙂 Shrug. It's their money and digestive system. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlawrence01 Posted January 30 #21 Share Posted January 30 On 1/27/2024 at 8:10 PM, ldubs said: Where someone who I don't even know wants to eat doesn't bother me at all. For those who beeline to the fast food places, I suspect it is mostly about convenience and familiarity. In the spirit of you be you, I guess they are being them. 🙂 Heading to a US based fast food chain in the Caribbean is a strong guarantee that you will find decent WIFI. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katherine_Allen Posted February 6 #22 Share Posted February 6 (edited) Hello! Eeverybody hope you all doing well 😀 This katherine and I have keen interest in traavelling around the world and explore and now want to take a cruise journey. I'm really excited being the part of the community so let's connect and share are thoughts and experiences with each other. Edited February 6 by Katherine_Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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