Jump to content

Planning Process - Half the Fun!!!


JanetMarie
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi gang ~

Does anyone feel like I do, that the planning process, the list making, the shopping, etc. is all a part of the fun process of cruising? While the cruise itself is absolutely awesome ;), for me, I find that the months of planning your clothes or even which airline to fly, are fun. For the ladies on the board, I know that you can relate to the various lists ;) that we create. Also, when we return from cruising, the process begins again for me. We scour through the brochures and decide on our next cruise, and hence, the "planning" begins. It also helps to minimize the little bit of depression that sets in when you disembark the ship, only to return to cold New England.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I totally agree with you!

 

I'm the "travel agent" for my family. In 2001 I planned a trip for 17 to Sedona, AZ for 10 days. (Couldn't convince them then to take a cruise). But this time around, I finally got what *I* truly wanted......a cruise!

 

I do all the planning for the entire family. They just gave me credit card numbers and I take care of the whole thing. I LOVE the planning process. I even did everyone's online documentation (it's only 13 this trip......little sis and family think a cruise would be "boring" - fools!!)

 

I've got more lists than I know what to do with. Cabin numbers for everyone, so they know where everyone else is staying, what to bring, what NOT to bring (NO walkie talkies!!). The family has come to depend on me to take care of every detail (I had to laugh, because we leave in 3 weeks and my sister said to me last week.....what cruise line are we taking?). I surf every night looking for more info to share with them. And the best part of it? THEY think I'm "working so hard" that they usually buy me a gift to thank me! In AZ they got me a spa day........sure hope I get some spa time on the Zenith!!

:-D

Happy Cruising everyone!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can agree, too! My mom always says I'm happiest when I'm planning a big project. I planned to get married, then planned to have a baby and another, and now I plan several HUGE vacations a year. I enjoy it very much. I love researching which ship, itinerary and shore excursions. It gives me something to do with my time but its a rather expensive hobby :) Oh well, its fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am also the planner in the family. it is just my DH and I and I find out cruises that I think would be interesting, then ask him; sometimes he says nah but most of the time he goes along with the plan. What is really neat is to have 1 cruise already in the works (this Oct. on the Sapphire) and put down a deposit on a future cruise next Feb. to the carribbean. Heck I am already thinking about going back to Alaska even though we have been there twice but there is just something about the place that we like. We have been very fortunate in doing two cruises a year. Heck I have all sorts of ideas about future cruises.

 

Happy sailing.

 

 

Marilyn:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the past we have cruised with another couple. After booking one cruise, almost a year in advance, we wondered how to deal with the long anticipation. It was decided that each couple, on a monthly rotating basis, would host a cruise themed gathering on the day of the month the ship was to depart.

 

We had great fun after dinner one evening, ice carving in their garage. On another occasion, during dinner, a surprise announcement had us going to our designated areas to put on life jackets for a lifeboat drill. We've enjoyed napkin folding, and a "shore excursion" to an area casino to sharpen our gaming skills.

 

Whatever you do to pass the time before your ship sails, I hope you enjoy both the anticipation,the cruise itself, and then the anticipation of the next one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would also agree that the planning is very fun. I am currently planning the cruise for me, dh, bil, and sil. Next year however, it is going to be a cruise for at least 17 adults, and possibly 5 kiddos. I hope it goes well! I am not even really going to think about it until after the current cruise!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good to find this message board! As soon as I got back from my last cruise, I too started researching the next one. I was looking up past-cruiser deals, last minute deals, etc. Now I am going on a short (sniff-sniff) Disney cruise with my niece. I found, lost and started a message board listing things to take with you on a cruise. I read it everyday, but I think we have EVERYTHING covered, from Duct tape to flashlights, to cup holders, etc. There have not been many new additions. (sigh).

 

I also like to plan pre-cruise excursions, which streeeetch out my need to plan plan plan!

 

Glad to know I am not CRAZY!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes!! I agree!! We start list. Check various web sites over and over to organize more.

Then as it gets closer we have list, check web sites and make a speedsheet of items and xclothes. This way we dont over pack and try to remember what jewelry etc goes with what. I know its sad. But we love it.

Brenda and Bob

10/17/04 Explorer of the Seas

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And then what I do about 3 weeks from the cruise, is I take our clothes and place them on the bed in one of our other bedrooms. I peruse through them over those couple of weeks, adding or subtracting outfits. I try to not overpack, and I have found that this is the best way, for me, to do this in my "Planning Process." ;) ;) ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 pair??????????? :eek:

I know you're being funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

For me, for a week long cruise, I take my Birkies, sneaks, black shoes for evening, a low heal sandle for daytime, and MAYBE another pair. Oh, and slippers, too. The washable kind, afterall, when you get back home, who wants to be paddling around on your carpets after wearing slippers in cabin!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read somewhere that someone had a 3 ring binder with dividers all marked out for different aspects of their cruise ie: precruise, hotel, excursions, etc. and I thought, "oh i'll never get that bad"..........well guess who just a bought a giant 3ring binder and all the dividers. I am planning this trip for my family of 5, plus 3 other family members who have never cruised before. I want it to run as smoothly for them as it did for us on our first cruise earlier this year. My family laughed at me because of all my lists and planning before the first cruise and now all they say is how well organized my cruise planning is and how I made the first cruise so worry free for them.......but i know i wouldn't have gotten anywhere without all you CC friends!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK maybe that is too much. (I was joking). But I was thinking flip flops and/or water shoes, flat sandals, higher heeled sandals, sneakers and slippers? Maybe no sneakers. Just flat sandals.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Manreeya: Much better!!! Much better!!

 

I also have a "list" or two on my computer. For cruises, I have a certain list of items to bring, such as binocs, post it note pads, highlighter (for the Patter), etc. Another list is for our camping excursions, etc.

 

Lists!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With just over a month to go our excitement is building daily, new Tux arrived today (Thank You EBAY!) plus we are spending 4 days at the Empress before catching the Summit to Alaska. So we are packing for 2 trips, Victoria then the Summit, and I thought I was crazy with 4 pairs of shoes... maybe not for a guy. Hmmm are my western boots OK with my Tux? One thing added to out list was those battery operated tap-on lights for out on the balcony, good idea? Are candles allowed? And somebody got a pair of binoculers for their B-Day, the kind with a digital camera built in which I thought was a pretty cool pre-cruise present. We are after all first time cruisers and will probably bring way too many clothes, shoes and souveniers! But thanks to you all we're getting some great ideas, duct tape... who would have thunk it.

Kevin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kevbear ~ have fun on your upcoming vaca, but NO candles in the cabins!!! Just imagine the ship rolling and the candle rolling and, well, it would surely create a hazard. :mad: We have taken a couple of bridge tours and found out something interesting about the sprinkler system. Each hallway is divided into zones. If there is a fire in your cabin, several of the surrounding cabins sprinklers would be activated. The bridge also has the ability to close those doors that you see always propped open in the hallways. It's really, really interesting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK so no candles for the jacuzzi, flashlights??? Hmmm kinda like summer camp!

 

I guess my battery operated lights idea was OK then... Do they have lights on your balcony? Someone mentioned bringing a string of party lights so there must be a plug outside? Or is that more a Carnie cruise thing then an X?

 

Kevin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with loving planning..i kind of drive my hubby nuts. we went to disney 2 years ago and my sister told me about the disboards and i learned somuch from them that we went from a days inn room with 3 teenage boys..yuck..to a rental house i learned about online..it was the greatest vacation ever. and i got major brownie points with all the "guys" when we got there, our own screened in pool and everything. I am so glad i found this site cause this will be my first cruise and even though i am going with my sister who has cruised before..i am learning somuch here. thanks everyone for all the tips

Link to comment
Share on other sites

janetmarie

 

 

i agree with you all the way about the fun of planning for the cruise. today is my birthday and i am going to buy myself something for the trip at a mall i normally dont travel too. i dont know exactly what it will be but when i see something that just '' grabs '' me i will pick it up. i spend hours on the net, looking through the brochures and just talking here on the boards about everything and all that is connected with the fun of the days at sea and on the shore. it sure makes the time go by faster and i feel that i have streched out the trip by having months of pre-planning and fantasizing about what i will do while i am gone. so lets just keep daydreaming and have a great time before we go :D.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dusty ~ "Happy Birthday to You!!!" Hope you had a fantastic day!

Right now I am planning two cruises, and I am having so much fun. I check and recheck pricing on the internet, etc. My DH just shakes his head and says, "If that makes you happy....then I support you." ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

janetmarie--- 2 cruises???? i am so envious :).

just tell the hubbie you are normall and you will be a happy camper being in front of the computer all the time. where are you planning on going and what ship??

thanks for the birthday wishes. i had a wonderful day and got lots of great buys. i am a purse phanatic and picked up a great one really cheap. so it was a good shopping day. keep planning and be here with us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...