GeneralPorpoise

There was another thread very similar to this, and I will re-post my response to it over here. I hope it will be helpful to you! :)

I used to suffer from this a lot. Not just for cruises, but any vacation. I'd get sad and feel regret for all the things I didn't do on the trip.

I just got off the NCL Bliss at the end of July and I had a blast, but surprisingly I didn't have those same feelings of depression and regret when I left. The secret, I find, is just to be present in every moment. Depression is caused by thinking about the past or wanting to be "there" when you are "here." Accepting the present, as well as facing and letting go any "negative" emotions you feel is really beneficial. I've been doing a lot of meditating the past few months and it really helps! I think it's the reason I did so well getting off my cruise this time.

Realize that everything happens for a reason, and there is still many more exciting things to come. We are far more than our form and this world of form, and getting caught up in memories distracts us from what is really important. Be present and let go of thoughts that no longer serve you.

I wish you peace, friend! And I hope you enjoy your next adventure.

I love going to all the goofy game shows and doing the trivia games. If there are dance classes or dance parties, I like to attend those as well. Sometimes there are crafting classes, which are also fun.

Getting in a few rounds of ping-pong, lounging on the deck, or looking for sea life are other favorite pastimes. Every single time I have cruised to Alaska, I always see at least one sunfish on the "at sea" days. Whales and jellyfish are other common sights!

My family has been wanting to do a back-to-back cruise on different cruise lines. We were thinking of doing a one-way up to Alaska on one line, then a one-way back down on another line, if such a thing is possible. That way we could experience two different ships and cruise lines. :)

I am not sure if that still counts as a back-to-back cruise, though.

I used to suffer from this a lot. Not just for cruises, but any vacation. I'd get sad and feel regret for all the things I didn't do on the trip.

I just got off the NCL Bliss last week and I had a blast, but surprisingly I didn't have those same feelings of depression and regret when I left. The secret, I find, is just to be present in every moment. Depression is caused by thinking about the past or wanting to be "there" when you are "here." Accepting the present, as well as facing and letting go any "negative" emotions you feel is really beneficial. I've been doing a lot of meditating the past few months and it really helps! I think it's the reason I did so well getting off my cruise this time.

Realize that everything happens for a reason, and there is still many more exciting things to come. We are far more than our form and this world of form, and getting caught up in memories distracts us from what is really important.

Thank you for all the info, everyone! I appreciate it.

I will definitely post on this forum if I have more questions before my next cruise! :)

You can tip whomever you wish. We have tipped in cash the ice cream girl in the buffet (she was so sweet, every night smiling at us - my husband had to have his ice cream every night!), and one of the omelette makers one time. He was fabulous and knew my husband's order as soon as he saw us in line.

 

Of course, a tip and a glowing review would be a great way to say you have appreciated someone's effort. For future reference, you can always get a blank envelope or two at the Guest Relations desk and then write a note with your cash tip and give it to your intended crew member. It will make his or her day. :) BUT - it is not required or even expected, so not to worry.

Thanks for the helpful insights! This is good to know, and I will definitely keep it in mind for my next cruise, as I would love to help out those who go the extra mile.

Here I have been on 4 cruises, and yet I am still quite a newbie, it seems. :p

Thank you for the response! That's a relief to hear. I am glad that what I was able to do at the time will still benefit him!

So I have two questions, and I hope it is okay to have them in the same thread!

I just got off the NCL Bliss on a trip to Alaska last week. On the ship, the assistant Maitre d', Abhay, was incredibly kind, helpful and accommodating. He went way above and beyond our expectations and everyone in my party made sure to write him a glowing review on the "Who is your vacation hero?" card.

Once I got home, I was reading an article about gratuities and tipping on board and came across something that said it is expected to tip people who are particularly helpful to you, such as a bartender, etc. I did not know this while I was on the ship. I pre-paid my gratuities before the trip and tipped my cabin steward $20 on the last day, but I didn't know you even could tip other crew members. I am now feeling really guilty about not tipping the Assistant Maitre d'. Was it wrong of me to only write him a review? Or would he get part of the pre-paid gratuities somehow? If not, is there a way to remedy this and send him a tip well after getting off the ship? I feel really bad for not thinking about this before. :loudcry:

My second question: A few years ago when I took a cruise on the NCL Pearl, they had a board with all the cruise director staff's photos and names. Unfortunately, I did not see such a board on the Bliss. There was only one for officers. Is there a reason that the cruise staff's names and photos are no longer shared? Or did I just miss it somehow?

Thanks so much to everyone!