We leave in 24 days and I am getting depressed...

[ava_girl_123]

The excitement and anticipation will be over.. :( I am excited beyond belief to go, but at the same time getting sad knowing it will all be over soon...

I really know I will need to book another as soon as we get back and I already have one in mind for next year.. :p

Just wanted to put that out there..

[Cmx3d]

I am the same way with things (i.e. weekends!). In the midst of it I sit there and am thinking, "this will all be over in a few days and i must go back to reality". But you gotta think positive!!

 

have a great cruise

[luv2gonow]

You have to book another cruise NOW.....so you will enjoy every minute knowing you will be back soon. ;)

Have a great trip.....

[okwriter]

Gail, I was that way with my first cruise!

I was excited to go, but I knew that the months of planning and anticipation were almost over.

Sometimes you just have to yank yourself back to reality and stay in the moment.

If you start feeling sad, keep yourself in the moment by adopting this simple mantra: BE HERE NOW.

 

You're going to have so much fun! Can't wait until you get back and book your next cruise!

[ava_girl_123]

I am the same way with things (i.e. weekends!). In the midst of it I sit there and am thinking, "this will all be over in a few days and i must go back to reality". But you gotta think positive!!

 

have a great cruise

 

 

OMG..I do the exact same thing with the weekends too! I do daycare during the day.. I have my 3 kids and I watch a 2 year old and a 10 year old during the day. So, I am really stuck at home with kids all week. I love the weekends when my DH is home and I do not have any additional kids, but find myself on a Sunday morning feeling sad that the weekend is almost over..:(

 

Yes, I am even more hard pressed to book another when we step off that ship. I am going to buy a FCC and put it to good use within the first week after being home..Thinking it will be the Bermuda Bound Pirates CC Group Cruise next October.. The anticipation is soooo much fun!! :D

[js]

OMG..I do the exact same thing with the weekends too! I do daycare during the day.. I have my 3 kids and I watch a 2 year old and a 10 year old during the day. So, I am really stuck at home with kids all week. I love the weekends when my DH is home and I do not have any additional kids, but find myself on a Sunday morning feeling sad that the weekend is almost over..:(

 

Yes, I am even more hard pressed to book another when we step off that ship. I am going to buy a FCC and put it to good use within the first week after being home..Thinking it will be the Bermuda Bound Pirates CC Group Cruise next October.. The anticipation is soooo much fun!! :D

 

Good for you! You definately have to have another cruise booked (or vacation) to look forward to and plan.

It will help lessen the sad feelings that it will be over too quickly!

Enjoy!

[MamaParrotHead]

OMG..I do the exact same thing with the weekends too! I do daycare during the day.. I have my 3 kids and I watch a 2 year old and a 10 year old during the day. So, I am really stuck at home with kids all week. I love the weekends when my DH is home and I do not have any additional kids, but find myself on a Sunday morning feeling sad that the weekend is almost over..:(

 

Yes, I am even more hard pressed to book another when we step off that ship. I am going to buy a FCC and put it to good use within the first week after being home..Thinking it will be the Bermuda Bound Pirates CC Group Cruise next October.. The anticipation is soooo much fun!! :D

 

I am SO there with you. I do daycare too, and it's hard to explain to someone else how "chained to the house" you feel. For those who work out of the home, it's like, "ooooooh, so glad to be home", but for us, it's "get me the HE!! out of here!". LOL. And I get TOTALLY pissy come Sunday evenings because Monday is around the corner. I've been doing daycare for 10 years, and I've found one of the few things that gets me through is giving myself things to look forward to. Short term (fun day trips for the family or short weekend get aways) AND long term things (liek cruises).

 

What I do is kind of do some recon on the next cruise I have my eye on before we leave. THAT way, I pitch the idea to DH (and any fun friends we've met onboard that we'd like to invite to join us) while he's in "cruise mode" and it normally works like a charm, LOL.

 

Just wanted to chime in to let you know I feel your pain on many levels. ;)

[ava_girl_123]

I am SO there with you. I do daycare too, and it's hard to explain to someone else how "chained to the house" you feel. For those who work out of the home, it's like, "ooooooh, so glad to be home", but for us, it's "get me the HE!! out of here!". LOL. And I get TOTALLY pissy come Sunday evenings because Monday is around the corner. I've been doing daycare for 10 years, and I've found one of the few things that gets me through is giving myself things to look forward to. Short term (fun day trips for the family or short weekend get aways) AND long term things (liek cruises).

 

What I do is kind of do some recon on the next cruise I have my eye on before we leave. THAT way, I pitch the idea to DH (and any fun friends we've met onboard that we'd like to invite to join us) while he's in "cruise mode" and it normally works like a charm, LOL.

 

Just wanted to chime in to let you know I feel your pain on many levels. ;)

 

 

How funny.. "Chained to the house" is an awesome example of the feelings I have.. Yes, like today is Wednesday (hump day) and I am getting excited to be half way done with the week, as most people do I am sure.. But DH doesn't understand what it is like, as like you say, he is happy to get home from work and I am always looking for a way to get out of the house..

 

I have told him about the CC group I am looking at and he already agreed that if we like cruising we can book it for next year..:D

[MamaParrotHead]

How funny.. "Chained to the house" is an awesome example of the feelings I have.. Yes, like today is Wednesday (hump day) and I am getting excited to be half way done with the week, as most people do I am sure.. But DH doesn't understand what it is like, as like you say, he is happy to get home from work and I am always looking for a way to get out of the house..

 

I have told him about the CC group I am looking at and he already agreed that if we like cruising we can book it for next year..:D

 

Trust me, you'll wish you hadn't ever gone in the first place, THAT'S how much you'll like it. I honestly wish I'd never gone, because it's an all-consuming obsession at this point, LOL. For planners like us, just the fact that the main decisions you have to make all day long is what to eat and how long you want to bake in the sun is an AMAZING feeling. Are you taking the kids?

[Chopola]

I felt the same way after our frist cruise last year. The day we had to leave I just sat on my balcony so sad!! But we booked another cruise right away so we could have something to look forward to. I think that is the only way to do it.

[ava_girl_123]

Trust me, you'll wish you hadn't ever gone in the first place, THAT'S how much you'll like it. I honestly wish I'd never gone, because it's an all-consuming obsession at this point, LOL. For planners like us, just the fact that the main decisions you have to make all day long is what to eat and how long you want to bake in the sun is an AMAZING feeling. Are you taking the kids?

 

 

Nope.. This is our 13 year anniversary gift to eachother.. NO KIDS..:D Another couple we know is also going with us for their anniversary too so it will be the 4 of us all on our first cruise.:D

 

I have not left this site in 4 months since we booked. My girlfriend, the one who is also going with her DH and us is like "OMG Gail, I am so happy you found that site, you have soooo much info on the ship, ports, excursions, etc" Lol..

 

As a planner, I LOVE being on vacation as yes, the planning is all done and now I can relax and take it all in..

 

By the way, I AM GOING TO WIN BIG IN THE CASINO.. I plan on it.. :D Hahaha

[MamaParrotHead]

Nope.. This is our 13 year anniversary gift to eachother.. NO KIDS..:D Another couple we know is also going with us for their anniversary too so it will be the 4 of us all on our first cruise.:D

 

I have not left this site in 4 months since we booked. My girlfriend, the one who is also going with her DH and us is like "OMG Gail, I am so happy you found that site, you have soooo much info on the ship, ports, excursions, etc" Lol..

 

As a planner, I LOVE being on vacation as yes, the planning is all done and now I can relax and take it all in..

 

By the way, I AM GOING TO WIN BIG IN THE CASINO.. I plan on it.. :D Hahaha

 

That's fun. DH and I cruised twice sans kiddos and then took them for the first time last cruise, and I have to tell you, it was equally enjoyable with them as without them. Let me know if/when you want to take the kids and I'll share some tips and insight I got here and experience.

 

I forgot another thing...plan on "rolling over" any $$ left in this trip's budget to next trip. It's a fun way to jump start your next vacay fund! :)

[ava_girl_123]

That's fun. DH and I cruised twice sans kiddos and then took them for the first time last cruise, and I have to tell you, it was equally enjoyable with them as without them. Let me know if/when you want to take the kids and I'll share some tips and insight I got here and experience.

 

I forgot another thing...plan on "rolling over" any $$ left in this trip's budget to next trip. It's a fun way to jump start your next vacay fund! :)

 

 

We said this is exactly what we are going to do.. Not knowing what we will spend, we have a very high budget for this cruise.. About $1700 for the week.. I think that will be mmmmoooorrrrreeee then enough $$$ for a week. I have already pre ordered liquor from Bon Voyage, and really are not interested in any of the excursions as we are not in port long enough and we are beach lovers so we want to get off the ship and lounge in the ocean. May do parasailing or the jet skiis but that is it.. I do however gamble, me not DH as much, but I made that budget for approx $50-$75 a day..

Yes, I was looking into doing one with the kids, but my only concern was that they are spread out in ages. I have a 12 year old, an 8 year old and a 4 year old. They will all be spread out all over the ship correct? I would like if my 8 and 4 year old could be together at least. By the time we would go with them, it may be a 14, 10 and 6 year old though..

[js]

I am SO there with you. I do daycare too, and it's hard to explain to someone else how "chained to the house" you feel. For those who work out of the home, it's like, "ooooooh, so glad to be home", but for us, it's "get me the HE!! out of here!". LOL. And I get TOTALLY pissy come Sunday evenings because Monday is around the corner. I've been doing daycare for 10 years, and I've found one of the few things that gets me through is giving myself things to look forward to. Short term (fun day trips for the family or short weekend get aways) AND long term things (liek cruises).

 

What I do is kind of do some recon on the next cruise I have my eye on before we leave. THAT way, I pitch the idea to DH (and any fun friends we've met onboard that we'd like to invite to join us) while he's in "cruise mode" and it normally works like a charm, LOL.

 

Just wanted to chime in to let you know I feel your pain on many levels. ;)

 

MamaParrotHead, I just asked you a question on the Rotan thread regarding Tabayana/Mahogany Bay. No one is answering me and you're my last hope LOL

 

You are correct, you always have to have a cruise booked or ready to book to get you through the depressing. That is how I feel about cruises and Disney. I always need to have an idea of when I am going. It's never too early to plan!

[hockeyluver]

The excitement and anticipation will be over.. :( I am excited beyond belief to go, but at the same time getting sad knowing it will all be over soon...

I really know I will need to book another as soon as we get back and I already have one in mind for next year.. :p

Just wanted to put that out there..

 

see thats it right there.... you have the post cruise depression precruise, the only cure is to book your next one now, YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS HAVE ONE BOOKED :D:D that is the only cure!!! Thats my story and im sticking to it :)

[MamaParrotHead]

We said this is exactly what we are going to do.. Not knowing what we will spend, we have a very high budget for this cruise.. About $1700 for the week.. I think that will be mmmmoooorrrrreeee then enough $$$ for a week. I have already pre ordered liquor from Bon Voyage, and really are not interested in any of the excursions as we are not in port long enough and we are beach lovers so we want to get off the ship and lounge in the ocean. May do parasailing or the jet skiis but that is it.. I do however gamble, me not DH as much, but I made that budget for approx $50-$75 a day..

 

Yes, I was looking into doing one with the kids, but my only concern was that they are spread out in ages. I have a 12 year old, an 8 year old and a 4 year old. They will all be spread out all over the ship correct? I would like if my 8 and 4 year old could be together at least. By the time we would go with them, it may be a 14, 10 and 6 year old though..

 

Well, it depends, actually. Sometimes, on sea days, the different age groups meet in different places for different activities. And then the older kiddo would be in Circle C, and that's a bit more "relaxed"...more like just a place where the kids can hang out and come and go as they please. Usually in the evenings, except during the "late night party", the other two would be in the Camp area (in their respective age groups). Though most likely during the "late night babysitting hours" they'd be together. They keep the kids so busy, though, that they probably wouldn't notice after a while that they weren't together. My kids LOVED Camp...begged to go at every opportunity.

 

I'm not one that feels the need to take my kids everywhere at every opportunity, I figure at this point I've all ready spent more time with them than most working-out-of-the-home parents do in their kids' entire childhoods...especially when they were younger (they're 7 and 10 now). But I have to admit that cruising with kids is an enjoyable mixture of adult time and family time. Before, the only reason I wanted to get off the ship was because I missed my kids. Now that I have them with me, I really have no motivation to get off AT ALL, LOL.

[MamaParrotHead]

MamaParrotHead, I just asked you a question on the Rotan thread regarding Tabayana/Mahogany Bay. No one is answering me and you're my last hope LOL

 

You are correct, you always have to have a cruise booked or ready to book to get you through the depressing. That is how I feel about cruises and Disney. I always need to have an idea of when I am going. It's never too early to plan!

 

Gotcha covered. Answered. ;)

[MiamiSpartan]

As we get to the less than one week countdown, he always says that he wishes the cruise was 2-3 weeks away, so we can anticipate it longer...!

:confused::)

[MiamiSpartan]

That's fun. DH and I cruised twice sans kiddos and then took them for the first time last cruise, and I have to tell you, it was equally enjoyable with them as without them. Let me know if/when you want to take the kids and I'll share some tips and insight I got here and experience.

 

I forgot another thing...plan on "rolling over" any $$ left in this trip's budget to next trip. It's a fun way to jump start your next vacay fund! :)

 

What is this "$$ left in the trip's budget" you speak about???

:D:D:D:D

[ava_girl_123]

Well, it depends, actually. Sometimes, on sea days, the different age groups meet in different places for different activities. And then the older kiddo would be in Circle C, and that's a bit more "relaxed"...more like just a place where the kids can hang out and come and go as they please. Usually in the evenings, except during the "late night party", the other two would be in the Camp area (in their respective age groups). Though most likely during the "late night babysitting hours" they'd be together. They keep the kids so busy, though, that they probably wouldn't notice after a while that they weren't together. My kids LOVED Camp...begged to go at every opportunity.

 

I'm not one that feels the need to take my kids everywhere at every opportunity, I figure at this point I've all ready spent more time with them than most working-out-of-the-home parents do in their kids' entire childhoods...especially when they were younger (they're 7 and 10 now). But I have to admit that cruising with kids is an enjoyable mixture of adult time and family time. Before, the only reason I wanted to get off the ship was because I missed my kids. Now that I have them with me, I really have no motivation to get off AT ALL, LOL.

 

 

So my oldest may be alone but the 2 younger ones would be in the same area if I am understanding your correctly? I was also thinking about doing one next summer with the whole family and friends of ours who also have kids around the same age.. My DH bosses wife told me that they had to beg their daughter to come hang out with them while they were on a cruise with her.

 

It is something that we will do if we like cruising without a doubt. They really watch over the kids right? I am so afraid of one of them going overboard God forbid.. How do they keep track of them? Bracelets? Like, I don't want to drop them off and them be allowed to just leave when they want to. A parent has to come get them correct? I mean, my oldest I wouldn't worry about as again he will most likely be 13 or 14, but my little ones would worry me though..

 

And I get what you mean about being with them. I have been given the blessing of being able to stay at home with them since they were all little, so I was not in any rush to book this cruise with them, though I am thinking by all the positives I hear that it would be a nice change from our normal family beach vacation and such..DH had a heart attack in December so this vacation is a much needed one for relaxation time together..

[MamaParrotHead]

So my oldest may be alone but the 2 younger ones would be in the same area if I am understanding your correctly? I was also thinking about doing one next summer with the whole family and friends of ours who also have kids around the same age.. My DH bosses wife told me that they had to beg their daughter to come hang out with them while they were on a cruise with her.

 

It is something that we will do if we like cruising without a doubt. They really watch over the kids right? I am so afraid of one of them going overboard God forbid.. How do they keep track of them? Bracelets? Like, I don't want to drop them off and them be allowed to just leave when they want to. A parent has to come get them correct? I mean, my oldest I wouldn't worry about as again he will most likely be 13 or 14, but my little ones would worry me though..

 

And I get what you mean about being with them. I have been given the blessing of being able to stay at home with them since they were all little, so I was not in any rush to book this cruise with them, though I am thinking by all the positives I hear that it would be a nice change from our normal family beach vacation and such..DH had a heart attack in December so this vacation is a much needed one for relaxation time together..

 

The oldest would be in his/her own area...they have a separate lounge for that age. The younger two would both be in the Camp area, but they separate the groups into the different age groups. My two are pretty tight, but were in separate groups some of the time and were fine with it.

 

Before cruising with our kids, we were on the "every other year" cruising plan. One year we'd cruise just us with friends, the next summer we'd take a big family vacation somewhere with the kids. Then we gave them the choice, "Disney or cruise?" and they picked cruise (THANK THE LORD). And they are just as hooked as we are. So now, it's family cruises for everyone from here on out for the forseeable future. I figure, if we go every 18 months or so (which is about what our budget allows...airfare from the midwest to FL for four is a bit steep), I'll still only have like 4 or 5 more vacations until my oldest will be gone and/or doing her own thing, so I'm making the most of it while I can.

 

Our last cruise, when we took the kids, we actually had a group of 50 friends and family. From ages 2-86, and I'm telling you, everyone had a blast. Even some of the more "high maintenance" kids rolled with the punches and were GREAT.

 

They watch the kids really well. I mean, they really aren't on the upper decks outside at all, to my knowledge. Even on the Lido, the walls are all glass (on the ships I've been on anyway) so no chance of them going overboard. The only places on the ships, that I've seen, that have the railings are Deck 3 (outside the Guest Information/Purser's Desk) and Deck 10 and above. The kids all wear nametags when they're in Camp. And for the younger kids' parents (and my son, because he has some severe food allergies/asthma) all have phones/pagers, so if there's a problem, they contact you. Age 10 is when they're allowed to sign themselves out, if you permit them, but I personally don't allow my daughter to do it. Maybe when she's a teenager, but not before. It's a really smooth operation, and the kids just love it.

[ava_girl_123]

The oldest would be in his/her own area...they have a separate lounge for that age. The younger two would both be in the Camp area, but they separate the groups into the different age groups. My two are pretty tight, but were in separate groups some of the time and were fine with it.

 

Before cruising with our kids, we were on the "every other year" cruising plan. One year we'd cruise just us with friends, the next summer we'd take a big family vacation somewhere with the kids. Then we gave them the choice, "Disney or cruise?" and they picked cruise (THANK THE LORD). And they are just as hooked as we are. So now, it's family cruises for everyone from here on out for the forseeable future. I figure, if we go every 18 months or so (which is about what our budget allows...airfare from the midwest to FL for four is a bit steep), I'll still only have like 4 or 5 more vacations until my oldest will be gone and/or doing her own thing, so I'm making the most of it while I can.

 

Our last cruise, when we took the kids, we actually had a group of 50 friends and family. From ages 2-86, and I'm telling you, everyone had a blast. Even some of the more "high maintenance" kids rolled with the punches and were GREAT.

 

They watch the kids really well. I mean, they really aren't on the upper decks outside at all, to my knowledge. Even on the Lido, the walls are all glass (on the ships I've been on anyway) so no chance of them going overboard. The only places on the ships, that I've seen, that have the railings are Deck 3 (outside the Guest Information/Purser's Desk) and Deck 10 and above. The kids all wear nametags when they're in Camp. And for the younger kids' parents (and my son, because he has some severe food allergies/asthma) all have phones/pagers, so if there's a problem, they contact you. Age 10 is when they're allowed to sign themselves out, if you permit them, but I personally don't allow my daughter to do it. Maybe when she's a teenager, but not before. It's a really smooth operation, and the kids just love it.

 

 

Thanks for all of the info.. It is something we will absolutely look into for our next family vacations.. :D

[DragonMouse]

I almost thought you were going to be on my "cruise" I was thinking we could have the "Drink of the Day" and console each other but...I have 26 days...I'm looking forward to it but trying not to think too much...

 

There was an old song by Roger Whittaker (I know NOBODY'S ever heard of him...)..."The first time that we said hello became our last goodbye". Sigh...I just wish "VA-CA-TION" would last till my "Carters wear out".

[ava_girl_123]

I almost thought you were going to be on my "cruise" I was thinking we could have the "Drink of the Day" and console each other but...I have 26 days...I'm looking forward to it but trying not to think too much...

 

There was an old song by Roger Whittaker (I know NOBODY'S ever heard of him...)..."The first time that we said hello became our last goodbye". Sigh...I just wish "VA-CA-TION" would last till my "Carters wear out".

 

 

Lol..:D

[valancy1]

We saved so much money originally budgeted from our very first cruise, we went on a cruise 2 months later for Thanksgiving... paid for within a couple hundred dollars from our saved cruise $$$.

 

We didn't scrimp either. We just didn't spend it all. More money for cruising again! YAY us. We had such a good time ... on BOTH cruises!!