First Cruise Nerves - What to do with the time?

[TravelinGert]

I'm real nervous about too much time on a ship because I love to go see and do when I travel. I'm thinking the time on the ship will be about like being trapped in a hotel for the duration. Lots of stuff you could do such as a spa treatment or a swim, but most of it costs extra, and if it doesn't cost extra, it is crazy crowded. To make it worse, I think gambling is the most boring thing ever.

 

My usual thing while traveling is to spend the least time in the hotel as possible. I'm usually first in line the moment breakfast service opens and out. I've looked at the options, and I really can't figure out what in the world anyone does with all that time on the ship. That said, my Dear One has heart set on a cruise, so I'll have to make the best of it.

 

The two options we're deciding between:

 

A Norwegian cruise leaving Copenhagen by way of the Azores and St Thomas ending in Miami, or the Queen Mary II NYC to Southhampton.

 

I can't decide if it sounds better to take the longer since at least it will be broken up with stops, or if I could better handle the Queen Mary. Maybe if some of you tell me what in the world you do with all that time?

[paul929207]

If you dread sea days, why pick a transatlantic for the first cruise?

 

As to what to do, each ship publishes a daily schedule of activities. It is delivered to your cabin each evening. I could tell you what I like to do, but that will only be a small portion of what's available. Check the section for the lines you are considering and see if some has posted or will post some of these so you get an idea of what might be offered on your cruise.

[Keith1010]

If you don't like sea days then I would not do the QM2.

 

I would go with one with ports.

 

Keith

[Gunner22aa]

If you think you are going to be bored on sea days then you want to take a port intensive cruise where you never have more than a day or so between stops. The last cruise you want to take is a TA because all you will have is sea days less the start and the finish. I love sea days and never get bored. Our next cruise has 18 of them.

[aquilegia]

There are far more free activities on a cruise ship than you've mentioned.

 

Like paul929207, I am perplexed by your cruise choices. You're afraid you'll be bored on the ship, yet you're considering one cruise where you'll be on board for the entire voyage and another which, while it has a few ports, is quite a long cruise with a lot of sea days.

 

Why don't you take, say, a Caribbean cruise where you'll have lots of ports to visit. Then, if you find you like cruising (and most people do) you can take one with more sea days next time.

[tak81288]

If you think you are going to be bored on sea days then you want to take a port intensive cruise where you never have more than a day or so between stops. The last cruise you want to take is a TA because all you will have is sea days less the start and the finish.

 

I agree with this statement. I personally hate sea days, so only take cruises with tons of ports and very little sea days.

 

With that being said, there you will get an newsletter everday telling you what is going on around the ship. There may be cooking demostrations, lectures, games that don't costs anything extra...etc...If none of that seems to interest you, I would bring something to where you can entertain yourself for those down times. (A laptop, Ipad, Kindle...etc)...

 

I would rethink your choices though. Maybe look at a Carribbean cruise with only a couple of sea days, Alaska, a port intensive

Mediterranean...etc..This way you will get the best of both worlds. You can see what cruising is all about but at the same time have tons of ports to visit and not be on the ship for too long.

Good Luck!

[MrsNancyG]

I think its really hard to be bored onboard. :D Each line has activities planned for all hours of the day and night, be it things like trivia games and Pictionary among others, to lectures and classes. Most of these activities do not add further expense to your cruise budget. Also, the ships are huge and there are many little hidden gems off the beaten path for you to explore. I bet you love it once you try it!

[Friend100]

Pick a port intensive cruise ... Alaska, Canada/New England, Southern Caribbean out of San Jaun, or Med.

 

For example, look at this one ... 5ports in 7 days and spend more time at the pre and post.

 

[kitty9]

If you don't want sea days, why take a trans ocean sailing where there's nothing but a lot of sea days? It just doesn't make sense.

 

Pick a cruise where there are a lot of ports, either Alaska, US/Canada or even a port intensive Med cruise. But don't take a trans ocean sailing if you don't like sea days.

[Nevequitsworkin]

We had plenty of lectures, auctions, games, and time to just relax, which is one thing I don't have time to do at home. So, the only cruise I've been on was not at all boring, even on sea days. Definitely, however, get one with lots of port stops.

[Scrapnana]

You seem to be looking for a cruise in October. There are plenty of port intensive cruises available at that time. You could still cruise the Med, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, or perhaps a transit of the Panama Canal. Don't do a transatlantic if you think you will hate sea days. Try something else and you may end up finding you like sea days.

[trish1c]

Although many people on these boards love & relish sea days when you cannot get off the ship, I hate them.

Based on the concerns you expressed, if you do go on a cruise pick a port intensive cruise where you have as few sea days as possible & can get off the ship every day. Do not take a transatlantic cruise, especially in cooler weather; you will be stir crazy. Many of the on-board activities do have extra costs & few are all that exciting. I usually end up reading a book & napping. Last cruise I actually played Scrabble, watched a movie & did the work I brought on board with me (I planned to do work on that sea day). Not a very exciting vacation day.

After you have your first cruise under your belt, then you can think about doing something with more sea days after you see how you react to them.

[cb at sea]

Hubby HATES seadays, too...he likes to be "on the go"...so reading or sunning is not for him. Therefore, we pick cruises with as many port days as possible. If I need more "down" time (I love to read and sun and do nothing!), I'll simply stay on the ship at one of the port stops....less crowded, too!

[Essiesmom]

Yes your ship is like a hotel....But a very big hotel...Think Las Vegas. There will be more activities on the ship than you can fit in, and 90% will be free. QM2/Cunard is a more upscale experience, more formal than NCL. If you don't want to wear a jacket to dinner every night, choose NCL. EM

[Aquarian313]

Drink!!!!

[delily]

I'm real nervous about too much time on a ship because I love to go see and do when I travel. I'm thinking the time on the ship will be about like being trapped in a hotel for the duration. Lots of stuff you could do such as a spa treatment or a swim, but most of it costs extra, and if it doesn't cost extra, it is crazy crowded. To make it worse, I think gambling is the most boring thing ever.

 

My usual thing while traveling is to spend the least time in the hotel as possible. I'm usually first in line the moment breakfast service opens and out. I've looked at the options, and I really can't figure out what in the world anyone does with all that time on the ship. That said, my Dear One has heart set on a cruise, so I'll have to make the best of it.

 

The two options we're deciding between:

 

A Norwegian cruise leaving Copenhagen by way of the Azores and St Thomas ending in Miami, or the Queen Mary II NYC to Southhampton.

 

I can't decide if it sounds better to take the longer since at least it will be broken up with stops, or if I could better handle the Queen Mary. Maybe if some of you tell me what in the world you do with all that time?

 

What in the world would I do with all that time? I'd be doing anything but sailing on a transatlantic cruise! I absolutely detest "at sea" days with one exception -- when I am on a port intensive cruise and have been touring for 3 or 4 days straight, it's nice to have ONE at sea day as a break. I sleep late, have a long lunch, read, write, and sit on the balcony and watch the water go by. But one at sea day every 3 or 4 days is all I can stand. For that reason, I am very careful about which cruises I book. There are plenty of itineraries I'd love to take but nearly half of the cruise is "at sea" days so I won't book them. I realize there is a daily full of "activities" I could participate in but I hate games and I hate casinos and I'm not much interested in bars, spas, swimming, or attending art auctions. If you already know that you are that sort of a person, I would think long and hard before booking any cruise that has more than a few "at sea" days. There are plenty of cruises you can take that will keep you moving. Check out NCL's Grand Mediteranean from Venice to Barcelona. You won't get bored on that one!

[TravelinGert]

For those suggesting I not try a transatlantic cruise first, I suspect you are correct. Unfortunately other cruises will not solve my problem. The problem is I love to go, see, do, and meet folks. I could happily travel my life away, and I am not much bothered by the little bumps in the road one always encounters when traveling. I tend to view them as adventures.

 

Although my spouse is a darling in most respects, travel is a terror to him. The only time we ever traveled without a nonstop flight, there was a delay in the airport coming home due to weather elsewhere preventing inbound flights. He parked in the chair nearest the gate. Then he refused to budge for the entire six hours until our plane was expected to arrive just in case the plane happened to sneak in early. He was afraid they wouldn't announce it or post it where he'd find out, and it would get away without us. His solution to avoiding a repeat is the only way he will consider the European trip I covet is to take a boat back. I guess he figures once aboard, it can't get away.

 

The other reason we're looking at the transatlantic cruise is he prefers cruises. If it were up to him, that would be the only travel in which we'd partake. To be quite honest, I am shocked he's agreed to a visit to Europe. I think he wants the cruise back so he can actually get some relaxation out of the trip. Whenever we travel, he's always worried. Worried the car will break down. Worried our plane tickets somehow won't work. Worried the hotel will have lost our reservation. Worried the credit card company will see a charge in a new city and freeze the card as possible fraud. Ok, yeah, that last one actually happened to us once. You'd have thought since we booked everything for the trip with that card, they might suspect we were actually going there. One phone call and all was righted, so it wasn't a huge deal. To me. I always carry some secreted cash just in case, anyways.

 

For him, a cruise means he only has the anxiety of a single check in and done. I have my doubts I'll even be able to get him to set foot on shore with me if there are stops, but that would never deter me from enjoying a visit wherever we stop. He'd never expect me to forgo the enjoyment. I'd like to return the favor of his kindness in that respect by doing my best to enjoy a return cruise.

 

To the people who don't want to tell me what they do because I might enjoy some other activities:

 

Please! Please! Please! Pretty please post what you actually do! I've read there are daily activities, but no one has wanted to give me any specifics. I wish very much I could get a complete list of every activity for each of the possible cruises in advance, but they don't seem to post that. I have read they have lectures and demonstrations. Is this typically all one paid lecturer, or do they have several? I assume topic varies by cruise line and even by ship, but what are some examples of topics? What about the spas? I've read many ships have spas and salons. What are the prices likely to be like? I've heard some ships have exercise classes and even classes in other subjects. What are some examples of the sorts of classes they have?

 

Special thanks to Essiesmom and delily for some description of what they do / what goes on during at sea days.

 

I haven't been to Vegas just yet, but we have booked a trip there for this fall. As example of the difference in our travel styles, I wanted to book a flight, take the provided shuttle to the hotel, and rely on the shuttles and buses to get around the strip. Husband could not feel comfortable with that plan, and now we're actually driving all the way there just so we have a car. I did suggest a rental car, but we had some difficulties the one time we rented a car before. Yes, you guessed it. Now he wants to avoid a rental at all costs. I would be in love with the lets drive plan, were it not for the fact I only have limited vacation time. We'll have to drive straight through both ways with as few stops along the way as possible if we want to see the Grand Canyon for a few hours on the way in.

[Nevequitsworkin]

Since every cruise has different lecture topics by different lecturers, you can't really get a list of those.

 

On one cruise, we watched kids and adults alike participate in an amazing treasure hunt. We watched an art auction. We participated in a "name that tune" game with an amazing pianist and a group of fun loving cruisers.

[paul929207]

On sea days, we most often:

- Play duplicate bridge most afternoons

- Attend guest lectures. These cover all sorts of things. Some talk about the upcoming ports. Some the history and culture of the area we are visiting. Others are self improvement types.

- Play trivia.

- Meet up with old an dnew friends

- An occasional wine tasting.

- Sit on balcony and read

[rmurray847]

 

Please! Please! Please! Pretty please post what you actually do! I've read there are daily activities, but no one has wanted to give me any specifics. I wish very much I could get a complete list of every activity for each of the possible cruises in advance, but they don't seem to post that. I have read they have lectures and demonstrations. Is this typically all one paid lecturer, or do they have several? I assume topic varies by cruise line and even by ship, but what are some examples of topics? What about the spas? I've read many ships have spas and salons. What are the prices likely to be like? I've heard some ships have exercise classes and even classes in other subjects. What are some examples of the sorts of classes they have?

 

 

When we went on our first cruise (Eastern European) my wife was highly skeptical. She likes to go, go, go as well. Now granted, we did NOT do a TA...so this isn't apples to apples, but she had a great time and within half a day was wondering why she ever worried. And we didn't even participate in a lot of activities. Each ship has different things to do, so I can't give you a specific answer...but some of the typical things seem to be:

Bingo, trivia, lectures, wine/scotch tastings, art auctions (hate them...but maybe you'll like it), food in many locations, drinks in many locations, gym (free), spa, towel folding lessons, shopping, swimming, movies, live shows (often very good), live music, kareoke, ship tours, basketball, mini-golf, rock climbing, library, shuffleboard (fun!), board games, board game tournaments, soccer, etc. etc.

 

Best of all, my wife and I had a chance to be together with no distractions. Her entire tempo just changed when we got on the ship and pulled out. I think being at sea is naturally relaxing.

[FoghornLeghorn]

90 percent of the time, if not more, I have to pick and choose what to do on a given day, as I can't get it all in.

 

Our last Hawaii cruise (14 days) there was only one day that there wasn't much on the schedule to interest me. So I spent some extra time in the casino, walked around different areas I hadn't explored and took a nap.

I enjoyed just doing nothing basically.

 

I usually join the Roll Call and enjoy visiting and doing things with people from there.

 

There are:

Church services/Mass

Group meetings of all kinds

Bingo

Casino

Bridge

Games & books at the library

Shopping

Trivia

Name that Tune

Wine Tastings

Ice Sculptures/Fruit Sculptures

Dancing

Contests

Lectures

Port Lectures

Book clubs

Movies in the theater

Production shows

Dance Lessons

Group Singing

Swimming

Massage/Pedicure/Manicure

Spa

and of course eating LOL

to name a few :)

[2BACRUISER]

I would suggest your husband get anxiety therapy for his worries, it a wonder you get him past the front door.

Hypnotherapy is marvellous for such maladies.

Life is life and s**t happens. C'est la vie!

M:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

OP

From what I read -- you don't like to participate in activities -- like Trivia, wine tasting (isn't that expensive), cooking demonstrations -- too many to list. Some people like to read.

You are picking the wrong type of cruise with all those sea days.

You need to select a cruise that is very port intensive -- like the Med., Baltic -- there are tons of them out there.

[TravelinGert]

Thank you for all of the more specific replies. I'm feeling much more optimistic since I heard wine and scotch tastings are frequently available. :p Seriously, though, the extensive suggestions of possible types of activities does sound a little better than being trapped in a hotel. :rolleyes:

 

As far as anxiety therapy for my Dear One goes, none of it keeps him from living his life at home. It only bothers him with travel. My understanding is therapy is only for if you are unable to enjoy your life as is. Travel isn't something he requires to live, in fact he'd quite happily never travel in his life. He's got no problem with me going without him if I like, when required he can suck it up and go, and he actually voluntarily travels with me sometimes. If it ever becomes a problem for him, we'll keep the hydrotherapy in mind.

[paul929207]

Gert,

Glad you are set. Have a wonderful time