Is anyone as OCD about cruise planning/researching...

[Whimsy88]

My son calls me CDO cause it has to be in order...lol :D

I have everything in a binder starting from precruise hotel; airplane

cruise docs; all shore excursions in order with the funds for each one all the way to the plane home... even pack accordingly too.

Just wish my family could do the same.

Cathy

 

"CDO" - that's funny!

 

I do the same, binder and all. My DH and 3 DSs all laugh at me and poke fun at my binder. We sail in 9 days and oddly enough, I have seen all 4 of them with it in their hands skimming through at one time or another over the past week!;) The planning is 1/2 the fun!:)

[lrm]

But those of us that are like that really don't stress over it, we really get just as much enjoyment from planning as we do the cruise!

 

The cruise I just booked is slightly less than a year away, the shortest wait time we've had, so I'm in total planning mode. I've got my binder all done up, our itinerary printed, driving instructions to the port (first time driving, not flights or hotels for us!), excursion ideas, packing lists, planned outfits to wear, and sample restaurant menus. I've read reviews of the ship, seen countless pictures, and learned deck plans. Like a PP said, I get a little bummed when everything is all planned!

 

Luckily DH is happy to just sit back and let me obsess, as long as I don't give him too much information, he likes the surprise!

 

Exactly! I love the whole process! I plan all our family land trips and cruises--and have a very good time doing so!! My DH kids me about it--but he also brags to friends and coworkers about the deals I find and the fun adventures we have.

[ibfishing2]

Anyone willing to share their planning spreadsheets?

 

Sandy in Spain

 

I'm willing, but I have not been able to add it to this post.:confused:

I won't give up trying, but I hope someone post theirs and I will post mine when I figure it out.

[ibfishing2]

anyone willing to share their planning spreadsheets?

 

Sandy in spain

 

This is my attempt. Let me know if you can open it.

Sorry it got cut off. This shows week three of the cruise, but I think you can get the idea.

 

Date.docx

Edited June 25, 2014 by ibfishing2

[olemissreb]

Exactly! I love the whole process! I plan all our family land trips and cruises--and have a very good time doing so!! My DH kids me about it--but he also brags to friends and coworkers about the deals I find and the fun adventures we have.

 

My DH does the same thing! He's even been known to tell his co-workers to call me so I can give them tips. And he fully admits he has no clue how I found the things we do or how I saved the money! I haven't heard from any of them yet, but I'm sure the day is coming. I love passing on my addiction! :o:D

[maryhou]

I'm normally pretty good at booking and getting good deals. I always do the stuff where I can cancel with no penalties in case a cheaper price comes along. I am currently trying to find a good deal for a rental car. We are flying into MCO on 12/26 and our cruise leave MIA 12/28....... cars one way are OFF THE HOOK expensive. I have one reserved but definitely would like something less that $150 for the two days.

 

Let me know if you find anything lol I know there used to be a car rental link with codes etc. Thanks in advance !!

 

Mary

maryhou88 at gmail dot com

[QTPieTrader]

I am, too! :cool:

[grandmarnnurse]

I, too, am obsessed about cruise planning! From the minute I get off the ship, I am looking to plan my very next cruise! I research what ship looks appealing, and itinerary is second to me. The ship is my destination! And I usually book a year ahead, so I have something to look forward to--usually cruising every February when the winter weather begins to get to me!

[1st_timer_9ers]

It has consumed me! This will be our first cruise! We are giving it to the kids as part of their Christmas gift. It is so hard for me to keep my excitement in, I can't count the days to the cruise (except with my husband) so I've been counting down the days until Christmas!!!!! I have everything planned on my iPad and in a notebook. Never hurts to be to prepared lol happy cruising everyone!

 

 

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[mapgirl803]

This is so comforting to read these posts! Now I know it isn't just me that has so much fun looking forward to the trips. I also check prices almost daily as the price drops can save hundreds of dollars by re-booking (or whatever) at the lower rate. Yes, looking forward to the cruise is half the enjoyment for me too. We have about 60 days left before our next one on the Royal Princess and when we hit 50 days, I will start my daily countdown on the bathroom mirror!

[freanesi]

DH and I have been on 1 cruise and I am now happily planning our second. HAL to the Mediterranean in Aug 2015. I planned everything for the first Med cruise and it went like clockwork. I just found this thread from my CC email and feel quite at home. I love the planning as much as the Cruise. It makes things so much easier when you get to a port to know what you are doing, - whether to do an excursion or a walking tour of the port. Roll Calls help so much in organising which excursions to do and you meet so many lovely people. Living so far away, the flight, stopovers and before cruise hotels always play an important part. We always stay for extra days before and after because it takes so long to get there. I research everything (hotels, which airline, etc) and then tell my TA what I want to do - makes life easier for her and I know that I get what I choose. Because I book a specific cabin, I don't think I qualify for any upsells, but love to read about all the lucky ones who get them. If this becomes a permanent thread I will definitely be a part of it. Love to read everyone else's tips for their planning. Happy cruising everyone. Jen.:)

[Lucky TGO]

I love all you guys!!! I Thought I was alone. To me it's a game and I love to play. I've been on 30 cruises and can't wait to plan the next. See you at the pool I'm the guy with grey hair. Happy Happy I'm not alone!!!!!:):)

 

TGO from Chelsea MA

[BC-er]

It has consumed me! This will be our first cruise! We are giving it to the kids as part of their Christmas gift. It is so hard for me to keep my excitement in, I can't count the days to the cruise (except with my husband) so I've been counting down the days until Christmas!!!!! I have everything planned on my iPad and in a notebook. Never hurts to be to prepared lol happy cruising everyone!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I too, love to plan a cruise and get so excited about it. It's like 'Christmas', the planning is so much a part of the fun. Once we choose a cruise, unless it's a last minute deal including airfare, I'm off and running. On exactly the 11 months before the date of the return date of the cruise, when the airlines start selling tickets, I'm checking Cheapoair or One Travel (for one way tickets), trying to get the best time and deal on tickets. Then the search for hotels, and the earlier booked the better the deals. Only thing is you can't cancel plane tickets. Anyway I love it all and we travel frugally not cheaply, stretching our dollar so we can go more often. When I see a real deal, even if we aren't considering it, I check on airfare prices so I know what's current. LOVE CRUISING!! Glad lots of you are the same. Next cruise in Nov.!!

 

Only thing I have to be careful about is not letting my 'obsession' drive others nuts, and realizing not everyone cares about things as I/we do. It's always wonderful talking to others who have a cruise booked. I've finally got a permanent check list I use for packing my suitcase.

Edited September 25, 2014 by BC-er

[Port Power]

I have eight future cruises booked (yes, really!) and really enjoy the research into ports and tours. The Cruise Critic family is invaluable. Perhaps not obsessive, but I also have manila folders for each cruise. Besides trying to remember what has been booked, when and where, we also need to keep that information in case of an insurance claim. Believe me, as we have had to leave mid cruise twice, you need to keep everything including credit card statements until after you return home just in case. But I just love the fun of the research! Reading CC for the same cruise the previous year is a really good way of finding out what can be done too. Knowing the ship's layout in advance doesn't water down the excitement of seeing a new ship either, it just excites the imagination.

[t60]

I´m in the middle of planning for our T/A in March, but I´m the only person on our roll call:-((

 

I´m a daily reader of CC boards

 

As I google stuff on our destinations, I check the image section and from there I have found some interesting blogs with useful information and photos

 

I´ve found that when looking for transport options they´re not always listed as I´m looking too far in advance.

 

Sandy in Spain

[cru-cru]

I have found my people!! I just said on my roll call that I couldn't imagine booking a cruise 100 plus days out because i would drive myself crazy!

 

I love to plan out everything. The first cruise was a last minute thing (we live in FL) my DH wanted to book it on Monday to leave in 6 days. I almost had a heart attack. I convinced him to wait one more week bf we sailed. I had 2 weeks to hit the ground running. Plus, the first cruise is, well, you guys know... SO MUCH TO LOOK INTO

 

The second cruise was a bday surprise from DH. He was going to give me the info on my actual bday (friday) and we sailed on Sunday. He said he knew I would loose my mind so he gave it to me about 1 week earlier. After I said Thank you, it was, " who did you speak with while booking? Any OBC? Do they know we are FL residents? Do they know I'm a veteran? ETC. This wasn't too bad b/c we sailed just 11 weeks after our 1st cruise, same boat, same ports. So we knew what we wanted to do but didn't have time to do it all the first time.

 

This up coming cruise was booked, last minute, when the PVP kept calling. I was thinking I didn't have time b/c of work so no need to call her back. After she called again, my DH told me answer. i had a FREE cruise. So, I found time to do it! Even though I had to miss a concert to go. Every since then I have been on CC everyday, looking into new ports, reading really old funny stories on CC, new reviews, I can't stop myself. My DH thinks I am crazy. He ask, "Don't you ever want to be surprised?" Nope, not when it comes to traveling or missing out on something b/c I didn't know.

 

Glad to have found my support group!!!

[Markanddonna]

I am one of you and find that each cruise presents enough new places and experiences that having a good structure already there helps me deal with all this. Maybe I am a control freak but I've learned others count on me to be the one with documents, hotel recommendations, itinerary, best cruise price, etc.

 

One person on my last roll call thought I was a travel agent who just didn't reveal that on the CC boards. I took that as a great compliment!

[cole]

I am one of you and find that each cruise presents enough new places and experiences that having a good structure already there helps me deal with all this. Maybe I am a control freak but I've learned others count on me to be the one with documents, hotel recommendations, itinerary, best cruise price, etc.

 

One person on my last roll call thought I was a travel agent who just didn't reveal that on the CC boards. I took that as a great compliment!

 

You took the words right out of my mouth :D. People may tease us about being so OCD, but then - who do they look to when traveling with us as to "what do we do today?" I think we all enjoy the preplanning and shouldn't feel the least bit guilty!;)

Cole

[lah66]

This is such a great thread! Love, love, love planning for trips! My DH usually asks the night before we sail, "Where are we going again?" So this girl has to plan or we would be stuck at port shopping or doing other undesirable things, not getting to experience the culture, sights and tastes!

 

Our first cruise we took just any cabin. Now I know the best ones and we often snag those huge aft balcony cabins by booking as soon as they open up! Love having a really special cabin for the same price (or less) than others pay for a mediocre one! Rarely do we see price drops because we book so early, the prices just climb and climb!

 

We take private tours at the ports, saving us lots of money and getting the most of our limited time on the islands. Choosing just the right tour takes planning! Finding the perfect snorkeling spot doesn't just happen!

 

DH often asks advice from me for his friends who know we travel a lot. He gives me credit for our great trips, so he does appreciate it even if he does rib me a bit! I do not bore him with the details. I do that here, on CC!

 

I have never made a spreadsheet but I do have a cruise packing list which includes a pop up hamper and over the door shoe holder! I have provided first aid supplies to many fellow cruisers who did not pack well! I do carry a folder with all our important papers and I have a sheet for every day of the cruise with reminders of things not to forget!

 

Why would you not plan, that the question! If all the naysayers let us plan just one of their cruises, we would completely change their minds about us!

 

Plan on, kindred spirits!

Lauri

[Fun62]

I think planning vacations is a blast! In fact nothing relaxes me more :). I'm right there with ya!!!

[preschool teacher]

I am not OCD but I do LOVE the planning, researching, and getting everything lined up for our cruise!!! It is so much fun for me!!!!

[mitsugirly]

THAT WOULD BE ME!!! :D

 

I am over the top when it comes to planning and cruising (if you have ever read any of my reviews, you will see why).

 

I research and research...looking for that perfect place. I get various quotes on the places...including a break down of food, soda, alcoholic drinks and so on, taxi cost and so on. I make a spread sheet for each individual port.

 

I have folders for everything.

 

• A folder for our plane trip (which will include everything needed-$$- for food, soda, cab ride to the hotel after the plane lands.
  
• A folder for the hotel-including hotel cost, print outs of the areas within walking distance, hotel booking papers, cab ride to pier and tips and so on.
  
• A folder for the ship-includes a breakdown of everything we will do on the ship and the exact pricing (photos, booze, casino, specialty dining and so on).
  
• A folder for each individual port-with print outs of reservations, maps and so on.
  
• A folder for the plane ride back
  

Everything you can think of goes into my planning. Each folder has a spread sheet with everything on it and also an envelope with the exact money and breakdown I plan on spending. :D

 

 

Yes, I'm OCD when cruising, but I can guarantee that every time I have done this, I come out within $10 of what I estimated I would spend. :p

[sail7seas]

For European cruises, I did a good deal of research as there is so much to see and one travels far to see it.

 

For the Caribbean, I hardly bother. I glance at ports of call forums and thumb through some casual research but for us Caribbean cruises were more about sun and fun. :) Most touring we would want to do (other than Mayan Ruins, perhaps) can easily be done on one's own.

 

 

For Canada/New England, when we first started sailing the Maritimes, I did a fair amount of research as I truly wanted to learn more about our Northern neighbors. I enjoyed just about every minute we spent in Canada. :)

 

Edited September 29, 2014 by sail7seas

[FamilyMooner]

How about "Cruise Control"?

[Cruisa Loosa]

For European cruises, I did a good deal of research as there is so much to see and one travels far to see it.

 

For the Caribbean, I hardly bother. I glance at ports of call forums and thumb through some casual research but for us Caribbean cruises were more about sun and fun. :) Most touring we would want to do (other than Mayan Ruins, perhaps) can easily be done on one's own.

 

 

For Canada/New England, when we first started sailing the Maritimes, I did a fair amount of research as I truly wanted to learn more about our Northern neighbors. I enjoyed just about every minute we spent in Canada. :)

 

 

I am the same! We have a Mediterranean cruise booked for next summer and I am researching it to death as I want to make the most out of every day. But for the caribbean I just look at a few things and go for it, the sun and fun are the priorities. I did a lot of research for the South Pacific last year, and for alaska this year. It is so much fun to plan and research.

 

So glad you enjoy sailing and visiting Canada! Both of our countries have so much to offer!