When do you feel your vacation has started?

[TBone2K]

Was just reading a question about muster drill and got me wondering, when do you feel your vacation has actually started? This isn't really a survey, but here are some things I have heard others say:

 

Get off the plane?

Hear the "bing" at checkin?

Pull away from the pier?

Have the first drink in your hand?

Get your roast beef sandwich?:)

 

I'm going to throw out an odd one from my own list above since I just realized this... Certain my stress level drops considerably after getting on the ship. However after muster is done is when I feel I have really started vacation, because it is the last thing you are required to do. Everything else after that is up to me.

 

What about the rest of you?

Edited October 7, 2015 by TBone2K

[Clarea]

When we are off the airplane and all our luggage shows up on the carousel.

[OCruisers]

Once our luggage is delivered to our cabin and the muster drill is over, is when we feel our vacation has really started! :D

[MNfamilycruiser]

Since we usually get in at least a day ahead, I would say it starts when we check into the hotel - so not until whatever travel from airport to hotel is done.

 

We try and do some relaxing/sightseeing the day before, so that counts. Also the muster drill doesn't impact my mindset at all. If I have been on the ship since 11 am - drinking, eating and relaxing my vacation is started :D We typically have tours booked or other things scheduled so the muster drill falls into that category for me.

[dacsmom]

I feel the vacation when I leave work for the last time before vacation.

[SnappyNappi]

This is funny because my 14 DD and I were just talking about this last night and we came to a consensus that it is the very second that we take the first step onto the ship!

[sportsphotos]

As soon as I get in the car to go to the airport or pier depends where we leave out of.

[GTO-Girl]

After muster drill.......

[slyster]

After I walk out the front door and get in the car to go to the pier or to the airport :)

[GUT2407]

Because we drive to port he day before, stay overnight (usually somewhere nicer than we'd stay for business travel), I would say ... when we leave home.

[FLCruisin'Mom]

As soon as we back out of the driveway!:)

[ellie1145]

The minute the car is loaded, ready for our drive to the airport hotel overnight, and when we turn the key in the door for the last time!

 

But my stress levels really drop when we have checked in at the airport and we see our suitcases disappearing along the conveyor belt, then I really AM in holiday mood and the excitement builds from there on. :)

[Cruise_Christy]

For me it's probably once my luggage gets to my cabin that I completely, 100% relax - although stepping onto the ship is a really fantastic feeling.

 

Usually my husband had managed to get himself drinks, have a swim in the pool (he packs his trunks in hand luggage) and eat a meal or sometimes even two knowing him whilst I am nervously awaiting the cabin notification and hoping there's no problems with my luggage. Once I see my suitcase, phew! No more worries :)

[Droop]

I have to agree with the others. When the luggage is unpacked and the appointments are made is when it begins. The searching for where we are going to be seated is all part of the adventure.

 

The muster drill is kind of stuck in between the middle of things sometimes because some people from c/c are trying to hook up for the sale away.

[Luv my furbaby]

When I get on the plane!!! I know I'm heading towards a cruise port!!!!!!

[grouchomarx]

I think it's once I've booked my cruise. Seriously, once that happens all I do is obsess over it and plan for it and think about it, it's like nothing else matters!

[UK Cruiser2]

Once our bags are checked in at the airport and we get our first drink in the airport bar pre flight on our way to join the ship :)

[Sky616]

Mine is when I get home from the last day of work and take my shoes off but I like everybody else's response also. I know the cruise is coming and having work finished makes me happy.

[kernow]

The holiday starts the minute we pull off our driveway but my cruise excitement starts the minute I catch my first glimpse of the ship.

 

Julie

[legaljen1969]

As soon as we back out of the driveway!:)

 

I am with you on that one. As soon as we back out of the driveway, my vacation has started.

[RocketMan275]

We drive to the port leaving two days prior to embarkation. We drop the dogs off at the vet that morning. Our vacation starts when we start the car to leave the vets. As of today, we have 29 days until our next vacation starts.

[jayblue]

On 7 day cruises, after 2 days of relaxation.

 

My next will be my first 4-day, so I am hoping to be relaxed before I leave.

[CaribbeanCrush]

I feel the vacation when I leave work for the last time before vacation.

 

Yep! Whenever I set my 'out of office' message the vacation begins. I'll usually have my cruise music blasting in my car as I cruise down the highway getting passed by all the people who are rushing to get here and there. Not me... I'm already in cruise mode.

[flacplnj]

Once the car is packed and we are on the road

[Blondynka]

For me it is the moment I turn my auto-responder on at the office!