Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

early arrivals/risers

JGB

By JGB,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

 Share

Recommended Posts

fshstck

fshstck

Posted
Posted

We are early risers, when we get onboard early (with FTTF) we usually drop our luggage off at the room and change into our Bathing Suits. We then grab a quick lunch, preferably at Guy's and then head to the Serenity deck.

We have been getting balconies lately and we have room service delivered at 6:00 am, just a light breakfast of coffee , juice and some pastries. We then just sit on the balcony and go through the Fun Times and kind of plan our day. We are usually on the serenity Deck by 8:30.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
linbobky

linbobky

Posted
Posted
What's the earliest you can get coffee? I'm a VERY early riser (5:30 is sleeping in for me on vacation). I've never waited until 7 to have my morning coffee before. Is there somewhere to get is earlier than that? We will be sailing on the Valor. Yes, it will be our first time.

 

You can get coffee 24 hrs. a day!:) Room service, or go up on the lido deck!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ray98

ray98

Posted
Posted

I used to rush and try to be in the first group on but now I really don't find it enjoyable. It is just too hectic with people and luggage everywhere until the cabins open. As long as I am on in time to grab a bite and a drink by the time the cabins are ready and people thin out I am good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tea4ular

tea4ular

Posted
Posted (edited)
fellow cruisers...for those who board 5 or 6 hours prior to sailing how do you occupy your time,other than eating of course.

and while we are on it...for those early risers how do you spend your time before the remainder of the ship gets going?

 

With FTTF we now have access to our cabin once on board, so we begin unpacking and settling in. For us, this includes hanging out on our balcony, and taking it all in (consider we've been planning and fantasizing about the trip for months and months, and now it's real!). Then we make our way for some lunch. If there's Mongolian Wok, that's our preference. Find a place outside, in the shade, and start the people watching. After lunch we'll start at the top of the ship and make our way around and down to become acquainted. And honestly, before we know it it's sail away!

 

As for those early mornings...we are very early risers (we can sleep in at home)...in our opinion there's not much more beautiful than a Caribbean (or Alaskan) sunrise from our own balcony, in our pjs, with coffee. We greet the morning, and after coffee make our way to the omelette station for freshly made omelettes and fruit. Then it's back "home" to see what we might like to do next.

 

Getting on board or up early for us means not having to rush through the experience.

 

Come on April 22nd, get here already! :p

Edited by tea4ular
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RWolver672

RWolver672

Posted
Posted (edited)

We have gotten FTTF since it's been available. We cruise with my brother and sister in law with cabins next to each other on the Panorama Deck. We go to our cabins right away and drop off our carry-ons. Then we head down to the Lido deck to get a drink, grab something to eat then wander around. All of our cruises have been on the Conquest Class so we know our way around already.

 

We usually head to the dining room to see where our table is, then head back to our cabins to see if our luggage has arrived and unpack. While wives are unpacking, brother and I head to guest services to request that our balcony divider be opened. Then it's back down to the Lido deck to just walk around and sight see.

 

During the cruise, brother and I are always up before sunrise. We head down to the Lido deck for coffee, then back up to the Panorama deck to the smoking section. Complete strangers will always strike up a conversation with you. We've met some interesting people over coffees. I always bring our insulated mugs and fill one with coffee and take back to our cabin for when my wife wakes up. Usually within an hour or so, wives join us and we have breakfast.

Edited by RWolver672
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crusin Hogs

Crusin Hogs

Posted
Posted

Last year on the Magic , we had some rough seas , I woke up around 3AM , Went to the lido got some coffee , wonder around the ship went thru the casino , and the quarter pusher games had quarters in all the trays that had fell because of the rough seas . I told the blackjack pit boss's who were closing for the night ,, He told me to get the quarters and play them ! ,Then went up to the basketball court shot some baskets , Played pool on the tables by the mini golf , Played a few holes of mini golf , went to the aft bar go a coke and some pizza while back there , watched sunrise ... went back to the cabin , wife was getting up by then ... Now she wants to get up like that 1 morning on our next cruise and do the same ,,lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Drazil65

Drazil65

Posted
Posted (edited)

FTTF is essential and we go straight to cabin to unload and put away what we can. Check everything out in cabin and on balcony then go to get lunch, after lunch time to explore and find out where our MDR table is. We love to look around before the ship is at capacity. Of course need to find the giant chess board for DS so he can get his first game in.

 

I am very earlier riser in mornings, always order coffee, bagels and pastries and some fruit the night before for early room service. Once it is delivered I set everything up on balcony and wake DH up. We have that first cup of coffee while watching the sunrise and the peace of the ocean going by wrapped in our robes. It is truly one of our favorite times on a ship and one of the main reasons we have booked a balcony or suite for years. Its perfect!!!!

Edited by Drazil65
Link to comment
Share on other sites
poobears

poobears

Posted
Posted

When I get on I drop off my luggage and then explore the ship and grab photos before it gets crowded if I haven't been on it before or it's been upgraded since I've been on. Almost all of my ship pics only have a few people in them, some don't have any. It's awesome to get photos of the actual ship instead of photos full of people that you don't know blocking off the details of the ship.

 

Then up to the Lido to grab some food and either pick a nice spot there to people watch or back to our balcony to relax and start our vacation. Unpacking for us isn't a big priority because I pack everything on hangers and folded neatly in big Ziploc bags so unpacking only takes about 5 minutes total.

 

I typically am up and around at 5-5:30am, I get up and walk around the Lido while it's empty, maybe take some photos and just enjoy the early morning before it gets hectic. That time of morning anyone you meet seems to be a great mood. If I'm hungry I'll grab a snack and go back to my balcony for a while until DH wakes up since he is not that early of a riser lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Domino D

Domino D

Posted
Posted
fellow cruisers...for those who board 5 or 6 hours prior to sailing how do you occupy your time,other than eating of course.

and while we are on it...for those early risers how do you spend your time before the remainder of the ship gets going?

 

When boarding, we normally go to the upper level of the buffet (deck 10) if there is one, or to the back of deck 9 and find a quiet spot. We try to get to an area that is a little difficult to get to with luggage, so it is quieter. We read, listen to music, watch something on our phones, text and call relatives, take a few pictures. At around 12:30 we eat something. We get on around noon, so it's only an hour until the cabin is ready. After getting to the cabin, we dump the backpacks. Wipe down the room with Lysol wipes. Then we go explore the ship. Meet our cabin steward. Then we will go though the fun times. Drink of the day, Sign up for any spa services, Check out our dining room table (if we have one assigned), Agree as to where we will meet for pool chairs on sea days. Try to find the quieter places, and just people watch. Best to sit where you can see guest services and just watch, or if its a nice day, take a nap up on deck.

 

I usually get up between 6 and 6:30. Go get a cup of coffee. Hit the fitness center. Between 7 and 7:30 I eat breakfast at the tables out by the pool. Then I'll take more coffee, a book, music, and binoculars, and grab pool chairs in one of two places where everyone with us knows to look. On port days it is the same, except my wife will meet me at breakfast, then we gp back to the room and get ready for excursions.

 

The best part of getting up early, is watching people come and mark their deck chairs, and leave. I have seen everything from simply putting towels on chairs, to ribbons and robes tying chairs together with signs hanging on them, to one guy who just put magazines on 5 chairs. Then around 8:30 or 9:00 am people start showing up looking for chairs, only to find many already claimed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Badfinger

Badfinger

Posted
Posted
fellow cruisers...for those who board 5 or 6 hours prior to sailing how do you occupy your time,other than eating of course.

and while we are on it...for those early risers how do you spend your time before the remainder of the ship gets going?

 

Only four cruises, and after the first decided that early boarding is not for us. Just too much of a rat race. Our first cruise was on the Triumph, the second on the Magic. After the Magic, there is no way I sail on anything but the dream Class ships. So...no need to explore at the Magic was our 3rd cruise and Breeze was our 4th.

 

Arrive at the port about 1215 and have no problem being one of the first in the Italian restaurant by 1:15 or so. After lunch there, head to the Spa to make sure we are good to go there (we book a Spa cabin), the down to GS to get extra room key (2 teenage boys so two cabins for us). Then back to cabin to unpack anything we might have carried on (my wife and kids..I carry on nothing) and any luggage that may have arrived. Hang in the cabin until Muster then outside to watch the port disappear. Then for me a quick trip to the TPoo in the Spa and meet the family for our 6pm dinner. The comedy club or dive in movie.

 

And since we are in bed NLT 1030 (on our last cruise I went to bed one night at 9:15...I was tired!), we have no problem keeping our early riser schedule. Get up about 6:15 and the family heads to the gym. Me..I head to the outdoor track to watch the sunrise rise while walking. After it has risen, I head to the front stairs and take the elevator down to deck 0. I then walk up the stairs to deck 14. Repeat 4 times. Nobody using the stairs that early! Then on to the lido for a pre-breakfast snack. Then to the Spa (opens at 8:00) for a quick steam before we head to the brunch at 9:00. On Port days, if we have an early excursion (say 730) we will get up at 6:15, head to breakfast, then get ready to leave the ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Florings

Florings

Posted
Posted

FTTF - so we board early, take our carry on to the stateroom and explore it. Back up to Lido for lunch. Then explore the ship from top to bottom. Back to the stateroom to see if our luggage has arrived so we can unpack.

 

By that time, it's muster drill - then sail away!

 

We are early morning risers. Always head up to Lido for coffee and watch the sunrise. Then walk the outside decks and track.

 

Breakfast not until a bit later - or preferably Sea Day Brunch!! Yum...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mishka422

mishka422

Posted
Posted
mishka422. go to casino with your S&S card & insert in any slot machine. Follow instructions or ask a casino worker to help you set up pin. It's easy.

I just didn't realize you could do that when the machines were off. I thought it would only allow it once the casino opened.

 

Sent from my SM-G925V using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Micahs Grandad

Micahs Grandad

Posted
Posted

 

 

 

The best part of getting up early, is watching people come and mark their deck chairs, and leave. I have seen everything from simply putting towels on chairs, to ribbons and robes tying chairs together with signs hanging on them, to one guy who just put magazines on 5 chairs. Then around 8:30 or 9:00 am people start showing up looking for chairs, only to find many already claimed.

 

Would be fun to move things around and than see their faces when they look for their stuff. But would have to hang around too long to make it worthwhile.

 

But would serve them right though

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Micahs Grandad

Micahs Grandad

Posted
Posted
Stu, maybe one cruise I'll stay up late enough to see a sunrise.

If I ever go on a roll in the casino maybe the adrenaline will keep me awake long enough.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I hear you but if you saw one you might think differently.:)

 

Than again when I ask DW if she wants to get up early and come she looks at me like I have two heads.:eek::eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Trishlo73

Trishlo73

Posted
Posted
Early riser, 4:30 am even on vacation. I like to sit on balcony, read, exercise, do laundry and just enjoy the quiet. A mother of 2 young boys this is the only time I get to myself.

I enjoy this too! Quiet time with coffee and my book.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...