What do you actually do on the boat?

[dreadpirate3]

3 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Get a kindle and take some books from amazon.  Very easy to browse Amazon and find what interests you.  I'll probably blow through four/five books.

This is what I do. My husband and I both bring our Kindles loaded with books, and a tablet loaded with magazines. We have three sea days on our next cruise.

 

I usually like to find a quiet spot for us to relax on a deck, unless we have a balcony, and we enjoy a specialty coffee while we read, or look at the sea, or daydream. On ships with a solarium, I enjoy spending the morning or afternoon there. 

 

Learning to relax is an important skill. High stress over the past year has caused me a serious health scare that would have changed my life. 

 

Something new I'm doing on the next cruise is attending the morning stretch classes at the gym on the sea days.

Edited October 19, 2018 by dreadpirate3

[sail7seas]

2 hours ago, FGJones said:

 

I love learning new thing but I

find learning to be stimulating.  I even found reading through travel insurance policies (which you helped me with yesterday) to be stimulating. I’m hopeless.

 

 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that port, starboard, bow and stern are also boat terms. Perhaps that’s the source of my miss-use of the word. 😉 

 

But in seriousness. It’s a ship. Ship. Ship. Ship. I will do better.  

 

 

It might be what I’m most looking forward too on the ship. If anything could relax me it would be a private moment with the sea.  Hoping to find at least one morning not crowded. I typically rise at 5 am and it doesn’t look like breakfast is available anyplace on the ship until 6:30 at least currently. I suppose that may change when the ship moves to Miami. 

Order room service breakfast.  That will get you to relax.  🙂

[sail7seas]

I think most of us are aware, the terms, port, starboard,  forward, aft   etc apply to 'boats'   the  same as ships.  🙂

[lbjen]

We enjoy just discovering the ship, an occasional trivia game, we’ve played bingo, done some penny slots, even gone to the shopping talks just to pass a little time. I am a bit of a nerd so I like watching the behind the scenes documentaries that they sometimes show on the cruise tv channel on Royal Caribbean too. 

 

It sounds like you have a very port intensive itinerary. That single sea day will probably fly by, as you will be ready for some relaxation and down time! 

[OzKiwiJJ]

To relax try watching the ocean, it's endlessly fascinating - the movement of the swell, waves (especially the bow wave creaming away from the ship) and the wake. The way the sunlight sparkles on the water. Sometimes you'll see birds swooping around the ship, at other times you might see dolphins or flying fish.

[davekathy]

3 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

To relax try watching the ocean, it's endlessly fascinating - the movement of the swell, waves (especially the bow wave creaming away from the ship) and the wake. The way the sunlight sparkles on the water. Sometimes you'll see birds swooping around the ship, at other times you might see dolphins or flying fish.

It's relaxing alright. Now if I could only stay awake. 😉

[cb at sea]

Do whatever makes you happy.  If you don't need to relax...don't!  Bring a stimulating book....get the internet plan and do something online....whatever "floats your boat"!  Personally, I enjoy reading, so "down time" isn't onerous to me.  But, if I don't have a book, then I'm at loose ends....I will usually clean something....anything, if that happens!

[OCruisers]

9 hours ago, FGJones said:

I'm very much looking forward to the ports and excursions .  My eight day trip only has one sea day, but when you really look at the schedule even port days are going to have some time to kill on the boat.   Besides eating and sleeping what do people occupy themselves with?  I don't drink, I don't swim, I don't gamble.  I most certainly don't relax. It's not something I ever learned how to do.  Have I made a mistake? Lol.

Gosh, what do you  like to do?

Seems you'll only have one sea day so don't panic.  😉

[wineforhealth]

Bingo

[jgbataille]

Our first cruise was a honeymoon cruise... Let's just say that we may have "forgotten" to get off of the boat a few times... So there's one idea.

[geoherb]

Check out the types of activities offered by your cruise line on its specific board. You can read reviews and live threads. On our Princess cruise last month, we had five sea days in a row crossing the Atlantic. We always found things to do. Princess has a lot of activities. On a HAL cruise last year, there were not as many organized activities, but we still enjoyed the cruise.

[MicCanberra]

The daily activities are numerous, I am sure you will find something to do.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are lots of activities that you can participate in if you want to.  You will get the daily schedule the night before and decide what, if anything, you want to do the next day.

 

For us, we like to sit our on our verandah and read.

[calliopecruiser]

I learned how to relax.

[newcruiser1956]

I can feel your pain,  Relaxing is a totally foreign concept to me.  I have been known to go on land vacations and come back early because I am bored.  That is another reason I am now a cruiser,  can't come back home early,  must take the time off :)

 

Download lots of videos to watch on an ipad  OR pay for the good internet.  On my last cruise, I could actually watch Youtube.

 

I do not do auctions, or casino,  I am not a party animal, I travel solo, I am not into trivia (although I do typically go)  I am an early to bed early to rise so I do not stay up at night for all the wild parties..  I am dull, I admit it.  I like the excursions.

 

I sit in the hot tub alot,  drink some,  watch videos in my room,  read,  look around the ship,   There are lots of things to do, I try to force myself to try something new that I have never done before.  I did karaoke,  it was fun :) 

 

Try it, you might enjoy it,  just do not go with unrealistic expectations,  That was my mistake for my first cruise.

 

 

 

[FGJones]

1 hour ago, newcruiser1956 said:

I can feel your pain,  Relaxing is a totally foreign concept to me.  I have been known to go on land vacations and come back early because I am bored.  That is another reason I am now a cruiser,  can't come back home early,  must take the time off 🙂

 

Download lots of videos to watch on an ipad  OR pay for the good internet.  On my last cruise, I could actually watch Youtube.

 

I do not do auctions, or casino,  I am not a party animal, I travel solo, I am not into trivia (although I do typically go)  I am an early to bed early to rise so I do not stay up at night for all the wild parties..  I am dull, I admit it.  I like the excursions.

 

I sit in the hot tub alot,  drink some,  watch videos in my room,  read,  look around the ship,   There are lots of things to do, I try to force myself to try something new that I have never done before.  I did karaoke,  it was fun 🙂

 

Try it, you might enjoy it,  just do not go with unrealistic expectations,  That was my mistake for my first cruise.

 

 

 

 

We might be the same person.  

[pacruise804]

On 10/19/2018 at 4:52 PM, FGJones said:

 

I love learning new thing but I

find learning to be stimulating.  I even found reading through travel insurance policies (which you helped me with yesterday) to be stimulating. I’m hopeless.

 

 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that port, starboard, bow and stern are also boat terms. Perhaps that’s the source of my miss-use of the word. 😉 

 

But in seriousness. It’s a ship. Ship. Ship. Ship. I will do better.  

 

 

It might be what I’m most looking forward too on the ship. If anything could relax me it would be a private moment with the sea.  Hoping to find at least one morning not crowded. I typically rise at 5 am and it doesn’t look like breakfast is available anyplace on the ship until 6:30 at least currently. I suppose that may change when the ship moves to Miami. 

 

I'm not sure about MSC, but some lines have 24 hour room service (sometimes with a fee) or a continental breakfast you can have delivered to your cabin by selecting items you want from a door hanger located in the cabin.  Most ships also allow you to take items to your cabin from the buffet, so you could grab a piece of fruit and maybe a danish or muffin (bring some baggies or storage containers) for a light breakfast before your run then have a full breakfast after.

I usually enjoy sea days:) We cruise primarily to be on the water with ports of call being a close second but second regardless.  Some sea day suggestions:

-sleep in or take naps

-leisurely MDR breakfast or brunch

-we do weight training in addition to cardio and do this on sea days too

-sauna/steam room (free on some ships/lines)

-karaoke (fun to watch others, don't need to perform yourself)

-afternoon tea

-treat the ship as a museum: there is often interesting art at the stairways and you could take different stairs each direction; "window shop" at the jewelry stores and art gallery just to appreciate the craftsmanship even if you aren't buying

-try a new activity: ropes course, escape room, basketball, mini golf

-trivia or music

-cooking demo (or other class)

-shopping

-laundry/packing/room tidying 😉

 

[newcruiser1956]

I am up very early also,  I always grab extra fruit and take it back to the room so I have a banana or 2 to eat the next morning.  Also early in the morning, it is nice to walk around when it is not crowded.  Great time to take pictures.  The continental breakfasts are typically ready around 6 am.    I enjoy the quiet of the mornings, although I do so wish the hot tubs were available, would be beautiful to watch sun rise from the hot tub :)

 

 

[FGJones]

59 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

 

-laundry/packing/room tidying 😉

 

 

All great tips. Thank you. And you might be on to something.  If any activity has the power to relax me it involves organizing something or crossing things off a list. 

[calliopecruiser]

If you're up that early, it's a great time to do laundry.  You'll probably meet some other early risers in the laundry room too.

[Cairn Mom]

I assume we’re talking about during the day. It really depends on the ship and what you like to do. Most ships have a gym so you can workout if that’s something you enjoy. We like to walk. Most ships have a track. Some of the megaships have skating rinks and rock climbing walls. You can get a massage. It will help you relax lol. 

 Most ships have movie theatres. Princess also shows movies on the pool deck. On warm weather trips we enjoy sitting up there. We read ,watch a movie or listen to the band. My husband brings his headphones and listens to music.  There’s trivia and bingo( gambling sort of). Lots of ships have port lectures. There is a computer room so you can catch up with friends and family ( often for an added fee). 

I suggest you go to the CC meet and mingle. You will make nice friends to hang out with.We usually do. After all that touring you may be happy to sleep-in and watch movies in your stateroom. You won’t be bored unless you want to be.

Edited October 25, 2018 by Cairn Mom
Misspelling

[jlp20]

We learned yo late on our first cruise, no body is going to grab your hand and lead you to activities. Most ships publish a calendar of the next day's events with locations and times. Try going to a few a few each day. If not your cup of tea, you simply get up and leave. 

[donaldsc]

On 10/21/2018 at 2:11 PM, newcruiser1956 said:

I can feel your pain,  Relaxing is a totally foreign concept to me.  I have been known to go on land vacations and come back early because I am bored.  That is another reason I am now a cruiser,  can't come back home early,  must take the time off 🙂

 

Download lots of videos to watch on an ipad  OR pay for the good internet.  On my last cruise, I could actually watch Youtube.

 

I do not do auctions, or casino,  I am not a party animal, I travel solo, I am not into trivia (although I do typically go)  I am an early to bed early to rise so I do not stay up at night for all the wild parties..  I am dull, I admit it.  I like the excursions.

 

I sit in the hot tub alot,  drink some,  watch videos in my room,  read,  look around the ship,   There are lots of things to do, I try to force myself to try something new that I have never done before.  I did karaoke,  it was fun 🙂

 

Try it, you might enjoy it,  just do not go with unrealistic expectations,  That was my mistake for my first cruise.

 

 

 

 

Totally agree.  My ideal cruise would have no sea days.  I regard the ship as a big bus that gets me to interesting places and nobody could ever say that the bus ride to get to the place was interesting.  Did I say that I hate sea days.

 

DON

[pacruise804]

5 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

Totally agree.  My ideal cruise would have no sea days.  I regard the ship as a big bus that gets me to interesting places and nobody could ever say that the bus ride to get to the place was interesting.  Did I say that I hate sea days.

 

DON

I think a lot of the cruises from San Juan, PR don't have sea days.

 

As someone who cruises for the sea as much as the destinations, your perspective is interesting to me.  I'm curious why you cruise (instead of land vacations) if you don't enjoy the sea and view the ship as transportation and not a traveling resort.  I agree that land transportation is rarely interesting, although I do enjoy the scenery at times.

 

There's nothing wrong with not enjoying sea days.  I love cruising, but don't participate in many of the activities that seem to be associated with ships like pools, spas, casinos, contests (although I do like trivia), parties, or comedians.  One of the perks of cruising is there are different options for different tastes 🙂 

[ldubs]

15 hours ago, calliopecruiser said:

. . . . .  it's a great time to do laundry.  

 

NOOOOOooooooo!