All those sea days, what do you do?

[Choozin Croozin]

I know this is a silly question but, I usually travel port intensive cruises and I'm looking at a couple that have 7 or 8 days at sea out of 14. One has 3 in a row, the other 4. So those of you that have done this before, do they have more activities to do on the ship? I could see it getting very expensive if you spend you time playing bingo, drinking or in the casino. LOL I love the idea I just am curious as to what you do? THank you

 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

2 hours ago, Choozin Croozin said:

I know this is a silly question but, I usually travel port intensive cruises and I'm looking at a couple that have 7 or 8 days at sea out of 14. One has 3 in a row, the other 4. So those of you that have done this before, do they have more activities to do on the ship? I could see it getting very expensive if you spend you time playing bingo, drinking or in the casino. LOL I love the idea I just am curious as to what you do? THank you

 

A very good question for a transat newbie.  When DW and I were young we wanted to see everything at every port.  This is the natural inclination of most cruisers.  As time went on we were much less disposed to commercial tourism…seen it, done it and been there.  Now we rarely leave the ship.  We now prefer the larger ships because there is more to do onboard.  Our sea days are organized around meals, exercise, afternoon activities and evening entertainment.  I usually frequent the casino in the late hours when my wife likes to read and sleep.  We spend a lot of time together and sometimes we just find a quiet spot to sit back and watch the sea go by.  You will find your own schedule on a transatlantic crossing and you will not be bored.  There is something to do every minute of the day or night.  So much so that sometimes I need an afternoon nap…lol.  You I’ll have lots of activities to do…you will not be able to do them all.

[Choozin Croozin]

44 minutes ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

A very good question for a transat newbie.  When DW and I were young we wanted to see everything at every port.  This is the natural inclination of most cruisers.  As time went on we were much less disposed to commercial tourism…seen it, done it and been there.  Now we rarely leave the ship.  We now prefer the larger ships because there is more to do onboard.  Our sea days are organized around meals, exercise, afternoon activities and evening entertainment.  I usually frequent the casino in the late hours when my wife likes to read and sleep.  We spend a lot of time together and sometimes we just find a quiet spot to sit back and watch the sea go by.  You will find your own schedule on a transatlantic crossing and you will not be bored.  There is something to do every minute of the day or night.  So much so that sometimes I need an afternoon nap…lol.  You I’ll have lots of activities to do…you will not be able to do them all.

Thank you. I definitely agree with the been there done that, and as we age, we aren't quite able to do the things we used to. Thank you for your response. 

[TheOldBear]

4 hours ago, Choozin Croozin said:

I know this is a silly question but, I usually travel port intensive cruises and I'm looking at a couple that have 7 or 8 days at sea out of 14. One has 3 in a row, the other 4. So those of you that have done this before, do they have more activities to do on the ship? I could see it getting very expensive if you spend you time playing bingo, drinking or in the casino. LOL I love the idea I just am curious as to what you do? THank you

 

The standard description for days on a transatlantic crossing is “nothing to do, and not enough time in the day to do it”.

It depends on the ship for what is available during the day - there may be dance, fencing or watercolor lessons, enrichment lectures, concerts and other organized activities. On QM2, there are planetarium shows, a large library, mixology classes, wine tasting. 
If the ship has a promenade deck, just being outside with a visual connection to the ocean draws in many passengers (even when the wind is fairly brisk force 11).

 

[Choozin Croozin]

16 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

The standard description for days on a transatlantic crossing is “nothing to do, and not enough time in the day to do it”.

It depends on the ship for what is available during the day - there may be dance, fencing or watercolor lessons, enrichment lectures, concerts and other organized activities. On QM2, there are planetarium shows, a large library, mixology classes, wine tasting. 
If the ship has a promenade deck, just being outside with a visual connection to the ocean draws in many passengers (even when the wind is fairly brisk force 11).

 

Kind of like being retired? LOL..  How did I ever find time to work? Thank you for your response. 

[rkacruiser]

For cruises that have a few days at sea, I will usually develop a routine, but, I will also include "special activities or events" that interests me.  Examples of this would be enrichment lectures and special musical programs, movies, a special Tea, presentations by a Ship's Officer, CD, an entertainer or behind the scenes tours of the ship, viewing the art work displayed, and, if the Roll Call for that cruise is an active one, interacting with members of that group.

 

Always, a leisurely morning (with a nice breakfast in the MDR most days, or at the least, Room Service).  My routine will always include some deck chair time, watching and listening to the ocean, and reading a good book.  Always, attendance at Happy Hour.  

 

I used to try to spend some time sending e-mail reports of my trip to friends, but, I no longer do this.  Too many frustrations in trying to do so.  The event that led me to stopping this was during the cruise in which I lost the address list of that group.  Neither the ship's tech person nor I could restore it and I spent quite some time and $$ in doing so.  

[CGTNORMANDIE]

On sea days, during a transatlantic crossing, we always start the day early, around 7:00 AM…with coffee and croissants from room service.  We are usually on deck by 8:00 AM getting in a good walk.  By 9:00 we will have breakfast…just a little nosh to tide us over until lunch…lol.  Gotta love those dramatic sunrises…simply breathtaking!  

[Hlitner]

We just did a TA cruise on Seabourn where the first nine days were glorious sea days.  We were actually sorry when we finally reached our first port (Funchal).  There were many lazy days with some lectures, lots of reading, card playing, and lots of enjoyable socializing.  While this kind of cruise does not suit everyone there are many of us who consider all those sea days the best part of cruising.

 

Hank

[CGTNORMANDIE]

8 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We just did a TA cruise on Seabourn where the first nine days were glorious sea days.  We were actually sorry when we finally reached our first port (Funchal).  There were many lazy days with some lectures, lots of reading, card playing, and lots of enjoyable socializing.  While this kind of cruise does not suit everyone there are many of us who consider all those sea days the best part of cruising.

 

Hank

The best feeling in the world, for me, is having my feet planted on the deck of a moving ship out in the middle of the ocean.  Those lazy days at sea are some of the best.  When you are at sea the ship is doing what it was built for.  The ship gets into a certain rhythm when it’s at sea…it’s magic.