What are we missing?

[bhawks9]

We have sailed on multiple Princess cruises and enjoy the R & R component of cruising.  We enjoy being poolside not doing too many onboard activities and sometimes will do an excursion.    For background, we usually just eat in buffet, maybe one night or two in the MDR.   We are super casual and don’t dress up (we are acceptable casual) for the formal nights, although, we enjoy seeing everyone dressed to the “nines”.  We almost feel guilty walking around the ship not as formal and definitely don’t go to the MDR those nights.  All that said, what things on the ship are we missing out on?   Sometimes the Patters don’t give insight like on these boards.  Thanks and hope this topic is not too vague.  

[BoopTennis]

I like the silly little craft things they do. Even though I’m not good at that. A drink helps. Also sometimes there are fun games in the piazza area. 

[Wishing on a star]

It sounds like you are very laid back and casual and you are 'doing you'!

 

The patters and the Voyage app should give you decent info on all the little things that are going on, like the usual trivia, etc.

 

If you want to up your game a little bit, and haven't tried these...  Watch what is going on in the Piazza on ships with the nice Piazza.   You can get drinks, or coffee drinks, food and snacks from the International Cafe, and just take in what might be going on there.  You can do that in the evening, and still then go up to the Buffett for supper.

 

Also, if you like the R&R, then definitely try to get some time reserved in the Sanctuary.

 

Main dining rooms are no longer traditional seating, and you might want to try them more often now.  It is not gathering with everyone else to go to supper and walking into the dining room for a structured service.  Check for menus for the cruise at the customer service desk on the first day.  You probably know that the menus will probably be posted in front of the dining rooms each day.  

 

How about checking out the lighter entreatment that might be going on at the Steakhouse (Crown Grill) bar area?

 

If you aren't into the main Shows, then look for other things going on at the Theater or the Vista Lounge.

 

I am thinking that later at night in the Piazza or public area, when there is nightly main entertainment,  (The ships party band or other major event),  that might not be for you.

Edited October 9, 2022 by Wishing on a star

[Kay S]

Art auctions?  Trivia?  Bingo? 

[JoRoy218]

We feel quite the same as the OP.  After many cruises and years, we don’t feel the need to dress up. We may take one “nice” outfit each and may or may not use it. Since retirement, we decided to do what we want when we want. I have to support one of the above posts re: the Sanctuary. We’ve gone there the last few cruises and enjoyed the serenity, drinks, snacks and pampering.  If that interests you, it’s a must to make that a priority to reserve your spot/s immediately after boarding. The “better”located chairs go first.  Bottom line, if you enjoy your style of cruising, stick with it! 

[Mike45LC]

I am too restless for Sanctuary; and fears of the detrimental aspects of sun bathing cured me of spending hours at the pool.  I tend to wander a lot from one live entertainment venue to another.   And to read a lot!
 

To me, it sounds like the OP has it down cold — do what you want, when you want!  It is your cruise, so you do you!

[geoherb]

My last few cruises have been solo, and I try to do a lot of activities. My cruise in August was 16 days long (to Canada and Greenland). We had a lot of sea days. They had cruise-long trivia and a cruise-long athletic activity (mini Olympics) every sea day. It was a great way to meet people. I also went to the evening game shows in the Explorers Lounge. They were a lot of silly fun.

[Sea Hag]

We like some of the silly stuff - the paper airplane competition and the egg toss. A few cruises ago, the employee who was running the egg toss really did it up proud. They play Chicken Dance, and the guy was chicken dancing up a storm. By the end of the competition, most of the crowd was chicken dancing right along with him. I love to watch people having fun.

[travelin.sisters]

It doesn't actually sound like you are missing anything, you are having a lovely time that suits your style. But here are a few things we/I have enjoyed (it seems to me that different cruises I want different things depending on the itinerary, but even more on did I leave home rested & full of energy or did I drag onto the ship ready for quiet & relaxation):

• I always watch the daily show the night before (after 10ish) to see what they are highlighting
• if its a new-to-me ship I try to wander all the public decks the first day before disembarking (one ship--the Grand, BC--had a short tour with the cruise staff on embarkation day (not the expensive sihp tour they used to have)
• soduku & puzzles available daily in the library
• music classes--I am very non-musical but enjoyed 'ukulele on Hawai'ian cruises, steel drum, glockenspiel--didn't enjoy harmonica on Alaskan cruise but that was the instructor
• I have done egg-drop & other contests but only if I'm in the mood
• this last cruise, my sister decided she wanted to collect all the free charms for the charm bracelet so we did that (not my personal favorite, but it made her happy)
• I like the crafts (although now have done most & don't go to the ones that aren't worth repeating)
• port talks, especially if they are not mostly about shopping (these are now available on the TV after the presentation)
• enrichment talks, if it's something interesting to me (also on TV after)
• joining the CC roll call & going to meet & greet
• food-wise: International Cafe, the pizza (either on the pool deck or inside), poolside burger place, Pub Lunch but I don't know if that will be back, embarkation lunch in the MDR because it makes me feel like the cruise has started, chocolate cake from room service.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, bhawks9 said:

We have sailed on multiple Princess cruises and enjoy the R & R component of cruising.  We enjoy being poolside not doing too many onboard activities and sometimes will do an excursion.    For background, we usually just eat in buffet, maybe one night or two in the MDR.   We are super casual and don’t dress up (we are acceptable casual) for the formal nights, although, we enjoy seeing everyone dressed to the “nines”.  We almost feel guilty walking around the ship not as formal and definitely don’t go to the MDR those nights.  All that said, what things on the ship are we missing out on?   Sometimes the Patters don’t give insight like on these boards.  Thanks and hope this topic is not too vague.  

Here’s what we did on our recent 21 day B3B in the Med on the Regal, which probably isn’t the norm for most folks on a cruise.

 

1. Went to breakfast in Club Class dining.

2. Either went on a ship sponsored excursion on port days or to a lecture in the theater on sea days.

3. If we were on the ship, we then went back to the cabin where I would hang out on our balcony, watch for wildlife and post to my CC “Live From” thread while my DW would play computer games.

4. Went to lunch in CC dining or the buffet, depending on whether we were in port or at sea.

5. Went to an afternoon lecture, played “stress free” trivia and then went back to the cabin and hung out on the balcony, watched for wildlife and posted to CC while my DW played her computer games.

6. Went to dinner in CC dining.

7. Went to the early show about 30 minutes early to get a good seat that was pretty much away from most other folks. Did I mention we were anti-social. 😂

8. Afterwards, we would go over to Princess Live (aka Explorers Lounge on the older ships) to laugh A LOT by watching the evening game show.

9. Then headed back to the cabin where, you guessed it, I would hang out on the balcony, gaze out at the night sky, and post stuff to CC while by DW was playing computer games.

10. Then we went to bed

Here’s a link to that Live From thread to see just exactly what I was posting while sitting on the balcony. 😂

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2862910-live-from-the-regal-july-2-23-med-cruise-rt-barcelona/

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[jasbo49]

Bhawks9, you don't say what kind of cruises you like to take. And it makes a big difference as to what you might be "missing."

 

If it's mostly one-week sailings with lots of ports (Caribbean, Mexico, etc.) my main suggestion would be to explore all the live music options on board. I've been bummed out more than once when I discovered on the last day or two that there was a great musical act I didn't discover till then.

 

If you're taking longer cruises, you'll find there are a lot more entertainment/activity options. Enrichment talks and port talks that are not shopping oriented are high on our list. On any cruise that offers music classes or Princess Choir, that's where I gravitate. 

 

Jim

[wowzz]

What are you missing?  

Basically, spending as much time as possible ashore, preferably on a private tour,  to see a little of the country you are visiting.

[Kay S]

Are they still doing Princess choir?  I think the masks were a problem.  Do they still do "Sweet Caroline" ad nauseum? 

[travelin.sisters]

2 minutes ago, Kay S said:

Are they still doing Princess choir?  I think the masks were a problem.  Do they still do "Sweet Caroline" ad nauseum? 

haven't seen the Princess choir this year on any of our cruises

[jasbo49]

18 minutes ago, Kay S said:

Are they still doing Princess choir?  I think the masks were a problem.  Do they still do "Sweet Caroline" ad nauseum? 

Hey, I'm talking old days here. I haven't been on a cruise since 2019. But I wanted to point out that Princess Choir was one of my highlights.

 

And, no, I've never been a Neil Diamond fan. But when Caroline is on the list, then Caroline we'll sing.

 

Jim

Edited October 9, 2022 by jasbo49

[Itchy&Scratchy]

18 hours ago, bhawks9 said:

We are super casual and don’t dress up (we are acceptable casual) for the formal nights, although, we enjoy seeing everyone dressed to the “nines”.  We almost feel guilty walking around the ship not as formal and definitely don’t go to the MDR those nights.

well, that's just silly. We are casual, but we still go to MDR on formal nights... It's not like we are wearing shorts and t-shirts, but pants and a casual blouse/men's shirt will do. Dressing casually will never preclude me from eating "formal" food.

Edited October 10, 2022 by Itchy&Scratchy

[DCThunder]

You haven't mentioned any interest in physical activity but be sure to check out the fitness center.  If you go to the gym at home, there's no reason you shouldn't get in a workout or two, especially on sea days.  On a recent TA (6 sea days), I basically "walked" across the ocean by doing an hour on the treadmill every day in either the late morning or mid-afternoon.  Looking out at the ocean and watching for sea life, other ships, or just enjoying the view of the vastness of the sea is a wonderful way to work off some of the cocktails and desserts. You can also do laps on the outside track.  Folks play pickleball, shoot hoops, or play table tennis either up on the Sky Deck or on the Lido deck.

 

 

[Esprit]

I would be missing out if I didn't eat in the MDR or a speciality restaurant every night on board. Being waiting on and getting to know our wait staff is an important cruise ingredient. We missed not sharing a table with fellow cruisers on our two post Covid cruises.

 

We are not foodies and certainly not big eaters so the buffet in the evening has no appeal to us whatsoever.

 

We'll dress up regardless of the dress code and don't give a monkey's what others choose to wear.

 

Drinking beer by day and wine by night. Nothing beats socialising with others either at the dinner table or at one of the bars. We'll fit in a show if something really appeals, but we prefer to dance when the opportunity arises. 

 

Never have I felt I was missing out whilst on a ship!