The first 24 hrs onboard - what's your favourite bit?

[KruzNutty]

I love walking across the gang-way and on to the ship for the first time. Nothing beats the rush I feel at that moment. Except.....when the ship's whistle blows because it's finally time to sail. It's music to my ears!!!

 

Happy cruising everyone!

[artk]

Generally when i cruise i fly into the departure port the night before... and book a hotel as close to the port as possible... To me... the goosebumps begin when i wake up in the morning at the hotel... open the shades... and look out and see MY ship in the port.... and then when i get to the port.. and see the ship docke.... and it doesn't stop....

[Xcruzr]

For me it is positively the first sunset. The colors of the sunset over an open ocean is just incredible. Has to followed closely by first view of your room. Knowing that all the planning and waiting is over and you are THERE!

[raytownlady]

For us, it's walking onboard for the first time; especially if it's a ship we have never sailed on. No matter how many cruises you go on; what a feeling: it's wonderful.

[SailyaCruise]

I love walking across the gang-way and on to the ship for the first time. Nothing beats the rush I feel at that moment. Except.....when the ship's whistle blows because it's finally time to sail. It's music to my ears!!!

 

Happy cruising everyone!

I get goosebumps thinking about it!! :D We have 53 days until Freedom!! :eek: :D

 

This is a GREAT topic!!:)

[windjamming]

I love seeing Day 1's cruise compass. In fact, one of my favorite parts of each day is coming back into the cabin after dinner and thumbing through the next day's compass.

[herecomesthesun]

Oh my gosh, has this thread gotten me excited or what!! We leave for our cruise in FIVE DAYS and I can't hardly contain my excitement!!!

[ShipsRCool]

Ok first I hate the first photo that they take, you never have a sec to get ready for it, and I hate being surprised. But having said that I do admit I always buy the damn photo!

 

I hate the muster station drill, I hate wearing the damn life vest, I hate it when you have to wait longer because someone went to the wrong station or is just late. Ugh...

 

Ok things I love the first day! Getting out of the taxi at the pier and catching a glimpse of the ship. Grabbing a cool drink and watching as the land slowly disappears over the horizon. The best is walking on the top decks aft watching the wake in the moonlight.

 

Joe

[Peggy13]

I also love walking over that gangway onto the ship - the cold a/c air you feel the second you walk onto the ship! Also love that first Coco Loco.

[sgttami]

We're usually first at the pool bar...the last 3 cruises we were..

 

After a reasonable time, I go check to see if luggage has arrived and DH stays at pool bar (to chair hog pool bar seats!!)

 

I'll unpack..(if luggage is there)

 

Back to pool bar to people watch...Do muster...go to dinner...check out ship..go to casino...lose money...go to sleep.

 

Wake up in the middle of the ocean and enjoy sunrise and coffee on the balcony....then, I relax!!!

[The Grumpus]

Oh GOD! This thread is killing me!:D I think I like everything everyone has said so far... especially hanging out at the pool bar after all but a few have left to get dressed for dinner and I'm hanging out till the last minute before going myself. Seeing your port of departure disappearing in the sunset... knowing I have a week or so with no keys, wallets or phone calls and the biggest worry I have is making my excursions... so wonderful.

[Maddle]

You guys are killing me!...because I just can't wait to go on another ship!!!

 

My favorite moment is literally stepping onto the ship...and it just gets better after that!

 

Anyone ever see the tv character Monk put the coaster under the coaster as a back up? My DH says that's me. I am one of those people that obsesses over every possible way something could go wrong,(we've all seen the horror stories)...but I know once I am "on the ship" - that's it! Let the games begin.

 

Maddle

[tommyandjeremy]

The best moment for me is probably the moment everything is unpacked and put away. This allows me to feel more at home. I am a very organized person and tend to stress about many things, hence my need for long vacations. The last stress I have is whether or not our bags make it on the boat and into our room in a timely manner. Once they arrive, a weight lifts off my shoulders and then utter relaxation envelops my entire body. :)

[Richjoxyz]

What a thought provoking question, very good! There really is a magical feeling as the ship comes into view. The heightened anticipation derived of the realization that “we’re here!” softens the embarkation. And finally…the picture! Let the magic begin! Enter the ship! Explore! Settle into the cabin. It’s all amazingly fun and exciting! But for me…THIS is when the cruise truly begins…

 

I’m standing on the balcony…my beautiful lover in my arms. The warm sultry tropical air surrounds us and fills our senses. El Morro slowly glides by the ship. She is magnificent…she is strong, and her lights combine with the moon and starts to create a hypnotizing romance. My lover has never seen anything like it. She is awe struck and transformed, from a twenty-first century modern woman, to a seventeenth century maiden being rescued by her Prince. We embrace each other and gaze eye to eye. The KY is at home, it won’t be required. :p

[Cheubaca]

My favorite thing is the first night at about 11:30 - 12:00 go up on deck and lay there and watch the stars. Thats what makes it a relaxing cruise, Oh and I cant forget the morning run as the suns coming up

[Langley Cruisers]

Our last two cruises, we have done the same thing - gone to the Windjammer and taken a table at the very back and just had a relaxing meal, dessert, and coffee. The sunset is magnificent! It's just the most wonderful way to spend the end of the hectic first day. :)

[Mikew0805]

My absolute favorite thing is to stand at the upper aft of the ship and watch the port disappear during sail away. I have missed dinner the first night in the dining room many times, cuz I just cant break away from this view. I can be found here many many manyyyyyy hours of the days on my cruises.. but this is the time that is most memorable, and important to me. :)

 

-Mike

[Doglady]

Nice to hear from other wiener dog lovers. I know the cruise has begun when I hear the line " I blew out my fleep flop on a pop top" for the first time of 1000 times. lol

[Grumm]

Trying to catch the elevator fairy-you know, the one who changes the day on the floor. Anyone ever seen her?

 

Alan

[Mofred]

MOFred. I /we do exactly the same thing ( jump up and down) and say we are here. Small world. Boy oh Boy it feels wonderful.

[Boatbuilder]

There's nothing that compares to the special "I'm on vacation feeling" you get when you rush up to the pool, inhale the fresh salty air, gather in the shimmering reflection of the waters surface and the prepare for the most exhilarating moment of the cruise....saving your first chair! I love placing fresh cabin towels, old T-shirts, overdue library books, and children's toys on the primo lounge chairs within the first hour of my cruise. I also love to shout "I OWN this ship and then dance around the deck, but I never sit on the towels or it would ruin them :D

 

Legal disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the poster do not represent actual facts and/or opinions and are not even remotely close to the truth in most circumstances. :p

[zackiedawg]

There's nothing that compares to the special "I'm on vacation feeling" you get when you rush up to the pool, inhale the fresh salty air, gather in the shimmering reflection of the waters surface and the prepare for the most exhilarating moment of the cruise....saving your first chair! I love placing fresh cabin towels, old T-shirts, overdue library books, and children's toys on the primo lounge chairs within the first hour of my cruise. I also love to shout "I OWN this ship and then dance around the deck, but I never sit on the towels or it would ruin them :D

 

That must mean your second favorite moment on a cruise is strolling into the dining room on formal night wearing jeans. ;)

[BellaLove]

Standing on the deck with a Miami Vice, right as the horn blows...it gives me goose bumps.

[wolfganghowell]

boatbuilder - your posts are seriously starting to threaten my career. You're also the guy that sneezes on the food in the Windjammer, aren't you?

[treacle]

Hi everyone - gosh that's some great answers! Our next cruise isnt until May 07 but I feel like I'm there already reading these posts.

 

Another thing I love is when you wake on the first morning and you have that moment between sleep and awake where everything is blank. Its dark in the cabin and then suddenly and slowly you realise you are not in your own bed. Then you remember "I'm on my CRUISE!!!" and you rush out to the balcony to see the ocean. FANTASTIC!!!!:D