Did I Pick the wrong cruise?

[Rolling Stoned]

I am a newbie.

I know I should be really exited about it( and I am), but I'm a little freaked out. When my friends and I first booked on the Grand, all I had heard about cruiselines were "they are pretty much the same".

And then I found this site!

Anyway, as I lurk about, I can't help this feeling that It's not my kind of vacation. I was expecting a "no problem" type of caribbean experience and I forsee "problems". I don't own any suits or dress shoes and don't plan on ever owning (or renting) them. Jeans are pants to me. I don't like nouvelle cuisine (I don't even think I spelled it right!). I don't normally drink. I like to smoke. Can't stand crowds. Don't know anything about art or boutiques. Broadway shows? You can guess.

Go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for not doing more research. I'm not much of a researcher. This is my first messageboard experiece too. I guess what I'm hoping for is someone to pat me on the back and tell me it's not as uptight as it's made out to be.

I have heard so many good things about the Grand. Should I have booked the backwater cruise?

Also, is there a jail onboard? Just curious. Not intending to go there, but I wasn't intending to go to the ones around here either.:p

Did I pick the most unhillbilly cruisline or not. Thank you for any advice.

[Brenna]

Your vacation is what you make of it.

I have several family members just like you and they do their own thing.

You don't have to do anything you don't want to just go in with an open mind and have fun - you never know what might happen.

[luv2cruz64]

Just go and have fun. You can lay around on deck, emjoy the pool, the whirlpools. You can eat as casual or formal as you want. There is the buffet, the poolside grill ect... It does not have to be a stuffy experience. You'll probably have a great time and find some other 'hillbilly' friends to boot!

[Cathy p]

I shall pat you on the back. You will be fine. Enjoy don't worry just be you. I don't care what anyone thinks about what I am wearing. Enjoy. If anybody says anything than just tell them the Cruise Critic people said I have nothing to worry about so buzz off.:D

[GoodAsGold]

:D I had to giggle when I first saw your name! Gee, from the sound of it, cruising might not be the ideal vacation for you! It seems everything you described that you don't like is very much what a cruise is about, HOWEVER, that said, that's what's nice about sailing on a large ship. You can choose to participate in as much as you want or don't want to. If you don't care for crowds, look for a private nook to hang out. Avoid the buffet lines and go at "off-times". They are open 24/7, athough it's natural for the most variety to be served during peak hours. As for jeans being your "pants of choice", you'll either need to bite the bullet and invest in an inexpensive pair of Dockers or something non-jean...or be like my husband and find some nice looking denim in black or tan. Not torn or faded ones, though. My husband has some sharp looking denim pants in dark brown and black and when worn with a polo-type or button down shirt, he looks quite presentable. And, maybe no dirty tennis shoes. You can also elect not to eat in the dining room.

 

As for the Broadway shows and art auctions, a lot of passengers don't attend those. There will be areas where you can smoke. Do you like to throw a few coins in the slot machine or play Blackjack or other forms of gambling? Lots of smoke in the casino! You'll feel right at home! :eek:

 

What about swimming or hanging out in a secluded area near one of the pools? Do you enjoy a good book? iPod? Getting a tan? People watching? I can do that all day!

 

How 'bout kickin' up your heels on the dance floor? Sure, there will be people all around you. But, maybe you'll find someone to dance with and forget all about those crowds. It will be just the two of you having a good time. There are areas where you can just go and listen to music. No dancing required.

 

There's a library and I can assure that isn't usually crowded.

 

By the way, there is a jail on the ship. I'm sure that's one place you plan to stay away from! ;) As in your username, just don't go down the hallways "rolling stoned". LOL

 

Truthfully, I can't tell you if a cruise is for you or not. Just from your initial post, I was worried. You sound more like a cabins-in-the-backwoods kinda guy. :p ARE you a guy, by the way? I'm just assuming, of course.

 

By the way, what do your friends think? Are they into the crowds and "gourmet-type food" and the shows and all the other things that comes along with a cruise? Have they cruised before? I was going to suggest a shorter Carnival cruise just to get a taste. But, you'll find crowds and art auctions and Broadway shows there, too. They even prefer that you don't wear jeans in the dining room.

 

 

Best wishes to you! Hey, you might surprise yourself and end up enjoying it!

 

 

 

I am a newbie.

I know I should be really exited about it( and I am), but I'm a little freaked out. When my friends and I first booked on the Grand, all I had heard about cruiselines were "they are pretty much the same".

And then I found this site!

Anyway, as I lurk about, I can't help this feeling that It's not my kind of vacation. I was expecting a "no problem" type of caribbean experience and I forsee "problems". I don't own any suits or dress shoes and don't plan on ever owning (or renting) them. Jeans are pants to me. I don't like nouvelle cuisine (I don't even think I spelled it right!). I don't normally drink. I like to smoke. Can't stand crowds. Don't know anything about art or boutiques. Broadway shows? You can guess.

Go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for not doing more research. I'm not much of a researcher. This is my first messageboard experiece too. I guess what I'm hoping for is someone to pat me on the back and tell me it's not as uptight as it's made out to be.

I have heard so many good things about the Grand. Should I have booked the backwater cruise?

Also, is there a jail onboard? Just curious. Not intending to go there, but I wasn't intending to go to the ones around here either.:p

Did I pick the most unhillbilly cruisline or not. Thank you for any advice.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

More "PATS ON THE BACK" coming your way! There's something for everyone on a cruise ship. I wear the same things on a cruise that I do on a land vacation - maybe a little more 'spiffy' for dinner, but you'll see a little of everything. You'll meet interesting people from all walks of life. I think you might be surprised at what a good time you will have. Try to do a little research on the ports you'll be visiting - so you know what you want to do. Check out the 'ports of call' boards on this site - makes for very interesting reading.

 

Do have a GREAT cruise and report back to us on your experiences and opinions!

 

Kaye

[tONYpAL85]

Nothing to worry about. There are places to avoid crowds. Actually I think ANYTIME dining would be best for you. You can choose to eat in the buffet everynight and not have to worry about a scheduled dinner time. So you DONT need to own a suit! You don't have to goto the broadway shows nor do you have to go to art auctions (I hate art). You'll be ok.

[bubbadog]

youll be fine you can smoke,drink,gamble,stuff your face,just go be your self youll find others just like you so dont worry to much,just hit the bar first and everything will be fine lol:)))):p ;)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Nothing to worry about. There are places to avoid crowds. Actually I think ANYTIME dining would be best for you. You can choose to eat in the buffet everynight and not have to worry about a scheduled dinner time. So you DONT need to own a suit! You don't have to goto the broadway shows nor do you have to go to art auctions (I hate art). You'll be ok.

 

Just so no one is confused. Anytime dining has the same dress code as traditional. What the OP can do is dine in the Horizon Court on formal nights without having to dress up.

 

and you don't have to go to any of the activities. Many people just hang out.

[rebeccalouise]

This had to be a joke- if not, don't go on the cruise. You aren't going to like it!

[mortysmama]

Rebecca. I tend to agree with you. The op is giving me the impression that he/she is somewhat anti-social and a ship with 3000+ people is not a place for someone with that attitude. If this is not a joke...why would anyone ask about a jail on board? Something tells me this person is already considering behavior that will land him in the brig. Totally classless in every respect.

[chris2597]

We have been on The Grand twice and we loved it both times, even with some of the little problems that came up. The ship is huge and we never felt overwhelmed with crowds....There are lots of places to get away from all the other passengers.

If you are not interested in dressing up for dinner you can go to The Horizon Court for dinner. The HC is open 24/7. We usually ate breakfast there and most lunches. We enjoy dressing for dinner or at least I do and we ate in the dining room at night. The only really dressy nights are formal night. You could easily wear khaki pants and a casual shirt on the other nights in the dining room, if you wanted to do something other than HC every night.

Entertainment. The shows are really good, but there is so much going on from broadway shows, comedians, magic shows, great music by live bands to MUTS (Movies under the Stars).

I never thought I would enjoy the Art Auctions...not my cup of tea but we went to a couple of the auctions and I learned some things about the art world. I will never be an art enthusiast but it is always nice to learn something new. Another + about the art auction, free champagne.

[willysgrandma]

I never thought I'd be a cruiser - I was worried about feeling trapped on the ship during sea days. Was I wrong! I was hooked after my first cruise.

 

You can find plenty of places that there is not a big crowd hanging out at. If you don't want to dress up for dinner, eat at the buffet.

 

It's a great way to see several countries packing and unpacking once.

[Rolling Stoned]

Thank you all for the great advice. I will go with an open mind. Most of the things I mentioned are just unfamiliar to me. DW (yep, I'm a guy) and friends are more attuned to rules and such. You guys are right, I might just like it!

Oh yeah, I'm as sincere as I can get, sorry you thought I was joking.

mortysmama: Is morty for sale? You could sell him to me. Sell me your chilren!:cool:

[Rolling Stoned]

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. I will try to have an open mind. Most of the things I mentioned are unfamiliar to me. DW(yep, I'm a guy) and friends are more attuned to rules and such.

 

I was as sincere as I could be. I'm sorry you thought I was joking.

mortysmama: Is morty for sale? You could sell him to me. Sell me your children!:cool:

[dforeigner]

As other's have stated:

 

Anytime dining and traditional dining have the same dress codes. If you must wear jeans, you have the option of either call room service or eat at the buffet.

 

 

ONBOARD ATTIRE

Princess makes it easy to know what to pack and what to wear when you're dining onboard. There are two designations for dress codes: Smart Casual and Formal.

Smart Casual Evenings:

Passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home.

• Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies

• Pants and open-neck shirts for men

In the dining room, items such as cutoff T-shirts, shorts, halter tops, and jeans are not permitted; shoes must be worn at all times.

Formal Evenings:

• Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies

• Tuxedo, slacks with dinner jackets, or suits for men

Princess offers formal wear rental on all cruises; this can be arranged prior to embarkation. Please review the section entitled: formal wear. See below for a general evening attire schedule.

 

There is a big misconception in differentiating casual vs. informal. For the record, jeans are considered informal wear not casual. Examples:

 

(1)

Casual Attire

Women

· Khaki, corduroy, twill or cotton pants or skirts, neatly pressed

· Sweaters, twinsets, cardigans, polo/knit shirts

· Solid colors work better than bright patterns

Men

· Khaki, gabardine or cotton pants, neatly pressed

· Cotton long-sleeved button-down shirts, pressed, polo shirts or knit shirts with a collar

· Sweaters

· Leather shoes and belt

(2)

"Smart casual" is a more relaxed, yet professional look. Pressed

pants, a collared shirt, and clean, matching accessories. A sport coat

will add a touch of class to a casual look. Avoid jeans, sneakers and

T-shirts.

 

(3)

The style: Business casual has come to take on a variety of meanings -- most of which are misconceptions. Society has constructed this term to mean "anything other than a suit and tie." That's why it's not poor Larry's fault when he shows up to his meeting with the execs in jeans and a concert T.

 

So, what does "business casual" actually mean? Think of it this way: no jeans, no ties. Anything in between this spectrum is acceptable -- provided the outfit is assembled properly. From khakis and slacks to dress shirts and sweaters, you should be able to build enough of a varied wardrobe that'll impress the whole business casual boardroom.

[AZbeachboy]

You will have a great time stoned. It seems I am everything you are not, but dont hold that against me please. I sailed on the Grand about four years ago. It is the best ship we have been on.

 

The sail away party was great. They cut my thum trying to throw beer into the pool. That's ok I ended up with a six pack out of it:D.

 

But I love the formal nights own two tux's and can get many different looks by changing ties and vest and cumberbunds. But I have a rip roaring time.

[spongerob]

Just go and have fun. The nice thing about cruising is that there is something for everyone. If you really want to get away from everyone, just go up to Skywalker Lounge during the day, it's an incredible view plus very quiet. I was also one of those people who didn't think they'd enjoy a cruise. That was 12 cruises ago.

 

I assume you'll be sailing from Galveston. It's a mostly Texas crowd so they're pretty laid back, and there will be just enough Okies to help "class it up" a little. :D

 

I'm willing to bet you'll enjoy the ship more than the ports. That's where you'll find the crowds.

[Embracedbylife]

I think you should definetly go and try it out, and I have a feeling you might actually enjoy it. You don't have to worry about the "stuffiness" or "formalness" that you might be worried about. The thing with these posts is that you have to remember this is only a handful of the people that will be onboard. For the most part, no one really cares about the other person and the ships are so big you won't feel it's too crowded. We didn't go to any of the shows and enjoyed our room and our private balcony a lot.

 

So, if you arn't into crowds or formal dress, here's what I suggest:

- eat at the buffet (horizon court). It's very informal, not stuffy at all and you can wear your jeans 24/7! :)

- enjoy the pool areas and the casino.

- Pay for a balcony room. Upgrade if you can, so you can enjoy your room and relax to your hearts content on your balcony with a nice ciggie and a drink! That's my favorite part :)

[Mrs. Gump]

Stoned -

Definately go on the cruise then write us a review from your point of view! I, for one, would love to read it and you'd probably be helping a lot of others who have the same worries.

[cynbar]

Please don't worry about the dining or think that all you'll get are fancy dishes or "nouvelle cuisine." True, there are quite a few sophisticated offereings such as escargots and beef wellington, but there are also many more familiar choices such as prime rib, lobster,king crab legs, and roast pork. Every night, you can choose from the "Always Available" menu which offers shrimp cocktail, grilled chicken breast, sirloin steak,grilled salmon and ceasar salad -- so it should be hard to find a night where there is nothing you would enjoy. Also, don't hesitate to ask for something familiar like mashed potatoes -- we have done this on past cruises and it has always appeared.

[wrongwaywatson]

Don't worry, you just might have a good time. Last year, my DH went kicking and screaming. He just knew that he would be miserable. He prefers to hunt and fish on his vacations. However, he loved it and is looking forward to our 3/3/07 trip!

 

You can wear jeans in the buffet, so don't worry about dressing up if you don't want to. There are places to smoke and their are lots of places that aren't crowded. DH went back to the room everyday and took a nap to get away from the crowds, also.

 

I didn't go to one show on the ship. It just didn't interest me. We did enjoy the Movies Under the Stars (MUTS) every day, though. Unfortunately, I was in bed by 10 every night because I was so tired and stuffed! I'm not much of a nightowl at home (I get up at 4:30 am), so sleeping in till 6 am was a change for me.

 

Just do what you want to do and don't do what you don't want to do and you will be fine. Remember, you're on vacation, relax!

[wrongwaywatson]

Sorry, duplicate

[cruzin2paradise]

OP -- go on the cruise, keep an open mind and take EVERYTHING you read here with a very LARGE grain of salt!

 

And most of all, enjoy yourself, I'm sure you will!

[cwjeteagle]

You will have a Grand time. We just got off the Grand Princess and we are Texas Rednecks. We spent alot of time on the 15th deck at the Bar there facing the MATS. We just hung out. We did go to one comedy/magican show and to the spa and loved it. We too also just dress in jeans(wranglers). However since the weather was sooo warm and muggy we spent most our time in shorts and t-shirt. You can eat at the grill-hamburgers, hotdogs, bratwaurst, chicken breasts, veggie burgers and they even advertised saurkraut. The Horizon Court has pretty good food for supper. I think breakfast is the best in the Horizon Court. They also have a pizza pit area in the same general area as the grill. Mixed drinks are pretty resonable. We got the unlimited soda special for like $35 per person. There is an adult pool area at the back of the ship, and other quite area's you can spend your time at. Also if you get a balcony you always have your own little space. Alot of people go just to relax and you surely can do that. They never get off the boat. We however did enjoy going ATV'ing in Belize. Raymond our tour guide was excellent. Although if you like more rougher 4 wheelin--go ATVing in Cozumel. It is really old fashion 4 wheelin. Hope this helps.