Cruise ship loners: my butler is going to get a workout....

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

....and I say this because I spend....(horrors!!)....a lot of time in my stateroom which is why I booked a suite this time around. The stateroom is the all important deciding factor in how I choose a cruiseline/ship. I take all my breakfasts in my room, some lunches and dinners and often order room service late at night. I do a lot of reading, spend time on the verandah, looking out the window and even indulging in naps. Am I a hermit? Of course not. I do like to take some dinners in the dining room especially on formal nights. And if I meet people and connect and we dine together frequently, I welcome that too. I'm in the spa/gym a lot and like to walk up on deck.

 

I know this would horrify the 24/7 partiers out there but I wanted to put in my two cents about why some of us choose more expensive accomodations. And that there is yet another type of cruiser out there that you don't hear a lot about.

 

Any other stateroom people or loners out there like me?

[cruisecd]

I agree that for me the stateroom IS an important feature. I am on vacation to relax. I enjoy room service breakfast on my veranda in my bathrobe. I love to sit in the ocean air, read a good book and watch the water and I often do this from on my veranda to make sure I get some shade. For me this is not just a place to change and sleep.

That said, I lalso ove to get out and enjoy what the ship has to offer as well (new friends, pool, jacuzzi, spa, casino, dining rooms, etc).

I like to have choices on my vacation and one of those is the type of stateroom that let's me enjoy my trip to it's fullest.

Carol

[CatServants]

....and I say this because I spend....(horrors!!)....a lot of time in my stateroom which is why I booked a suite this time around. The stateroom is the all important deciding factor in how I choose a cruiseline/ship. I take all my breakfasts in my room, some lunches and dinners and often order room service late at night. I do a lot of reading, spend time on the verandah, looking out the window and even indulging in naps. Am I a hermit? Of course not. I do like to take some dinners in the dining room especially on formal nights. And if I meet people and connect and we dine together frequently, I welcome that too. I'm in the spa/gym a lot and like to walk up on deck.

 

I know this would horrify the 24/7 partiers out there but I wanted to put in my two cents about why some of us choose more expensive accomodations. And that there is yet another type of cruiser out there that you don't hear a lot about.

 

Any other stateroom people or loners out there like me?

 

 

US TOO!!!:eek::eek::eek: We call ourselves "Cabin Rats"! We've gotten over those awful guilt feelings that used to sneak up on us. You know..."We paid all this $$$$$ to sit in our cabin/verandah"? Turns out watching the beautiful world float by as we relax to soothing music in our own little space is WORTH EVERY PENNEY! That's why we, like you, feel the cabin is SO important. Let's hear it for "Cabin Rats" everywhere!:p

 

Happy cruising to ALL types of cruisers!:D

 

Denise

[Desertbelle]

I always hear people saying that paying for a balcony is a waste since all you do in the cabin is sleep and change clothes.....this is usually said by someone who has never had a lovely balcony cabin. :D

 

I love spending time in my cabin, napping with the door open and the sea breezes washing over me, I love sitting on the balcony working on a puzzle or listening to my ipod, and I especially love how being in my cabin is so quiet, no music or voices covering up the beautiful sounds of the ocean.

 

I don't eat much in the cabin, preferring the dining rooms, and I do like some of the onboard activities, but at least once a day I steal away to my cabin for some quiet time. Ahhhh, just thinking of it relaxes me. :)

[Cote d'or]

I always hear people saying that paying for a balcony is a waste since all you do in the cabin is sleep and change clothes.....this is usually said by someone who has never had a lovely balcony cabin. :D

 

Nope... We tried an inside cabin a month after we had a concierge class and untill now we sticked to the inside. ;)

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

Thanks everyone! Now I won't cringe when people ask what I'm doing spending so much time in my stateroom; I'll take comfort in knowing there are others like me.

 

And I like that name: cabin rats!!

[LV2KruzCats]

So glad we are not alone in wanting to spend lots of time in cabin, or actually on our veranda ! ;)

 

We always book our cruises by which great cabin/veranda is available. We just enjoy reading, snoozing, and watching the ocean and our alone time with each other.

 

Cabin Rats Unite ! :D :cool: :D

[Muushka]

My name is Muushka and I am a Cabin Rat.:D

So is Mr Muushka :D

 

Nice to meet you!

 

We have an extra large balcony this upcoming cruise. In the past we have hung out on the Promenade deck and eaten in the main dining room. That behavior will be so history for this cruise!

 

Oh, and this time we will bring our portable DVD player. So we can watch some decent movies in the cabin.

 

We may never come out!:eek:

[HspncElvis]

I always hear people saying that paying for a balcony is a waste since all you do in the cabin is sleep and change clothes.....this is usually said by someone who has never had a lovely balcony cabin. :D

 

I love spending time in my cabin, napping with the door open and the sea breezes washing over me, I love sitting on the balcony working on a puzzle or listening to my ipod, and I especially love how being in my cabin is so quiet, no music or voices covering up the beautiful sounds of the ocean.

 

I don't eat much in the cabin, preferring the dining rooms, and I do like some of the onboard activities, but at least once a day I steal away to my cabin for some quiet time. Ahhhh, just thinking of it relaxes me. :)

 

I agree with you 100%. We went on our first Cruise on the Constellation this past January. What a beautiful ship, and YES, we had a balcony. Was well worth the extra expense. Had a few Cigars on my balcony, as well as breakfast a few mornings. Our next Cruise is February of 2008. And guess what? We booked a cabin with a balcony! Infact, same ship, same cabin.:D

[LuLaLuvlee]

We are in the CRC as well. The quiet times in our cabin watching the world pass from our balcony form some of our most memorable experiences which are topped only by the night we awakened at 3am and went on the upper deck under a full moon with nice gusty winds. Now that was truly magical!

 

99% of the time we have breakfast in our cabin and enjoy the blissful quietness of the sounds of the water moving off from the ship and the gentle winds while we sip coffee on our balcony dressed in our jammies. *sigh

[kitty9]

I'm a cabin rat also. We have breakfast in the suite every morning and on the longer cruises, we'll have dinner on at least one night. We also will have lunch brought in on many days when we just want to sit in the sun and not have to bother putting on shoes and coverups for the buffet. That's one of the reasons I always complain about the bad TV on X. I like to fall asleep with the TV on every night, and their selections are really bad on X.

[raudacruise]

We must admit to being cabin rats also. We start everyday eating breakfast in. When at sea, our favorite thing is to hang out on the balconey. Sometimes we wander to do some cruiseline thing, but not very often. Sometimes hit the TPool but not often. And then head back to the balconey.

 

Evenings are different, we almost always go to the dining room and wander around the outside after dinner. Pre/Post drinks with new friends.

 

But then we are back on the balconey contemplating doing the same thing the next day while watching the sea go by.

 

I'd ask if anyone a cure for this but that would probably mean no more cruises ;).

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

On my last trip out I observed there were 3 different kinds of cruisers (I'm sure theres more, but in general).

 

1. Life's a Party-we all know who they are, where's the bar? is the first question when getting on the ship; they are the same people found in the disco at the wee hours of the morning....mostly an under 30 crowd.

 

2. Bingo Bingo Bingo-these are the people that go from trivia to art auctions to kitchen tours to basket weaving.....mainly retirees I found that like to keep busy.

 

3. R & R-the category I can be found in. We are the cabin rats and we like things calmmmmm. We can also be found in the spa, library, sunning in a deckchair or some out of the way pocket of the ship curled up with a book. We're the people you maybe bump into once on the cruise and never again....mostly a middle age working crowd that need a break from the 40 hour work week and 2 hour commutes.

 

Keep in mind these are just my observations and opinions and not meant to offend. It was also observed on HAL ships only-need I say more? I'm sure RCL and Carnival offer entirely different pax bases.

[flag fan]

Me too, sort-of. I travel solo and love to spend time in the cabin--watching the tv (I do care what channels are playing) and movies; ordering room service (at least once or twice for lunch or mid-afternoon or dinner or late night w/ a little bubbly); and reading on the bed or (even better) on the balcony. However, I also love the ship's events--movies in the movie theatre, musical and comedy shows, a night at the casino, even the art auctions. And I do like eating with others most nights. So, I'm a combination of R&R and bingo-bingo-bingo. Glad you posted so I know I'm not the only one that actually enjoys being in my cabin.

[Lois R]

There are more than 3 types of crusiers.

I am definitely not in the "under 30 category" but yes, I do enjoy

the Martini Bar every night before dinner.

Partier? No I don't consider myself one, but if that is the choice being

given...it would be that over Bingo. I have never played bingo

in 11 crusies on X. And I do enjoy rest and relaxtion. But it is

not usually in my cabin during the day.

As for cabin rat? Different strokes for different folks. Nobody should

ever feel guilty for staying in their cabin.

If you are happy staying in, then more power to you.:)

I sail solo and most times my budget does not allow a balcony.

So I book what I can afford~it is that or not cruise at all.

Well, that latter is no longer an option.;)

 

Do I eat in my cabin? No. Does it bother me? No.

Do I watch tv in my cabin? Nope. I think the only time I put

it on is to check my account.

 

Again, if you are happy with your choices that is what matters.:)

Being in your cabin, out on your balcony or outside of your cabin.

We all have priorities and we all make choices that are best

for us. Oh, I spend lots of time on my own throughout the cruise...it is just not

in my cabin.

Enjoy your cruise:)

[CatServants]

Just reading all the wonderful Cabin Rat "activities" you've all mentioned has made me feel more relaxed...and anxious...to cruise! I think it's a wide and wonderful world out there - plenty of room for ALL types of cruisers as everyone has pointed out. However, I think for my next cruise (Apr 08, YAY!), I'll get a t-shirt made up that says "Cabin Rat". That way, when we're asked, no one will be surprised when my DH and I say, "We're just hangin' around the cabin". Or maybe it should just say "CRC". That way fellow Cruise Critic friends will understand, and the other pax won't think I have pet rats in my cabin...don't want to start a panic!;)

 

Denise

 

I stole CRC from a previous (witty!) poster. Forgive?:o

 

Denise

[scamper]

Thanks everyone! Now I won't cringe when people ask what I'm doing spending so much time in my stateroom

 

Certainly don't cringe! My first cruise, the lowest category inside on "Norway" there was certainly no reason to stay in the room. But! The next cruise, a HUGE picture window and I couldn't take my eyes off the sea. I swore I'd never go back to an inside room. Then a verandah! To sit on the verandah for hours, watching the sea, the gulls, reading, the goings on the island; taking meals, tea, wine before dinner! This is the ultimate for me. Well, I can't say that I would never book an ocean view again, but it would be a challenge!

 

Many years ago a travel agent friend told me years ago that the first rooms to sell out on a ship are the most, and least, expensive. Why would the cruiselines create these opulent suites if they weren't meant to be used extensively? Frankly, I would love to cruise in one of NCL's villa staterooms on some of their ships, but at the risk of sounding like a snob, the "mass market" of NCL, Carnival, Costa, and RCI just does nothing for me. I dream of the day when Celebrity, HAL, or Princess comes up with the equal of the Villa and Villa deck staterooms on NCL.

[Drew B]

I'm the furthest thing from a cabin rat, but I try to book the best cabin I can comfortably afford so that the time I do spend in the cabin is as enjoyable as possible. Perhaps if the TV choices on X weren't quite so atrocious (this is something that would be so easy and inexpensive to improve!), I would spend a little more time in the cabin...

[C 2 C]

Had a few Cigars on my balcony, as well as breakfast a few mornings. Our next Cruise is February of 2008. And guess what? We booked a cabin with a balcony! Infact, same ship, same cabin.:D

 

OK what cabin? I'm on that cruise and I want to be on the opposite side...:eek: enjoying my balcony sucking in the clean salt sea air..

 

I just checked the roll call...you're on port we're starboard...

[mydogs]

We are "cabin rats" and proud of it ! Nothing better then breakfast on the balcony. No crowds, no noise and just relax and watch the sea. We do have dinner in the dining room most nights and a cocktail in a lounge before or after dinner. Some port days we even stay aboard and read out on the balcony. Terrible !!!!!!!!!! After dinner we like to sit on the balcony and look at the stars and listen to the sea. A balcony and a suite are worth every penny. Take 1 less cruise per year and enjoy the good life.

[raudacruise]

I'm the furthest thing from a cabin rat, but I try to book the best cabin I can comfortably afford so that the time I do spend in the cabin is as enjoyable as possible. Perhaps if the TV choices on X weren't quite so atrocious (this is something that would be so easy and inexpensive to improve!), I would spend a little more time in the cabin...

 

 

While yes to the TV choices are good they actually do show special sport events. Both NCAA basketball semis and the final were shown (in room at no cost) in April when we where on Infinity going through the Panama canal. ESPN has some special sattilite feed for cruise ships, even though it was broadcast on national TV. Kinda of wierd though. No commercials and the annoucers could be heard between play talking about things they probably shouldn't have commented on. "What did you do after leaving the bar last night?". I'll leave that one alone.

 

Admittedly, the normal fare would make you wonder about changing to basic cable service.

 

But, thinking they can just put up a sat reciever is not correct. DirectTV for example does not cover the entire world. Even sat radio is very limitted to the contental US.

 

There are a lot of sattelites up there but are directional when receiving and sending and have a limited scope.

 

We hardly watch TV on cruises (except for NCAA championship mentioned above).

 

I think X is doing as best as it can regarding TV.

[Spender Nui]

Some of the posts ... and responses on the CC boards never cease to amaze me.

[C 2 C]

Some of the posts ... and responses on the CC boards never cease to amaze me.

 

It's better than watching TV. Those reruns of the 50's get kinda stale. Here you get to laugh and cry all on the same thread. You just never know whether someone is pulling your leg or actually believes the stuff we post.;)

[Drew B]

But, thinking they can just put up a sat reciever is not correct. DirectTV for example does not cover the entire world. Even sat radio is very limitted to the contental US.

 

 

It doesn't even have to be live TV. They have that channel where they show a loop of licensed repeat shows. If they simply put that on 3 channels and licensed a lot more shows (old reruns are dirt cheap to license), it would be a million times better. I spend very little time in the cabin, and yet I saw the same episode of "Remington Steele" FIVE TIMES just turning on the TV while I was getting dressed in the morning or changing during the day or getting ready for bed at night. It's really pathetic!

 

I'm sure that if they raised everybody's cruise fare a quarter, they could probably pay to license every episode of 3 dozen different shows, and we'd never have to see the same episode over and over again...

[emptynest1]

I would like to be included in the "Cabin Rat" club.

 

I enjoy socializing when I want, and the Martini bar has seen it's share of my face, but there is nothing more soothing than relaxing on the veranda, or the quiet of an early morning breakfast in the cabin watching the world go by.

 

You can have the TV and movies, not my style.