Does preparing for your cruise stress you?

[TerryCRZ]

Hi guys,

Just thought I'd ask this question because I'm feeling really stressed getting everything ready for the cruise. I'm only a week and a half away from my trip. Is this normal? I just usually plan an itinerrary while on my trips to WDW and now just knowing I'll be at sea for 7 days... it's a lot for me. We'll be far from home, I'm still packing and still shopping for little necessities. It's not like we can just get off the ship and go to Walmart. Know what I mean? The Daily Navigators will also come last minute not very convenient for those of us who love to plan their days out in advance. I just don't want us to miss a thing but if I don't slow down I'm gonna miss everything.

 

[Frankiesmom]

I said yes because I have to do everything for my whole family-all the packing;the remembering;the lists-you get my drift. A DH and 3 kids is a lot to get ready for a cruise! LOL Angel

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

....I have it all when I'm planning.

I'm excited from the moment I book.

Then hyper sets in as I start making plans...


...but back-up and move away when I start to pack. I was TOTALLY stressed out when it came time to pack. Being a single mommy, it's all up to me and I feel responsible if anything is overlooked.

I have promised that I will NOT STRESS for our next cruise. I've sworn that I will not overpack - especially clothes. I don't know who I think I'm kidding!

In the end all the stress it pointless anyway. How could you have a BAD time on DCL right?


Kelly

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Not at all. It absolutely EXCITES me!

 

[Laura24]

I will admit, the first cruise prep was stressful, but you know the saying "practice makes perfect", I plan on practicing as often as possible!

 

[aiken4mickey]

I said "Yes" too.....But, it's good stress.....The planning for the next trip begins onboard........I think about the should of's...the next time.....so, planning starts early.........I stress alittle about making sure the extras for our group are in order...that's good fun stress.......The real stress starts the day before we cruise......I send the kids to school.......make sure I've packed all the clothes for 5 people...and not forgotten stuff......(bought new Jasmine costume for the last cruise....had to hide it at home...because cruise was a surprise.......thought I packed it.....unpacked on the ship...no costume......had to buy a replacement for $60...and the Jasmine had been $20 after Halloween) Because I like surprising the kids....I have stuff hidden all over the house.....so, I tend to forget about stuff...Anyway, after packing...then reviewing several times the birth cert...the documents...$$....then I hope to have 30 min of calm before the kids get home from school...and we jump in the car and head towards DCL. I'll take this kind of stress any day!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Even after 4 cruises and countless WDW vacations, I still get that mix of anxiety and stress built up in me. I get a little difficult as my DH would say in the week leading up to the cruise. LOL

 

[pacercolt]

Heck no, I would leave in an hour and be completly ready and excited to go. I have a ball planning and getting ready for my cruise!

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

On our first cruise I wanted everything to go just right-which we all knew was a stupid expectation. On our second cruise I just went with the flow of it all. I love planning things but I also like the "unexpected" moments. Don't fret over the little things in life just remember to have fun with your family and just go with the flow.

 

[Amlee]

I said No, because for me I'm always ready to go. But then I have to say yes when I'm traveling with others. Because I have to worry if they are carrying everything they need. BUT I'm learning to just worry about myself and if they forget something, then it's their problem. I have no problem getting on the plane or boat by myself!

 

[birdmom]

YES lots and lots of happy stress, only I have been running around getting ready like a chicken with my head cut off you a year! (you'd think I would be ready by now)

 

[sftnslky]

I also said yes....for two reasons...One cause like others have said I am the ONLY packer in the family... DH will throw in a few things at the end...but I don't consider 2 extra pairs of holy underwear packing. I also have to pack for our girls or else we would end up with suit cases FULL of barbies and ALL of barbies stuff.....

Reason number two is...While DH and are are cruise veterans [not on DCL though] our girls have only gone on one other cruise... and it was AWFUL. Last year we took the girls on the Carnival Pride...and the kids "camp" was literally like a 8x10 room, with a small art table with four chairs.... a small tv with a dvd player, and some board games. They HATED it. And only spent a total of 3 hours in 7 days there. And my Macy had just barely [by two weeks] turned 6..so she couldn't stay up for any of the shows..and the dining room WAS NOT kid friendly... no kids menus or meals for them, and a waiter who acted like he had never seen a child in his life. We asked him if he could bring out their meals earlier then the adult meals...He said "Sorry we have a routine, and I can't bring them out till I can bring out the adult entrees. So I only was able to enjoy the dining room 1 night...all the other nights we ordered room service or went to get pizza...or salad and fruit from the buffet. I was never so happy a cruise to end as I was that one.

So I am praying that this one will be MUCH diffrent.

 

[ashman]

I voted no. I booked our cruise over a year and half ago, we still have 5 months. I get stressed over my countdown counter not moving fast enough! My wife is the packer but she won’t worry too much about it. Just last week she said she was getting kinda excited about the trip. I was thinking about time! I’ve been that way for over a year! We are giving our cruise to our girls as a surprise for Christmas. My wife and I have been on two cruises already so we feel pretty confident about what we need. The only stress I have is when my darling bride said “You know, three days isn’t going to be long enough we should have done a 7 night!.” Of course being the President of the OCOOPPAA (Obsessive Compulsive Overeager Obnoxious Pre-Planning Addicts of America) I know there is no way we can book a 7 day with the prices we just have to wait for the 2008 rates!

 

[disneypoor]

I voted no, but if this thread had been titled "Does Paying for A Disney Cruise Stress You Out" I would have definitely voted yes! I absolutely love the planning part. I'm the planner, packer, driver, etc. My husband might also throw in a couple of pairs of holey underwear (I loved that comment in one of the earlier posts), but for the most part, everything is on my shoulders. That's how I like it though. I LOVE to plan vacations! It doesn't matter if it's a Disney Cruise, a trip to WDW or DL, or a weekend trip somewhere. Planning is right up my alley! It's all part of the fun of vacation for me. I think I might have missed my calling! My husband thinks I should have been a travel agent! If we keep going on these BIG vacations, I just might have to get a second job! Any travel agents out there needing help?

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

YES lots and lots of happy stress, only I have been running around getting ready like a chicken with my head cut off you a year! (you'd think I would be ready by now)

I had to sayt that I LOVE your siggy - the priceless portion of it is simply "priceless" and too TURE!!!


Kelly

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi,

Not so much anymore, but I got pretty stressed out over my first few cruises. Now cruising itself doesn't stress me out anymore, just leaving my four-legged kids stress me out some. I worry about my babies and wish I could take them with me.

 

[bdink921]

I voted no--the planning is not the stressful part. THE WAITING FOR IT TO GET HERE IS!!!!!! I had a blast planning this trip that is still 69 WHOLE days away (booked 378 days out)!!! Now once I pay off the WDW portion next week, then it's all bought and paid for, but still I am WAITING!!

Yep flights all set, ADRs made, excursions booked--Palo too . Nothin left to do but pack--oh yeah, and WAIT .

 

[TerryCRZ]

Perhaps I'm so stressed because its my first cruise and don't know what I'll actually need, use from what Im packing. Like some of you said my DH is exactly the same, I still havent seen what he's taking clothewise. As for me, all my stuff is packed and I'm in the process of packing my 2 DD's. I even made a list of day clothes, check, evening wear, check, shoes, check, pj's, check, etc... I mean the packing alone is really what's stressing me. DH is just now sarting to get excited himself. Suddenly offering to get necessities, offering ideas, opinions. Hello! I tell him, I told you to get on Dis Boards sooner. Well better late than never, he's finally on board. I see his excitement and aside from my stress that makes me super happy. I can't wait!

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

I'm stressed because this is our first cruise...ever! So, yes...I am stressed! Luckily, I have found this board because it has been so helpful and I'm sure I will need a lot more help once our cruise date gets closer. Right now, I am sitting back and relaxing, but come next year...lots of planning to do!!!

 

[auntsue1]

I voted no but I do get very excited! Like others have said, the first DCL I wanted everything just so but no matter how much planning you do, you will wish you did something different. For one thing, pack less - I went overboard, especially dressy clothing for dinner. The second cruise I took it easy - but still made many lists so the important things went. It was fun for me to plan and buy little things I thought we would enjoy on the cruise. I cut our clothing in half (almost) and packed some detergent tablets and dryer sheets if needed. I loved our cruises and would go again tomorrow it someone gave me a ticket!