Excited for cruise, but nothing to plan

[squirk]

This is more for you Gold & Platinum CC members, but I welcome all constructive comments:

We have another DCL cruise planned next February. It is a 7-night Fantasy E. Carib out of PC. We have done this itinerary four times already (although this time has Tortola instead of St. Martin).

I am still super-excited for the cruise, but....the anticipation is different now. Not "less", just different.

I no longer need to read Passporter or Unofficial Guide for info on the ship or the ports. I've watched the DVD dozens of times over. I no longer have to obsess over what or how much to pack, where to stay in PC/CB the night before the cruise, or what Port Adventures appeal to my family. I already know how fantastic Remy is, how we don't care for how the wait staff hover over you in Palo, and what a screaming deal the Rainforest Day Pass is (so long as you use it every day).

Basically, I guess there is no longer much in the way of surprises or the thrill of planning for the "unknown". I know - first-world problems, right?

I know we could change itineraries, ships or even cruise lines and get us some strange, but this particular itinerary always seems to work best for us logistically.

So, for you CC members who have done the same or substantially similar itineraries over and over again, especially if traveling with school-aged kids, what do you do to keep things fresh? Or do you just savor knowing exactly what is going to work for you and not having to plan around any uncertainty?

Thx.

 

[CamColt]

I find it is easier the more you know. You don't have to spend all that time and energy planning and researching so you can sort of just go with the flow and enjoy the trip more. For the pre trip excitement, i guess for me it's knowing what to expect, and knowing just how great that is.

 

[CScott095]

This is more for you Gold & Platinum CC members, but I welcome all constructive comments:

We have another DCL cruise planned next February. It is a 7-night Fantasy E. Carib out of PC. We have done this itinerary four times already (although this time has Tortola instead of St. Martin).

I am still super-excited for the cruise, but....the anticipation is different now. Not "less", just different.

I no longer need to read Passporter or Unofficial Guide for info on the ship or the ports. I've watched the DVD dozens of times over. I no longer have to obsess over what or how much to pack, where to stay in PC/CB the night before the cruise, or what Port Adventures appeal to my family. I already know how fantastic Remy is, how we don't care for how the wait staff hover over you in Palo, and what a screaming deal the Rainforest Day Pass is (so long as you use it every day).

Basically, I guess there is no longer much in the way of surprises or the thrill of planning for the "unknown". I know - first-world problems, right?

I know we could change itineraries, ships or even cruise lines and get us some strange, but this particular itinerary always seems to work best for us logistically.

So, for you CC members who have done the same or substantially similar itineraries over and over again, especially if traveling with school-aged kids, what do you do to keep things fresh? Or do you just savor knowing exactly what is going to work for you and not having to plan around any uncertainty?

Thx.

So I am still silver and will turn gold in January. I am still so excited and even more so because I have the experience, I know what to expect, and I do not have to angst over planning. Now, we are leaving from Miami, but a Marriott is a Marriott so where we sleep the night before is covered. My life is all about staying organized and planning, so I appreciate the break. Hope that helps at all!!

 

[Sytrace]

We are going on our 8th DCL cruise on Monday to celebrate my husbands 50th birthday. I have two teens (13 and 14) who have been on every cruise with us since we started sailing in November 2013. We have been to Mexico and the Caymans a few times, Jamaica twice, San Juan and Sint Maarten once and the Bahamas a twice (next one is the Monday cruise) We have been to Tortola and St. Thomas in January and going back in September for 9th cruise.

I would love to take a longer cruise, but at this time our family business does not allow that luxury. Last year when we got off the Fantasy, we said we were going to take a break and not sail until September 2016 (booked on board)
Obviously, this does not work for us

So, how to keep it as fresh and fun as the first time onboard
We have made an effort to try something new every cruise and that seems to work.
For example, before our January cruise, I had never tried the Rainforest. (I know...shocking) So, I bought the week pass for my husband and I and he did not enjoy it as much as I did. So, in September, I will book it for me.
The kids enjoy the kids clubs to a point. My daughter spent so much time looking forward to being old enough to go to Vibe, that when she finally got to go on our Jan cruise, it was sort of a downer. Anticipation was high, but the reality fell flat.
My son loves movies, so watching first run hits like the Avengers movies and Guardian of the Galaxy, Star Wars etc is a big thrill to him (okay, me too)

This cruise, my husband and I are going to make a definite effort to have a drink or two in the Skyline every evening after dinner.
We are going to try room service (I know...another shocker that we have not done this yet)
This kids have made some friends with teens their age via a cruise group and are looking forward to meeting them.

I think for us, it remains the best family vacation for us. We can unplug and enjoy an environment that moves as fast or slow as we want it.
No fast passes, no ADRs, no rope drop. Just relaxation and enjoying our time together.

 

[dclpluto]

I started a thread one time that DCL does a very great job in Europe on changing ports. Carribean they do a bad job. But I still love DCL and they fill the ships up most time in the carribean and Bahamas so no pressure on DCL part on mixing things up.
Next time I go to St Thomas been there a few times I'm going to St. John never been there. Sometimes I just get off the ship for an hour come back and enjoy a peaceful ship. Ports might be boring but I still book for the ship.

 

[lovedisneycruise]

I am gold, and for me, I get terribly excited with anticipation before a Disney cruise whether it's a repeat or not. The thing I find best about repeating itineraries is you know what NOT to do again – if I didn't like certain port, I now avoid it and stay on the much emptier ship. I just returned from my seventh last week – third western itinerary – and I stayed on for Cozumel and enjoyed the upper decks mostly to ourselves.

Also, We do second seating dinner, and I feel less pressure now to see all of the stage shows - I go only to my favorites – and that gives me much more relaxing time before getting ready to eat.

 

[Ofinn]

We've repeated cruises. It's definitely easier. I'm not much of a planner to start with. I've had to do some research for our upcoming Europe cruise, I'm still going to kind of wing it. Enjoy not planning.

 

[squirk]

Next time I go to St Thomas been there a few times I'm going to St. John never been there.

Logistics aside, St. John is the primary reason we stick with this itinerary. For us, making our own way to Trunk Bay is the high point of the cruise. If you get off the ship ASAP, you can get there a solid hour before the organized group excursions arrive.

 

[rantnnravin]

I think it makes the trip more relaxing. There is less pressure to do "everything." - Skip the dining room? ok. Skip the show? ok. Skip the port? ok. Do different things -- or do nothing at all...no worries about "missing it."

 

[belac]

How about just enjoying a relaxing vacation, you planned everything ten times over, you did all the leg work before so now just let it happen. Casually stroll on and get your drink and a lounger and just be there in the moment. The most amazing things happen when you relax and let the magic take over.
I did the same with WDW, yes new/different rides, or rules change year to year, but it is still the same WDW. Ever since my parents got a place in FL, DS was 1, we became annual members and went to parks 3 x or more a year. Mostly to see them but also feed my addiction. I became the resident expert and I got seriously burnt out by the time my DS was 6 and didn't want to go the following year and then we did because of out of country relatives wanted to go. I planned everything for them but just met up with them for dinner. When I told them they were all set and my family will meet up with them, we had no strict plans, went with just the few FP that we wanted for ourselves and made minimal dining plans they were shocked. You know what happened .... I loved that trip, I remembered why I love WDW again, like I did when I was younger (footloose and fancy free). It was like no plan and good things happened = great day - the things that didn't happen oh well still had a great time even if I knew about it.

Same with our past Wonder cruise, it was a b2b that we never did before, so that day that I got to come back on early and use pool by ourselves and take photos of everything with out anyone else in the pic. was the only thing I was looking forward to. We only planned one actual excursion and the rest was up for grabs. I got awesome pics of pirate Mickey on the wire by happenstance, rode an elevator with Pan, got front row at both sail away parties by happenstance, got to actually talk to some crew members from my parents home country and get to know them.. and best was we actually relaxed.
I didn't go over the navigator with a highlighter, We got to play games we wouldn't have time for before, DS actually got the nerve (terribly shy) to volunteer at a quiz show, that was amazing. We got little surprises here and there, and had a great talk with cap. Gus, who never goes into Palo brunch but he decided to this time. One early morning (one of the first mornings, still on work schedule) we went to breakfast, got coffee and pastry walked to deck 4 to sit outside and we saw dolphins swimming along with the ship, so one night after that I remembered deck 4 because we felt so stuffed from dinner that we actually did a few walking laps on there - I never did that. It was cool looking at all the stuff down there (forward and aft) BTW that is where the service dogs go potty lol. So let it just happen, is my advice. Plan enough that you will know is enough and let the rest happen.

BTW the best times I have ever had in other places, cities, ports was when we didn't have plans, got lost so to speak (in a safe way).

 

[jlynch924]

I book us a different type of room each time... Verandah, navigator's verandah, two-porthole, sideways, etc. we also do the fish extender, which adds something different to plan for before the cruise.

 

[michellekcm]

I am gold, and for me, I get terribly excited with anticipation before a Disney cruise whether it's a repeat or not. The thing I find best about repeating itineraries is you know what NOT to do again – if I didn't like certain port, I now avoid it and stay on the much emptier ship. I just returned from my seventh last week – third western itinerary – and I stayed on for Cozumel and enjoyed the upper decks mostly to ourselves.

Also, We do second seating dinner, and I feel less pressure now to see all of the stage shows - I go only to my favorites – and that gives me much more relaxing time before getting ready to eat.

I'm actually looking forward to our next cruise for this reason - we know which ports we're not getting off at (which would be all of them except CC!), and we're looking forward to just relaxing, swimming in less crowded pools, etc.

We also only see the shows we like now, and I've stopped making my kids come to them. If they would rather stay in the clubs than see the shows, they can. Except for Dreams - because I know that as soon as we leave the ship my daughter will get all upset if she hasn't seen it. So now I drag her away from the clubs to see that .

 

[swimfin]

Logistics aside, St. John is the primary reason we stick with this itinerary. For us, making our own way to Trunk Bay is the high point of the cruise. If you get off the ship ASAP, you can get there a solid hour before the organized group excursions arrive.

Hi! I posted a thread a little while back asking about transportation to St. John and you may have helped me with my question but in case you missed it I wanted to know if you choose to get to St. John via a cab to Red Hook and ferry across to Cruz Bay? If so, about how long is the cab ride from the port to Red Hook? Is the cost about $10/pp? I was under the impression the ferry is 20 minutes across to St. John. We were going to get my son's Junior Ranger badge while on the island and then possibly head over to Trunk Bay or Cinnamon Bay. Any advice would be greatly appreciated THANK YOU!!!

 

[squirk]

Hi! I posted a thread a little while back asking about transportation to St. John and you may have helped me with my question but in case you missed it I wanted to know if you choose to get to St. John via a cab to Red Hook and ferry across to Cruz Bay? If so, about how long is the cab ride from the port to Red Hook? Is the cost about $10/pp? I was under the impression the ferry is 20 minutes across to St. John. We were going to get my son's Junior Ranger badge while on the island and then possibly head over to Trunk Bay or Cinnamon Bay. Any advice would be greatly appreciated THANK YOU!!!

Hi. I remember the thread, but I think we discussed cost, not time.

Yes, the ferry is about 20 minutes. The cab ride from the port to Red Hook is between $10-$12 pp (they might cut you a break for kids under seven), and that is probably around 20 minutes as well with no traffic. Probably best to plan for 30 minutes to be on the safe side, especially for the trip back. We usually catch the 2:00 ferry back from Cruz Bay and get back to the ship in plenty of time. Tons of cabs waiting for you at Red Hook to take you back to the port.

 

[swimfin]

Hi. I remember the thread, but I think we discussed cost, not time.

Yes, the ferry is about 20 minutes. The cab ride from the port to Red Hook is between $10-$12 pp (they might cut you a break for kids under seven), and that is probably around 20 minutes as well with no traffic. Probably best to plan for 30 minutes to be on the safe side, especially for the trip back. We usually catch the 2:00 ferry back from Cruz Bay and get back to the ship in plenty of time. Tons of cabs waiting for you at Red Hook to take you back to the port.

THANK YOU!!!! Great help as always!!! Cheers!

 

[bksaffle]

So, not sure how old your kids are....but like us we have taken the same itinerary several times, and we still enjoy ourselves.

I have created a scavenger hunt book for my kids in the past. I pull pictures from the internet and past cruises and come up with riddles for them to figure out. I also include questions that they have to ask cast members for the answers. I have them fill out a map of the world with the names of the cast members from the different countries. "Where do you find this picture", How many "fishes" are found on the outside of the staterooms on deck 7. I would also do math problems...count this, subtract the number of fishes from the previous question....what is your answer (it happened to be our stateroom number), and they got a special treat that I put on our door.

By the time I got done we had so many questions, that the kids didn't have time to finish them all....but on down times it was a quick/fun way for the kids to fill their time...and plus it was a good competition for them. It was a fun conversation tool at dinner or whenever. It was fun for my husband and I to see the excitement when they figure something out or knew exactly where to go to get the answer.

Let's just say my kids know the ships pretty well by now. Depending on the age you can keep them really simple, as well as team them up with a parent to help them.

We have also gotten involved with the Fish Extender group and our kids loved seeing what gifts they would get everyday, and they enjoyed delivering our gifts to our group of recipients.