Up in the Middle of the Night

[pacey]

I have HUGE sleeping problems. Is there anyplace open I can go to on the cruises if I'm up in the middle of the night? Any places to get coffee all night?

 

[Budzooka]

I usually get up in the middle of the night for a few hours. On the Fantasy a few weeks back, I went to Shutters kiosk every night to look at pictures and would just walk around the ship. Didn't see anything open, but wasn't really looking either.

Usually ended up on our verandah to watch sunrise before going back to bed for a little bit.

 

[KristiMc]

You can get coffee on the pool deck at the 24 hour beverage station

 

[aggiedog]

Perhaps the middle of the night coffee is contributing to your inability to sleep?

ETA (Sorry, just couldn't resist. No judgement here. Enjoy your cruise!)

Not sure if you've cruised before so forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, inside and out, even if there aren't lounges or restaurants technically open.

 

[BigredNole]

I am the same way or I should say I use to be. I was concerned with what I could do when I woke up at the crack of stupid (1AM). I know nothing is open, but there had to be parts of the ship that can be seen. Even walking up on the deck in the open air. I could find a lounge chair to sit in, watch a movie on the iPad, and possibly doze off again for 30 minutes.

 

[aggiedog]

I'll just add we've only been on the Magic and Wonder, but I think it would have to be the middle of the night to nab one of those great circle window seats. They are always in high demand. I'd happily hang out there for awhile.

 

[mevelandry]

Perhaps the middle of the night coffee is contributing to your inability to sleep?

Not sure if you've cruised before so forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, inside and out, even if there aren't lounges or restaurants technically open.

Good tip. Not a Dr but I've had trouble with sleeping in the past: the doc told me to cut everything that contained cafeine from my diet, (even in the morning), avoid stimulation like computers/iPad helps (something with the light coming out of them apparently gives the brain a signal to stay awake). Also, being entertained is not helping.

My suggestion would probably to go lie down in the Quiet Cove or the balcony if you have one, to watch the sea (if it's not too dark), hear the sound of the waves crashing on the cruiseship + the rocking of the ship might help you be in a very relaxed state of mind that might help you go back to sleep.

 

[Otimon]

I'm often awake very early on the ship as well. I use that time to roam the ship to get wonderful pictures I wouldn't have otherwise. By that
I mean with no one in them - just the scene itself.

I've also used the time to walk several decks (port and starboard) from aft to forward and back for a little extra exercise. 24 hour drink station is open to just sit and enjoy the open deck under the stars.

 

[ciniminis]

So what are the latest/earliest places to open, and around what time? My 70yo dad might wake up early... What would be the most pleasant route to walk, say around sunrise time? Can it get "cold" in the Caribbean in the early morning (we're going in September)?

 

[xlxo]

@pacey: on a sidenote.... have you been checked for sleep apnea?

 

[lbus42]

As a PP said, you can get coffee up on the pool deck. You can also order it from room service. The middle of the night is an excellent time to do laundry or walk the jogging track.

 

[dcassetta]

So what are the latest/earliest places to open, and around what time? My 70yo dad might wake up early... What would be the most pleasant route to walk, say around sunrise time? Can it get "cold" in the Caribbean in the early morning (we're going in September)?

The beverage station is open 24 hours, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are available there. Cabanas and Cove Café will open about 7 AM.

A walk on deck 4, the promenade deck, is very nice and is covered in case there's any rain. The pool deck is also nice for walking, although not open to the ocean like Deck 4 is. Satellite Falls is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise. I think it's unlikely to be cold in September, although it can be pretty breezy so your dad might want a sweater or windbreaker. As the indoor areas, like the restaurants and theaters, can be very chilly due to air conditioning, a sweater a windbreaker can be good there also.

 

[ludari]

I'm not much of a sleeper so sometimes I find myself either walking around taking pictures, going for a run, reading a book or sitting in a comfy spot watching the crew cleaning various areas.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We would order coffee from room service before bed and it would still be hot in the carafe in the morning. So, you could do the same so that you'd have coffee avail and ready when you want it. If you bring your fave insulated travel mug with you, you will be all set to head out of your room with a cuppa joe in hand

 

[BigredNole]

For me, waking up at the crack of stupid was due to being a couch potato. I had plenty of sleep and never tired waking up so early. I met with a sleep specialist and he said before he would do any tests that I need to start exercising and losing weight. He said once I drop 25Lbs and I still don't sleep later he would start looking at other things. Although I have only been exercising for 2 weeks now (the start of the Fat Man 500), I am sleeping closer to 6-8 hours a night vs 4-5 hours before.

Now, if you want to know about the Fat Man 500, it is walking a 5k every day for the next 5 months. That will be close to 500 miles. The doc said I will easily be down 25lbs, if not more. My sleeping will be better. My cholesterol and ever so slightly higher than normal blood pressure will get back to normal levels. I will have more energy and feel better as well. Plus, it will get me closer to where I want to be when I do get to go on a DCL cruise.

 

[ciniminis]

Hey does anyone know if CMs do "night patrol" in the public areas during off hours? Just asking because my elderly parents (who will be first-time cruisers) would be concerned about safety. I may be concerned too if one of them happened to need help and can't get the wave phone to work.

 

[dcassetta]

Hey does anyone know if CMs do "night patrol" in the public areas during off hours? Just asking because my elderly parents (who will be first-time cruisers) would be concerned about safety. I may be concerned too if one of them happened to need help and can't get the wave phone to work.

I would not be surprised at all to learn that some of the officers had a responsibility of "patrolling "the ship. However there are lots of other cast members about. Quite a bit of cleaning takes place between midnight and 6 AM, so I would be surprised if your parents would be in an area that cast members never came by.

 

[SuperDry]

Someone already alluded to it, but I'll be more specific: many of the public areas, such as the various bars and lounges, remain unlocked even when they are closed. Of course, all of the liquor is locked up, but it's okay to go in and just hang out if you want to.

 

[DMMarla07860]

well I don't wake up early, but I usually go to bed around 2:00am on the ships. On some of my cruises theres been myself and a few friends I've met who would walk around the ship and chat. We'd go to different clubs, lounge areas.

 

[Stratus22]

I work the Night shift so being up at night is not odd for me. I always end up going up on deck...grabbing a coffee....or 2 and come back to my room and have alone time out on the Balcony.