What are some things i can do to cope with Cruise Anticipation?

Show all answers

Nikki (: â™¥

I'm going on a cruise is 16 days and I'm in the exact same situation as you.

What i've been doing is doing a lot of research on the cruise. Sadly, I've memorized almost the entire deck plan, lol. If you go to cruisecritic.com there is a ton of information where you can learn about everything you can think of about cruises. you can talk to people on a roll call message board that are going on the same cruise as you, you can learn more about the destination that your cruise is going to, you can learn a lot about the ship and cruise line. Go to the cruise line website and learn more about your ship. Take a look at all of the staterooms, and look at the one that you're going to be staying in. There's pictures all over cruise critic, the cruise line website, google, all over. Be amazed at how expensive the grand suite is on the cruise and try to figure out why you need a baby grand piano in it. lol, do a little bit of research everyday and before you know it you'll be packing for your cruise. You can also pack a little each day to get yourself excited and in the cruise spirit. Learn about the port that you're leaving from; what time is the earliest that you can board the ship? If you're maybe flying in a day early to the port or something learn about what there is to do at and around the port. Learn about the different foods that the cruise is going to have. Find out which ones are free so you know ahead of time. There's menus that people post all of the time on cruise critic. Look under the board for your cruise line & ship and take a look at the menus. People often post pictures of specific cabins, and they also have tons of pictures of destinations and the ship itself. If you haven't booked any excursions for the port(s) of call you're going to, do some research to find out what there is to do there. Is it not even worth getting off the ship? Is there something special that you'd like to do when you get there. also look at your itinerary. Look at how long you're going to be at each port and make use of every minute. Make sure you have all of your excursions and things to do at the port of call done before your cruise because it's hard to get good ones on the ship because a lot of them can be sold out.

There's so much more too. Check out cruisecritic.com It will keep you occupied forever. Do some research everyday and before you know it it will be the night before your cruise, when you're laying in bed wishing you can leave for the port already!

If you want any further information on anything that I mentioned, feel free to send me a message- I'd be glad to help!

Hope this helps, good luck, and I hope you have an AWESOME time!! (:

Mary L

Pack. Unpack. Re-think what you will really need (less is better). Pack again. Choose a paperback book to take with you. Read your cruise documents -- every word! Double-check the airline security regulations about what you can and cannot take, including the 3 ounce rule about liquids. Read the TSA web site advice for travelers. Make a list of everything you need to do before you leave, like stopping mail and newspapers, setting lights, boarding the dog, etc. Do the things on the list. Cut the grass. Water the plants. Go to the company's web site and check out all the shore excursions and print out the ones that look interesting. Clean your house so you come home to a perfect house and only have to sort mail and run the laundry you bring home. Go through your refrigerator and be sure you're not leaving things to rot while you're gone. Use those things this week! Turn extra eggs into noodle dough and freeze it. Watch TV. Get some extra sleep. etc. etc. etc.

yomera

If you are well traveled: don't have high expectations because you will be VERY disappointed.
If you don't travel much you will think the cruise is great.

This is my personal experience:
I went on the Carnival Ecstasy departing from Galveston about a month ago.
The ship was old and it look like it has not been updated in 25 years. It was like a trip back to the 80's.
The food was very good.
The staff was friendly and the service was great.
The little bars were always half empty and sometimes I felt sorry for the musicians (they were good, but they were playing in an empty place)
The casino was nice, but I tried to stay away from it because I didn't want to keep losing my money.
The shows were just OK, the dancers need to learn more international dances. They just dance like plain cheerleaders. The singers were great. One night they had the guests perform. Unless you are related to them or friends with them, this really sucked. I could care less about some high school girls playing the flute or this other girl singing country music out of tune. Some people in the audience were very loud and I did not know if they were supporting the guests or making fun of them. The big theater felt like a huge low class family reunion. I left after a little while.
The pool was tiny and packed with people (yuck). I guess since it's on a ship it can't have a large heavy pool.
The ship was full of pre-teens.
Some of the activities were kind of dumb (I guess it's just not my type of fun) and at other activities that were kind of interesting they were always trying to sell you something.
The destinations were AWESOME. I went to Chichen Itza and one of the beaches in Cozumel and I loved it!!!! Mexican people are the friendliest people in the world!!!!!!! The guide in Chichen Itza was VERY knowledgeable.
I usually go to beach resorts and I always have a BETTER experience than this cruise. Better shows, better food (alcohol is included), better service, friendly people everywhere and it's even cheaper!!!!
If you have never been to a beach resort or a similar vacation, you will think the cruise is great.... but in reality they are not giving you what your money is worth. Also, cruises are more for families with pre-teens or teenagers. Parents can have fun without worrying where their kids might be (they may be out of sight but they can't go anywhere, they are in the same ship!), and those teens can go to the little teen parties that they have on the cruise.
As you can see, I personally prefer beach resorts over cruises. They are more fun and you can do a lot more!

Dave Holman

Everything Mary L said, and make sure to hum "boat songs" to yourself while you are doing those things....you know, The Sloop John B, anything by Jimmy Buffet. Just don't try to resist. It is futile.

MorenaLinda

I am going on a cruise in 2 weeks and I can't wait either!!!!!!!! I just bought my cruise todya actually. I cannot wait... I dont know, try to give yourself things to do up until that point..!!

cruise junkie

go outside and scream !!!!! I can't sleep or eat, i leave for my cruise 2 or 3 days early just to make me feel like i'm on the way HAVE FUN!!!!

mrswilburrrr

Learn more about the places you're going. What are the not to be missed sights? Decide which shore excursions you want to do.

Work ahead so you're not buried in work when you get home. Along the same lines...pay the bills, mow the lawn...

Shop & pack for the trip.

Decide who you want to send postcards to and make address stickers to take with you. Address some to yourself too. You can send yourself a postcard a day and come home to a mini diary of your trip...complete with pictures.

Enjoy the anticipation! It's a great part of the whole experience. When you really need a break, help someone or volunteer...anything to take your mind off of it for awhile.

Have a great trip!

i <3 music :P

Haha, I was the same exact way. Does everything remind you of the cruise? Are you canstantly annoying your friends saying how excited you are? I know the feeling!

I attempted to keep my mind off of it....that didn't work. I went online and practically memorized the deck plans and where my room was and re-read the boat description about a zillion times. I kept a countdown thing beside my bed. Haha, I know, I know, I went nuts. After you pack it feels like it is soooo soon, and time flys...until the last day before. The last day before felt like it was going soooooo slow! You'll make it through your anticipation and have alot of fun on your cruise, I'm sure you will! :)

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: