Brobbins246 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Total first world problem here, but I'm dying waiting out the 620+ days I have before my next cruise in April, 2021. My last cruise that we took 3 months ago was booked and planned in about 9 months, which was more mentally doable for me. We can't afford to go again for a couple more years, but we know when we can go with our kids' school schedules, so I was able to take advantage of the good rates by booking this early. But I don't know what to do with myself to make the time go faster. I'm researching the ship and ports online all the time, but I can't book any shore excursions or make any real plans this far out, which I'd probably change 10 times between now and then anyway. Even my wedding 20 years ago was planned in a shorter time than this (about 18 months) and I'm going crazy waiting. I'm mostly just venting, but if you have any coping mechanisms to suggest other than booking more cruises in the middle, I'm all ears. BTW, we'll be on the Freedom ABC Islands/St. Maarten cruise then. PRebecca, Tonya N. and ellcee 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 13 minutes ago, Brobbins246 said: Total first world problem here, but I'm dying waiting out the 620+ days I have before my next cruise in April, 2021. My last cruise that we took 3 months ago was booked and planned in about 9 months, which was more mentally doable for me. We can't afford to go again for a couple more years, but we know when we can go with our kids' school schedules, so I was able to take advantage of the good rates by booking this early. But I don't know what to do with myself to make the time go faster. I'm researching the ship and ports online all the time, but I can't book any shore excursions or make any real plans this far out, which I'd probably change 10 times between now and then anyway. Even my wedding 20 years ago was planned in a shorter time than this (about 18 months) and I'm going crazy waiting. I'm mostly just venting, but if you have any coping mechanisms to suggest other than booking more cruises in the middle, I'm all ears. BTW, we'll be on the Freedom ABC Islands/St. Maarten cruise then. One of the things I do in advance of a cruise is study a foreign language, like French for St Martin (hoping for an excursion to that side of the island) and Spanish for San Juan or Mexico, etc. It keeps me busy. Another thing I do is study the books on tropical fish in hopes of going snorkeling.... Best of luck on your preparations! Tonya N., IRMO12HD, Neesa and 5 others 5 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippa_OceanTime Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Enjoy the ride!!!! The count down does come down and it will be very cool to see 600, 500, 400, 100!!!! You will say to yourself "Wow I remember when it was over 600" hahaha Skid, Fuzzywuzzy, Brobbins246 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Live vicariously through all the live blogs. They bring back good memories of your own past cruises even if it's not for the same ship. They also give you ideas for your own planning. ellcee, Brobbins246, Fuzzywuzzy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgestang Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 I drink Fuzzywuzzy, RWDW1204, PRebecca and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 It's called YOLO...book another cruise asap...closes to August..then the wait isn't as bad! Brobbins246, sk8erguy1978, teddy and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monie71 Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 My family will be on our first cruise this Christmas—I annoy my kids by announcing how many more days at dinner each night!! So excited! PRebecca, Brobbins246, FManke and 6 others 6 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brobbins246 Posted July 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 2 hours ago, ChessE4 said: One of the things I do in advance of a cruise is study a foreign language, like French for St Martin (hoping for an excursion to that side of the island) and Spanish for San Juan or Mexico, etc. It keeps me busy. Another thing I do is study the books on tropical fish in hopes of going snorkeling.... Best of luck on your preparations! Yes! Not long after I posted this, I thought about the foreign language idea. I remember some French from high school but could definitely use a refresher. Even more ambitious, I could learn Dutch for the other side of St. Maarten and the ABC islands! Skid, ChessE4 and KathyC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonemanbob Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 Time to squeeze in a 3 day cruise so the 2021 won`t be that far off. Or 2 perhaps. Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I’m going to go with what @Skid said. Read blogs, watch scopes, get on these boards. Great way to pass the time! Brobbins246, Skid and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellemiche Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I just read the blogs by @Lovetocruise2002 Lovetocruise2002 and Brobbins246 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 13 hours ago, dodgestang said: I drink Drink Package Training tmp916, PhantomWolf, ellcee and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 10 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I’m going to go with what @Skid said. Read blogs, watch scopes, get on these boards. Great way to pass the time! +1 on this! 9 minutes ago, coneyraven said: Drink Package Training Guilty as charged! Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 Book another sailing to cut down the countdown! monctonguy, PRebecca, CruisinUpinLife and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinUpinLife Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, Matt said: Book another sailing to cut down the countdown! Sounds like a #winning idea! Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 That's a long time...I find anything over a year is too far out!...usually we try to have something every 6-12 mths to look forward to..makes it manageable..lol.. I spend lots of time here and on other cruise sites....videos......travel sites.....it all helps.. But over 600 days..I couldn't do that without at least 2-3 in between to look forward too.... good luck! Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I spend so much time watching all types of cruise videos! Vlogs, packing videos, ship tours, port tours - even for places I'm not going. It reminds me of the last cruise and just takes some of the edge off of having to wait. PRebecca and Brobbins246 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenCP Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I have been watching Royal Caribbean Blog's YouTube channel, other you tube channels, and reading all the posts here. Having the Queen Mary II in port today does not help matters. On the bright side I only have 41 days to go to set sail in Barcelona. Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 Well, it's not a cruise and it's not the color of the Caribbean, but it sure helps! We are only about a half hour away and are here now. Like I've said before, do not judge NJ by the turnpike! Fuzzywuzzy, Brobbins246, PRebecca and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomWolf Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I watch Royal Caribbean Blog videos and visit this page 40 days until Navigator! Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8erguy1978 Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 Have a garage sale to get extra cash for a short sailing! Skid, Lovetocruise2002 and Brobbins246 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 15 minutes ago, sk8erguy1978 said: Have a garage sale to get extra cash for a short sailing! Haha. We've done that a few times. Usually make between $200 & $500 and get rid of a lot of unwanted stuff. Funniest one ever was when 2 older women were arguing over who would get a 50 cents toilet bowl brush!! (No, it had not been used.) Brobbins246 and sk8erguy1978 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Horner Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 My next cruise is in March 2021, so I feel your pain! Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted July 24, 2019 Report Share Posted July 24, 2019 I ended up booking 2 at the same time one this yr and one next year. Now I will book every year for 2 yrs out, that way i have one scheduled every year at the best prices. PRebecca and Brobbins246 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelKaps Posted July 26, 2019 Report Share Posted July 26, 2019 Like many others have mentioned, I love reading blogs and watching vlogs. I also rewatch my cruise vlogs since I love to relive my memories. youtube.com/melkaps Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Posted July 30, 2019 Report Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) On 7/24/2019 at 12:43 PM, Skid said: Well, it's not a cruise and it's not the color of the Caribbean, but it sure helps! We are only about a half hour away and are here now. Like I've said before, do not judge NJ by the turnpike! Well today we got ambitious and traveled 85 miles further south than the beach above to the very edge of the state..Cape May, NJ. It's a few degrees cooler and enough breeze for folks to keep kites going. This is one of our favorite towns. Cute shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, hotels, etc. Edited July 30, 2019 by Skid Forgot to attach the pictures JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOLO Posted July 30, 2019 Report Share Posted July 30, 2019 @CrimsonCruiser & @MelKaps Welcome to the RCB forums! @Brobbins246 We booked a Nov 2020 cruise [460 days away] months ago. Before our Jun Anthem cruise. And we just YOLO booked the Anthem this Oct [86 days out]. I am still trying to figure out how to pay for it! Also considering trying to squeeze in the Oasis trip out of NJ next May. If booking a cruise doesn't work for you (I understand) then all of the other non-cruise recommendations above are good substitutes. As you probably know better than I, there is a lot to learn here on the RCB and it's a great pastime. Brobbins246 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniongodess Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 it's been almost 3 weeks since getting off my first RC cruise (Ovation). But only 249 till my next one! (Grandeur). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillo Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 I have an unusual (and somewhat first world problem) solution to our wait. We are 108 days away from our sailing (first RC cruise too) and to be honest, its the least prepared that i will ever be for a cruise/holiday. (that said.... I am an over preparer for holidays). My wife and I are in the middle of building a new house and whilst its under construction, we are living with my Mother In Law!!! So the cruise was designed for us to have 2 weeks away from living at the in-laws in the middle of construction. The problem is: the house is going to be finished about 3 months ahead of schedule and we will be moving in BEFORE the cruise. So i am spending my time planning our move in activities and will then use the cruise to just sleep off the hectic last few months. In short: If you want to stand the wait for the cruise.... build a new house! hahahaha! (not the cheapest way around the situation though) Skid, WAAAYTOOO and JLMoran 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 5 minutes ago, Phillo said: I have an unusual (and somewhat first world problem) solution to our wait. We are 108 days away from our sailing (first RC cruise too) and to be honest, its the least prepared that i will ever be for a cruise/holiday. (that said.... I am an over preparer for holidays). My wife and I are in the middle of building a new house and whilst its under construction, we are living with my Mother In Law!!! So the cruise was designed for us to have 2 weeks away from living at the in-laws in the middle of construction. The problem is: the house is going to be finished about 3 months ahead of schedule and we will be moving in BEFORE the cruise. So i am spending my time planning our move in activities and will then use the cruise to just sleep off the hectic last few months. In short: If you want to stand the wait for the cruise.... build a new house! hahahaha! (not the cheapest way around the situation though) Congratulations ! No way in the world a new build in the US would be done 3 months ahead of schedule. Enjoy your distraction and relaxing cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillo Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 4 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Congratulations ! No way in the world a new build in the US would be done 3 months ahead of schedule. Enjoy your distraction and relaxing cruise. To be honest.... we had low expectations. Also... the Australian property market finally fell through its backside over the last year (we avoided the GFC downturn). So contractors are looking for work and are quicker to get jobs done. As for the cruise. Well...i am a little bit excited. On top of the cruise itself - A repositioning cruise with a LOT of sea days, my wife and I also were able to get business class airfares from Australia to Singapore to join the cruise (thanks Frequent Flyer points). so its going to be great! JLMoran, KristiZ and WAAAYTOOO 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmp916 Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said: No way in the world a new build in the US would be done 3 months ahead of schedule. Usually 3 months behind schedule WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgestang Posted July 31, 2019 Report Share Posted July 31, 2019 10 hours ago, tmp916 said: Usually 3 years behind schedule Fixed it for you. Phillo, tmp916 and AshleyDillo 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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