Marc Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 bcarney's post about "83 day countdown" made me wonder. My own countdown is 61 days, and my mind keeps looking for something cruise-related to do. The cruise is paid in full. We've got hotel and air reservations done. We're set for My Time Dining, but don't need reservations since we go early. The only thing left to plan is shore excursions, and we've talked a bit about that. So what does one do to keep one occupied as the countdown decreases ever so slowly? I know one thing I'm doing — watching Love Boat episodes! I'm thrilled that my local MeTV channel started airing Love Boat a few months ago, so I've got my TiVo recording (and saving) all the episodes. So far, I've got 19 episodes recorded. Otherwise, I'm watching Allure of the Seas' Royal Promenade web cam as my computer's desktop (wishing I were there, of course), spending lots of time reading cruise-related forums, and listening to cruise-related podcasts. You'd think I'd be all cruised out from all this, but it's like an insatiable craving until I get onboard! At least among friends here, others will probably know what I mean. Perryhouse and Shawn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE(Darkcabbie) Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Definitely know what you mean Marc. The Love Boat there's a blast from the past :) . I think we are all guilty of cruise fever , once we have booked we don't stop planning or talking about it and spend hours and hours on You Tube checking out the boat and destinations and then google maps to plan our own trips down to the time and distance for each day. We do the odd excursion but generally find it better and cheaper to do our own thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 I check out message boards like this one and Cruise Critic (though some people take the word "Critic" far too seriously), commiserating with people that have the same affliction I do - an addiction to cruising. I also use Google Earth to check out the islands ahead of time so I have an idea of what the layout is and where I'll be going on the excursions. The other thing I do is go through my old notes regarding what to REALLY pack. It's helpful to remember I really don't need 14 pair of socks for my 7 day… :) Actually, by doing this, my wife and I are down to two pieces of luggage and two carry ons for the two of us and the 2 kids. Helpful for flights on Delta where you pay by the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 I go to the Port Everglades webcam and watch "my" ship sail away each week. This becomes an addiction very quickly. Then stake out where you'll be on sail away day. I did as much research as I could (without going overboard) on Oasis so I knew where everything on the ship was. That way I wasn't "wasting time" trying to find my way. TIP: Deck 14 forward on the left side only is a door to access the area above the bridge. There are 2 doors actually, but only the left side is open for use. You'll have to go down the stateroom hallway to get to this area, but it is neat on sail away, and not many people venture up there so it isn't crowded. At least it wasn't when I went in 2012. trainer.stan and Shawn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Over the years, there have been a number of Royal Caribbean ships featured on travel specials across a variety of networks. From time to time, you'll find these shows rerun on networks like the Travel Channel or Discovery Channel and you can get a great "fix" by seeing these fun ships once again. A few of these shows can also be purchased from stores like iTunes or Amazon, which will allow you to watch them on-demand whenever you need to escape virtually. But I agree with others that reading cruise blogs and posting here does help a lot. When all else fails, book another cruise! :) Marc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Good point... I did forget to mention the other cruise-related programs I have on my TiVo. Thanks to a TiVo "WishList" set up to record cruise-related programming, I've accumulated many programs about Royal Caribbean ships over the years thanks to the Travel Channel, National Geographic, Destination America, and others. <Embarrassing Moment> Before my Allure cruise last August, I watched the two programs about Oasis of the Seas including her maiden voyage and also about turnaround day. I got very familiar with some of the personnel that were featured in those shows. Just before we boarded, I saw Eunice Hernandez come through our area (one of the people working in the terminal who was in the program about Oasis's turnaround day) and I geeked out a bit, commenting to her, "I saw you on TV!" She smiled and said, "I get that a lot!" </Embarrassing Moment> Matt and Shawn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 TIP: Deck 14 forward on the left side only is a door to access the area above the bridge. There are 2 doors actually, but only the left side is open for use. You'll have to go down the stateroom hallway to get to this area, but it is neat on sail away, and not many people venture up there so it isn't crowded. At least it wasn't when I went in 2012. Tip noted and placed into the proper folder in my email client. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 <Embarrassing Moment> Before my Allure cruise last August, I watched the two programs about Oasis of the Seas including her maiden voyage and also about turnaround day. I got very familiar with some of the personnel that were featured in those shows. Just before we boarded, I saw Eunice Hernandez come through our area (one of the people working in the terminal who was in the program about Oasis's turnaround day) and I geeked out a bit, commenting to her, "I saw you on TV!" She smiled and said, "I get that a lot!" </Embarrassing Moment> Haha I think it's great you mentioned that you saw her on TV. I'm sure she gets a kick out of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 I don't know if this has been posted before. TV shows come and go on YouTube but I did find the Smithsonian Channel presentation of "Oasis of the Seas Maiden Voyage" video for anyone who is sailing on Oasis of the Seas or thinking about sailing on her. It is a neat look inside the ship. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4-1cEkL-Ro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 I don't know if this has been posted before. TV shows come and go on YouTube but I did find the Smithsonian Channel presentation of "Oasis of the Seas Maiden Voyage" video for anyone who is sailing on Oasis of the Seas or thinking about sailing on her. It is a neat look inside the ship. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4-1cEkL-Ro Speaking of TV shows, there's this one I posted a few months ago featuring Adventure of the Seas: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/64-tv-episode-featuring-adventure-of-the-seas/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj9200 Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 I listen to a podcast called Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast. The host is pretty good at it and there is a rumor that it is going to three podcasts a week. Also have the Port Canaveral, Everglades and Miami webcams in addition to the Key West Harbor Cam bookmarked. I enjoy watching the tracking part of those sites to see where various ships are out in the Caribbean. New to RCL so am getting as much info as I can from various message boards. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 I listen to a podcast called Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast. The host is pretty good at it and there is a rumor that it is going to three podcasts a week. :lol: I appreciate that but three times per week? That would be fun but I'll have to hold out for News Corp to buy the site out first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 When all else fails, book another cruise! :) So, if I do go ahead and book this "free" (yeah, they're never really "free") cruise with NCL that I got from my local casino, I'll blame you for the idea! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 So, if I do go ahead and book this "free" (yeah, they're never really "free") cruise with NCL that I got from my local casino, I'll blame you for the idea! :D I was going to say something along the lines of "is there such a thing as a bad cruise?"… and then I remembered Carnival's recent "issues. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 So, if I do go ahead and book this "free" (yeah, they're never really "free") cruise with NCL that I got from my local casino, I'll blame you for the idea! :D My parents always book those. Lots of blackout dates and, well, it is NCL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidsCrew Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 It's great to hear we aren't the only people that do these things...countdown clock, webcam watching, youtube, cruise critic, and this great website of course!, etc. Sometimes I think we drive ourselves crazy waiting, then other times I think we are just getting well informed. Yes, deck 14 viewing area on Allure is a great spot. Went there on our 2012 sailing and looking forward to it again in 2015. Don and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbandeegrl Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi Marc, I'm actually from Butler, PA (small world huh?) - what is this channel you speak of with Love Boat episodes on? I've been looking for old ep's of Love Boat everywhere, as a very recently former 20-something, I've never watched a single episode and it's been on my mind lately to try to track down season 1 episode 1 and start from there... I have Armstrong Cable so I may not have the same channels, but its worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hey there, neighbor! It's on MeTV which is carried on a digital subchannel of WPXI, 11.2. According to this page, it looks like Armstrong Cable carries on it channel 410. Love Boat airs weekly on Sundays at 2:00 PM. If you want to watch the rest of the first season that's already aired, you should be able to get the discs from Netflix, if you're a subscriber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbandeegrl Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Awesome, thanks for the info! We do subscribe to Netflix but currently only do the streaming option. I may have to opt in for the discs until I get caught up. thanks again! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 It's great to hear we aren't the only people that do these things...countdown clock, webcam watching, youtube, cruise critic, and this great website of course!, etc. Sometimes I think we drive ourselves crazy waiting, then other times I think we are just getting well informed. You're not alone! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalLaker Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow,I just got done watching a 3 hour DVD called "Building The Worlds Largest Cruise Ship" The Eagle Class. Im ready to go! ;) Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow,I just got done watching a 3 hour DVD called "Building The Worlds Largest Cruise Ship" The Eagle Class. Im ready to go! ;) That's Voyager class, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalLaker Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 That's Voyager class, right? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenline627 Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I have 187 days left for my next cruise to Bermuda and am running out of things to check not our first time to Bermuda so I am aware of things to do there. I check the cruise forums and do like the shows that feature cruise ships I guess I could plan a cruise for 2015 a while :). Last time we cruised to Bermuda it was on the Explorer and we really enjoyed that ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I have 187 days left for my next cruise to Bermuda and am running out of things to check not our first time to Bermuda so I am aware of things to do there. I check the cruise forums and do like the shows that feature cruise ships I guess I could plan a cruise for 2015 a while :). Last time we cruised to Bermuda it was on the Explorer and we really enjoyed that ship. Try searching youtube for your particular ship or even stateroom, especially videos from the ship & itinerary that are somewhat recent. Helps me get a fix :) Shawn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenline627 Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Matt funny you should say that I think I have worn youtube out searching everything Grandeur Of The Seas. :) Shawn and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Matt funny you should say that I think I have worn youtue out searching everything Grandeur Of The Seas. :) Then you are doing it right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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