No matter how often I cruise, there are certain things about a cruise vacation that I look forward to each time I sail.
I'm privileged enough to be able to cruise a lot each year. While going on a ship that often might reduce some of the overall excitement, once I get within a few days of my next cruise, I start to get excited about what I want to do onboard.
I think part of what makes a cruise so much fun are some of aspects of it that you just can't find elsewhere. Or at least, things I'd never do elsewhere.
As I'm writing this, I'm getting ready to head on my next cruise in a few days. With that in mind, I came up with a list of things I'm really looking forward to trying, doing, and eating.
A break from the routine
Like any vacation, I think getting away from the usual pace of life is a welcome change.
As soon as I step onboard the ship, I my entire outlook on my day changes. There's no thinking about errands I need to run, bills I have to pay, or grocery shopping. It's like a magic button is pressed to completely alter how I think about my day.
Having a departure from normalcy is something I get more of on a cruise than on land, and that might be because I feel more connected to home while on land. Sure, there are TVs and I have the internet package, but I'm not paying as close attention to that on a ship.
There's something about waking up in a new place each day, having meals prepared for you, and meeting new people that makes a cruise feel so much more different than "real life".
Ironically, this break from the normalcy is probably what makes re-adjusting to life after a cruise so difficult. You get adjusted to cruise life and then are hit the "post-cruise blues" that much harder.
All sorts of activities
I might not actually go to many of them, but I love peruse all the activities Royal Caribbean offered each day.
The Royal Caribbean app lists what you can do on each day, and they really pack a lot into what you could do. This is especially true if you go on one of the bigger ships.
Someone once described a cruise as "summer camp for adults" and I think that's such an apt description because of there's a printed (and digital) list of what you can do.
All of the activities are optional, but I like having the choice. From trivia to scrapbooking classes, pickleball tournaments, and cocktail seminars, I’m always impressed by the variety of programming available onboard.
I like to browse the schedule to see what jumps out at me, and sometimes I may simply pull up the app once onboard and see what's happening now and find something to do based on that.
Visiting foreign ports
The thing that got my hooked on cruising to begin with was visiting different countries, and that's still a big appeal for me.
Not all my cruises take me somewhere exotic, but I do enjoy the opportunity to visit different places.
As I've cruised more, I've been able to visit more places and it's an incredible feeling to pull into port and be able to explore.
When I went to Europe last summer and got to visit Spain and France for the first time, I couldn't get enough of it. I've gone to places I probably would not have on a land trip, and I got to check a number of places off my bucket list.
International cuisine
There's so much great food on a Royal Caribbean ship, but I always gravitate towards the international foods when I eat onboard.
I usually head to the Windjammer buffet for my welcome aboard lunch on embarkation day, and I guarantee you my plate has Indian curry on it.
Royal Caribbean has really good Indian food in the Main Dining Room too, and the options change every day. My personal favorites are aloo gobi or the chicken korma.
Sometimes at dinner in the Windjammer, they'll have the Asian stir fry cooking station, which is something I could also eat just about every day.
While I'll eat plenty of other food too, the international foods are something I seek out on every sailing.
Music around the ship
One thing Royal Caribbean does better than other cruise lines is their focus for live music.
No matter which ship you sail on, there's going to be quite a few musicians onboard to perform for you.
There's a pool band, Schooner Bar piano player, violinists, guitar players, and potentially even more on the bigger ships.
Sometimes I like to bring my laptop and enjoy a cellist play music while I work. Other times I head to the bar to enjoy music I can sing along with. That ability to find live music all day is something very akin to cruising.
Enjoying all the service
When you don't have to cook or clean, I think most people would take that and that's exactly one of the best things about going on a cruise.
The night before we depart for the cruise, I joke with my wife, "this is the last meal for a week we have to plan!" and it's a real sense of relief.
Of course, the stateroom attendant makes a big difference too. It's so nice having someone else tidy up the room and make the bed every day.
Going back home after a cruise and going back to cooking and cleaning is a cruel reality.
Seeing crew members
The crew onboard any ship are always quite friendly, and they add a dimension to my vacation I simply don't get on land.
I enjoy the opportunity to get on any ship and see if there are any crew that I might have met on a previous sailing. If you're new to cruising, this might seem strange, but it happens a lot and it's a welcome opportunity.
Certain crew members stand out for their level of service, and I've gotten to know a few of them over the years. It's great to see their smiling face again, and hear about how things are going for them, both on the ship and back at home with their families.
If you haven't done this yet, I recommend talking with crew members when you have the chance. Many have interesting stories and anecdotes to share, and it's not often you can speak with people from all over the world.
Catching a perfect sunset
No matter how often I cruise, I'm a sucker for a beautiful sunset, and there are no shortage of them on a cruise ship.
It's an incredible sight when you see the sun approaching the horizon and the bold and bright colors start to interact with the ocean below.
If there aren't many clouds, I'll head up to the pool deck to catch the sunset on most days. I think the upper pool deck is always best, but if your ship has a helipad, that's a great place too.
Be sure to bring a cocktail or glass of wine with you to fully enjoy the ambiance.
Enjoying time with friends and family
My kids always ask me before any cruise we go on who we know that is also going onboard, and that's because they know cruising with friends is better.
Taking a cruise with loved ones or your pals is a great way to foster the bonds that keep you together. I'll cruise any day with friends or family, but probably wouldn't do the same on a land vacation because I'd feel much more obliged to be "joined at he hip" with a land trip.
On a ship, there's time to hang out, but also do your own thing without feeling like you're abandoning them.
Plus, going on a cruise where I can see friends is the perfect way to catch up.
Having a few drinks every day
I really don't drink much alcohol at home, but I do enjoy a few drinks on a cruise ship.
Whether I buy a beverage package or take full advantage of my daily Crown & Anchor drink vouchers, I look forward to an evening drink or two.
I'll usually start out with my favorite drinks:
- Lavaflow with Kraken rum
- Bloody Mary with Titos vodka
- Kraken rum and coke
- Belvedere vodka, muddled lime, soda water (Thanks Jeanie and Steve for this one!)
- PB&J Old Fashioned
As the cruise progresses, I also like trying new drinks. Royal Caribbean's Food & Beverage team takes pride in developing new menus that go beyond the stereotypical tropical drinks, and I appreciate that.
A little bit of gambling
I also enjoy going to the casino during my cruise for some entertainment.
Gambling is risky, so always gamble responsibly. To that point, I bring cash with me that is my limit on what I'm willing to lose. In fact, I go in expecting to lose all my money so there's no delusions on my end.
I've found Royal Caribbean's casino is like an adult video game arcade. The allure of winning money while being social with friends is a fun aspect of the experience.
My wife and I will usually head down once a day to gamble a bit, and it's part of the fun of going out for the night with dinner and a show.
Getting to work outdoors
The reality is on any cruise I go on, there's a work component to it because of this blog.
To that point, I like I get to change up where my "office" is located.
Weather permitting, I'll take my laptop and head up to the pool deck, outside promenade deck, or my balcony. It's nice to get the sea breeze, a little bit of sun, and a general change from my office at home.
If I'm at Perfect Day at CocoCay, I love going to Captain Jack's and working from one of the tables. There's a lot of shade and drink service too!
