We just finished a 4 day Cruise on the Carnival Triumph and it was very relaxing. My pants are definitely tighter and my skin is a little darker. I do still feel like I’m on a boat, though. I am hoping that feeling goes away soon or I might be walking down the halls at work in a zig-zag tomorrow. Grayson stayed with his Gran while we were gone. We figured it would be too tough to have a little one onboard. There were lots of toddlers around, which made it that much harder as the days went on. After a few days, everything started to look like this…
If you do plan on tropical cruisin’, here are a few things I learned:
- Pack smart & light.
- You WILL NOT need that extra pair of dress shoes so just leave them at home.
- The formal dinner (if you have one) is only as formal as you want it to be. You would be fine in a nice sun dress.
- One swimsuit can be worn the entire time…no kidding. Just rinse and dry overnight.
- If you plan on going on excursions, bring some tennis shoes.
- Sunscreen is important. It will cost you $15 on the boat.
- Over-the-counter medications {like Advil, etc.} will also cost you $15 on the boat.
- You will want some warm clothing, like light sweaters or cardigans, for cool nights.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to and from the ship.
- Don’t book your flights too close to departure/arrival times for your cruise. You don’t want to have to rush to or from the airport.
- If you are with an anxious travel companion, this will save you {and your partner} from a giant headache.
- Choose the flexible dinner dining option.
- The dining rooms have the best food on the boat. You are going to want to eat dinner there even if you’re not hungry. If you book the flexible dining option, you are less likely to fall into a food coma from eating a big lunch and dinner too close together.
- You’ll also get to meet some new people (this is not a good option for people who aren’t comfortable eating with people they don’t know). The hostess will seat you as you come in. We met some great ladies from Texas during breakfast one morning.
- Throw your diet out {and insecurities} out the window…or off the balcony.
- Food is available 24 hours a day. You don’t have to eat 24 hours a day if you don’t want to, but give yourself a few days to just enjoy it. Before you know it, you’ll be back on solid ground, enjoying a healthy meal regimen. Cruising is a great chance to try new things.
- Remember that everyone is there to have a good time. Celebrate new friends, good food, and expensive drinks for a few days! Life’s too short to worry about anything while you’re on a boat in the warm sun. Enjoy it all!
- Don’t waste your money on the cheesy pictures.
- They are too expensive! When you get home, contact your favorite local photographer {i.e. ErinVelez Photography} and get some photos taken. You’ll get three times the number of pictures for the same price and they won’t be in front of a fake beach background in your formal attire. Weird.
- It is okay to say “No Thank You” when someone asks you to step in front of a camera on a cruise ship.
- Get a Dramamine patch.
- Sometimes the boat rocks a little. Sometimes the boat rocks a lot. If you’ve never been on a ship before, you won’t know if you get sea-sick until you are. It’s not worth the risk. You can get the patch from your doctor. The pills work, but they will make you sleepy.
- Buy the Wine Package
- I think that I’ve already mentioned that drinks are expensive. You might get free food, but cruise lines are making their money back by the price they charge for drinks. If you’re a wine drinker, get the wine package. You will save money.
- Our wine package included 5 bottles. We chose to get champagne during the day for two of our bottles. Just mix in some OJ {free} or some lemonade {also free} and you have some cheap cocktails while you lay out on the lido deck.
Around the Farmhouse Table 