I shall be posting my thoughts and insights into the world of cruise vacations/holidays in the coming weeks. If you are thinking of “doing a cruise”, I hope that my little tales will help you decide whether cruising is suitable for you and your family.
If your idea of a holiday is leisurely, then cruising is for you. A cruise is where everything is optional. No doubt you have heard about the big marketing slogan of “unpack once”. It’s more than that. It’s all about doing something or doing nothing. Just an aside, there is a big push from the book “eat pray love” to learn the sweetness of doing nothing and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. The last big trip we did (which was to California), was riddled with stress. Missing flights, airport stress, getting lost and jetlag. Don’t get me wrong, I also love an adventure like the next person. Cruising, however, is simply … a relaxed holiday. Hence, senior people love it. Me? I love that I did it sooner than later. More and more young families are getting into it. There were 300 kids on our cruise. Mums and Dads are finding that having an expense “cap” (it’s an all-inclusive holiday plus $10 daily gratuity per adult) makes absolute sense!
Now I can just hear you say, “but what If I get sea sick”? I’ll write about that topic separately.
Let’s talk about the good bits first. They pamper you here. Mums all over will love this. There is no cooking and no cleaning up afterwards. Your bed is made while you are having breakfast. Turn down service happens every night too. Someone gives you fresh towels everyday and even folds them in cute little shapes. You get freshly baked cookies in the afternoon and chocolates on your pillow. And for people who love getting letters in their mailbox (like me), you will get one every evening advising you of the next day’s port of call and activities. What do you want to eat for dinner? The buffet or fine dining? Or perhaps you fancy a pizza or a steak? Where do you want to read your book? Beside the pool or on a deck chair with endless water views. Do you want to sleep all day or spend the day in the gym? If you are a running nut you may want to run the entire perimeter of the ship. There are yoga and pilates classes; line dancing or disco dancing; photography or ceramics classes. A massage or facial at the spa. Nails or hair at the salon. The desserts on offer are to die for. Try the German chocolate cake or the bread and butter pudding with warm vanilla sauce or the tiramisu or the scones at an afternoon tea party (how very English!).
Let’s talk about how to get those “ship pounds”.
All modes of dining are available – anytime dining, buffet, pizzeria and your traditional fine dining. Ensure that you indicate in your Cruise Personaliser that you want Traditional Dining. This does not mean that you are tied to one dining salon. It just means that you have reserved your very own table with the same wait staff every night if you choose to eat there. Traditional dining is a smart casual affair except on formal nights. It is a four course dinner. You can even order anything that is not in the menu provided that the chef knows how to cook it. If you are missing your adobo or pinakbet, the kitchen will make one for you! Advise your travel agent if you want a table all your own, that is, you don’t care for the strain of dining with strangers.
Dining is a perfect chance for ladies to dress up and look nice every night. Pretend you are on a date with your family. Make the effort. You will feel good and you will look good. Even the most unromantic husband will reward you with uncharacteristic phrases such as “you look nice”, “ang cute mo” and “Wow!” The kids will also look at you and say “pretty mama”. Ladies, pack lots of dresses and ditch the daggy look. Be the “hot mum” that you really are!
A note about water and drinks. The ship’s tap water is potable. You can choose to buy bottled water but this will cost you $5 per 1.5 liter bottle. Me, I always go for tap water (think Katherine Heigl in The Ugly Truth). Not only healthier for my pocket but also good for the environment. Save your money for cocktails. You are on your holiday. Treat yourself and get a cocktail every day. The kids can get a package called Unlimited Kids Package for unlimited soda, juice, mocktails and shakes/smoothies. You don’t even have to get a package for each child. Just get one (hint hint) and be charming to the service staff. This was how I ended up having daily mocktails*!
TO BE CONTINUED … for sure.
*a mocktail is a cocktail without the alcohol.
Anonymous says
Great advise on tap water and getting just one package for both kids. I do that all the time when we eat at McDonalds, whenever the soda machine is not behind the counter, I just order 1 small drink for my wife and I to share. You can always go back to the machine and refill it anyway. I don’t understand why people pay extra for a large drink.
Great article by the way.
Anonymous says
Sorry, I forgot to put it my name. – Epee
stingfan says
Thanks Epee. Don’t forget to always write your name!
Some people are embarrassed about getting a small drink. They think its beneath them. Me, who cares? As long as you are not disadvantaging anybody. To me, it makes good sense to save here and there!
June Giron says
Joyce and I usually order just a small soda then share. No refill although pwede. We are water people.