I remember our first cruise - it was almost 16 years ago. It was a combination square dance cruise, a wedding for good friends, and a 50th Anniversary celebration for my parents. We knew nothing about the whole process - we just knew that we were off to the Caribbean in November, and wouldn't that be fun. It seemed that was all we needed to know. It was organized by someone else and we just got on the plane and then the ship.
We had a great time - but it is hard to compare that first cruise to our last cruise in February - so many things have changed over the years. We like the changes - dressing up every night for dinner is no longer necessary, for those who don't want to. For those that want to dress up, you still can and you won't feel out of place. Packing is certainly easier. Dining is different too, you can have the standard table, or you can dine when you want. When we are with a group, dining at the same time is nicer for everyone. A great opportunity to reconnect at the end of the day and make your plans for the evening.
We are planning a 14 day Square Dance Cruise through New England and Canada in September 2017. This is my thing, and I'm very hands on, and know exactly what's happening and how it all works. In the internet age, it is so much easier to get information, I can probably even show you a view from my cabin. I'm an avid researcher and love to know all the details. I read ship reviews, port reviews and research "fun and different" activities. In Dominica this year, we organized a river tubing excursion, it turned out to be the same excursion from the ship, for less than half the price. There are hundreds of options for excursions apart from the ship, but you need to have done your research ahead of time.
As a vacation, a cruise offers great value, meals are included (even room service), transportation from port to port, entertainment and excellent service. Sometimes, you can swing a drink package or an On-Board Credit to offset the extra costs.
I thought I would share a few of the things that I am NOT looking forward to on this cruise, so if you decide to join us, you will know what to expect.
1. NOT having to go to the store, cook, or do the dishes.
In my house, I am the chief shopper, cook and bottle washer. I always say that if I knew then, what I know now, things would be different. (Probably not, though, as I really like to cook and I really like to be in charge - I could just do without the dishes). I do, however, on a cruise, love to go to the dining room every night and have oodles of choices and it just arrives in front of me with no other effort on my part other than reading through the menu. If you can't decide, you can always have both - ask my nephew who couldn't decide which steak entree he wanted, so the waiter brought him both. (Next best part is leaving the table without paying!)
2. NOT having to make the bed or tidy the bathroom.
As a teenager I worked as a chambermaid (do they still call them that?) in the summer. We lived in a tourist town and next to waitressing, this was the next best job, you were done by 2:00 and off to the beach we'd go. I have made my share of beds and cleaned my share of bathrooms. I still like to make the bed every morning, even when someone is still on the other side. On a cruise the room stewards are like the shoemakers elves, twice a day they they make your bed and tidy your bathroom and you rarely see them! You just come back to your cabin and it's clean again! This is one of my favourite parts of a cruise vacation.
3. NOT having to pack/unpack every day.
Unlike a bus tour you are not really responsible for your own luggage. Most of the vacations we plan for groups involve staying in one place for as long as we can without changing accommodation. I hate packing and unpacking. For me a cruise is the ultimate solution, you leave your luggage outside the ship, check-in, head up the gangplank and you're on board. Later in the day your luggage appears in your room (again - it's like magic, it's just there!) Once your luggage is in your room, you unpack and don't have to worry about packing again until you're getting off the ship. Our Canada/New England cruise is 14 days of NOT packing and unpacking and numerous stops along the way!
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| We are getting ready to leave our luggage behind and get on the ship! |
4. NOT having to worry about what we'll do tomorrow (or how we'll get there)
There is always something to do on a cruise - the staff makes sure that there is something you can do all day long, everyday. You can do as little or as much of what they have planned as you want to. Once you're in port for the day - they provide you with multiple options for excursions or you can explore on your own. It's completely up to you. If you're part of a group, you can always find someone who is interested in the same things you are. If you're coming with us - we will plan group excursions and participate in group activities and of course we'll be square dancing on the sea days.
5. NOT being disappointed with the view.
Not all hotels have a view - even when they say they do. On a cruise, your view changes daily and on a sea day it changes hourly as you travel along. Even if you have an inside cabin, the view is only steps away, as you head out to the deck to see where you are now. Truthfully, one of my favourite things is to get up early in the morning to see where we are. I did that this last winter in the Caribbean, I woke up at about 5:00 one morning and opened the curtains, so I could lie and watch the scenery go by. It was blue sky, blue water, and islands passing by. When you wake up in port it is always different from the day before.
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| St. Kitts |
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| St. Thomas |
We hope you will think about joining us as so you can find out what you are NOT going to enjoy!
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