I like to cruise on Royal Caribbean, and in 2024 I received to cruise essentially the most I’ve ever performed in a single 12 months.
This 12 months, I have been on a ship for 70 nights (and have one other couple days left earlier than the 12 months ends).
As a result of I stay in Florida, it is logistically simpler to get on a cruise ship given how shut the foremost ports are to the place I stay. Nonetheless, I additionally flew to New York and Europe to go on cruises with the intention to develop my choices.
After so many cruises, you may assume issues would get relatively repetitive, however I relish sure cruising traditions that I really feel obliged to do each time.
On almost each journey, I’ve some absolute must-dos that I merely cannot skip. Regardless of how a lot I cruise, these are the six issues that by no means get outdated.
Go to the Windjammer for my first meal onboard
It simply would not really feel like a Royal Caribbean cruise to me except I begin issues off with lunch within the Windjammer buffet.
Whereas I do sometimes hit up a specialty restaurant first (resembling when I’ve a eating package deal), I nonetheless want lunch on the ship’s buffet.
It is a cruising custom going again to my very first Royal Caribbean cruise on Explorer of the Seas. I distinctly keep in mind going to the Windjammer with my household and being amazed how a lot selection there was.
Moreover nostalgia, I do not normally eat breakfast, so by the point I get going and on the ship, I am fairly hungry and prepared for a meal.
Whereas the buffet can get busy on embarkation day, I attempt to go there earlier than midday to beat the worst of the crowds.
With a stomach stuffed with meals, I am prepared to start out any cruise.
Spend my evenings within the pub with nice music
When Royal Caribbean Weblog readers ask me the place to seek out me on a ship, I at all times inform them there is a good probability I will be within the English Pub most nights.
You will discover a pub on almost all of the ships within the fleet, and so they play the form of bar music hits on a guitar that I actually get pleasure from.
Principally, these are songs you doubtless know all of the phrases to and sure have heard in lots of bars earlier than.
Pub singers are available all types, however my favourite this 12 months needed to be Kevin Phillip whereas he carried out on Icon of the Seas. I might e-book a cruise if I knew he was acting on it, due to how proficient and interesting with the gang he’s.
The uncommon exception is after I’m on Utopia of the Seas and the Nation Trio is taking part in, after which I am going to skip the pub and head as much as the Mason Jar bar.
Hunt down my favourite meals
Royal Caribbean executives have mentioned the highest two causes most individuals go on a cruise is for the locations and the meals, and I can certify I like to cruise for the meals too.
Relying on the itinerary, ship, and who I am cruising with, I am going to dine at a wide range of eating places on Royal Caribbean which can be included and value additional.
My spouse will attest to the actual fact I am going out of my approach to discover my all-time favourite Royal Caribbean meals.
In no specific order, here is my cruise ship must-eats:
- French onion soup from the Important Eating Room or Coastal Kitchen
- Popcorn
- Sushi from Izumi
- Indian curry from the Windjammer
- Asian stir fry from the cooking station within the Windjammer
These are deeply satisfying meals that I might most likely eat each single day. I am fairly positive on some cruises this 12 months I did eat certainly one of these day-after-day.
There are different meals I really like too, however that is the listing of what I can discover and hunt down on just about each ship.
Attempt to plan not less than one epic shore tour
I am unsure when this began, however a technique I like to boost any cruise I take is to plan a extremely enjoyable shore tour.
I feel this was born out of visiting a port of name many occasions over the course of my cruising profession, however I attempt to e-book a tour, cabana, non-public boat, or one thing else that really stands out.
It is easy to fall into the identical routine on cruises, particularly as you repeat itineraries. In order a approach to combine it up and in addition deal with my household, I search for methods to do one thing a bit totally different.
Royal Caribbean is fond of claiming their ships are all about making reminiscences for his or her company, and I like to use that mantra to my very own plans. My children might not keep in mind the umpteenth time we sailed on Mariner of the Seas, however they undoubtedly keep in mind after we do one thing extraordinary.
Some examples from this 12 months embrace:
- Chartering a catamaran in Bermuda
- Snorkeling in St. John
- Staying in an Airbnb in London
In order for you a straightforward however actually enjoyable shore tour thought, look into chartering a ship. Whether or not it is a catamaran, fishing boat, or yacht, they’re plentiful and by no means disappoint.
Take a nap
Name me outdated, name me boring, however I do not care. I like to nap on a cruise.
I do not normally sleep in, however proper after lunch on a sea day, I normally really feel a knack to put down and take a break.
It isn’t solely stress-free, however napping permits me to (most likely) keep up later if I am effectively rested.
Begin planning my subsequent cruise
Because the cruise begins to wind down and we method the final day or two of the crusing, I am going to start wanting ahead to my subsequent crusing.
I feel it is a coping mechanism for coping with the tip of a enjoyable trip, so beginning to take a look at shore excursions or eating plans is an efficient distraction.
I am going to additionally take this chance to see which of our buddies or household might probably be part of us. In spite of everything, cruising is extra enjoyable with buddies!