Some people who haven't cruised are worried that they'll be bored during
a Day at Sea. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Every day on a cruise ship is filled with choices - things to do, people
to meet and places to go. Whether you pack your days with activities
from sunup to sundown or prefer to take things at a more leisurely pace,
a cruise can provide just the type of vacation you are looking for.
A Day at Sea - A Floating Resort is Yours to Discover
You awake in the morning with the sun streaming in the window and the
deep blue sea stretching out before you, to the horizon. Will you head
to the promenade deck to meet the fitness director for a brisk morning
walk or jog around the ship, or place a call to room service and indulge
yourself in a leisurely breakfast in bed? You slip on your exercise
clothes and you're off, but half an hour later you realize those walks
through your neighborhood will never measure up to the open-air laps you
just took around your sleek ocean liner.
Back in your stateroom, you shower before heading to the formal dining
room to enjoy a full-service breakfast. It's white table cloths and
impeccably dressed staff, attentive to your every whim, but your casual
dress is the norm for breakfast. By now, your waiter knows you by name
and has prepared your coffee just the way you like it. The main dining
room is rarely more than half full for breakfast, as many passengers
choose the more casual, buffet-style restaurant. Will you try the Eggs
Benedict today, or have the chef whip up an omelette? There's no need to
check the price - all your meals are included.
You glance at your copy of the ship's daily program, which was slipped
under your stateroom door the previous evening. This is your guide to
the world of activities and events offered onboard for that particular
day - and there is something for every style and age. Perhaps you'll take
part in the games and contests happening outside by the pool, or join an
aerobics class or work out in the state-of-the-art gym. Perhaps you'll
attend a lecture about the culture and history of the ports you'll be
visiting, take a cooking or computer class, or sign up for a ballroom
dancing lesson.
If the kids have come along, they'll be plotting their very own schedule
of activities for the day - treasure hunts, T-shirt decorating, and
pizza parties at the Kid's Camp.
Later this afternoon, you could play a game of bingo or take a gaming
lesson in the ship's casino. Perhaps you'll drop by the art auction (if still offered) or
visit the ship's boutiques and duty-free shops. You and your shipmates
can take part in a fun (and funny!) passenger game show in the ship's
main show lounge. Try a Swedish massage or a relaxing and revitalizing
spa treatment. Or, if you are in a more leisurely mood today, just laze
in the sun by the pool, or find a quiet spot in the library and curl up
with a good book. There are cozy and private places to read on even the
largest ships.
Think that cruises have a lot to offer during the day? When the sun goes
down, shipboard life is just heating up! Before dinner, you may enjoy
cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while mingling with fellow guests. Single
guests will enjoy meeting others who are on their own at the singles
cocktail party or social. Then, enjoy a world-class meal in the main
dining room, where the service and cuisine are exceptional. Of course,
the buffet restaurant is still an option for dinner, and on many ships
there are other specialty restaurants from which to choose.
After dinner, head to the main show lounge for a Broadway or Vegas-style
show performed by the ship's talented entertainment staff. The kids
won't be left out of the fun at night; they may have their own dinner
engagement this evening with some of their newfound friends. Later,
while you are at the show, the older kids will have a blast at the teen
disco, while the little ones watch movies and eat ice cream sundaes at
the kids-only slumber party!
After the show, you can try your luck at the slots or gaming tables in
the ship's lively casino, or sit back and listen to a live jazz band or
chamber music in one of the ship's lounges. Maybe you'll dazzle your
fellow passengers with your vocal talents during karaoke or at a
sing-along in the piano bar! Or just dance the night away to the pulsing
beat of the disco. Whatever you do, don't forget the midnight buffet!
After a day custom-made to your tastes, you'll wonder what you ever did
for excitement on dry land.
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Onboard Casinos
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I love the noise, the action, even the smoke. I've learned to have a
good time, win or lose. That's the secret, actually... budget yourself
and if you should lose, just consider it an excursion.
If you are lucky enough to win, there are some tax liabilities... This is a quote from Publication 529...from the Internal Revenue Service:
Gambling Losses Up to the Amount of Gambling Winnings
You
must report the full amount of your gambling winnings for the year on
Form 1040,[ex. line 21]. You deduct your gambling losses for the year on
Schedule A (Form 1040), [ex. line 27]. You cannot deduct gambling losses that
are more than your winnings.
Your diary should contain at least the following information.
-
The date and type of your specific wager or wagering activity.
-
The name and address or location of the gambling establishment.
-
The names of other persons present with you at the gambling establishment.
-
The amount(s) you won or lost.
Proof of winnings and losses.
In addition to your diary, you should also have other documentation.
You can generally prove your winnings and losses through Form W-2G,
Certain Gambling Winnings, Form 5754, Statement by Person(s) Receiving
Gambling Winnings, wagering tickets, canceled checks, substitute
checks, credit records, bank withdrawals, and statements of actual
winnings or payment slips provided to you by the gambling
establishment. For specific wagering
transactions, you can use the following items to support your winnings
and losses.
These recordkeeping suggestions are intended as general guidelines to
help you establish your winnings and losses. They are not
all-inclusive. Your tax liability depends on your particular facts and
circumstances.
Keno.
Copies of the keno tickets you purchased that were validated by the
gambling establishment, copies of your casino credit records, and
copies of your casino check cashing records.
Slot machines.
A record of the machine number and all winnings by date and
time the machine was played.
Table games (twenty-one (blackjack), craps, poker, baccarat, roulette, wheel of fortune, etc.).
The number of the table at which you were playing. Casino credit card
data indicating whether the credit was issued in the pit or at the
cashier's cage.
Bingo.
A record of the number of games played, cost of tickets purchased,
and amounts collected on winning tickets. Supplemental records include
any receipts from the casino, parlor, etc.
Racing (horse, harness, dog, etc.).
A record of the races, amounts of wagers, amounts collected on
winning tickets, and amounts lost on losing tickets. Supplemental
records include unredeemed tickets and payment records from the
racetrack.
Lotteries.
A record of ticket purchases, dates, winnings, and losses.
Supplemental records include unredeemed tickets, payment slips, and
winnings statements.
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In your cabin each evening you will find with
some sort
of Ship's Newspaper which outlines the activities scheduled for the
following
day. It may be also posted in convenient locations around the
ship
for easy reference. You will have to opportunity to partake in
(or
not) many relaxing or active and exciting activities. (I have
indicated
alternatives for port days like this.)
- Rise early and watch the ship pull into
port...a breathtaking
view
- Enjoy breakfast (or lunch or dinner) in
bed,
in the dining
room or out on deck
- On port days
breakfast is served
early to accomodate passengers with early excursion departures
- Sign up for the Talent Show (passengers
are
the talent)
- Check your email
- Ports of Call Lectures or Excursion Talks
(re-run on TV all
day)
- Go ashore or
stay on
board...your
call
- Pose for the Ship's photographer (who is everywhere)
- at dinner and parties
- at activities
- out on the Lido
- at formal portrait sittings
- at embarkation
and
port stops
- Learn about the ship:
- lifeboat drill (mandatory)
- galley tour
- bridge tour
- Ship facilities
(except casino and
gift shops) are uncrowded and at your disposal all day
- Try the Cocktail/Mocktail of the Day
- Pamper your body
- Health & Fitness Center
- eucalyptus wraps
- jacuzzis
- Beauty Shop (get ready for formal night)
- hair styling
- manicures
- facials
- Jogging (on the Promenade)
- Aerobics
- Sports
- volleyball
- basketball
- tennis
- shuffleboard
- table tennis
- skeet shooting
- snorkeling or SCUBA lessons
- swimming
- Sharpen your skills
- Demonstrations
- napkin folding
- scarf/sarong tying
- ship-building (that's where all those
straws went...)
- wine and cheese tasting
- crafts
- dance class
- Soothe your soul
- religious gatherings
- meet with:
- just relax
- with a good book
- on the Promenade in a deck chair
- in the peace and quiet of the
library
- play bridge, chess, checkers or
board
games
- in the Jacuzzi
- with new friends in one of the many
lounges
- over a game of cards or board game
- watch "the big game" in the Sports Bar
- stroll the Promenade and watch an
incredible sunset
- phone Home ($8-15/minute or pay roam
charges on your cellfone)
- Surf the Net
- Most newer ships and some older ones
have
an "Internet Cafe"
where you can browse or send E-mail for a fee (a flat rate + about 75
cents
per minute), which is charged to your shipboard account. On some
ships the fee for E-mail is quite high, and it may be better to get a
free
HoTMaiL account so you can send/receive your E-mail through the
browser.
There are no floppy or CD drives.
- Wine Desk--order in advance for the
evening
meal
- Dine as you like
- dinner is
usually
informal on port
days
- Instead of
paying
in a restaurant
on shore, come back and dine aboard
- afternoon tea
- ice cream parlor
- enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres
- Cognac and Cigars Under the Stars
- lounge entertainment (string quartet,
steel
drum Island style,
piano bar) & cocktails or coffee
- Midnight Chocolate Extravaganza
- Have a Party
- for new friends in your own cabin
- the Captain's Welcome Aboard cocktail
party
(a formal affair
held just before the evening dinner seating) offering hors d'oeuvres
and
drinks, an introduction to the Master and his officers, and a formal
portrait/photo
session.
- Masquerade Party
- theme Party
- Sail-away Party (poolside)
- Play games
- Newlywed/Not So Newlywed Game
- Sea-Quest (treasure hunt)
- The Match Game
- Visit the Casino (afternoons and evenings
in
international
waters)
- blackjack
- craps
- poker
- roulette
- slots
- casino quiz/raffle
- Bingo (snowballs to a gigantic pot on the
last night if not
won earlier)
- Horse Racing
- Mileage Pool
- Shore Excursions
- museums
- historical
sights
- parks or
natural
wonders
- helicopter
tours
- boat tours
- On your own:
- hire a taxi
and
personalize your
tour
- explore shops
at
your leisure (see haggling
tips below)
- play a round
of
golf
- tennis
- wind surfing
- SCUBA
- snorkeling
- Dance, dance, dance
- Karaoke
- Live Stage Shows
- broadway or Las Vegas-style shows
- magicians
- ventriloquists
- acrobats
- comedians
- singers
- First-run movies (in the Theater or on TV)
- Children's Programs
- Gift Shops (usually a different "special
sale" every day
- Sundry Shop
- Duty-free fragrances and jewelry
- Clothing and souveniers
- Photo Shop/Gallery
- Laundry (have it done or do it yourself)
My, my...there's so much to do! The hardest
part sometimes
is figuring out how to do it all...well, you can't. Some
activities
are only offered once, some daily or all day. My husband takes
along
colored markers and diligently highlights what he wants to do, and no
matter
how hard he tries, he can't do it all, either. Some
things
will have to put off until your next cruise ; )
Haggling for bargains:
...as posted in r.t.c. by Donna
- You ask how much, and listen, and then shake your head
no.
- Then you listen as he drops the price and keep shaking your
head
no.
Then you start to leave.
- He shouts a price at you, but you keep going.
- He shouts another price. You're about to turn the
corner.
- He shouts one last price as you disappear from view.
- That last price is as low as the merchant can go and still
make a
profit.
You now know the price you should pay for the item.
- You go to the next vendor, who has the exact same
merchandise, and
offer
that price.
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You cannot reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses and
report the difference. You must report the full amount of your winnings
as income and claim your losses (up to the amount of winnings) as an
itemized deduction. Therefore, your records should show your winnings
separately from your losses. 