Lesson #4: Though a lot of activities (spa treatments, for instance) and facilities (private balconies, etc.) offered onboard cater to people's individual interests, the notion of organized, group fun remains at the heart of big-ship cruising.When you decide to jump into the ship's social scene, the first thing you must do is consult the newsletter delivered to your room each morning. I had tossed mine aside for two days in a row and found myself aimlessly wandering around the ship in search of things to do. But once I consulted the calendar, I found several appealing activities. Would I attend a wine tasting or an art auction? Or enjoy some oldies but goodies at an old-fashioned piano sing-along? I could even practice my drive at the golf simulator. I did these and more, and enjoyed each one.
But what I really enjoyed, most unexpectedly, was the cheesy group games that took place in the Rome Theater. The silly "Not-so-Newlywed" game where couples who had been married from 2 to 50 years were asked personal questions about each other had me doubled over with laughter -- when an 80-year-old couple is talking about their sex lives it is hard not to giggle. A family-friendly game called "In the Bag" had kids and adults alike scrambling through the audience in a type of scavenger hunt looking for lipstick, socks and other G-rated items. And "Battle of the Sexes" pitted the women against the men in a trivia contest -- a great way to get our of your comfort zone and form some friendships on the ship. I found myself screaming answers from the seats and running up to the stage to whisper strategy in the women's team rep's ear. By the way -- the women won.
If you're a night owl, you'll find no shortage of things to do after dinner. Most big-ticket events on the Triumph take place in the three-deck-high Rome lounge, including the high-quality and energetic main shows. (Editor's Note: Carnival has added the Seaside Theater as another entertainment venue.) The casino comes alive with the noise of slot machines giving payouts and groans of gamblers losing money at the tables; the World's Way Promenade (basically a row of bars and nightclubs of differing themes), though deserted by day, is packed with people when the sun comes down. There were two dance clubs: one playing top 40 and oldies that had a packed dance floor but a more sedate crowd, and another playing hip-hop that had a more boisterous bunch on its dance floor. Among the other bars were a California wine bar, a New Orleans-themed piano bar and a sports bar.
I wandered from a wine bar to a dance club to a piano bar all in one night -- something that would have cost me $50 in taxis and cover charges in Manhattan (or required a designated driver in other locales), but was simple and free on the ship.
All in all, my first cruise was a great experience. Yes, there were lines -- particularly during meal time and disembarkation -- and they were frustrating. Sure, some of the group activities were a little hokey, but if you're worried about your cool quotient, this kind of cruising probably isn't for you. And while the food was good, it will likely not impress the discerning gourmand (there was no specialty restaurant -- an upscale eatery where meals are served with a surcharge -- on the Triumph, but some of Carnival's newer vessels do have them and the cuisine is the best quality on the ship).
Ultimately there is so much to gain from a cruise vacation. Because everything is planned for you, the stress factor is nearly zero. The possibility for fun is nearly limitless. If your disposition toward independent travel is what's keeping you from cruising, don't forget your ship is actually going somewhere -- you can research and explore each port as much or as little as you desire. After all, independent travel is hard work, and what could be better after a day of self-guided touring then getting back on your ship where your next activity is as easy as reaching for your daily newsletter?
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--written by Genevieve S. Brown