Never taken a cruise - watch options for the trip?

[bobernet]

I’ve been opposed to cruise vacations for a long time, but have agreed to take my wife, kids, and in-laws on one this holiday season. It’s relatively short - 5 days, I think. Two port stops, Cozumel and some private island in the Bahamas (Coco Cay).

I’m planning on taking three watches. One on a strap for day to day. One Rolex for pool/hot tub on the ship. One diver for the island day and actual diving in Cozumel. For those who cruise, does this make sense?

I think I’ve narrowed it down to a gold option or platinum option.

1. 5270J, 118238 ivory pyramid dial
2. 5370P, 228206 blue motif/stick dial

For the diver, I’ll probably take my AP blue/yellow ROO diver, but have considered my Blancpain FF Ocean Commitment 3 (40mm).

If it matters, the cruise line is Royal Caribbean. Thanks!

Quick pic of watches in question:

[Star Ferry]

Since these cruise ships are staffed and crewed by random young people from all over the world, and it’s effectively a floating hotel, I’d just bring the Blancpain or AP diver and wear that for the trip personally. Your original plan is also fine I just don’t like leaving watches in the hotel safe

[Tools]

I usually take a Sub or GMT for the day-to-day, then a more dressy model for Formal Nights.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Tools

I usually take a Sub or GMT for the day-to-day, then a more dressy model for Formal Nights.

I considered just taking a diver and a DD, but if I’m already taking 2, 3 isn’t really any more hassle.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Since these cruise ships are staffed and crewed by random young people from all over the world, and it’s effectively a floating hotel, I’d just bring the Blancpain or AP diver and wear that for the trip personally. Your original plan is also fine I just don’t like leaving watches in the hotel safe

Is that specific to your experience on cruise ships, or are you someone who only travels with 1 watch, even on land-based trips? Thanks for the feedback.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by bobernet

Is that specific to your experience on cruise ships, or are you someone who only travels with 1 watch, even on land-based trips? Thanks for the feedback.

I’d bring 1 watch to any hotel, but would be willing to bring multiple watches to a rented house or friend or family’s house.

I have taken cruises, and I did notice that just because a cruise is from a US port does not mean it’s a fully US-based staff/crew. So there will be people working on the ship for whom your watches represent many years of salary in their home country. Whereas in Vegas, for example, everyone is in a union and frankly very few members of the culinary union would risk their job over a guest’s watch. Does any of that mean you’ll face issues on the cruise? No, not by a long shot, but my impression was i was glad I didn’t bring a whole watch roll.

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Since these cruise ships are staffed and crewed by random young people from all over the world, and it’s effectively a floating hotel, I’d just bring the Blancpain or AP diver and wear that for the trip personally. Your original plan is also fine I just don’t like leaving watches in the hotel safe

I would keep it simple to avoid loss or theft.

[Chewbacca]

Take all eight and be the King of the Seas.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Take all eight and be the King of the Seas.

It’s good to be the King.

[East Bay Rider]

I'd wear one watch and never take it off. Leave the others safely at home.
As said, the ship is full of young staff in and out of your room while you're away. Upon arrival you're separated from your luggage. When you're off the ship you're away all day. There's simply too much time away from your room where your valuable watches are unguarded. Royal Caribbean cruises are great but it is what it is.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'd wear one watch and never take it off. Leave the others safely at home.
As said, the ship is full of young staff in and out of your room while you're away. Upon arrival you're separated from your luggage. When you're off the ship you're away all day. There's simply too much time away from your room where your valuable watches are unguarded. Royal Caribbean cruises are great but it is what it is.

This


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[77T]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'd wear one watch and never take it off. Leave the others safely at home.
As said, the ship is full of young staff in and out of your room while you're away. Upon arrival you're separated from your luggage. When you're off the ship you're away all day. There's simply too much time away from your room where your valuable watches are unguarded. Royal Caribbean cruises are great but it is what it is.

That’s what we did. Just wasn’t worth the worry or potential hassle if something went missing.


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[Chester01]

Take the AP for the water. Safest place for a watch is on your wrist. I dont trust hotel safes. Way too many folks in and out. Take one only.

[Tricolore66]

We usually go to Sanibel/Captiva the first week of every year, but that got derailed by Ian. Last week we booked a cruise out of Galveston on a whim. It's kind of a no-brainer vacation and the port is a 45 minute drive, so no dealing with airports. I'm struggling to decide which watch to bring as well. My beater is a well-worn 114060, and that's what I'm leaning towards, along with my Apple Ultra. It has been awhile since I've been on a cruise, but I agree with some of the others that you probably don't want to bring more than one nice watch, and that should probably be something low key.

Looking at your collection, I'd lean towards the Fifty Fathoms. It's a Royal Caribbean cruise, not a Benetti off the coast of Portofino.

If you're going to dive, seriously check out the Apple Ultra. It meets dive instrument certification standards and is truly an amazing device. I literally can't wait to take off my nice watch when I come home from work to wear it. I don't think I could ever give up collecting watches, but I'm getting very close to this being my everyday watch, it's that useful.

https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/oce...v=7516fd43adaa

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

We usually go to Sanibel/Captiva the first week of every year, but that got derailed by Ian. Last week we booked a cruise out of Galveston on a whim. It's kind of a no-brainer vacation and the port is a 45 minute drive, so no dealing with airports. I'm struggling to decide which watch to bring as well. My beater is a well-worn 114060, and that's what I'm leaning towards, along with my Apple Ultra. It has been awhile since I've been on a cruise, but I agree with some of the others that you probably don't want to bring more than one nice watch, and that should probably be something low key.

Looking at your collection, I'd lean towards the Fifty Fathoms. It's a Royal Caribbean cruise, not a Benetti off the coast of Portofino.

If you're going to dive, seriously check out the Apple Ultra. It meets dive instrument certification standards and is truly an amazing device. I literally can't wait to take off my nice watch when I come home from work to wear it. I don't think I could ever give up collecting watches, but I'm getting very close to this being my everyday watch, it's that useful.

https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/oce...v=7516fd43adaa

Thanks for the comments! No interest in smart watches. For diving, I have a modern dive computer, but always wear a watch as a backup bottom timer.

[bobernet]

Seems lots of the comments are about safety. In reading online, each ship has a main safe with safe deposit boxes available. There’s also an in-room safe, and I have watches insured.

Setting aside the risk of theft, do you spend most of the sea days indoors or outdoors? I’m sure I’ll swim or hot tub occasionally, but I’m not going to spend entire days out on a lounger by the (crowded?) pool.

Casino, bar, shows?

Thanks for the feedback, all.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by bobernet

Seems lots of the comments are about safety. In reading online, each ship has a main safe with safe deposit boxes available. There’s also an in-room safe, and I have watches insured.

Setting aside the risk of theft, do you spend most of the sea days indoors or outdoors? I’m sure I’ll swim or hot tub occasionally, but I’m not going to spend entire days out on a lounger by the (crowded?) pool.

Casino, bar, shows?

Thanks for the feedback, all.

You are going to spend your days inside?

I’d be far more concerned with what I’m going to do, rather then what watch I’m going to wear. Bring the BP and call it a day.

To and from the ship safe seems like such a hassle.

Why are we going again?

[SDGT3]

We took a med cruise this past summer and regret not taking a nice watch for the formal nights, dinner and shows on board. If your watches are insured as you stated, bring a nice 1 to wear on board and 1 beater for off shore.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by superdog

You are going to spend your days inside?

I’d be far more concerned with what I’m going to do, rather then what watch I’m going to wear. Bring the BP and call it a day.

To and from the ship safe seems like such a hassle.

Why are we going again?

I’m going to spend shore days on shore doing things. I have no idea how I’m going to spend sea days. I’ve never been on a cruise. Am I laying in a lounge chair for 16 hours around a crowded pool? Definitely not.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by bobernet

I’m going to spend shore days on shore doing things. I have no idea how I’m going to spend sea days. I’ve never been on a cruise. Am I laying in a lounge chair for 16 hours around a crowded pool? Definitely not.

okay, I have only been on one cruise and it was two decades ago, so I am no expert.

but, from what I understand, the only days that you are actually on the boat are the travel days. meaning, when you leave the home port and when you are on your way back.

mostly the only time the boat moves, is at night. so each morning you wake up you are at a new port with a new view. it is really very cool. then you are typically off the boat exploring or doing whatever you do.

I do imagine many folks stay on the boat if they just want to chill. if I recall properly, we went out and about wherever we were, but we still had some time on the boat during the actual days of travel.

that said, I do not think that anyone...ever...anywhere...spends 16 hours sitting on a lounge chair by a pool.

you have a heck of a collection. imo, it does seem silly to take more than 1. especially with the cool watches you have. some of them are perfect for vacation environment. I do know folks that go on vacations with a few, and I tried that once, but imo, it was unnecessary and caused undue stress. ymmv.

have fun. post pics.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by bobernet

I’m going to spend shore days on shore doing things. I have no idea how I’m going to spend sea days. I’ve never been on a cruise. Am I laying in a lounge chair for 16 hours around a crowded pool? Definitely not.

I've been on a few caribbean cruises on multiple lines (prefer Royal Caribbean) and never once went into the pool on the top deck or eaten any meals at the buffet, preferring to make reservations at the several restaurants scattered around the ship. On the ships I've been on there is typically a small casino, a cigar bar outside, several bars inside, restaurants and shows at night. My wife likes to attend the wine and martini tastings. There's usually a themed art/artist display that they push. All in all its enjoyable for a short vacation. We always participate in the excursions into town or the private islands. I recommend renting a beach cabana for the service and the bathrooms. We usually get a cabin with a balcony and while smoking is not allowed on the balconies I do find it a relaxing place to read my kindle. I like the relaxed pace of the cruise. On sea days I get to relax and wander about without pressure to "see" anything. I've never been bored.

[donas]

Originally Posted by bobernet

I’m going to spend shore days on shore doing things. I have no idea how I’m going to spend sea days. I’ve never been on a cruise. Am I laying in a lounge chair for 16 hours around a crowded pool? Definitely not.

Cruising was our primary vacation prior to Covid, been on probably 25-30. For us, we cruise primarily Princess. Though we like Royal Caribbean ships the best the Princess crowd is more to our liking (generally older, less drunks and craziness).

I enjoy a regular rotation of watches at home and usually do the same on vacation. I've never taken more than three though. Yes, the room safes are dinky doozies and easily opened by someone with a little know how, but they "keep the honest people honest" we say. My opinion differs from many I have seen on this thread. You have the same room steward throughout and there are more cameras on a ship than you can imagine. It is a safe bet if someone enters your room, it's recorded.

As far as what will you be doing. We usually attend various activities such as art auctions, classes or briefings on misc this and that. Our favorite activity is to take our kindles to a public area read a little and people watch a little. A cruise is quite a melting pot, interesting stuff to see if you just sit back and watch. My skin is as white as they come, zero sun tolerance so I have never spent a minute in or around the pool except for "movie under the stars night" we rarely miss that, particularly on Alaskan cruises (our personal favorite). On Royal Caribbean, book your activities early, prior to even leaving. They are the only line that requires reservations for nightly shows etc. and are usually booked at the time of the event.

The tv sucks on every line. If you like relaxing with some shows before bed, I recommend downloading some from Netflix or something prior.

[descartes]

No way I’d leave any of those pieces in the room safe. I’d bring either the AP Diver or the Plat Day Date.

Nice collection BTW.

[dba]

I've been on 10 cruises, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and Hawaii. Lately, I take one watch for wear at all times. I used to take two, and have a dressier one for evening, but it's just too easy to take one.

Best of Luck and have fun.

[Tricolore66]

Part of the fun of wearing nice watches is that most of us probably gravitate to eating, drinking, and playing around like-minded individuals who would take notice of an AP, Daytona, etc. It has been nearly 20 years since I've been on a cruise (Royal Caribbean) and as I recall it was more Walmart experience than the Pebble Beach Concours. Nobody is likely to notice or care what you're wearing, and those that do are probably going to wonder why on earth anyone would wear a rose gold Day-Date on a cruise. I know I would! Wear what you like, but you did ask for opinions, and that's mine.

A cruise with the family sounds like fun, and I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless of the watch. Just don't overthink it!

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

Part of the fun of wearing nice watches is that most of us probably gravitate to eating, drinking, and playing around like-minded individuals who would take notice of an AP, Daytona, etc. It has been nearly 20 years since I've been on a cruise (Royal Caribbean) and as I recall it was more Walmart experience than the Pebble Beach Concours. Nobody is likely to notice or care what you're wearing, and those that do are probably going to wonder why on earth anyone would wear a rose gold Day-Date on a cruise. I know I would! Wear what you like, but you did ask for opinions, and that's mine.

A cruise with the family sounds like fun, and I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless of the watch. Just don't overthink it!

This.
From that collection and with plans for the pool, beach and diving, I'd choose the BP Fifty Fathoms. It's suited to the intended tasks and, let's face it, uncommon enough that anyone who recognizes it probably has an interesting collection themselves. It's a watch that only watch lovers wear.

[m j b]

LOL

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

It has been nearly 20 years since I've been on a cruise (Royal Caribbean) and as I recall it was more Walmart experience than the Pebble Beach Concours.

Ditto.

Just wear one watch for the entire trip. One (or three) less thing(s) to worry about.

[donas]

You need to start another thread - is it safe to wear "X" in a cruise ship hot tub?....yuck..

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by donas

You need to start another thread - is it safe to wear "X" in a cruise ship hot tub?....yuck..

Is it safe to wear a Hazmat suit in a public hot tub?

[Gab27]

I would just take one with a metal band or water resistant strap and wear it 24-7, personally.

Anyone with YouTube can open many hotel safes with an administrative override feature.