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 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.

[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.

[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.

[Chewbacca]

Take all eight and be the King of the Seas.

[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.

[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.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Take all eight and be the King of the Seas.

It’s good to be the King.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[JSol1]

Like you, I’ve never been a fan of cruising but we did a small (relatively) ship cruise last holiday season and I really enjoyed it. I took 3 Rolex and my Casioak. I wore the Casio exclusively on shore excursions-not for fear but I just didn’t feel comfortable flaunting wealth on shore.
On the ship I completely enjoyed wearing my watches and mixing it up (16 days). Absolutely no worries about using the room safe and we had the same steward clean our cabin throughout the trip so it would have been pretty obvious if their was any kind of theft…enjoy your watches and your trip!

[brandrea]

Hope you and the family have an amazing trip Bob

We aren’t cruisers and I only ever travel with one watch, so unfortunately I can’t help you here.

[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.

[airchitect]

Take a single all rounder and call it good. Don’t over complicate it.


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[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.

[bobernet]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like consensus is a single watch. Cheers, all.

[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.

[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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