Trekker2016

We booked with vacations to go dot com since my husband has an interline discount. This is our first cruise and also to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Reading through several posts here at CC we got insurance via vacations to go. My husband proudly told her that the cruise is for our wedding anniversary. She asked when. Then she decided that since our wedding anniversary is today, the 23rd but we are sailing this coming Sunday, the 25th, and the ship party day will be on the 27th, she decided that we celebrate it on that day. She is arranging for something to happen...or something like that...my husband did not catch that but I did, from reading posts here. And also when I checked in online, both our birth dates were connected to our room booking. How can that be missed? Go back to the time you arranged for your cruise and look at how your birthdays are connected to your bookings...maybe the hint is there? Just my opinion...

He can always buy a bottle of Champaign on the ship- or a glass or two- or more!

He is not really an alcohol person, he is more of a whiskey person...and he said to me that he is not that desperate to have a shot of his icy whiskey. He only drinks whiskey every now and then. I will not make a big deal if he buys some beer tinnies and drink that instead. He does drink two of those tinnies a day here at home especially when he worked so hard mowing the lawn on our quite big property. I have no idea if he has a six packs while working in his hangar though...I am not there often.

Appreciate and thanks for your response.

Trekkie

You can bring wine....and champagne is wine. You cannot bring booze/liquor....sorry...they do sell it onboard!

cb at sea, MicCanberra and ekajun1957, I am not going to mention this again to my husband as the subject has already been discussed. Truth to say, I really do not care if he decided not to bring the Dom because he will end up drinking it alone for a week and as I have said, I am a teetotaler.

Thank you all for your help....I do appreciate the responses.

Actually, this forum is only for vague, general questions about cruising in general. Anything Cruise line or ship specific ( to include policies) should be asked on that particular line's forum.

 

Many people who can answer your Conquest specific queries will never see this thread at all since it is not in the Carnival section.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

OK...won't do it again. Thanks to you too...good info.

Hi Trekker

 

While they might not give you a bottle of champagne, if you decide to go to the "steakhouse" on the first night of the cruise they will give you a bottle of wine. While most people don't really feel it is of very good quality, Carnival also allows to instead of the free bottle, order any other bottles for half price. They do have Dom Perignon as a wine selection, so you could purchase a bottle for half price. Again, their prices are inflated so even at half price it won't be cheap, but certainly competing with your land based restaurants. Don't know if you would consider this.

 

Good luck with research on this site, it is really worth the effort.

 

have a great cruise

I have read that the MDR also have a nice steak and it is free...LOL...Thanks for the info. You've been very helpful....

Thanks for your response, Nic6318. 'Appreciate it very much.

Since it is getting close to our cruise, hubby and I decided to have a talk on some things and that included the whiskey thingamagig. He decided to forego that one and of course leave the Dom Perignon at home. But agreed on one thing -- we'll go to one of the nice restaurant on board. So altogether, a good compromise. If the ship decides to give us a bottle of champagne (go ahead and dream on...:rolleyes:) then it will be nice. If only a glass each, I'll give him mine.

I am here on Ask a Cruise Question forum because I thought it is the best place to get a response to my question. I am quite on the right path. Thank you.

I found the photography forum, that was interesting because I am also a photographer but this will be my first cruise photography. I had my questions answered and more. That was nice but so far I have not been able to contact anyone who is going on the same ship as we will be in. So I tried the Roll Call a few week back but the members there are more interested in a mug than responding to my question at the time. I was a little disappointed of course but I took it with a grain of salt.

My husband and I will find some acquaintance once we are in it. He can be very chatty, not so much into forums. I am more into writing and making friends in my photography forums and quiet most of the time in real time. I am more into writing because I am a story teller with photos to illustrate along my photoshoot themes. No one will hear my strong accent in words. :D:D We will be fine.

Again thank you for taking time to respond to my message.

Trekker2016

Again, thanks for the tips.

Assuming Carnival Conquest is the ship, hard liquor and beer are not permitted, but 1 x 750 ml. bottle of wine or champagne per adult is permitted. Your whiskey will be confiscated. Many of your questions can be answered by reading Carnival's website; here is the link to the prohibited items list -

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2261/kw/alcohol

Thanks for the link and the response...appreciate it.

Ouch! He will not be happy with that...but thanks for responding so quickly. I really do appreciate it very much...Another few months on the shelf for the whiskey thing will not hurt it...:rolleyes: :D

My husband and I am travelling on Conquest this Sunday, September 25th. He does not drink wine and I am a teetotaler of anything but an occasional soda. I drink water most of the time than not. This cruise is for our wedding anniversary and he wants to bring his bottle of Dom Perignon or a bottle of whiskey with him. Is this OK to bring this aboard the ship? We are first time cruisers so I do not know and the matter came up only a little while ago while we were going home from some errands.

'Will appreciate and thanks for any response I will get...

Trekker2016

Bless you all who are in the path of the storm, any storms...in the ship, I am sure the Cap'tn will keep you entertained and fed very well...Bless also those who are on land having to deal with it.

Hubby and I are keeping all of you in our prayers as well as our friends who just experienced this storm when it was in Cedar Key where they live.

From what I gather so far from reading most of the responses here, you are only talking of faster access via the mobile passport. I have GE and it is well worth for me because I travel overseas sometimes two or three times a year excluding my annual trek back home to Melbourne (Australia) to visit my house and my family (3 kids and grandchild).

GE is different in a way because when one applies for one, your record with Homeland Security will also include any record/s from the CIA/FBI and any other authorities like the police, etc., as well as overseas like the Interpol to make sure you are not one of those illegal aliens who wanted to do harm to this country and its people. This explains the fast checkout to the airport without having to show your quart bag, remove your shoes, etc.

I remember looking at my interviewer when I applied for American citizenship and she brought my record out to add to the file I already have. My eyes questioned the almost 4" thick block of papers that has my name on it and then at the end of the interview she added her interview notes, exam result, etc. amongst my file...

These are all worth it for me because, like anyone, I do not like lines very much having missed my flight once or twice and arriving at my destination in the middle of the night, early morning because I was delayed at LA customs.

The only advantage I can see of a Mobile Passport is that you cannot possibly lose your actual passport itself.

Sorry for my English as I am not a native English speaker have to slightly think of how to interpret what I am saying to an English that will be understandable to native English readers and thinkers.

Cheers.

No need to check out later if you don't have staggered check in yet. You can check out of the hotel at 11 and head to the port. However, you might have to wait at the port a short time before boarding. But, there is no reason for you to have a late check out time at the hotel.

 

Boarding starts with Zone 1 then goes up in the numbers. Depends on what time you get to the port as to what zone you receive.

Thank you so very much. I am not in a hurry to board the ship and I will be willing to go much later but not as late having the ship sail without me, but I planned this trip for our wedding anniversary and I want my husband to like it so we can go again. Thanks again...especially for the quick response.

No, you won't wait all day to board the ship. When you check in at the terminal, you will be given a card with a zone number on it. After Priority boarding has completed, which includes wedding parties, special needs, Diamond, Platinum and FTTF, general boarding begins. Obviously, the earlier you are able to check in at the terminal, the lower the zone number you'll have. You didn't say whether or not the terminal you are leaving from has implemented staggered check-in times. If so, you won't be able to enter the terminal before your check-in time.

I am sorry I did not take note of that so I googled it just now and it says that staggered checked is allowed in Conquest from October 9, 2016. Our trip will be on the 25th September with a 4pm departure.

Thanks, I will have to tell my husband to get a hotel that will allow us to store our luggage for a few hours or get one that has allowed later check-out than 11am. I will go from there, perhaps have lunch or something or go around nearby to take pictures if it is not raining or the sun too hot....I tried to buy a FTTF last night and there was no more available ones for our cruise.

Also what do you mean when you say, I will be given a lower number...does that mean lower than low priority even if we arrive a little bit earlier then come back to take our place? Just need a clarification...

'Appreciate your help.

What if you just go to the Port early but did not have the FTTF option, will you be sent away later on or wait all day until it is time for your ship to leave, ours is at 4pm. If we go early at 11am, will we be waiting all day?

Just asking...I am a newbie at sailing and all the procedures...:confused:

Still double digits -- 21 days!!! It's our first ever!!! I keep hoping hubby will like it enough to allow me to plan for the next one....:)

What about those old fashioned one who still hold back having an iPhone?? Just curious...

I have a D300 which I have mixed feelings on. I have never felt that the camera responds properly. I can't explain it better than that. I loved my D70s. We were dear friends, and the best photos I have ever taken I took with that relatively inexpensive and noisy camera. Yes, 200K! I have another D70s that began to show signs of fatigue at about 40,000. By then I had a D100 and a D300 as well.

 

I am now looking to sell it all off and start fresh, even my glass except my 50 mm f/1.8 prime and 80-200 f/2.8 (which was on the D70 as it took most of those 200,000 actuations and is beginning to see the end of it's life--I should send it to Nikon to see if they can fix whatever is rattling inside before it's too late.)

 

I am no longer doing any professional work, so I will be looking for a higher end prosumer. Just have to take some time to scour Ken Rockwell's reviews and actually get it all done. Last weekend I did start to pack up the gear in the original boxes. Bittersweet.

Your cameras are well loved. When I had my D90 I thought I had the ants pants. :D It was my first camera after being on the F801 for many years earning me a living supporting those 3 mouths I love very much, now too big for their britches. :rolleyes: Then I bought the D300s. Love that beast so I bought another one because I want to have that 2nd body. I studied one while I use one.

What you are used to and love more is the key. Strewth! -- I am one of those that used to think that if you have a professional camera, you are a good photographer. Then someone taught me how to photograph a flower (magnolia) properly on the same brand, same version of my camera...the D300s -- until one day during that period, I went outside and thought of my composition, twisting and turning and lying down on the grass to take that shot. That was my defining moment with a camera. Everyone loved that shot! My purchase of the two D300s was justified. There is this satisfaction and pride of owning one. Thing was I already have the D800e then the D810. Only then did I realized it wasn't the camera, it was stupid me. :D:D

BTW, I had been reading the articles on your links on what to pack...I have since thrown out some of my stuffs I am bringing to our first cruise and thought of your idea of a sports outfits, two of each, shoes, etc. Now I am down to a carry-on and a handcarry and the empty proposed one luggage my husband want to take...hahaha...When he found out there might not be nothing on it, he'll probably agree to check in another carry-on size luggage to instead...so thanks a lot for that tip...Ms- Pretty-Sexy-Lady...'appreciate it very much.

Cheers,

Izzie

A wet bag is an imperative if you will be taking the camera anyplace where it could get wet. I used one extensively in French Polynesia. Mine came from Bass Pro Shops, I think I paid $15 for a bag big enough to hold a D300 with a grip and a 28/200 zoom.

 

I have never taken a tripod or monopod anywhere and have gotten great shots without.

I am buying a Sea to Summit drysack 13 lb and 8lb ones. Plus a lot of gallon ziplocks. We were watching the weather yesterday on tv and it seems that we had chosen the middle of the bad weather to travel on this cruise so I am re-thinking on what I want to pack in my bags and will advise on hubby on what he can bring. We do a lot of air and land traveling but this is our first time to do a sea and land -- and with bad weather too. So we'll see...I can be happy anywhere and willing to trying anything once...who knows? -- we might like it.

Cheers,

Izzie

Appreciate the many interesting discussions, insights and comments on this thread. Great that Izzie has had lots of success with Nikon. I just upgraded to their D7200 from my previous D7100. Wasn't totally my choice to move up to the newer model, but that "shift" was helped by insurance as my camera earlier this year got water damaged while in Africa at the misty Victoria Falls.

 

For Izzie, it was asked early, but I don't remember the response as to where your cruise will be. What ports and locations will you be visiting? That can significantly impact your camera and lens needs!

I thought I answered that one. We will on a 6-night Carnival Conquest cruise visiting, Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. I am taking hubby away from his hobby (airplanes) so he might not enjoy it. Anything longer might make his tear his hair out or whatever is left of it...:D If he likes it, then I am in for a good time and we might repeat it again...hope, hope, :rolleyes:hope...

On tripods, I have thought and hoped that I might do something with that piece of equipment on a number of different cruises. BUT, time after time, it never gets used. Sorry!! Ask yourself hard and fast as to whether you really to pack this item and/or too much "stuff". Most of us on cruises take too, too much!!

I have thought about this long and hard recently and I think I am going to leave the biggie one. But then, I can use it on port...if I bring my heavy wildlife lens. But then I decided to leave it and am thinking of just doing handheld because I planned to bring shorter lens. There are a lot of things I can take shots of with shorter lens. 12-24mm, 24-135mm, 105mm and 70-300mm will do. I can use a Joe McNally stance to prevent shaky shots.

For cruises, my experiences, including for doing about 8,000 pictures during an Australia-New Zealand adventure as detailed on my live/blog below, mobility and being ready to capture, QUICKLY, the many options would be the highest, top priority. You are on vacation, with other people, etc. Trying to do too much "fancy' and involved camera set-ups sounds nice "in theory". BUT, being "practical" should be your top priority on this first cruising experience. There are lots and lots of nice photo opportunities on the ship and for shore exploring. You need to be ready to capture things quickly in an easy, simple manner. Too much equipment can slow you down and cause you to miss some great visual opportunities. Don't lose those great sights because you are too distracted fiddling with your equipment and gear!! Have you heard of the KISS principle? Keep It Simple, Stupid!!??

 

Good luck on your journey!! Keep up the great sharing and questions.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 153,706 views for this posting.

Thank you so much for your tips. I appreciate it very, very much. I was thinking that since this is our 10th wedding anniversary, I have to take care of my hubby too but if he will find someone to talk to, or find something for him to take up his time without me at times then I'd be free to wander and take pictures too. I have not had too many landscape shots lately. Hubby has an eye on them but he claim not to be an expert. Of course not but once in a while I edit his shots especially of the recent floods at Maryland Heights where his hangar is located, he was amazed at the story I accompanied it with. His late mother was a very creative person, so she must had rubbed some of it from her. He just need practice so I make some excuses or another to make him take some pictures. I edit them to make them pop out.

Cheers,

Izzie

I would definitely use a polarizing filter if you will be sailing to places like the Caribbean, French Polynesia, etc. I didn't bring one to the Med (forgot to pack it) and didn't miss it. I would have been hosed in FP without it.

 

I use Nikon and the only time they wouldn't work on my gear was an older D70s with over 200,000 actuations. The repair cost was substantially higher than the cost to by a new prosumer level body with more features and significantly better image quality. Frankly, they were correct.

I just bought a CPL with haze reduction and a variable ND last night. Now I am poor again. Gotta do some paying jobs for my pocket money for the cruise. :D

My o my! 200K actuations!!! I got rid of my camera way before it reached that number! I used to have a D800e that I did not like so it stayed in my studio across my den until the D810 came out. This D810 is the first one I had trouble with recently. I fried the circuit board doing some live focus stacking. Three weeks and $250 later, I got my camera back with a new circuit board, well cleaned, auto focus readjusted and firmware upgraded...6 months warranty on the repair. First time and first Nikon to be sent to repair. I was told later on by a friend that Nikons heat up if you use live view too long. My second body is a D300s which I love very much.

I enjoyed your shots and suggestions. I have a suggestion, too, although I can't find any good examples of it in my 'archives.' (Note to self: keep working on keywording!) When you find a good sunset, try taking shots with different white balance settings. Some settings will bring out the blues, others emphasize oranges. If you typically shoot in RAW, and post process, this won't be a big deal, but if you do mainly jpegs, you might be amazed at what you see!

 

 

What a wonderful tip...easily done after post too while in Camera Raw. Thanks for this.

Cheers.

Trekker 2016--thank you very much for your kind words! I put so much thought and time into the little postings, so it's great to know someone reads them. How lucky for you that you're semi-retired! Alas, I'm still working full time, but at least it pays for all our cruises (two a year!). Do you share your photos on this site? - Diana Greenburg, aka Musing About Cruising

I am still trying to retire, Diana.. :(:( My money pays for my GAS :D

No I haven't share any of my photos here ... yet. But I belong to a photo group called Cambridge in Color where we teach, critique and comment on each others' images. My photos are more journalistic in style. I like putting my feelings to words accompanied by images. Sometimes my images need not have any wordings to them because I make sure it tells a story by itself...but seldom. A National Geographic photographer once said that spray and pray doesn't always work. Taking time to think of a theme even before going out of the house does. Anyway, I am for most times the clown of our group.:D

Thanks again for your articles...I enjoyed them all.

Take care,

Izzie

I don't own a lens that doesn't have a filter on it, AND a good one, no good paying got good glass then putting a rubbish filter on it.

I don't discriminate on lenses...just like I am colour blind when it comes to people. I'm an American when I am here in the US and an Australian when I am in Oz. Each of my lenses deserves a bit of tender loving care no matter if it was bought cheap or not...it is my first second hand lens and I like it so far so it deserves a lens or two just like my other lenses.

Cheers.

I pack photo gear not only according to the cruise itself, but also to the ports and time of day you are in ports.

 

If I take the "basic" Caribbean cruise out of Florida, I always bring along UV Haze filter as well as ND filter. I often find a haze in the Caribbean and enjoy taking photos of "smooth" water and waterfalls.

 

As to tripod, if I am in an interesting city before or after the cruise or stay in port after dark, I always bring along a travel tripod.

 

With my Sony a6000 I can easily have it all in a handy and secure Packsafe shoulder bag.

I just bought a Tamron 24-135mm lens for a bargain!!! and I have been practising on it as this is the first time I have this kind of WA angle lens. My 12-24mm is also new to me earlier this year so I am bringing both of them. It seems that the 24-135mm is a good walkabout lens. Not the best perhaps but it was in excellent condition plus at my local camera store so I bite. My first second hand lens. So that means I have a new 72mm lens without any filter at all. I am going shopping for CPL and ND filter this week online. And I saw that B&H carries a CPL that also reduces haze in landscapes...maybe other uses too...

Hoya 72mm HD2 Circular Polarizer Filter

What do you think of the above? I have a UV filter on all my lenses for protection and I reckon that if I buy this one, I wouldn't be needing another one to slap on top of it. Now the only thing I want to buy is the ND filter which I love to be able to use on sea days at the golden hours...I also have a set of CPL for each sizes of my lenses. This is the first for this new lens and it already came with a UV filter and I have a funny feeling it is not a haze filter either. (I just found this out now as my camera is near me...it came with a UV filter.)

I will surely bring my tripod even if I won't use it on the ship...perhaps on port days? Good protection too for me...and I also use Pacsafe accessories. An expert in my photo group recommended it and I quite like it for security.

Good advice. Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate it very much.

Cheers.

Aussie Trekker

Izzie

If you read some of the posts here, you will find that you are your own person -- you do not have to participate in anything, any event in the ship or shore excursions if you do not feel like to. A vacation is a vacation. Make it yours not someone else's. We are going to go on Carnival Conquest next month for our wedding anniversary. My husband told his best friend in Florida that we are going on that ship. He and his wife are experienced ship travelers. His friend said the Carnival is known as party ships. But I have been reading that the personnel do not allow anyone to get drunk...and have a limitation on how many one can drink. So we will see...and we do not always have to party with those that want to party...It is only me and my husband who are going on this cruise, not our whole family.

Being retired adults has its advantages -- we do not have to be politically correct NOR do we have to join the youngsters make fools of themselves. I am sure you and husband will be OK and have time to practice being young before your cruise.

Cheers,

Aussie Trekker