PhenaBaby

13 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I second this. This excursion was our favorite one out of all of the excursions we have taken on any cruise.  It was a great night from the beginning to the ending and the highlight of our cruise.

The best advice that I have ever seen on CC:
1. Get a passport
2. Purchase travel insurance
3. If arriving to the port by plane, fly in a day early

Those things aren't required, but are helpful in case of issues that may come up.  We always purchase an internet package and keep in contact with family members through text messages and facebook messages.
 

Thank you... where is the best place to purchase travel insurance?

Thank you all so much for  your advice! 

I currently have the Rhythms of the night in my cart with Carnival... I'm waiting to see what happens with the cruises in June before I actually book it!

I also have my passport paperwork filled out and we will go next week to get those underway... better safe than sorry!!

I'm looking into our cell phone carrier... I will probably still purchase internet so we can have some kind of contact with my kids... until we get to port and can call.

1 hour ago, crzndeb said:

If I could make one suggestion on excursions, purchase Rhythms of the Night in PV, prior to boarding. It is, IMHO, the best excursion on the Panorama ports. It is also very popular, so that’s why I suggest purchasing before you go. 

Thank you for the suggestion... this is the first ever cruise for either of us and I'm clueless on which excursions we should do. That helps a lot! 🙂

My husband and I are booked for our first cruise in September, on the Panorama. I have a couple questions that you might be able to answer for me. 

1. Calling home. If we purchase one of the internet packages, will I be able to use my phone to call home? Maybe like on FB messenger or something? This will be my first time ever leaving my kids for more than one night and I am extremely nervous I won't be able to check on them.

2. Excursions. Is it better to book the excursions through Carnival before the cruise? I actually booked the cruise through Costco and they also offered sales on excursions? Which is better or wait until we are actually on the ship to purchase and decide? Or wait until we are at port and book when we are off the ship?

3. Do we actually need a passport? Reading online since we are leaving and coming back to the same port we won't, but is that true? Is there a reason we would want to get our passports just in case? I don't want to get to the ship and not be able to board.

I'm sure I will have more questions as our cruise gets closer.... :)