First Unsupervised Cruise

[elcuchio24]

Wow thank you so much for all your replies, this helped so much I really appreciate it.

Yes, we will all be 21 so we're good with booking and all that, and yes we do enjoy drinking thanks for the suggestion about the alcohol tasting and free sushi! I didnt know about that

 

Just a few more things...

 

-If I was going to tip early, sounds nice just to get it out of the way, how would I go about doing that?

 

-you know on carnival.com how you fill out all those pre cruise registration documents and 'check in early' do I need to print all that out and bring it with? Does it really make a difference, will I bypass other things embarking having done that?

 

thanks!

 

I didn't see if your anytime dining question got answered. We used this option and only had to wait one night for about 5 min.

 

Another money saver that we do as far as alcohol goes is get a bottle or two from Bon Voyage, where you can have the bottle waiting for you in the room. Bottles range from 25-60 bucks a liter but can really cut down on your bar tab. Search the thread for the BV menu/contact number to call if you're interested. Took my first solo with my gf when I was 21, had a blast! Have fun.

[Froufie]

Wow thank you so much for all your replies, this helped so much I really appreciate it.

Yes, we will all be 21 so we're good with booking and all that, and yes we do enjoy drinking thanks for the suggestion about the alcohol tasting and free sushi! I didnt know about that

 

thanks!

 

Just to clarify you don't need to be 21 to cruise but you need to have someone older than you to cruise with - from the Carnival website FAQ:

 

Cruise Travel -

 

Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian 25 years or older in the same stateroom. I assume you are travelling with 'older' friends?

 

As for the documentation - you will need to go to the Carnival website and complete your 'fun pass' - you will need your booking number to do this and when completed print out the 'page' and bring it with you.

 

Have fun!:D

[FlaGrl4Evr]

Calilivin, you can still pre-pay your grats. You're right, paying them first gets it out of the way so you wont have to stress over it. Another poster on the CCL site gave a good suggestion. She/he said to print out your proof of pre paid tips as they showed up on their SS account even though they had already been paid off at the time of final cruise payment. They had their proof in their paper work and it was taken off of their account immediately. I'm sure this is not a common mistake but I am going to take the advice and bring this with me as well.

 

Have a great cruise and don't forget to bring something special back for you Mom. :)

[elcuchio24]

Just to clarify you don't need to be 21 to cruise but you need to have someone older than you to cruise with - from the Carnival website FAQ:

 

Cruise Travel -

 

Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian 25 years or older in the same stateroom. I assume you are travelling with 'older' friends?

 

As for the documentation - you will need to go to the Carnival website and complete your 'fun pass' - you will need your booking number to do this and when completed print out the 'page' and bring it with you.

 

Have fun!:D

 

As long as everyone is AT LEAST 21, then no older friend needed.....

[Traveler353]

I have the strangest feeling that this thread is going to get very entertaining before it is yanked.;)

[Rosefloater]

I've been on two family cruise vacations before both on the Disney cruise line when I was a bit younger, for my 21st birthday me and a few friends are going on a 4 night to Baja Mexico on the Paradise and it's all of our first cruise that's not really a family vacation. We're very excited we've all cruised before but not with Carnival and this site has been so helpful for the questions that Carnival's really doesn't seem to answer but I still feel like I have a handful that havent been directly answered either by my cruise planner, or the website, or lack of posts on here about them, I was hoping maybe some of you could help.

 

-the ship embarks at 530 it says, when do you think we will board and how early should we arrive? they start boarding around noon.

-as far as sign and sail we want to just use cash and all our seperate accounts and all that, anyone ever had trouble with things like that?

-we got anytime dining, is there usually a wait? Do not go right when the dining room opens. Wait about 15-20 minutes to avoid the rush. We only had to wait once for about 10 minutes because we came around 45 minutes after the start.

-our room is category 6A riviera deck, any knowledge of what they're like? (this was the most confusing thing to read about on here, the rooms) You are in the middle to rear of the ship which is a good location. Disembarkation at the ports are 1 deck below. Easier to use the stairs going back up.

-shore excursions? anyone do any in catalina or ensenada? how were they?

-Spa Carnival? it seems very overpriced for a massage is it worth it? what about the pedicure?

-How late are the bars/clubs open on the ship at night?

-I haven't really seen anything at all posted about the Paradise, how have your experiences been on it? I will be going on the Paradise for the 8th time next week. Love the ship. Easy to find things. If you like sushi, there is a sushi bar that is open from 5:30-7:30 (approx.) located by the casino.anyone have pictures?

 

How are you getting to the port? If you are driving, parking is $15/day. If you are staying in the Long Beach area overnight, find a hotel that has cruise deals for free parking (check west coast departures forum).

 

If you want to party in Ensenada, I would suggest going to Papas & Beer or Mango Mango (they are across the street from each other on Ave. Mateo Lopez (the main tourist street). I have never been to either one, but they are always hopping. Easy 15 minute walk to the bars. Taxi back to the ship is about $4. If you like natural things, I would go to the Bufadora (blowhole). There is no real beach in Ensenada.

 

 

-you know on carnival.com how you fill out all those pre cruise registration documents and 'check in early' do I need to print all that out and bring it with? Does it really make a difference, will I bypass other things embarking having done that?

 

thanks!

 

You need to print out the FunPass (makes check in much easier). I print out the page that shows the confirmation and amounts paid and take that with me. I also print out the luggage tags (page 7). I attach the tags using packing tape.

[MszKitty]

-our room is category 6A riviera deck, any knowledge of what they're like? (this was the most confusing thing to read about on here, the rooms) You are in the middle to rear of the ship which is a good location.

 

 

6B's are in the middle of Riveria deck.

 

6A's are forward and aft on Riviera deck.

[Calilivin]

Yes, everyone will be 21 beforehand, I turn 21 the day of embarkation, so it's perfect.

 

also, if we're leaving our car at the pier or parking lot do we need to purchase anything beforehand or notify them (besides when you're filling out the online documents and it asks if you'll have a car parked) or just show up and leave it there?

[Xokeman]

I have a suggestion since this is your first "unsupervised" cruise: Since you are paying in cash please pre-pay your gratuities now. That way if you happen to run out of money the great people who wait on you will not be "stiffed." Hope you have a fun and make alot of memories on your cruise!

tell us how you really feel!

[MszKitty]

Yes, everyone will be 21 beforehand, I turn 21 the day of embarkation, so it's perfect.

 

also, if we're leaving our car at the pier or parking lot do we need to purchase anything beforehand or notify them (besides when you're filling out the online documents and it asks if you'll have a car parked) or just show up and leave it there?

 

Just show up and leave it. Its a nice multi-story covered parking structure.