First Time Cruiser!

[Cyn874]

Hey guys! I am soo glad I found this message board last night. I've been really learning a lot of helpful tips, and have been enjoying reading about everyone's experiences and looking through their pictures.

 

I have never been on a cruise in my life. In fact, I've probably only even seen the ocean a handful of times. (I'm 30, by the way.) My parents love to travel and usually go off to some exotic destination every couple of years or so. (Myself, I've never even been out of the country.) This summer, they are taking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera, and are bringing me along.

 

This is going to be a completely unique experience to me. Aside from some of your posts here, I don't even have the slightest clue what to expect or what is in store for me. But I'm getting pretty excited!

 

What tips or advice do you all have for someone who has never been on a cruise before? I'm going to be taking the 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riviera, leaving out of San Diego, I believe. I THINK I'm on Pride, if I remember correctly. It's either Carnival Pride or Carnival Spirit. I'll be traveling from June 19-26th. Anyone else going on that particular cruise?

 

This seems like a pretty neat community. I think I'll be sticking around here. ;)

[crisp1]

Cyn, Welcome to CC and to the wonderful world of cruising. I didn't take my first cruise until I was 31. Still Love it! Can't help much with the ships and itinerary you're going on, but make sure you check out the roll call board for shipmates. Happy Cruising!

[Cyn874]

Thanks, Crisp. What is the roll call board? (And where is it?)

[crisp1]

It's where you find those who are on your ship. here's a link

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=150

[StacyandTim]

Welcome Cyn! We did the Mexican Riviera in Feb 2002...it was AWESOME! We took the Carnival Elation out of Los Angeles.

 

You are going to have a fabulous time!!

 

Stacy

[wigginout66]

I just returned from the Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Diego. If your going Carnival out of San Diego it will be on the Spirit, and here's a bonus for you, it's an 8 day cruise.

 

I cruised for my first time last year and I'm 38, so don't think your behind the curve. You'll have a great time. I predict you'll become an addict too. :p

 

Let me know if you have any questions about the ship (I've been on the Spirit twice) or the ports of call, I'd be happy to answer anything I can for you.

[Cyn874]

Thank you Crisp, I couldn't find an existing thread so I started my own.

 

 

And Wiggin- yeah I finally figured out which ship I'm on. I do have a LOT of questions.. here is one for starters. I've heard some ships have bingo, but didn't see any mention of that on the website under "casino". Is it part of the casino or something else? Is it cash to play/cash prizes.. or more just for fun and "gift" prizes?

[Flip2cruise]

Thank you Crisp, I couldn't find an existing thread so I started my own.

 

 

And Wiggin- yeah I finally figured out which ship I'm on. I do have a LOT of questions.. here is one for starters. I've heard some ships have bingo, but didn't see any mention of that on the website under "casino". Is it part of the casino or something else? Is it cash to play/cash prizes.. or more just for fun and "gift" prizes?

 

I think you are on Pride. Spirit will be doing Alaskan Cruises in June.

[Cyn874]

Oh weird, according to the Carnival website, its Spirit, and even has the itinerary listed for the ports.

[wigginout66]

They have bingo every day, sometimes several times a day. It was always in the show lounge. It can be for prizes anywhere from $100 - $1000. and just before the debarkation talk, they have one game for a free cruise. They sold cards as you enter the lounge; 1 for $10 and a card of 3 for $20. They accepted cash or if you went up by the stage you can charge to your sail and sign account.

 

Next. lol :)

[Flip2cruise]

Oh weird, according to the Carnival website, its Spirit, and even has the itinerary listed for the ports.

 

 

Pride is a Spirit Class ship that does the Mexican Rivera. It sails from Long Beach.

 

Here is the itinerary for Spirit in June

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=YVR&itinCode=GLE&shipCode=SP&durDays=7&subRegionCode=AN

 

Here it the Itin for Pride

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=LAX&itinCode=MR6&shipCode=PR&durDays=7&subRegionCode=MR

 

 

 

You will be addicted!! Prepare yourself!! :)

[Cyn874]

Oh, I see Liberty- that Pride itinerary is the same as the one I was looking at. This is so confusing to me! :confused: I'll have to email my parents and get the specifics. Thanks!

 

Wiggin- wow! $10 for a game of bingo? I'm spoiled, I guess! I live in Las Vegas where you can play something like 13 games for about $6. :p

[Flip2cruise]

Oh, I see Liberty- that Pride itinerary is the same as the one I was looking at. This is so confusing to me! :confused: I'll have to email my parents and get the specifics. Thanks!

 

Wiggin- wow! $10 for a game of bingo? I'm spoiled, I guess! I live in Las Vegas where you can play something like 13 games for about $6. :p

 

No problem! I know someone just did a great review of Pride. I will find it and give you the link for the thread. You will find this site to be very helpful. We are all addicted to cruising and love finding a new victim...I mean cruiser :)

 

 

Here is a recent Pride Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=126064

[Cyn874]

Ok, next question- alcohol. I've heard from other people who have been on a cruise that you can buy bottles of alcohol in the gift shop on the ship. But according to everything I'm reading here, if you buy it, the ship will store it to you and return it to you at the end of the cruise.

 

 

So my question is this: Is there any way to buy/bring your own bottles of wine/tequila and mixer/etc into your room? Or do you HAVE to only buy it by the glass, or bottle in the dining room?

[Cyn874]

And what about private tables at dinner? There will be 3 of us? Is there a way to get a table alone, or a booth for 4 even if there are only 3 in our party?

[kujobie]

Though it is technically not "allowed" many people pack liquor/mixers in their luggage to consume while on the cruise. It saves a lot of money as the drink prices are not cheap.

[dizzy205]

There is one thing I know that you will remember. The very first sunset, while at sea, nothing but ocean, the beauty of the sunset....there is nothing like it. Crusing is truly the best type of vacation. You can do everything, or nothing at all, whatever suits your pleasure. It can be the most exciting thing in the world, or the most relaxing-you make it what you want. I wish you lots and lots of SUN! I am not sure if this question was answered, but most likely you will have dinner "friends" you will not be alone. If alone is what you want, you may be able to the Maitre de the first day, ask him where you are sitting and if you are sitting with anyone else, hopefully he can help. It has been years since I was on a Carnival ship, so I am not sure.....if anyone else has answers..

I will be going in May on the Legend, so I will find out then :D and let you know.

[Cotton]

Hi Cyn. About the alcohol questions:

 

The DutyFree shop sells all kinds of alcohol, wine, etc.; however, if you purchase it there, it will be held and delivered to your cabin on the last evening. If you buy it on the last evening, you CAN take it to your cabin.

 

Carnival allows a bottle or two of 'fine wine or champagne' to be brought on board to be enjoyed in your cabin. You can take a bottle to dinner, but you may be charged a $10 corkage fee - this seems to be at the discretion of your waiter. You can take the wine on board in your carry-on.

 

And yes - you can try to smuggle alcohol on board in your checked luggage; however, IF it is detected by the x-ray machine, they may confiscate it until the last day. Lots of folks have great success, so you can certainly give it a try.;)

[Cyn874]

My parents and I are sharing a balcony suite on the Carnival Pride. I have read something about their being a seperate sitting room. Would it be possible for me to sleep in that room to allow all of us more privacy, or am I going to be stuck at the foot of their bed on a couch. :P

[wigginout66]

If your in a suite, it may have a separate room, but not all suites do. The regular staterooms have a couch that is next to the bed/beds, that can be made up into a single bed. It's not really a separate area.

 

I brought a couple of bottles of booze with me in my checked bags with no problems. Just be sure to pack them well and you should wrap them in some kind of plastic bag just in case something gets broken. You don't want to have to spend the first day of your cruise doing laundry. We also brought a couple of 12 packs of soda, this is allowed.

 

Anything else you want to know, feel free to ask away. :)

[Kathy555]

H Cyn and welcome to the boards. It appears that you are interested in bingo on the ship. Be aware that it isn't like regular bingos you are probably used to. They usually play 1 or 2 games sometimes it is the six pack, or full board or some strange line-up. You will get a paper sheet and when your number is called instead of markers the numbers are perforated and you push part of it and then just fold it to the other side. Do not punch it out all the way or I think you might void your card.

 

I was on the Carnival Miracle and it had a separate sitting area but it was at the foot of the couch, which became my daughter's bed at night. There was a small coffee table between the bed and the couch but no curtain to seperate it.

 

You will have such a good time!! WE have our fourth cruise planned for December.

[hstrybuf]

Welcome Cyn! You have a wonderful experience ahead of you!

 

As far as dinner seating, ask your parents if they requested a certain seating time and table size. The cruiseline tries to accommodate requests as well as they can with the seating available.