Just booked our first cruise! I have some questions...caution long post! :)

[SharonD]

After much thought, I finally booked our first cruise!

 

We are on Carnival's Sensation, out of New Orleans going to Cozumel and back. I was able to find one that coincided with my spring break from school (I'm a lunch lady in an elementary school) We are off the exact dates this cruise is!

 

It's only a four night cruise, which is fine with us, since we don't know if we're going to get sick or even like it. (I'm sure we will LOVE it, after reading the threads on these boards) :)

 

Anyway, I have a few questions. I booked through Expedia. It is the first time I've ever booked any trips through them. Am I going to be sorry? I checked Carnival's site and called a travel agent, but Expedia was cheaper, and they were offering two cabin category upgrades. We have a category 6C on the Upper Deck. I hope that's good, I don't know???

 

I booked our air separately since it was half the price that Expedia and the travel agent quoted. We are flying out of Philadelphia, leaving at 7:25am the morning of the cruise, arriving in New Orleans at 9:20am. The ship is due to leave at 4pm. That should give up plenty of time, in case of delays, right?

 

We are returning to Philadelphia at 1:30pm, the afternoon we sail back to New Orleans. The ship docks at 8am. We should be ok with that time, too, I hope?

 

It is my husband and myself. We are in our mid 40's. We're not into the clubbing scene. What is there to do, at night, on the ship, besides the casino? Are the shows good? Which ones are not to be missed?

 

I understand there is one formal night. Would a suit for him and a nice pant suit for me be ok to wear? I don't own a dress and really hate wearing them. On the other nights, would khakis and a collar shirt for my husband and capris and a nice top for me be ok?

 

What should we do when we get to Cozumel? My husband hates the beach.

 

If anyone can give me some tips to make this cruise great, I would really appreciate it.

[2Cruise4Ever]

Sharon ~ I have never sailed Carnival, but I can answer some general questions for you. I've used expedia for air travel before and have never had a problem. You should be fine. The flight reservations you made were fine. You should be there long before you can board the ship. So, you may have some wait time (if your flight is not delayed). And, they will disembark passengers who have early flights very early in the process (usually VIP's, special needs passengers, and carry-on luggage only passengers disembark first). They are very quick and orderly. So, you shouldn't have a problem making your flight (provided the ship isn't delayed for some reason). I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing travel insurance (if you haven't already). This will cover any cost of missing a flight, the ship, medical, or you end up not being able to go for whatever reason. WELL worth the cost.

 

 

Regarding night life, my DH and are not clubbers either. But, we do enjoy the casino every once in a while. And, the shows are usually very good. Most ships have a movie theater as well. You can also enjoy a massage or facial in the spa during the evenings (these appointments typically don't book up very quickly). My DH and I just love strolling on the open-air decks of the ship after dinner. It is so relaxing looking at the stars, smelling the sea air, and listening to the wake.

 

I don't know much about Cozumel. But, I'm sure there are many archeological tours or historical tours that you will both enjoy. Plus, the shopping is always a plus!

 

Regarding dress for formal wear: what you described sounds perfect. I have seen everything from nice pants suits all the way up to formal, formal evening gowns. You and your DH should fit right in. And, if you don't really want to participate, you don't have to. Dining in the restaurants is not REQUIRED. You can always have dinner at the buffet in complete casual wear. And, kakkis, collared shirt, capris and a nice top are perfect for the other nights.

 

Enjoy your cruise. 4 days is perfect for the first one: it gives you a chance to get your "feet wet" on cruising. Although, I'm sure you will be completely addicted (as so many of us are) when you return.

 

Happy Sailing! :D

[SharonD]

Thank you! :)

[clackey]

Hola,

 

Congrats on taking the plunge into cruising. You have a grand adventure ahead, ENJOY!

 

Your time schedule for arrival should be fine. Normally you can start boarding around 11:00, maybe earlier. With your cabin being on an upper deck you should be allowed to disembark early so, barring any difficulties, you should be allright there. As for entertainment, you have a whole new area to explore. Several lounges, dancers, games, spas, gym, casino, stores, hottubs, pools and of course, the neverending food. Pizza, 24 hours a day. And the formal dining is scrumptious with prime rib, mahi mahi, and the like. Your choice of attire should be fine, although some readers will argue that pants are not acceptable for women on formal night. I saw several ladies in pant suits and they looked gorgeous.

 

Now, what to do for the beach hating hubby? Cozumel is a great place to explore on your own. Do a Google, or check out the sites like Cozumel Insider. They can show you most of the tours and attractions of this beautiful paradise. If you can't find something DH likes, you are not trying very hard.

 

Have a great trip and eat a shrimp for me.

Clackey

[SharonD]

Thanks! :)

[Cotton]

QUOTE=SharonD] I booked through Expedia. It is the first time I've ever booked any trips through them. Am I going to be sorry? I checked Carnival's site and called a travel agent, but Expedia was cheaper, and they were offering two cabin category upgrades. We have a category 6C on the Upper Deck. I hope that's good, I don't know???

 

Hi Sharon. My last cruise was a 5-nighter on the Sensation in November. I'm sure y'all will enjoy that ship. (BTW, we aren't allowed to discuss booking agent or agencies here at Cruise Critic.)

 

We are flying out of Philadelphia, leaving at 7:25am the morning of the cruise, arriving in New Orleans at 9:20am. The ship is due to leave at 4pm. That should give up plenty of time, in case of delays, right?

We are returning to Philadelphia at 1:30pm, the afternoon we sail back to New Orleans. The ship docks at 8am. We should be ok with that time, too, I hope?

 

Except for possible airline delays, you should be fine with those flights. You can be at the port around 11am, and probably on the ship by noon. The day of debarkation shouldn't be a problem, either. A 1:30 flight out should be just about right, even if there are a few delays getting off the ship.

 

It is my husband and myself. We are in our mid 40's. We're not into the clubbing scene. What is there to do, at night, on the ship, besides the casino? Are the shows good? Which ones are not to be missed?

 

There will be two production shows on the Sensation. Both are excellent! "Party Time" is one, and the other is (oops, I forgot)...but there are also shows on the other nights that feature comedians, magicians, etc. I only go to the two big production shows.

 

I understand there is one formal night. Would a suit for him and a nice pant suit for me be ok to wear? I don't own a dress and really hate wearing them. On the other nights, would khakis and a collar shirt for my husband and capris and a nice top for me be ok?

 

On formal night, you'll see men in tuxs, suit & tie, and unfortunately some less dressed. Your DH would be fine in a suit and tie. Your pants suit will be ok, too. The other nights are considered "resort casual", so yes, your choice will be ok.

 

What should we do when we get to Cozumel? My husband hates the beach.

 

There are lots of things to do other than going to a beach; however, I enjoy Chankanaab Nat'l Marine Park very much. It DOES have a nice beach and great snorkeling, but there are other things, such as botanical gardens, Dolphin Swim or Encounter, sealion & bird show, shops, restaurants, lagoon. Very nice.

 

However, there are many excursions offered by the cruiseline, or you can go off on your own. The Mayan ruin excursions, if you into history, Shopping if that's your thing. If you go into San Miguel (the town on Cozumel), there's more to do than shopping.....if you go to the Plaza del Sol (town square), at various times during the day there are locals who sing and dance. Have a margarita from a nearby restaurant and sit on a concrete wall and watch. Or just roam around the town area.

 

You'll probably be docked at Puerta Maya Pier (which Carnival owns), and there's great shopping there, as well. Pancho's Backyard restaurant is wonderful, and very reasonable. There's a Pancho's in San Miguel, as well as at the pier.

 

If anyone can give me some tips to make this cruise great, I would really appreciate it.

 

Enjoy your first cruise! (I bet it won't be your last!):)

[SharonD]

Thank you! :)

 

I guess I skipped over the part about not discussing travel agents, sorry.