First cruise ever and with a 3yr.

[First timer36]

We are booking our 7 night cruise with carnival to the Caribbean out of Galveston in February. This will be our very first cruise. We are bringing our DD who will be 3 at time of sailing. Any tips on things to do and not to do? What should we expect? How does the sail and sign work? How much will they charge my cc?

[cb at sea]

Your sign and sail is like charging things to a hotel room....works the same way. Anything you buy on the ship or private island (If you go to one!) is charged to your cabin. You will settle your account on the last day. Most folks give a credit card when they board the ship, and all charges will automatically go to that credit card. If you would rather pay in cash, you can give them a credit card and pay it off in cash on the last night...OR..just put cash onto your account when you check in, and if they need more, they will tell you!

 

There is no way to tell how much you will spend onboard....tips run about $12 pp, per day (and that includes your daughter!)...so be prepared for that! Any drink EXCEPT ice water, coffee, tea (iced or hot) lemonade, milk and juice at breakfast will be charged to your account. The mentioned drinks are included. Carnival does have drink packages, where you pay a flat fee and can drink without charging your account for each beverage.

 

Your daughter will be old enough to use the kid's club...go on the 1st day and check it out...most kids love it! If she's potty-trained, she'll be able to use the pools....but if she's in diapers, no pools!!

 

Cabins have showers, not tubs, so get her used to a shower, or bring a blow-up tub for bathing!

 

This is really no different from a resort-type hotel. You'll have a blast!

 

As far as time ashore..,.go to your library and check out a guidebook on your ports, so you can determine what there is that might interest your family. Excursions are pricey, and most of the time, not needed....especially if you've researched your ports! Things like beaches, or shopping are quite easy on your own!!!

Edited August 25, 2015 by cb at sea

[Roz]

You may want to check out the Family Cruising board. Lots of people with babies and toddlers post there.

 

Roz

[Sixtytwo]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and the wonderful world of cruising!

 

A couple of things to consider for your upcoming first cruise:

- Be sure you have a watch and set it to ship's time. Most Carnival ships do not change time to the ports they visit, so you need to be sure you are aware of the ship time because that is the time the ship sails! Don' rely on your cell phone for this.

- Don't pack your cruise documents (boarding pass, photo ID) in your checked luggage! Have those items in your hands when you arrive at the port. You may also want to print extra copies of your boarding pass and put them in each of your checked bags. If the luggage tags comes off, they can at least find you!

- Additional charges to your cc...this is primarily a question of how much you "spend" on board by charging things to your sail and sign card. If you have not pre-paid gratuities, they will be added to your on board account. Whatever else is charged in based on your spending.

- Relax and enjoy your cruise! Don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the second one before you even get off the first one! It is addictive to most folks! :D

[JF - retired RRT]

If you haven't done so yet...find your roll call. There should be lots of discussions with answers to questions you didn't even know to ask.;)

[First timer36]

Thanks for the info .

[Cruisin' Chick]

We are booking our 7 night cruise with carnival to the Caribbean out of Galveston in February. This will be our very first cruise. We are bringing our DD who will be 3 at time of sailing. Any tips on things to do and not to do? What should we expect? How does the sail and sign work? How much will they charge my cc?

 

My daughter was old enough for Camp Carnival on her second cruise (she missed it by a month the first time). Every morning she would wake up and ask if "ship's school" was open yet. She also enjoyed the show (we took her to Blue's Clues Live before her first cruise so she knew what a live show was like, but we sat in the back just in case it bothered her). She went on her 8th cruise a couple of years ago at 15.

 

In terms of what to do and not to do -- if you're flying to your embarkation port, always go in at least a day early. As someone said, have your important stuff such as IDs, passports (or birth certificates if allowed on your cruise), sunscreen, valuables in your carry ons. Luggage can be given to a porter with some cash and eventually in the afternoon or early evening, it'll be delivered to your cabin. Before sailaway, there will be a muster drill. Instructions will be on the back of your cabin drawer and also listed in the ship's newsletter. After that, nothing is mandatory until the time you disembark.

 

You'll have either traditional dining or a flexible dining. But you can also eat in the casual buffet or other locations. All these options should be listed on the Carnival website as well as lots of other info.

 

You don't even need to get off the ship in the ports (some regular cruisers will stay on board because they're sailing for the ship). Go to your library and get a guide book to read. If you really like it, you can go buy the latest version. If a member of the Auto Club, they'll give you a free guidebook for the area you're going to. Check out their books for sale as often they have some for families.