Cruising with a new and mildly hesitant cruiser

[MastersLevelMama]

Hi all. I am new to these boards, finding lots of great info so far, and fairly new to cruising. I have been on a few Carnival booze cruises many many years ago in my late teens/early 20's. I have also been on one Disney Cruise 3 years ago with my son to celebrate his bar mitzvah; loved it! Five days was not enough.

 

I have finally been successful in talking my spouse into going on a cruise with another couple to celebrate my 50th.

 

We booked an 8 day on the Conquest; a balcony cabin on deck 7. I know he will love having a balcony. I loved it on the Disney Wonder.

 

My question is, any helpful tips or things to book or do before or on the cruise to make it really awesome? My guy is fairly laid back, loves good food and drink and is a very good cook, is in good physical health, hates drama, and doesn't love disorganized crowd scenes. We are sun people; love the pool and beach.

 

Having said all that, money matters, doesn't it always?

 

Thanks if you are still reading and I appreciate any feedback and comments.

[BoDidly]

Happy 50th ! Happy Sails ! Don't bother with the ship pools . I think you would be better off finding an all inclusive package at one of your visiting ports. What ports do you have ?

[MastersLevelMama]

Happy 50th ! Happy Sails ! Don't bother with the ship pools . I think you would be better off finding an all inclusive package at one of your visiting ports. What ports do you have ?

 

Thank you!! :)

 

We leave out of Fort Lauderdale and the cruise goes as follows:

 

Princess Cays, the Bahamas

Grand Turk

Sea day

Curacao

Aruba

Sea Day

Sea Day

back in Fort Lauderdale

[coevan]

We do not follow the crowds. We do not go on Carnival shore excursions, it's safe, cheaper and less crowds. We have had some of best shore excursions hiring a taxi driver at the port and ask for an island tour. We usually buy him lunch as well. We eat 8:30 - 9 for dinner, never waited a minute, found a great waiter in YTD, ate in an hour. By the third night the hostess just walked us to our table. We start the morning with a wake up knock from Room Service around 9 with fresh fruit, coffee, danish and juice and have a continental breakfast on the balcony. We will later go to the Lido deck and gets some eggs later. If you have a tender day, schedule a private trip around 10-11, you will have no wait for a tender.

[coevan]

I just saw your itinerary. Those are some great ports, love Curacao. Happy 50th have a great time

[BoDidly]

Well you guy's picked a good one :D.

If you're staying over in F.L. make sure you enjoy the water taxi down on 17th street that drops you off at several restaurants and bars . Very romantic , evening type of entertainment.

 

P.C. ,G.T. great beach days.

 

Aruba N Curacao several hotels that offer A.I.s

 

 

I always recommend an island tour if it's your first time there.

 

 

The party buses at both ports offer great tours at a fair price . Around 25 a person , beer is inclusive so sit in the back with the cooler and help yourself :D. When you arrive you're going to see multi colored buses in both ports. Enjoy !

[MastersLevelMama]

We do not follow the crowds. We do not go on Carnival shore excursions, it's safe, cheaper and less crowds. We have had some of best shore excursions hiring a taxi driver at the port and ask for an island tour. We usually buy him lunch as well. We eat 8:30 - 9 for dinner, never waited a minute, found a great waiter in YTD, ate in an hour. By the third night the hostess just walked us to our table. We start the morning with a wake up knock from Room Service around 9 with fresh fruit, coffee, danish and juice and have a continental breakfast on the balcony. We will later go to the Lido deck and gets some eggs later. If you have a tender day, schedule a private trip around 10-11, you will have no wait for a tender.

 

This is great, thank you! The friends we are cruising with also like to book excursions though companies aside from Carnival. Love the idea of hiring a taxi driver for a tour. We did that once in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. We asked for a good surfing beach, bought his lunch, and it was a blast.

 

At this point we have early dining. I am not sure he will love that. He prefers to eat later than the rest of us. Having said that, we are on West Coast time so maybe it'll be okay with the time difference, which I need to find out. If we decide to miss our early dinner time, what are our on ship options for dinner aside from pizza on the deck?

[coevan]

We get Cheers so our all inclusive is the ship. The Serenity Deck on a day at dock is wonderful, maybe 10 people and always a cocktail server. We did a morning dive in GT at the wall. We were back on the ship by noon and had a wonderful, relaxing day

[MastersLevelMama]

I just saw your itinerary. Those are some great ports, love Curacao. Happy 50th have a great time

 

Thanks!!! I'm really looking forward to it even though its very far away.

 

 

Well you guy's picked a good one :D.

If you're staying over in F.L. make sure you enjoy the water taxi down on 17th street that drops you off at several restaurants and bars . Very romantic , evening type of entertainment.

 

P.C. ,G.T. great beach days.

 

Aruba N Curacao several hotels that offer A.I.s

 

 

I always recommend an island tour if it's your first time there.

 

 

The party buses at both ports offer great tours at a fair price . Around 25 a person , beer is inclusive so sit in the back with the cooler and help yourself :D. When you arrive you're going to see multi colored buses in both ports. Enjoy !

 

Thanks! I like the Fort Lauderdale idea. His best friend lives in Miami (Coconut Grove) so we may go out a few days early to visit them but I love water taxi idea for the night before the cruise.

 

Party buses? That sounds fun and of course beach days sound wonderful.

 

We have never done an all inclusive but I will research. Thanks again!

[MastersLevelMama]

We get Cheers so our all inclusive is the ship. The Serenity Deck on a day at dock is wonderful, maybe 10 people and always a cocktail server. We did a morning dive in GT at the wall. We were back on the ship by noon and had a wonderful, relaxing day

 

I was reading about the Cheers program. It sounds like it takes all the work out of it. Do you think with 4 port days, it's worth it? We have been known to imbibe quite a bit on vacation. Or on a Friday night. LOL! Being nickle and dimed to death will drive him insane though; paying for every drink, doing any sort of math or having to worry about it. Having said that, I don't want to purchase something I won't get my money's worth.

 

Serenity Deck? I haven't heard of that. Sounds like an adults only type thing?

[OCruisers]

Since he enjoys GOOD food, he'd probably be happiest having dinner at the Steakhouse. ;)

[MastersLevelMama]

Since he enjoys GOOD food, he'd probably be happiest having dinner at the Steakhouse. ;)

 

I have been looking at menus! Is that the $35 or the $75 dining experience? Does that menu change? Do the menus change at all? I can only compare to Disney but our menu changed with the dining room. The food was really good most nights.

 

And I was looking at your signature...you've been on 80 cruises? Can you just plan this for me? That's amazing!

[sjcruiser]

Happy 50th Anniversary!!! I agree with venture out on your own in ports by finding a taxi or other excursion service that's not that crowded. I agree with going to the steakhouse. We do the steakhouse on every cruise, and it's an enjoyable experience. The food is really good and filling, and for $35.00, you can't beat the price for the level of service or meal.

[MastersLevelMama]

Happy 50th Anniversary!!! I agree with venture out on your own in ports by finding a taxi or other excursion service that's not that crowded. I agree with going to the steakhouse. We do the steakhouse on every cruise, and it's an enjoyable experience. The food is really good and filling, and for $35.00, you can't beat the price for the level of service or meal.

 

 

Steakhouse it is! The menu looks great. $35 for an 18 oz ribbeye? Thats a helluva deal.

 

I just realized I didn't differentiate between birthday and anniversary; this cruise will be for 50th birthday but we just did celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. Thank you for the wishes!

[coevan]

Totally agree with the Steakhouse, do not miss it, Ruth's Chris quality. If you reserve the first night you get a free bottle of wine or half off a good wine. We definitely get our money worth with Cheers, even on shore days. It only takes 6 drinks to come out even. shore day, start with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Grab a beer to go ashore with. When you get back to the ship a couple more cocktails and beer. We usually have a martini before dinner and 2 glasses of wine with dinner. We are already over $50 have fun

[BoDidly]

Steakhouse it is! The menu looks great. $35 for an 18 oz ribbeye? Thats a helluva deal.

 

I just realized I didn't differentiate between birthday and anniversary; this cruise will be for 50th birthday but we just did celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. Thank you for the wishes!

 

In your previous post you stated my 50th so I sorta figured that part out :D

Make sure you let Carnival know what you're celebrating for the few extra items gifted to you.

[MastersLevelMama]

Totally agree with the Steakhouse, do not miss it, Ruth's Chris quality. If you reserve the first night you get a free bottle of wine or half off a good wine. We definitely get our money worth with Cheers, even on shore days. It only takes 6 drinks to come out even. shore day, start with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Grab a beer to go ashore with. When you get back to the ship a couple more cocktails and beer. We usually have a martini before dinner and 2 glasses of wine with dinner. We are already over $50 have fun

 

 

Great tip, thank you. Hubby will opt for 1/2 off the good wine. ;) Only 6 drinks? Thats a no brainer then. Plus the thought of just having it paid for sounds fabulous. Just one less thing to think about. Do they automatically add gratuity?

[MastersLevelMama]

In your previous post you stated my 50th so I sorta figured that part out :D

Make sure you let Carnival know what you're celebrating for the few extra items gifted to you.

 

I like gifts! Thanks for the tip! :D

[easyboy]

I am sure you will enjoy Grand Turk. Aruba is a nice place too.

[GranysT]

1. If your thinking early dining might be too early, it is for us. You can go to the dining room on embarkation day, and ask the matre d, if you can change to late dining. He will certainly switch you, if he can. Check the ship paper, you will find on your desk, for which dining room and what time he will be there.
   
2. 
   
3. Happy sails
   

[meatloafsfan]

Here's a tip you probably won't get from others. On Embarkation day, arrive at the port around 2pm. You'll be able to check in and then board right away. You'll be able to go to your cabin right away. You'll also avoid the crowds both in the port terminal and on the Lido deck first day lunch rush and waiting game until the cabins are open at 1:30pm. That way you can completely skip the disorganized crowd scene.

 

Here's another thing - look to see if there's an excursion on Princess Cays that you want to do. Excursions generally meet on the ship (like in the theatre) and then are led to the tender boats. Nice and orderly.

[meatloafsfan]

This is great, thank you! The friends we are cruising with also like to book excursions though companies aside from Carnival. Love the idea of hiring a taxi driver for a tour. We did that once in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. We asked for a good surfing beach, bought his lunch, and it was a blast.

 

At this point we have early dining. I am not sure he will love that. He prefers to eat later than the rest of us. Having said that, we are on West Coast time so maybe it'll be okay with the time difference, which I need to find out. If we decide to miss our early dinner time, what are our on ship options for dinner aside from pizza on the deck?

 

In addition to pizza, the buffet will be open until around 9pm (salad bar, dessert bar, hot foods), and the pizza and deli are open (pizza 24 hours; deli until 11pm).

[grest]

Happy 50th! This reminds me of taking my reluctant husband on our first cruise...by the third night he was asking when we could do it again:)

[coevan]

Great tip, thank you. Hubby will opt for 1/2 off the good wine. ;) Only 6 drinks? Thats a no brainer then. Plus the thought of just having it paid for sounds fabulous. Just one less thing to think about. Do they automatically add gratuity?

 

 

Yes the tips are added, but we always tip $1 per drink as were are in the service business. If you tip the poolside servers, they will find you more frequently, wink, wink.

[MastersLevelMama]

1. If your thinking early dining might be too early, it is for us. You can go to the dining room on embarkation day, and ask the matre d, if you can change to late dining. He will certainly switch you, if he can. Check the ship paper, you will find on your desk, for which dining room and what time he will be there.
   
2. Happy sails
   

 

 

 

Thank you! Our friends prefer early dining but I am glad it might be an option to switch if need be. Can we go dine at the anytime dining room if we miss our early dinner?

 

 

I am sure you will enjoy Grand Turk. Aruba is a nice place too.

 

 

 

 

The photos are beautiful. Whats not to love right?