First cruise... lots of questions

[FishyTrishy]

This is our first cruise. Well I went on one about twenty years ago and I was fairly young so I don't remember much, plus I'm sure that plenty has changed over the years. We are doing a four day cruise on the Sensation out of Tampa in August.

 

Our stop is in Cozumel and we are unsure as to which excursions to take. We understand that it is quite hot and can get to be too much if we go to the Mayan Ruins. That was the excursion that we had the most interest in. Also we saw a scuba excursion for uncertified divers... has anyone done this one? We have also considered just doing our own thing. Can anyone help?

 

As far as the cruise... we understand that the alcoholic beverages can be quite expensive, but we are receiving mixed emotions from people on that. Can anyone give us an idea on the prices. Beer? Margaritas? Some frozed drinks? I know in Vegas the drinks are free when gambling, is that true on cruises? Gosh, I sound so cheap... :p

 

As far as the formal night. I think I am okay. I have black pants and a nice top, or I plan to wear a skirt. We are unsure as to what my boyfriend should wear. He doesn't care much for dressing up, but we don't want to be uncomfortable and get weird looks from the other people. Any ideas?:rolleyes:

 

Ahh... one more question. When we arrive in Cozumel which time are we using, as far as on the cruise? The time in Tampa or the time in Cozumel?

 

Thanks for all your help, and I'm sure I'll come up with more questions over the next few weeks.

[thebird]

This is our first cruise. Well I went on one about twenty years ago and I was fairly young so I don't remember much, plus I'm sure that plenty has changed over the years. We are doing a four day cruise on the Sensation out of Tampa in August.

 

Our stop is in Cozumel and we are unsure as to which excursions to take. We understand that it is quite hot and can get to be too much if we go to the Mayan Ruins. That was the excursion that we had the most interest in. Also we saw a scuba excursion for uncertified divers... has anyone done this one? We have also considered just doing our own thing. Can anyone help?

 

As far as the cruise... we understand that the alcoholic beverages can be quite expensive, but we are receiving mixed emotions from people on that. Can anyone give us an idea on the prices. Beer? Margaritas? Some frozed drinks? I know in Vegas the drinks are free when gambling, is that true on cruises? Gosh, I sound so cheap... :p

 

As far as the formal night. I think I am okay. I have black pants and a nice top, or I plan to wear a skirt. We are unsure as to what my boyfriend should wear. He doesn't care much for dressing up, but we don't want to be uncomfortable and get weird looks from the other people. Any ideas?:rolleyes:

 

Ahh... one more question. When we arrive in Cozumel which time are we using, as far as on the cruise? The time in Tampa or the time in Cozumel?

 

Thanks for all your help, and I'm sure I'll come up with more questions over the next few weeks.

 

I say go for the Mayan Ruins

and practice all safety measures for protecting yourself against the heat.

 

the drinks are free!

 

formal night is only best dressed to the nines!

 

Cozumel time would be correct..

 

and have a GREAT trip!!

[ymelancon]

I'll be sailing on the Carnival Fascination August 2nd and will be stopping in Cozumel too. I'm a beach person. I've heard great reviews from other members that Paradise Beach is very nice. Go to cozumelinsider.com and do some research. Hope you have a great cruise. Let me know how you enjoyed yourself.

[kiberkid]

I say go for the Mayan Ruins

and practice all safety measures for protecting yourself against the heat.

 

the drinks are free!

 

formal night is only best dressed to the nines!

 

Cozumel time would be correct..

 

and have a GREAT trip!!

Are the drinks free in the casino? as in alcohol?

[fgresko]

drinks are not free, unless you go to the lido deck and get punch or iced tea. The ship will stay on tampa(est) time. Do not change your watch.

[WazAnOkie]

Sorry, but the drinks are not free in the casino. Just think how crowded they would be if they gave free drinks and the rest of the ship charged. I have seen the prices be the same for all bars and from all servers. They will have specials and drinks of the day though!

 

We went on the Fiesta Party Boat in Cozumel - it was great.

 

As far as formal night.... that seems to always be a hot topic here. I would recommend dressing up and going, as that is part of the cruising experience. While a tux or dark suit would be ideal, nice slacks, shirt & tie, and sports coat (what I go with) would be acceptable. I have heard others say to dress as if attending a nice wedding. Lots of folks dont want to dress up, so there are other dining options available - but we like the atmosphere and experience that we cant get anywhere else.

 

Enjoy the cruise!

[FishyTrishy]

Yeah, I didn't think about how crowded the casino would be if they offered free drinks. But it would be wonderful. :) We are both comfortable with dressing up, although he doesn't do it often. We just want to make sure that we fit in well and aren't being gawked at. :eek:

[CCLNCLRCICRUISER]

I had this list saved from several months ago, so Im not sure how accurate the prices are, but it should give you an idea.

 

Drink Prices

Beers -

$3.25 Bud Light

$3.25 Budweiser

$3.75 Red Stripe

$3.25 Miller Lite

$4.25 Miller Lite 16 oz. Plastic Bottle

 

Specialty Beers:

$3.75 Heineken

$3.25 Coors Light

$3.75 Amstel Light

$3.75 Amber Bock

$3.75 Bass Ale

$3.75 Michelob Light

$3.25 Miller Genuine Draft

$3.75 Labatt Blue

$4.95 Grolsch (16 oz)

$3.75 Corona

$4.50 Guinness Pub Draft

$4.50 Boddington's

$5.75 Foster's Lager, 750 ml

 

Non-Alcoholic Beers:

$2.75 O'Doul's

$2.75 Buckler's

$2.75 Heineken

 

Cordials - Liqueurs - Cream Drinks -

$4.25 Amaretto Di Saronno

$4.25 B&B

$3.95 Blue Curacao

$3.95 Creme De Cacao, Brown

$3.95 Creme De Cacao, White

$4.25 Drambuie

$4.25 Galliano

$4.25 Baileys Irish Cream

$3.95 Creme De Menthe, Green

$3.95 Kirshwasser

$3.95 Peach Schnapps

$3.95 Creme De Menthe, White

$3.95 Sloe Gin

$3.95 Raspberry Liqueur

$4.25 Tia Maria

$3.95 Apricot Brandy

$3.95 Blackberry Brandy

$3.95 Cherry Brandy

$3.95 Creme De Banana

$4.25 Grand Marnier

$4.25 Kahlua

$3.95 Melon Liqueur

$3.95 Peppermint Schnapps

$4.25 Sambuca Romana

$4.25 Southern Comfort

$3.95 Triple Sec

$4.25 Cointreau

 

Sodas -

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Club Soda, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water, Orange Soda

 

$1.00 Glass

$2.50 20 oz bottle

$1.50 12 oz can

$3.75 Souvenir Cup with Fountain Soda,

$1.75 Refill souvenir cup

 

$2.50 Powerade, 20 oz bottle

$1.50 Iced Tea

$2.95 Classic Iced Latte

 

Waters -

$1.95 Evian, France 0.5 ltr

$2.50 Perrier, France 6.5 oz

$3.25 Evian, France 1.5 ltr

$3.25 San Pellegrino, Italy, 1 ltr

$2.25 San Pellegrino, Italy 0.5 ltr

 

Hot Drinks -Main Bar Only

$0.75 Regular Coffee

$4.75 French Coffee

$0.75 Decaffeinated Coffee

$4.25 Irish Coffee

$0.75 Hot Tea

$4.25 Jamaican Coffee

$1.00 Herbal Tea

$1.95 Cappuccino

$1.50 Espresso

$1.50 Hot Chocolate

 

Wines and Champagne Glass/Bottle

 

Glass/Bottle

$0.00/$20.00 Asti, Martini & Rossi

$0.00/$55.00 Moet & Chandon, White Star

$4.50/$19.00 White Zinfandel, Beringer

$4.95/$22.00 Zinfandel, Fetzer

$4.50/$21.00 Korbel, Brut

$5.75/$25.00 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

$5.50/$27.00 Sauvignon Blanc, Beringer

$5.95/$29.00 Fume Blanc, Robert Mondavi

$5.75/$25.00 Cabernet Sauvignon, Meridian

$5.75/$25.00 Chardonnay Reserva, Caliterra

$4.50/$20.00 Gamay Beaujolais, Beringer

$5.50/$27.00 Merlot, Columbia Crest

$5.75/$26.00 Chardonnay, Meridian

$4.50/ N/A Champagne Mimosa

$6.50/$29.00 Chardonnay, Beringer

$4.50/N/A Champagne Cocktail

 

Sherries and Aperitifs - $3.9

 

Bristol Cream

Campari

Dry Sack

Pernod

Tio Pepe

Martini & Rossi, Sweet

Martini & Rossi, Dry

 

Ports

 

$3.50 Cockburn's Special Reserve

$9.95 Dow's 20 Year Tawny

$4.50 Dow's late Bottled Vintage

$12.95 Dow's Vintage Port, '85

$5.25 Graham's Six Grape

 

Cognacs and Brandy -

 

$3.95 Fundador, Brandy

$5.25 Hennessy V.S.O.P.

$4.50 Courvoisier V.S.

$3.95 Domet Napoleon V.S.O.P.

$9.50 Hardy, X.O.

$9.95 Pinar Del Rio, Gautier X.O.

$5.75 Hardy, V.S.O.P.

$6.00 Cles Des Ducs Armagnac, V.S.O.P

$11.00 Hennessy, X.O

 

Specialty Cocktails Frozen Exotic

 

$3.95 Blue Margarita

$3.95 Goombay Smash

$3.95 Margarita

$3.95 Planter's Punch

$3.95 Ultimate Suntan

$3.95 Caribbean Breeze

$3.95 Island Delight

$3.95 Mexicana Mama

$3.95 Riviera Delight

$3.95 Yellowbird

$3.95 Bahama Mama

 

Coolers and Breezers

$3.50 Bacardi Breeze

$3.50 Calypso Berry

$3.50 Bartles & Jaymes

 

Frozen Exotic Cocktails

$4.75 Banana Daiquiri

$4.75 Dirty Banana

$4.75 Margarita

$4.75 Mudslide Original

$4.75 Pink Lemonade

$4.75 Rum Runner

$4.75 Cappuccino

$4.75 Mango Daiquiri

$4.75 Miami Vice

$4.75 Pina Colada

$4.75 Raspberry Daiquiri

$4.75 Strawberry Daiquiri

 

Smoothies - $3.50

Non Alcoholic smoothies are available in all flavors listed above

 

 

Shooters and Slammers - $3.95

Alabama Slammer

B-52

Kamikaze

Limon Drop

Woo-woo

 

Scotches

$3.95 Dewar's White Label

$3.95 Johnnie Walker Red

$3.95 J & B

$3.95 Jameson Irish Whiskey

$4.50 Chivas Regal

$4.50 Johnnie Walker Black

 

Bourbon and Blends

$3.95 Canadian Club

$3.95 Jim Beam

$3.95 Old Grand Dad

$3.95 Seagram's 7

$3.95 Seagram's V.O.

$3.75 Wild Turkey

$4.50 Jack Daniel's Black

$4.50 Seagram's Crown Royal

 

Vodkas

$3.95 Absolut

$3.95 Finlandia

$3.95 Smirnoff

$3.75 Stolichnaya

$4.95 Three Olives

$4.95 Gray Goose

$4.95 Belvedere

 

Gins

$3.95 Beefeater

$4.25 Tanqueray

$4.50 Bombay Sapphire

 

Rums

$3.95 Bacardi Limon

$3.95 Bacardi Select

$3.95 Bacardi Silver

$3.95 Myer's Dark

$3.95 Captain Morgans Spiced Rum

$4.25 Malibu Rum

$4.75 Bacardi "8"

 

Tequila

$3.95 Jose Cuervo Gold Reserve

$4.95 Cuervo 1800

 

Martinis-$4.50

[Cotton]

Bird! Why in the world would you tell this new poster "drinks are free"???:eek:

 

Of course they are NOT free. Geez. You come up with some lulus, but this one is ridiculous! I don't usually make any replies to correct you, but..... Are you SURE you have been on a cruise ship?

 

------------------------

 

To original poster - No - alcoholic drinks, as well as any soft drinks, are NOT complimentary anywhere on the ship. Coffee, tea, lemonade, fruitpunch, milk, and juice are the only comp drinks - altho some ships offer espresso and cappuccino in the dining room after dinner.

 

I have always been told to stick with the ship's time.

 

There are lots of things to do on Cozumel. One good thing I would advise is that you go to the top and click on "Cruise Critic Message Boards", and then click on "Ports-of-Call". Scroll down to Cozumel. TONS of info of all sorts of things to do there.

 

Welcome to the board, and to the wonderful world of cruising!:)

[FishyTrishy]

Thanks Destiny! They aren't nearly as bad as I expected.

[Cotton]

........//

[CruiseFever]

dang....free drinks sounded pretty good

[LSUtraveler]

You might go over to the Carnival site and click on "Things to know before you go". there is a Frequently Asked Questions section that may answer some of your questions.

[serene56]

Cotton: you ok today girl???

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/37944457xihAnV

foundon webshots--- a bar menu for every drink onboard your cruise.

[halos]

LOL!

Bird's been tossin down too many jell-o shots again!!

[Cotton]

Sorry, y'all. You know I don't lose my cool much. It's just that (and this is not the first time) when a new person comes here to ask legitimate questions, and are thrown some off-the-wall answers, they're likely to believe that's the way it actually is.

 

Whenever I read a question - particularly from a newbie - if I don't know the answer, I skip that thread. I certainly don't start spouting off things I know nothing about - or something misleading.

 

Maybe I'll go look for some *****.:rolleyes: