Don't Know What To Expect ?!?!?!??

[Wennfred]

Don't expect nothing, just follow the guidelines on the Carnival Website and have a great time.

 

Fred

[dyslexic pirate]

Your time in ports is very limited.

 

Our best cruises are the ones where we have our excursions booked in advance. On our first cruise we didn't book anything and just wandered around each port. A little of that can be fun and even if you book an activity you almost always have a few hours before/after to shop and roam around.

 

I have found invaluable advice and websites to visit from checking out the ports of call section of this website.

 

Lots of talk about alcohol. Just don't get so hammered early on that your dealing with a hang over for the remainder of your cruise.

 

Also, pace yourself with money. (I'm assuming your not the Hilton's :rolleyes: ) You don't have to buy every drink of the day and every picture/trinket/t-shirt. Keep in mind that you will need a bunch of money if you really want to get the most out of your cruise. You could also skip all the extras and do a budget style cruise....but that's not much fun...especially on your first cruise!

 

SLATHER ON THE SUNSCREEN!! (yes, I am someone's mom and I really sound like it!!) Nothing ruins a cruise like getting sunburned on the first sea day!:mad: Makes ya feel sick and then you look like a ticked off lobster in all your pictures.

 

Also keep in mind that if you get confused or you don't know where your supposed to go etc. on board most cruisers are very friendly and will gladly answer any questions. Don't worry about asking the staff any questions either they are usually very nice people.

[Kruzergrl]

Hi Muscles and wife! I wont repeat what others have said just a few helpful hints. I am going on my 5th cruise this summer on the Legend for my 50th Bday ( yeah, I'm an old fart too) but NOT as old as Captain !!!! 1. If you want to do shore excursions try Shore Trips.com for the western trip. They are alot cheaper than booking through the cruise line and smaller groups.2. Tell your friends ( and wife) NOT to pack like they are going on vacation for a month. Depending on your cabin, space is limited! Also, dont forget the blow dyer.3. Have the diet ready for when you get HOME cause you will eat gluttonously for a week! and yes you can order more than one entree' at dinner. If they have lobster AND prime rib on the menue, spoil yourself get BOTH! also, double check with waiter at meals I think cappacino and espresso are also free. 4. The pool will be crowed on the Lido deck, but keep in mind each ship has more than one pool (try the topless deck if they still have them).5. keep a watch on the time, if you go off alone.......( sorry, sounding like a mom here!) The ship WILL leave you if you arent back LOL.6. When you get on board and find your cabin keep in mind it may take awhile to get your luggage. It takes awhile to dispense all that luggage!7. like someone above said , I always book airfaire for day before and find a place close to the port. This just eliminates any problems you may have in traveling. Also, gives you piece of mind cause you are THERE!!!Have your passports ready and enjoy your first cruise!!!!!!I'll quit rambling now, but any questions feel free to ask!Kruzergrl

[911Muscles]

wow....well thanks for all the replys, I wasn't in town for a while, I was on a "business trip" and we don't really have internet there...thanks you for all ur help guys..I am really excited and now I know better what to expect...

[cuyahoga11]

Our 1st cruise was booked with NO knowledge. We booked on our own, didnt know anything about this board, had no idea what we were doing and had a blast. Knowledge is a good thing (sometimes) but go with an open mind and few expectations and you will be fine.

[jpmaximus]

Cruising is really the ultimate vacation. I went with a group of friends on the Imagination in 2000 and i got hooked. I wasnt able to cruise for 5 years until 2006. I am a single guy and last year i went on the Inspiration by myself for 5 days and met some terrific friends. It was the "time of my life" for sure. Cruising is amazing. I just love being on deck looking out at the water. There isnt any land. Just the ocean and your ship. It is the ultimate escape and everything on the ship is designed for your pleasure. You will be in heaven when you board. Just enjoy yourselves!

[mzsumthing]

You will have a wonderful time on the cruise. Trust me, you cannot go wrong is booking a cruise. My daughter and son love to cruise and I usually have a hard time talking them into visiting an island versus cruising. There 20 and 21 respectively.

 

We vacation with entire family each year. So, they have there cousins and invited friends in attendance. We have experience problems booking when passengers were under 21. However, we always rearrange cabins/passengers once aboard the ship with no problems.

 

There is so much to do on the cruise and you will find that CARNIVAL has a mixed crowd. I sailed RCL two years ago and the family felt Carnival had a mixture of age groups. So, we all prefer to cruise aboard Carnival.

 

Just remember to always be back onboard on the destinated time..... the cruiseline will NOT wait for your return. My husband, brother-in law, son, and 2 nephews got left in Cozumel once...

 

We always make sure everyone is aboard as soon as we reboard. There is nothing worst to realize someone within your party is missing and its count down to ship leaving. My husband and brother-in law had to get off the ship to wait on the guys.

 

I was more afraid of what my husband would do once my son arrive, than, the fact that he got left behind.... However, we're pulling away and around the corners comes the guys dashing for the pier.... So, they were transported out my pier authority at St. Thomas....

 

There is so much to do, the club, casino, activities on lido, spa, gym facility, etc. You will have a wonderful time.... bring along alot of shorts, etc. and two suits/4 nice shirts for formal dining. You can switch shirts/ties....

 

Otherwise, plenty of money and sunscreen, aspirin, etc to help with hang-overs, etc. Remember there is an automatic gratity added to each of your accounts. I always request to have this remove and hand out what I feel is appropriate.

[cls624]

911MUSCLES!,

 

YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT!!:D

Buy the buckets of beer!:p

 

We'll be on the Triumph, Eastern Caribbean on June 16th!!

 

 

 

 

 

CARNIVAL VICTORY-JUNE 2002

CARNIVAL VALOR-MAY 2005

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH-JUNE 2007

[sjohnson529]

Been on the Triumph, stayed on the Lido deck which I highly recommend. Right near the food/pools/action. Loved the ship and would do that one again. It's older but very well kept. Had a wonderful time, the ports were great, and you will love it. Don't hestiate...good price. Grab it! And as stated above, get ready for a new addiction.

[beckiann13]

911Muscles... my husband and I are also from Utah and booked on the Triumph leaving May 12th. Is that the cruise you're going on? You should join our roll call:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=360154

[gagirl2006]

sex on the beach is a alcoholic beverage that most of the time only women order (but it tastes so good)......but there will be also plenty sex on the beach not showing on my credit acrd receipt :) :) :)

My husband always orders those and gets picked on by my brother. After the cruise his new favorite was the miami vice (make sure you try it! yum!) or just the strawberry daiquiri.

[crusinpsychRN]

:D It's More Fun Than Anything!

[911Muscles]

911Muscles... my husband and I are also from Utah and booked on the Triumph leaving May 12th. Is that the cruise you're going on? You should join our roll call:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=360154

 

 

 

 

yeah, that is when we are going also.....thats kind of cool...we leave from SLC to Miami at 1300 hours on friday the 11th.......

[911Muscles]

My husband always orders those and gets picked on by my brother. After the cruise his new favorite was the miami vice (make sure you try it! yum!) or just the strawberry daiquiri.

 

 

 

lol...yeah the guys make fun of me too.....LOL, I will defenantly try the Miami Vice drink...hehe, it fits my job description!!! :)