First timer, booked Carnival, now questions

[sidneysails]

Hello.

 

I am new to cruising, new to cc, and new to message boards. Go easy on me people!

 

We have chosen balcony cabin, close to center of ship.

 

Will we have accomodations to include a refrigerator? Ironing board and iron?

 

What time shall we arrive to terminal? After boarding, may we lounge and use pool facilities?

 

Casino hours?

 

Are the shows and comedians an upcharge?

 

Martini bar or quaint type bar?

 

Coffee house, internet?

 

If we choose large dining table, would this be our table every evening?

 

Thank you so very much experienced cruisers to take time to help.

[Jan_In_Maine]

I'll try to answer some of your questions, but having only cruised RCCL before I don't know that much about Carnival (although I will after August!!)

 

1. Usually mid ship is a good location as there is less movement

2. Love, love, love balconies --- watch the stars at night - amazing!

3. Carnival has a laundry washer/dryer ironing boards/iron (RCI does not) - no ironing in rooms (and not bringing of irons on) due to fire issues.

4. Some of the Carnival rooms do not have refrigerators - but don't know about yours.

5. Shows do not cost extra

6. You will be assigned a table in the dining room and that will be your table for the cruise

7. We light to get to the terminal around 11:00 (sometimes can board then sometimes have to wait).

8. I believe the casino is closed when in port, but otherwise its open.

 

Think that's all I can answer - have a wonderful time on your adventure. Enjoy! Jan

[jobythebay]

Hello.

 

I am new to cruising, new to cc, and new to message boards. Go easy on me people!

 

We have chosen balcony cabin, close to center of ship.

 

Will we have accomodations to include a refrigerator? Ironing board and iron?

 

Hi there will be a refrig but no ironing board. What most people do is bring a steamer - they're hard to find but Target should have them.

 

What time shall we arrive to terminal? After boarding, may we lounge and use pool facilities?

 

We arrived at 11 and the stateroom was not going to be ready until 12:30 but it takes awhile to embark. It will depend on when your ship is leaving. Yes once you get on you can have fun.

 

Casino hours? I think it's open most of the time but closes for a couple of hours.

 

Are the shows and comedians an upcharge? No all included

 

Martini bar or quaint type bar? both

 

Coffee house, internet? Re: the internet - the website should tell you. I know on the Celebrity we are taking it's $25.00 a day. I don't know if there's a coffee house that you would call a coffeehouse. There are plenty of places to get coffee though.

 

If we choose large dining table, would this be our table every evening? Yes but you can switch. Last year we switched twice.

 

Thank you so very much experienced cruisers to take time to help.

 

I actually reviewed the Carnival cruise. Let me know if you want the url of it. I looked for it on here because I posted it but couldn't find it. Have fun. This is a great place to find everything you want to know!

[gumballz]

Hello.

 

 

After boarding, may we lounge and use pool facilities? Yes, bring a swimsuit in your carryon or wear one under your clothes. Bathrooms will be open as well as the bars and buffets.

 

Casino hours? The casino is closed when the ship is in port. The casino was closed around 3 A.M. one time when I was walking around. They were cleaning everything. I'm not sure if that's a nightly thing, but my guess is that it is.

 

If we choose large dining table, would this be our table every evening? If you don't care for your table assignment, speak with the Maitre'd and see if he can switch you to a different table/dining time, etc.

 

Thank you so very much experienced cruisers to take time to help.

 

Have a blast!!

[awesummom1]

We're taking our first cruise on Carnival in May. When are you going and on which ship? Thanks for asking these...all questions I hadn't thought of yet. I have found the "First Time Cruisers", "Money Saving Tips" and "Ports of Call" boards to be so helpful. Have a wonderful time!

[adamsmom]

Balconies are great--sort of like having an extra room, as long as the weather is nice. On most ships, they do make the actual cabin smaller though, because the balcony space is taken from the room space.

 

I have only been on one ship that included a refrigerator, and that was a long time ago. The room steward does leave you ice every morning and every night, and they can get more for you anytime you can catch one in the hall.

 

Most Carnival ships do have a laundry room with a free iron and board, but check on the Carnival board to ask about your ship specifically. The cabin steward can iron and wash for you, but there is a charge. I prefer to just hang everything up as soon as I get there, and pack things that don't wrinkle so easily. They do allow steamers, so if you have a travel one, that would be a good option.

 

We get to the terminal around 11 also, but if the ship was late getting in that morning, you may have to wait. Just be flexible. After boarding, you can eat in the buffet and do whatever, but the pools are generally not open yet. They fill them up with ocean water during the first night at sea. Hot tubs are usually open though, since they are fresh water. Take the spa tour and casino tour, and use the time to get familiar with the layout of the ship.

 

The casino and shops are always closed when in port, otherwise the casino is always open.

 

Don't know about the bars, since we don't drink, but some ships have coffee bars (for an additional charge, just like the bars). Again, check with your individual ship. All ships have internet cafes now. Sometimes they have debarkation day specials on internet use packages.

 

You will be assigned a table to sit at every evening, but if you don't like the people you are seated with, or find that you would prefer the earlier or later seating, you can always see the maitre'd and ask to be moved. It happens all the time.

 

Have fun! You'll be hooked!:D

[mueller74us]

Hello! My husband and I are taking our first cruise in June on Carnival, as well! While I have never been on a Carnival cruise I have asked my TA as well as past Carnival cruiser many of the same questions you have so maybe I can help!?!

 

Carnival has body wash and shampoo and I thought I heard maybe hair dryers as well?!?

 

I have heard that it doesn't really help to arrive earlier at the port. It is hard not to do, being a newbie and wanting to make sure you are where you need to be all the time, but as it was explained to me there is no real benefit to arriving hours early.

 

It was suggested to me that my carry on should hold all the usual items for safe keeping (medication, electronics, etc) as well as 24 hrs worth of clothing, including a swimsuit, in case there is a problem with misplaced luggage.

 

 

I was told that while in port, including embarkation I believe, the casino is closed. Maybe something about needing to be in international waters?

 

All entertainment is included.

 

Others I spoken with as well as pictures I have seen paint the carnival bars as being a bit like hotel bars....if that makes sense!

 

The Carnival ship I will be on, Destiny, has an internet cafe. I don't know if this is true of all.

 

Your assigned seating is for every night of the cruise that you opt to dine in the "main" dining rooms. My husband and I requested a table for two. I don't know how realistic it is to expect private seating but I know tables for two do exist!!

 

As I mentioned before I am new to cruising but I have asked many cruisers and many professionals just about any question you can imagine concerning the basics...so keep the questions coming!!

 

 

 

 

Hello.

 

I am new to cruising, new to cc, and new to message boards. Go easy on me people!

 

We have chosen balcony cabin, close to center of ship.

 

Will we have accomodations to include a refrigerator? Ironing board and iron?

 

What time shall we arrive to terminal? After boarding, may we lounge and use pool facilities?

 

Casino hours?

 

Are the shows and comedians an upcharge?

 

Martini bar or quaint type bar?

 

Coffee house, internet?

 

If we choose large dining table, would this be our table every evening?

 

Thank you so very much experienced cruisers to take time to help.

[jobythebay]

We tried to get a table for two last year and couldn't.

 

Just wanted to add that breakfast and lunch are not assigned seats.

[NAS-KARR]

Might I suggest you check out the "CARNIVAL" board and those old Carnival salts will give you all kinds of first hand info.

 

CIAO,