First cruise: Elation, 4/28 -- some questions

[Sourismom]

I'm going on my first cruise at the end of the month. I'm excited, but a bit worried about whether I'll like it or whether I'll get seasick. Everyone I know who's been on one has loved it, so I hope I will, too. :)

 

I've been reading this message board voraciously since I discovered it a week or so ago. It's helped so much, but there are SO many threads, I know there's a wealth of information I haven't touched yet. I still feel like there's so much I don't know or would like some input on.

 

What are the best excursions to take? We won't be taking a lot, because it's a huge splurge just to go on the cruise. Maybe just one or two. Or if there are some that are a waste of time, I'd love to know that, too!

 

If we were to go snorkeling, which stop would be the place to do it? I'm unsure whether we'll do that, because I got really seasick the one time I tried it before, in Key West. I was perfectly fine on the boat, but once I got in the water, it was really choppy and I ended swallowing a bunch of water and getting nauseous. So I don't know if that was just because the water was so choppy, or if that's always the way it is with snorkeling. I would kind of like to give it another try.

 

I have read people comment on the need to get a clamshell at Half Moon Cay (I'm excited about this stop -- it sounds beautiful). Is this something you have to rent, or is it something you have to be there super-early to claim? I definitely want to be in the shade if possible!

 

How can you ensure you'll be one of the first ones tendered in? How early do you have to line up, or whatever? What's the procedure for being tendered in?

 

OK, that's enough questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more later!

[bubbles1209]

I'm going on my first cruise at the end of the month. I'm excited, but a bit worried about whether I'll like it or whether I'll get seasick. Everyone I know who's been on one has loved it, so I hope I will, too. :)

 

I've been reading this message board voraciously since I discovered it a week or so ago. It's helped so much, but there are SO many threads, I know there's a wealth of information I haven't touched yet. I still feel like there's so much I don't know or would like some input on.

 

What are the best excursions to take? We won't be taking a lot, because it's a huge splurge just to go on the cruise. Maybe just one or two. Or if there are some that are a waste of time, I'd love to know that, too!

 

If we were to go snorkeling, which stop would be the place to do it? I'm unsure whether we'll do that, because I got really seasick the one time I tried it before, in Key West. I was perfectly fine on the boat, but once I got in the water, it was really choppy and I ended swallowing a bunch of water and getting nauseous. So I don't know if that was just because the water was so choppy, or if that's always the way it is with snorkeling. I would kind of like to give it another try.

 

I have read people comment on the need to get a clamshell at Half Moon Cay (I'm excited about this stop -- it sounds beautiful). Is this something you have to rent, or is it something you have to be there super-early to claim? I definitely want to be in the shade if possible!

 

How can you ensure you'll be one of the first ones tendered in? How early do you have to line up, or whatever? What's the procedure for being tendered in?

 

OK, that's enough questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more later!

Could help you a little more if we knew which ports you are stopping in. There will be an explanation of the tender process in the port talks. You can either go to the auditorium and hear them 1st hand, or watch them over & over on your stateroom tv every night. They will tell you what time they start, what the earliest is, and what the latest is. They will thoroughly explain the tendering process to ya, it's simple. I have pics of Elation in my signature, she was the ship we took our very 1st cruise on last June, I fell in love with cruising on that ship:)

[Catfishhhh@aol.com]

What a great ship. She was our first cruise. Here is a link to our review from the Elation.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=16318

[Hemisphere Dancer]

You're gonna luv Half Moon Cay. We thought it was going to be dull b/c no shopping - Yikes ... no commercialism!:eek: But, as it turned out, that was precisely what made it so great. The sand was like sugar and the water crystal clear. We didn't get a clamshell, but probably would next time. We did the ocean kayak excursion and loved it - our guide worked our little butts off. It was worth it, though - got to see a sea cucumber, held a live sea star, fed some tropical fishes with food he had brought, and learned about the island and vegetation.

 

Our other stops were Grand Turk and Nassau. Grand Turk was so-so; mainly hung out at JB's Margaritaville. Nassau was, well, Nassau - bustling w/ lots of activity. We found the people to be a little pushy there - on the water taxi to Paradise Island to Atlantis, there was a guy giving a narrated tour. We had already paid for the ride, and at the end he was asking for donations. Okay, we didn't ASK for the guided tour; we just wanted to get over to Atlantis, therefore we didn't feel the need to pay him. Also, women everywhere wanting to braid our hair ... "Don't you want to be a Bahama Mama?" :rolleyes: We didn't bite.

[finkfizzle]

We will also be on the Elation 4/28, our first cruise as well! I was also wondering about which island to try a snorkeling trip on. Grand turk is known for their diving and snorkeling, so I think we may try there. I am hoping to do some snorkeling in the morning, and then hit margaritaville for the remainder of the afternoon. I think on HMC we just may try and hang out, rent some jetskis or something. We are not trying to spend a fortune on excursions either. Everyone seems to recommend going to Atlantis on Nassau. Carnival has a tour, or you can take a water taxi over. i guess we will check that out and maybe the straw market. I have been to Freeport, another Bahamian island, not Nassua though. THere are people everywhere trying to braid your hair from what I remember. I think I might braid mine myself on the ship just so people leave me alone!

Only 20 days to go until paradise - I am so excited- it is freezing and snowing here:p

[w8ing2cruz]

We just returned from this cruise. It was fabulous. The only 'excursion' we took was with Stuarts Cove in Nassau. We booked this online independently before we left for $48 pp. Though it was a bit chilly on the boat and in the water we would recommend this tour. Our third and final stop was to swim with the reef sharks. No kidding - it was really cool. If you are at all prone to seasickness I would recommend taking something as we were rocking and rolling and I saw one lady get sick. At half moon caye we just hung out on the beach. We tried to snorkle beginning at the very left near the kids water playground and then swam the buoy line all the way back to our chairs. This stop is beautiful! The sand is so fine and the water so blue it almost hurts your eyes. We did not rent a clamshell as we really like the sun - did get a little burned here. I would highly recommend taking a cab $14 round trip pp to Bohio Dive Resort on Grand Turk. I believe this just what you're looking for. We rented beach chairs for $5 per and you just walk in for some of the best snorkeling we had on the trip. We saw seahorses, squid, flounder, puffer fish and several other colorful species. This is a very laid back resort and you might even have beach to yourself once the dive boat heads out. Afterward we strolled though Marguartaville and it was just too much for us - and the two 16 yr old boys with us so we kept walking to the right as you're looking at the ship and there is a brand new open air bar called White Sands. Very nice and not filled with party animals. We really enjoyed this area. Any questions, let me know and I'll try to get back and answer them. You're going to love this cruise!!!

[sasysutler]

We also did this cruise and loved it.

Grand Turk we did the land/lighthouse tour and loved it. We were able to see the humpback whales from the lighthouse/

Half Moon Kay was beautiful, but didn't feel that the $14 they wanted for a clamshell was worth it. We found a beautiful hammock sucluded by tress. (Makes great Christmas card pictures to send to friends back north too!), and they don't cost anything. We didn't spen alot of time in it as we spent most the time in the water. Grab bread (at the lunch) , and feed the fishes.

[Sourismom]

Thanks for all the replies! Our stops are Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. I was looking at another cruise that stopped in Nassau and Freeport, and from further research, looks like we chose the right one!

 

Oooh, hammocks on HMC sound great! Are there many of them, or do you have to be, like, the first ones there to snag one? I've been telling everyone that my perfect relaxation trip right now would be lying in a hammock looking at the beach! :)

 

w8ing2cruz, that Bohio Dive Resort on Grand Turk sounds PERFECT. So you really just walk in from the beach? That would be the ideal. Can you rent snorkling equipment there, or do you have to bring your own? Thanks for the tip on the White Sands. I know Margaritaville would be too party for me -- I've seen the one in Key West!

 

I definitely want to go to the zoo on Nassau and walk around the town and to the fort, so that will probably take up the day for us there.

 

Oh, I have a question about towels. I know you get charged if you lose a towel. But do you have the same towel the whole cruise? Or do you turn in your dirty, wet one and get a new one each day?

[foreva]

if you are on a budget you have picked the perfect cruise to take. My husband and I went in February and didnt want to spend much. We booked a 5A for $299 a person, got plane tickets for $59 each way per person and didnt book any excursion and purchased 2 drinks during the entire 5 days. We had a blast! Excursions are great, but if you are a beach person, you dont even need excursions at the stops you go to. At Grand Turk I felt safe enough to explore the empty side of the beach and found wild horses and beautiful sea shells and a few other wandering souls from the cruise. I will post up the pictures for you.

 

As for the towels, I dont remember ever worrying about it. There always seemed clean ones around. In the morning of Half Moon Cay the room stewards came around and dropped off fresh beach towels to everyone. I took Carnival towels on both Turks and HMC and you can check them out at the pool too, you usually have to just return them by 5. No big deal, i wouldnt worry about it. In the case of losing one, im pretty sure they are not as strict as they say about charging you, you probably just need to explain what happened.

[foreva]

oh and we only saw one hammock, and it was claimed almost immediately. Get up early on the day you port and go to the Mikado lounge to get your tender ticket. It seemed like alot of people didnt realized what you were supposed to do to get a ticket so there was not mass race to get to the lounge. It was rainy the morning we went and I didnt get to the lounge til 9 or so and i still got on tender 3. Realize though that you can pretty much get on any tender once you get in line since nobody follows the rules anyway. you kind of go on the honor system. we saw people with tender 10 and 11 tickets on our tender. Oh and the sun did start shining once we got to the island and we had no problem getting a clamshell. Just dont wait too long. They are about $20 to rent.

 

Heres the pics, let me know if you can view them or not

 

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/rickandeva/albums

[Sourismom]

Thanks, foreva! The info on the tenders was very helpful. You certainly got a better deal than we did!

 

I could see your pics just fine. Wow, the water looks so amazingly blue.

 

A New Question: I'm mostly a vegetarian (I do eat fish). Will there be anything for me to eat for the BBQ on HMC? Or will I need to go back to the ship for lunch? CAN you go back and forth to the ship on the tenders fairly easily?

[Hemisphere Dancer]

Wow, the water looks so amazingly blue.

 

It is amazing. When we arrived there, I swore they had dumped food coloring into the water to make it "picture perfect" for all the little tourists. ha ha

[Spaceytracey72]

Foreva, your pictures are AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing. Soon, I will be sharing mine....I can't wait!

[foreva]

I am trying to remember what they served on the island bbq. I know they had salad and fruits and pasta salad. Im not a vegetarian, but im not a big meat eater either. I dont recall if there was any fish. I want to say there wasnt. It wasnt a huge selection though. There was desert also.

 

I dont think you would really want to go back and forth on the tender. Its about a 15-20 minute ride each way. But you can definitely do it if you want to. We got on the island between 10 and 11 and probably left around 3 or so, and there was a pretty long line to get back onto the tender to the ship. The tenders fit somewhere around 100 people i think. So I think anytime between 12 and 2 shouldnt be too crowded to go back and forth if you really needed to. I think it would be kind of a pain though to do it.

[Sourismom]

This has got to be the most helpful message board EVER. It's so active! :) Thanks again, foreva! I think I'd be fine with salad, fruit and dessert. I might take along a granola bar or two, though, just to be on the safe side.

[crusinmama06]

My first Carnival cruise ever was on Elation in December and we LOVED it. And you have to understand, I am a cruise snob and fully expected NOT to like it. I figured it was too cheap to pass up. But ya know what, we fell in love and ended up booking Sensation for August. Have a great cruise!

 

Here are some of the my pics from the ship...

 

[w8ing2cruz]

Sourismom - regarding Grand Turk - we always bring our own snorkel equipment but I do know you can rent from Bohio. Not exactly sure what he would charge but if you do a google search they might have contact information and you could email or call. We absolutely loved this place!

[sasysutler]

EMAIL ME AT SASYSUTLER@AOL.COM

 

I have tons of pics from that cruise on webshots. The hammocks were plentiful.. ours was right next to a cabana house. we were the first tender there.

 

As for the picnic.. hot dogs/hamburgers/salad and fruit. brownies. I try packing a small cooler from breakfast and take with us.

[Peery5]

I'm going on my first cruise at the end of the month. I'm excited, but a bit worried about whether I'll like it or whether I'll get seasick. Everyone I know who's been on one has loved it, so I hope I will, too. :)

 

I've been reading this message board voraciously since I discovered it a week or so ago. It's helped so much, but there are SO many threads, I know there's a wealth of information I haven't touched yet. I still feel like there's so much I don't know or would like some input on.

 

What are the best excursions to take? We won't be taking a lot, because it's a huge splurge just to go on the cruise. Maybe just one or two. Or if there are some that are a waste of time, I'd love to know that, too!

 

If we were to go snorkeling, which stop would be the place to do it? I'm unsure whether we'll do that, because I got really seasick the one time I tried it before, in Key West. I was perfectly fine on the boat, but once I got in the water, it was really choppy and I ended swallowing a bunch of water and getting nauseous. So I don't know if that was just because the water was so choppy, or if that's always the way it is with snorkeling. I would kind of like to give it another try.

 

I have read people comment on the need to get a clamshell at Half Moon Cay (I'm excited about this stop -- it sounds beautiful). Is this something you have to rent, or is it something you have to be there super-early to claim? I definitely want to be in the shade if possible!

 

How can you ensure you'll be one of the first ones tendered in? How early do you have to line up, or whatever? What's the procedure for being tendered in?

 

OK, that's enough questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more later!

There are several medications that you can take to help prevent sea-sickness. I am a nurse and one of my pharmacist friends recommended the topical cream, scopolamine. You can also obtain it in a patch form (about the size of a nickel that you place behind your ear). I personally do not get sea-sick but my wife is prone to this. I had my MD prescribe this on our 1st. cruise several years ago and it worked great. The good thing about the gel is that you can apply only what you feel you need (on your forearm). The patch is good also and the medication usually lasts 24 hours and then you change the patch. HOPE THIS HELPS! P.S. Side-effects are generally drowsiness and dry mouth. If you decide to try to get this medication, do some research on the internet to make sure that you are not allergic to this medication and that you can tolerate potential side-effects.

[finkfizzle]

Are these OTC or do you need a prescription? Are there any OTC you recommend? I am a little leary as I am very sensitive to meds and get very drowsy - benadryl, etc make me comatose.

[chasekenslee]

I have a question about the parking for the Elation. Last year we did this same itinerary on the Fantasy. When we arrived at port the Fantasy was parked in a berth, but when we returned the Fantasy parked in a different berth. This was a bit confusing and we ended up walking a very long way to get to our car. Was the Elation parked at different places like this??? I hope this was not confusing.

[Peery5]

You need an Rx. You can obtain a similar medication OTC called Dramamine. The problem with swallowing medications is that you are stuck with it in your system until it wears off whereas a topical medication leaves your system shortly [ two to four hours] after you wipe it off. (HINT) Obtain whatever medication you choose prior to embarkation and use it once. That way you know what to expect prior to sailing, Hope this helps.