A few questions before I cruies in two weeks!!??

[Nikobaby]

Okay..I am going on my first cruise and I have been on this board for like 2 weeks straight reading and posting and learning and asking questions. But the more I read the more queastions I have...I am going to drive myself crazy!! I have just a few more if you will be so kind as to answer them I will be grateful:

 

1. If we already have our dining time do we need to go to make any kind of table reservations or do they just assign us them.

 

2. what is a lanyard??

 

3. Do you have to wait till you are on the ship to make appointments at the spa/salon?

 

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

 

Its my first cruise so I an picturing me gettin on there and looking around in awww and wondering where I should go and what I am supposed to do first. Are there things I NEED to take care of once I get on the ship??

 

If you can answer any of these I will be grateful. I know I am askin alot of questions but never been on a cruise before.

 

Thanks in advance!! ;)

[mariemorgan]

1. If we already have our dining time do we need to go to make any kind of table reservations or do they just assign us them.

They assign you your table.. It will be on your sign-n-sail card.

 

 

2. what is a lanyard??

 

Some ppl attach their card to it.

 

3. Do you have to wait till you are on the ship to make appointments at the spa/salon?

Don't know the answer to this one.

 

 

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

You can check your table assignments when you get on board.. If you don't like them you can request to be moved.. Spa Appointments if you can't make them beforehand?

[Rirruto]

1. If we already have our dining time do we need to go to make any kind of table reservations or do they just assign us them.

Your table number and dining time will be on your S&S card

2. what is a lanyard??

Kind of like a really big keychain you can wear around your neck

3. Do you have to wait till you are on the ship to make appointments at the spa/salon?

Yes

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

Get there early, boarding can start as early as 11am to noon so you have plenty of time to learn the ship before you even leave port. Check out your dining room table if it's to your liking (size, location, etc.) Book your spa appointments as soon as you get on too. Have a great time!

[angelface0113]

 

 

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

 

The first thing I do when I get onboard is grab a "FUN SHIP"! This is my drink of choice for the cruise, except a few martini's here and then during the evening hours. After I begin the intoxication process I head straight to the dining room to change my seating, if I am not happy with my assigned time and table. (Sometimes my DF and I like to have a two person table. Since it is you first cruise I would recommened having a large table to meet others. When I leave the dining room I head straight to the salon to make my appointment for Formal Night and also a wash/blowdry 1/2 way into the cruise. I think the showers in the rooms are too small.

Hope this helps!! Have a great time on your cruise!!!! You know this is the first of many. Once you cruise you will realize it is the BEST way to travel!!!

[SDPadreFan]

Okay..I am going on my first cruise and I have been on this board for like 2 weeks straight reading and posting and learning and asking questions. But the more I read the more queastions I have...I am going to drive myself crazy!! I have just a few more if you will be so kind as to answer them I will be grateful:

 

1. If we already have our dining time do we need to go to make any kind of table reservations or do they just assign us them.

 

2. what is a lanyard??

 

3. Do you have to wait till you are on the ship to make appointments at the spa/salon?

 

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

 

Its my first cruise so I an picturing me gettin on there and looking around in awww and wondering where I should go and what I am supposed to do first. Are there things I NEED to take care of once I get on the ship??

 

If you can answer any of these I will be grateful. I know I am askin alot of questions but never been on a cruise before.

 

Thanks in advance!! ;)

 

Answers/opinions:

 

1. You should not already have your dining time (you should only have a REQUESTED TIME). Your dining time as well as your table assignment will be printed on your "Sign & Sail" Card that you will receive when you check in.

 

2. A lanyard is basically a rope you hang around your neck. If it has a key ring on the end of it then you can go to the purser's desk and get a hole punched in your "Sign & Sail" card and attach it to the key ring on the lanyard. It just makes it easier to keep track of your card (especially when wearing a bathing suit with no pockets) Another type of lanyard has a plastic pouch for holding the card. The easiest type has the key ring attachment and also a quick disconnect attachment so that you don't have to take the whole thing off your neck.

 

3. Don't have an answer for that one. We feel the spa is way over priced.

 

4. Order of events: have lunch up on the Lido deck, explore the ship before it gets crowded. Once you have been to your room, figure out the best way from your room (which elevators are easiest and most direct) to get to the Lido Deck, your assigned dining room, and the showroom. Those will be the areas you frequent most. If you want to, you can go to the dining room and check out your table assignment for dinner. If there is a problem (however, most are overblown), you can request politely from the maitre 'd for a new assignment. Best plan is to just go with the flow and have fun. Bitching about something on your first day could very well spoil your whole cruise (just laugh things off and have fun). My rule is "It's all little stuff".

 

Have a great first cruise.

[Wennfred]

Some questions>Thanks in advance!! ;)

 

1. If we already have our dining time do we need to go to make any kind of table reservations or do they just assign us them.

You won't know your actual dining time until you receive your Sail&Sign card. Your Sail&Sign card will list the dining time and table number. No need to make reservations. Your Sail&Sign card is the same card that opens your cabin.

2. what is a lanyard??

Lanyards are ropes that are attached to a plastic inserts for your Sail&Sign card so you can hang them around you neck

 

3. Do you have to wait till you are on the ship to make appointments at the spa/salon?

Yes, I recommend you do this ASAP.

 

4. Is there any order in which you do things once you get on the ship that you would recommend.

Check your dining and table time from your Sail&Sign card, then check to see if you like the table, if you don't you can try to get that table changed by talking to the Maitre'D, then head up to the Spa to make any appointments and then Lido for Lunch, after that your Cabin should be ready.

 

Its my first cruise so I an picturing me gettin on there and looking around in awww and wondering where I should go and what I am supposed to do first. Are there things I NEED to take care of once I get on the ship??

No, you are on cruise control, just go siteseeing. I recommend you learn how to get to your cabin by using the Deck plan on the Carnival website.

 

If you can answer any of these I will be grateful. I know I am askin alot of questions but never been on a cruise before.

No problem, you can ask more if you like.

Fred

[I Am Canadian, Eh]

I know I am askin alot of questions but never been on a cruise before.

 

EVERYONE on this board was in that position at one time... so ask away.

 

Only warning about getting there early (that I'm sure you've seen here already). IF you're really early and the cabins aren't ready, you're stuck dragging all your carry-ons around with you. Which can be a pain if you've got a lot.

 

Most importantly - ENJOY! It's YOUR vacation & be sure to tell us about it when you're back.

[cruisetravelbug]

Having a lanyard would be very handy... but I've never been given one on my past cruises...

 

Is this something that was suggested on the board the people buy and bring with them?

 

Or is it something Carnival gives out?

 

thanks in advance!

[*Mach*]

Having a lanyard would be very handy... but I've never been given one on my past cruises...

 

Is this something that was suggested on the board the people buy and bring with them?

 

Or is it something Carnival gives out?

 

thanks in advance!

 

I brought my own from a gambling ship that I frequent but I discovered that it was more trouble than it was worth...

 

I understand that they are available at the casino. Just ask any member of the casino staff or I'll send you mine...

 

;)

[Sundagger]

Having a lanyard would be very handy... but I've never been given one on my past cruises...

 

Is this something that was suggested on the board the people buy and bring with them?

 

Or is it something Carnival gives out?

 

thanks in advance!

 

They are among the very handy items that CruiseCritic has for sale.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/store/index.cfm

[nothomeonacruise]

A lanyard is any easy way to carry your S & S card. You can get lanyards anywhere before the cruise. I use them at work for my identification card. I purchased a nice beaded one at Office Depot. It's not tacky, and I can wear it with anything. It looks like a piece of jewelry. You can get a plastic badge holder to attach to the lanyard, or have the casino punch a hole in your card. (for the lanyard)

[Glama]

Lanyards are a wonderful thing, we always have one on every cruise. We put our S&S card in it, and our drivers license when we are in port, sometimes a credit card. You'd be amazed at how many times you reach for your S&S card on the ship, and if you put it in a clear plastic badge holder, you just have to show it to the bartenders to take your number down.

 

I believe one of the easiest ways to make spa ressies is from your cabin phone when you get onboard. You can also go to the spa to make ressies (obviously).

 

Another tip, if you are planning on eating in the specialty restaurant, call them from your cabin phone as soon as you embark to request your dining night/time. It's faster and easier this way.

 

Skip the shopping talks, waste of time.

 

If you are putting cash on your sail and sign card, get in the pursers line AS SOON as you board, the lines get very, very long on embarkation day. Or, if you can wait, wait until some obscure time, like midnight, lol.

 

I always recommend that first time cruisers go to the Welcome Aboard show that the Cruise Director puts on. I wouldn't say it has a ton of valuable info that you can't find anywhere else, but most of the time it's funny and really gets that cruise vibe going.

 

If you are prone to motion sickness, and plan on taking something for it, start taking it the day before you sail. Don't wait until you are feeling seasick, because then it's too late. It's much easier to keep seasickness at bay, then it is to get rid of it.

 

Don't buy gold by the inch. Don't lose your blue Carnival towel. :)

[Nikobaby]

Thank you all very much....you have been most helpful!!

[Yellow_Jacket]

One more thing... get one of those little wallet-sized cards that have the deck plans on them, as you will be lost on the ship for the first day or so. In the past, the "greeter" who welcomed you in through the main entrance door to the ship handed them out when you got on the ship. Lately, they haven't been doing that. They should be on a rack at the Purser's Desk, right their where you get on. They will be in a little rack for the taking, so you don't have to wait in line. Someone will let you reach through the line and grab one.

 

You must go to the lifeboat drill at/near sailing time. You'll hear announcements about that.

 

Plan on using the tear-off strip on the "Capers" (daily on-ship newsletter, one will be in your cabin each night after dinner) to keep up with the day's activities. Just put it in your pocket/purse. Extras are available at the Purser's office so you and your traveling companion(s) can each have one.

 

If you have kids, locate the kid's room on your deck plan and determine when the kid's program orientation meeting is (usually the first day, a note will be in your cabin when you arrive). Go to that.

 

Since you are a newbie, go to the Shopping/Excursions Talk (usually the morning after sailing).

 

.

[rtadmedic]

Bob and I will see you on the Triumph...Looking forward to a great time. We will help if we can answer any questions before you go or while onboard.

 

Pam:) & Bob:rolleyes:

[bcs819]

You have gotten some great advice. If you are not flying in day of, put all your heavy stuff into your checked bags so whatever you carryon to the ship won't be too heavy. We always try to get on early so we can be first in line at the dining room.

 

Once we're onboard, here's our itinerary:

1. Stop at Purser's Desk and get copy of deck plan and Capers.

2. Go to Lido Deck and get first Dirty Banana.

3. Read Capers while drinking/inhaling Dirty Banana.

4. Locate time Maitre D opens and where.

5. Eat.

6. Head to highest level of ship and start working our way back and forth, down each level, stopping for more Dirty Bananas as needed.

7. Go to Maitre D 15 minutes prior to opening to get in line.

8. Check/request new table.

9. Order Dirty Banana outside dining room.

10. Head to cabin.

 

On every cruise we;ve been on, the Maitre D opens at 1 and cabins open at 1:30.

 

Getting the right dining is my last job before my official vacation begins :) If where/when/with whom you eat doesn't matter yo ucan skip steps 4, 6, 7, and 8.

[shashy]

What is in a Dirty Banana? How much do they cost in a plain cup??

[bcs819]

A Dirty Banana is a foo-foo drink that tastes likes a chocolate covered banana - can't rememeber off the top of my head how much they are - same as the other frozen drinks - I think 4.95 plus all the stuff they add on. I will say this last cruise on the Triumph was the first time I noticed that drink were more expensinve when we were docked. There was the regular gratuity added on and then there was "cityname local tax" added to all drinks we bought on the ship in port...

[nanashirl]

The lanyards work great. Don't have to worry about taking a bag with you, especially on the ship. I put mine on every day. You can get them that just have the cloth strap to go around your neck or here is a site that has some that are like a piece of jewelry. They are really nice but a little pricey.

 

 

http://www.beadwizardrydesigns.com/lanyards.html