kappagirl222000

On our first cruise we gave our room staff and our dinner staff cash and a note. I also gave both a glowing review on the survey.

I do like the idea of maybe some candy from home. I am in Ohio so maybe some Buckeyes. I also like the idea of picking something up in port for them. I got the greatest Rum Cakes in Cozumel. If I would have thought of it I would have brought a couple back for the room stewards. I think for the dinner staff just straight up cash.

I don't know that I would go the clothing/jewelry route since I wouldn't know sizes or if the ears were pierced or if they were allergic to a certain kind of metal.

I`m just curious to see how many people actully enjoy having to dress up for dinner on elegant night while on a cruise.

I did dress up on my first cruise last summer for both nights. I

will do it again this time around also.

But...if i had the choice i would much rather not have to,i wear enough suits while i`m not on vacation.

While on vacation i would prefer to just be able to dress casual, so i could do without it.

What about u? Enjoy it, or could u do without elegant night?

I understand that u can just eat at the buffet if u wanted to, but let`s say that`s not an option.:)

I wore a more casual dress (sundresses) every night to dinner but then glammed it up for EN. I NEVER get to do anything fancy except my work Christmas party so I was all about it. My husband would go in shorts if I would let him but for dinner he had to dress nicely...Dockers and a Polo then for EN he had to wear a button up shirt.

I went on the 2010 one out of Miami. I barely remember a thing. It was on Carnival Imagination and it was crowded as I'll get out. Especially when any of the guys come near. It was definitely a ONCE in a lifetime thing for me.

Yeah-that's the thing for me. If it was actually a more intimate setting I would do it for sure but it looks like its basically just concert crowds for days and I don't know if I want to deal with all that, especially for the price. I can pay the same amount and do a M&G and have front row tickets.

I'm not going, but just wanted to say that we saw Boyz II Men, Paula Abdul and NKOTB in concert a couple months ago and it was a fantastic show! A NKOTB cruise sounds fun!

I went to both the Columbus and Cincinnati shows and they were amazing. I toyed with going to the Cleveland show as well but we had other things going on.

I've never done a Carnival full charter. It sounds like it could be fun if you are a fan of NKOTB. The prices look pretty expensive though for Carnival Triumph. I think I'd be more inclined to do a Carnival Live cruise if they announce more performers. Last year they announced 2017 performers in August.

That sounds like fun. I will have to check it out.

Do yourself a favor....go watch "Rock the Boat" which aired 2 seasons on POP network. See if you can get it on demand or online. They did a docu-reality show about the NKOTB cruise for the last two years. I have friends that have gone every year on the cruise (I have never gone) and it is crazy and crowded and they don't get any sleep and it's party 24/7 for 4 days. Watch the show and then decide if that is for you.

I have seen a couple episodes and watched some on YouTube. The crowd is what is deterring me the most.

So is anyone on here going on the NKOTB Cruise in October out of New Orleans? I have never been on one but am thinking of going next year. I have been hesitant because I was thinking of the crowd but after being on my first cruise a couple weeks ago I don't think it will be that bad. If anyone does go or has gone in the past I would love to hear your experiences. :hearteyes:

I also heard a new Paradise 'gangway' had to be built (front/starboard of Main deck) for Havana port- is that true? Was this the only gangway for Havana or were others in use as well?

I will say true because they were working on it while we were on the ship to Key West and Cozumel the week before.

I just got off my first cruise and I can tell you from my experience and what I know about me personally that I don't think I would buy a drink package again. Since I am not a huge drinker the cheers package is defiantly not worth it to me. And even though I do drink quite a bit of diet coke I found out if you buy a soda individually you get the whole can of soda, if you buy the drink package you only get what fits in your glass. Since I can take a 12 pack of soda per person next time I will just do that and take my can with me.

Also, a tip I wish I would have thought of, for my next cruise I am going to buy gift cards and then add them to my S&S at the beginning...they I don't have to worry about such a large balance at the end of the cruise.

We celebrated our Anniversary on this past cruise. We got a cake at dinner and the staff sang to us and we got a gift card to the spa and for pictures.

I said no because as this was our first cruise I didn't even think of it. I told hubs next time we are going to buy Carnival gift cards from Kroger every month (plus get the Fuel Points) and then apply them to our S&S card when we get on the ship. Then we don't have to worry about owing at the end.

This was mine and my husband’s first cruise and it was absolutely fantastic! While I could write a novel about our experience but I will try to condense it down.

We were able to get right in our room with no problem and met our room stewards right away Ni Lhu was amazing the whole week. We always had towels, fresh ice and anything extra I needed was in my room right away. Needless to say she got a pretty good extra tip.

Dinner every night was amazing. We had Wanchai as our head waiter and he and his team was a blast. We made sure to request him every night. Food was fantastic.

Saturday-getting on the ship was not as bad as I anticipated it to be. We had FTTF so we were able to skip the general line but it seemed that they didn’t not have enough people at the counter to quickly move through the different lines so it took a little bit but we were there early enough that it was no biggie. We pretty much just explored the ship and spent time out on the Lido deck.

Sunday-This was Key West day.

We were able to get off the ship with ease. We bought tickets for one of the trolley tours which took us all around town and gave us history about the different places we saw. We got off on the last stop and went to Kermit’s to get some Key Lime Cookies which were awesome.

Monday-Sea Day/Elegant Night

On this day we went to the brunch. It was delicious!! I had the funny French toast which was coated in honey nut cheerios. Then I went to the pool while hubs went and took a nap. The pool is saltwater which I was not expecting but rather enjoyed. Then it was time to get ready for dinner. I really enjoyed getting dressed up. We went and did some of the formal pics. I will say I was not a big fan of having to do a ton of poses. I just wanted to stand there arm and arm with Hubs and take a pic. After dinner we went to the Comedy show with is hilarious.

Tuesday-Cozumel

Again getting off the ship was super easy. We spent the day going through the port shops and watching some of the local singing and dancing. We stopped at Ponchos backyard and had a bite and watched the Marimba Players. They were really good and even let my MIL play with them. Then it was back on the boat for moor pool time and dinner.

Wednesday-Sea day.

One Wednesday we took the Behind the Fun tour. I recommend this to everyone. We got to see the kitchens, the control room; we went on the bridge and met the captain. It is about three hours and all walking so make sure to take comfy shoes. After that we went to the Chocolate Extravaganza which is exactly how it sounds. Chocolate as far as the eye can see. After “lunch” my In -laws went to rest and we went to play Bingo-which we did every day. We never won but it was fun playing. After dinner hubs and I went to the rock show which was phenomenal, we actually saw it twice. Then back to the room to finish packing and get ready for the next day.

Thursday-Debarking

Getting right off the ship was as breeze.

The only cons for me are that the Casino is smoking. We did not get to enjoy it as much as we would have had it been nonsmoking. I also wish they would enforce the dress code in the dining room. Other than that everything was amazing and I can’t wait to do it again.

<p>I would say as long as it doesn't look like one could snatch their dinner out of the ocean with their feet I'm all for sandals.</p><br><br>

We are going on our first ever cruise Saturday with my In-Laws. Based on what I have read and what they have told me (they are a little old fashioned) I have packed Dockers and polo's for regular nights (we are ATD) and a button down shirt for elegant night for my husband. I am taking dresses to wear every night.

If I see that on regular nights most men are wearing jeans or dress shorts then I will know for future cruises. Besides, I love to get dressed up so I am looking forward to it.

Cheaper than a nursing home!

So we were actually talking about this as work last week. One of my coworkers said they were on a cruise and one of the people that was seated at their table for dinner ( every night) was telling them how they just go on back to back cruises because it is cheaper than living in an assisted living place.

I guess she takes one and then when she gets back hops on whichever one is going out later that day.

Hey!! If I can go topless that is less clothing I have to pack!! #Win

Will there be an issue if I want to collect sand from Key West and Cozumel and bring it back on the boat? I was planning on taking a small container with me for each. I just don't want to collect it and then they tell me that I cant bring it on board.

Can I jump in and ask a follow-up question. We are on our first cruise in 10 days. I read the list on the Carnival website with what is included on the automatic tip list but I was planning on tipping a bit extra. I will preface this by saying while I do not mind tipping extra I am a believer that a tip is earned, not just assumed.

I would prefer to tip say my room steward on the last day for the overall service instead of each day. I was thinking of leavening it in an envelope or handing them an envelope at the end of the trip. Is this going to be ok or do I need to do it everyday.

I know for like the wait staff I should probably do each day since I don't know that I will have the same one each night, or do we?

Thanks =)

These are all so helpful. Thank you all sooo much. 14 days and counting!!!

14 days until my first ever cruise.

I have another questions that I will just include here. Can I bring my flat iron? I was looking at the "prohibited" items and it says no but I cant imagine I couldn't have a tool that I use to fix my hair. It doesn't say anything about no curling iron so I would think the flat iron would be ok. I just don't want to take it and then they throw it away.

*never mind...I found another sections that said they were fine*

My husband and I are fixing to go on our first cruise in 22 days. Can I get some good packing tips from seasoned cruisers. I don't want to "over pack" but I want to make sure we have everything we need. Are there any specific items we should bring for our room. Anything we should leave at home that we think we might need but wont use at all.

Thanks =)

My husband and I enjoy going to the local casino from time to time. We are not big gamblers, usually $100 or less. My question is what has been your experience with on board casinos? Do they pay out well or will they just eat up all our money.

This is our first cruise coming up in July so I want to make sure we have the best time possible.

Thanks

Heather

:cool:

I have really enjoyed reading your posts. My husband and I are going on our first ever cruise in July to Key West and Cozumel. I look forward to doing may of the fun things you mentioned and I CANNOT wait to try all the food!!:)