Newbie cruisers with a few questions. Sailing Carnival, out of Galveston, January '24 on a 14 day Panama cruise. Seven shore days. Plan to snorkel, zipline, climb waterfalls, explore Mayan ruins, have a beach day, and do some sightseeing both on land and by boat.
1. Booked a balcony Cove room. Good choice?
2. Will be driving to the port from east Texas (about a 4 1/2 hour drive). Would you just drive it that morning or would it be better to go down the day before and spend the night in a hotel and go to the port the next morning?
3. How do you pack for a 14 day cruise? Would like to pack light, but want to have everything we need. With the activities we are doing, what would you pack?
4. How many bags for tours? I was thinking a very small backpack for exploring and sightseeing, then a beach tote to use as a carryon for embarkation, to use around the pool, and for snorkeling/beach days (using just the small backpack all other days)?
5. I'm a diabetic. My blood sugar drops at the most inconvenient times, no matter what I do to prepare. I plan to carry some prepackaged snacks. Would it be a problem to quietly eat them during a tour? I would hate to have my snack in front of some hungry kid. lol How to handle the situation?
6. Anyone familiar with the Galveston port? My son will be off both the day we embark and the day we come home and has said he would drop us off and pick us up. Where would he need to park long enough to do so?