Carnival Pride Virgins- Peanut gallery advice...

[undertaker1013]

Hi- My hubby and I are running away for a week- both of us have never been on a cruise before, so a few ?s to avoid embarassment, impounded possesions, ec.

 

We plan (since the ship leaves from our hometown) to only takee 4 carry-ons. What I'm curious, since it is as well as my hubby's 50th bday (he's a Halloween baby, and we both undertakers-- how freaky is that for yu?!?!) I'd like to bring onboard in MY carry-on a wrapped (but I could wrap after if they need to be insepcted) 2 lb box of his fave truffles, and I'd like to bring on my own soda, since I live for Dr. Pepper, and what I've seen it's a coke product cruiseline.....will my stiff get impounded? I was only thinking of taking either 2-3 of those 6-8 oz baby cans, or a 6 pk 24 oz,, 2-3 2 liters (whichever will be allowed on- do I have to sneak on?) I figure it's cheaper than buying the unlimited soda card for $40 and I can spend that in the casinos.

 

We've booked main deck 4, room 4211- and according to paperwork, there are safes in the room- can anyone given me an guestimate to measurements f it?

 

As well, with hubby being claustrophobic, we've heard the showers tend to be on the teeny side; are there othe showers accessible ot him thatn the (as I was tld by a carnvial rep 33 ft by 3 ft).

 

My hub and I have minor medical issues in which we'll be bringing meds- he's diabetic, and I have lupus, sezures-- we've read it's best to bring a letter from the Dr. explaining our history and meds ICE-- can anyone tell us what one of there's said, or if your google a link to us-- the Dr. said you give me what you want typed and I sign it. (Apparently he wants me to do his job for him)

 

I'd appreciate anyting else anyone wants to throw in- we've done the prepaid gratutities, bu could we pay a set amount in advance to carnival ($500-800 cashier or traveler's check) before the cruise- a few weeks to establish the room's credit limit---I very paranoid about givein out my cc info, and rathe roverpay and them issue me a refund if I don't use the entire amount.

 

Thanks for helping to make a dream come true!

Brandee mortuarygirlz at yahoo

[jimbo5544]

Hi- My hubby and I are running away for a week- both of us have never been on a cruise before, so a few ?s to avoid embarassment, impounded possesions, ec.

 

We plan (since the ship leaves from our hometown) to only takee 4 carry-ons. What I'm curious, since it is as well as my hubby's 50th bday (he's a Halloween baby, and we both undertakers-- how freaky is that for yu?!?!) I'd like to bring onboard in MY carry-on a wrapped (but I could wrap after if they need to be insepcted) 2 lb box of his fave truffles, and I'd like to bring on my own soda, since I live for Dr. Pepper, and what I've seen it's a coke product cruiseline.....will my stiff get impounded? I was only thinking of taking either 2-3 of those 6-8 oz baby cans, or a 6 pk 24 oz,, 2-3 2 liters (whichever will be allowed on- do I have to sneak on?) I figure it's cheaper than buying the unlimited soda card for $40 and I can spend that in the casinos.

 

We've booked main deck 4, room 4211- and according to paperwork, there are safes in the room- can anyone given me an guestimate to measurements f it?

 

As well, with hubby being claustrophobic, we've heard the showers tend to be on the teeny side; are there othe showers accessible ot him thatn the (as I was tld by a carnvial rep 33 ft by 3 ft).

 

My hub and I have minor medical issues in which we'll be bringing meds- he's diabetic, and I have lupus, sezures-- we've read it's best to bring a letter from the Dr. explaining our history and meds ICE-- can anyone tell us what one of there's said, or if your google a link to us-- the Dr. said you give me what you want typed and I sign it. (Apparently he wants me to do his job for him)

 

I'd appreciate anyting else anyone wants to throw in- we've done the prepaid gratutities, bu could we pay a set amount in advance to carnival ($500-800 cashier or traveler's check) before the cruise- a few weeks to establish the room's credit limit---I very paranoid about givein out my cc info, and rathe roverpay and them issue me a refund if I don't use the entire amount.

 

Thanks for helping to make a dream come true!

Brandee mortuarygirlz at yahoo

There is a first time cruiser blog where you may get more answers, but I will take swipe at a couple.

 

Bringing soda on board, CCL says a reasonable amount, I have seen people carrying on 2 12 packs. Not sure what reasonable is. The safe is small, not sure of the specific measurements but close to 10X12. On the Pride I believe it is operated by a swiping a card with a magnetic swipe (don't use your sign and sail card or a cc that you use often. I would contact CCL directly in regards to what you need for the doctor, but start with the website. Shower is small (not as small as other lines). Other option is you can shower in the spa, much bigger, but check the hours. Love the Pride, have a great cruise.

[Barbados1999]

hi, undertaker ..... congrats on your first cruise! how exciting for you both!!

 

DH and i were on the Pride last month. here's a link to my review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1047663&highlight=pride+review and the review includes a link to some pictures of our trip. if you do a search of cruisecritic, you'll find lots of reviews and pictures.

 

regarding the goodies you'd like to bring on board, you shouldn't have a problem getting your soda and candy on board. i've never heard of anybody bringing 2-liter bottles on board, but lots of people bring the 12-packs. and, as far as the candy goes, if it's in your luggage, there won't be a problem. we brought on a HUGE bag of M&M's without any issues. personally, we just buy the soda cards so we don't have the hassle of lugging on the 12-packs of soda and taking up precious suitcase space. LOL.

 

the showers aren't too small .... DH and i are on the larger side and don't have any problems, however, if you're claustrophobic, it might be a bit uncomfortable. i believe you can use the showers in the spa area, but they aren't open 24-7. you can check with the spa once you get on board for their hours. (i do have pictures of the bathrooms on my computer at home so if you're interested, let me know and i'll send them to you. .... i didn't put them on my review. lol.)

 

as far as your medical issues go, you will need to contact carnival and fill out a medical requirements form. (i know this for certain because my sister is traveling with us on our next cruise and she is diabetic. they want to know who will be bringing on syringes and they will provide a sharps container in your cabin for used syringes. they also want to know if you have any mobility issues.) if you booked directly through carnival, contact your PVP. if you booked through a travel agent, call him/her. or just call carnival and let them know you have special medical requirements.

 

the safes are small, but we use it to store our cell phones/blackberries and our wallets. it definitely won't hold a laptop. it's about 12" x 12" and you need to use a card with a magnetic strip on it to unlock and lock the safe. we use our AAA card and 'hide' it in one of the dresser drawers.

 

if you don't want to use a credit card for your sail & sign account, you can use cash. when you fill out your funpass information online before you leave for your cruise, just check off the box indicating 'cash'. then, when you get on the ship, they'll have you go to the information desk and put down the cash you want to put on your account. i believe they suggest $200 per person, but you can give them whatever you want in cash and whatever you don't spend, they'll slide a refund check under your door on the last night of the cruise. btw, don't forget to print out all your e-documents before you leave. carnival no longer mails your documents to you in the mail.

 

i hope you have a wonderful cruise! .... i'm sure it will be great to get away and especially to celebrate a halloween birthday! (DH and i got married on halloween, so we have a special sentiment about that holiday, too! lol.)

 

Linda

[DocF]

Carnival has a form which they would like to have filled out by you which details your medical needs. It is available by either calling them or finding it online or going through your TA (if you used one).

 

I am an insulin dependent diabetic and the only thing I require is a sharps container (which they happily supply) and access to the refrigerator and the steward will unlock that for you.

 

DW and I both find the showers on Carnival ships to be just fine. I would suggest you watch how the mixing valve is set, though. We got on one ship where someone had reset the limit to maximum hot and it would have scalded the skin off anyone who got in there without checking first. One know is the limiter. It has a push button on it. Find the comfortable temperature and set it and forget it. The other know is on-off and volume of water.

 

You will enjoy your trip, for sure. The Pride is a nice ship and we enjoyed sailing out of Baltimore.

 

Doc

[Snowbuddy]

can't answer to most of your other questions, but can testify to bringing 2 liters on board. DH did that on one of our last cruises (since we flew in the day before, we had time to stock up at a local walgreens) so we wouldn't have to buy the soda card. i think we brought 2 or 3 along.

[cruisefanatic01]

You can purchase FunShip Dollars before your travel dates from Carnival and ask them to apply it as an on-board credit to your sign and sail account. If you have money left over at the end of the cruise, they'll issue you a check for the difference.

[jerseygirl79]

(he's a Halloween baby, and we both undertakers-- how freaky is that for yu?!?!) I'd like to bring onboard in MY carry-on a wrapped (but I could wrap after if they need to be insepcted) 2 lb box of his fave truffles, and I'd like to bring on my own soda, since I live for Dr. Pepper, and what I've seen it's a coke product cruiseline.....will my stiff get impounded?

 

Got work on your mind, LOL.....sorry, couldn't resist :D

 

I may be sailing on Pride in May. Can't wait for your review!

Have fun!!!

[Duncarob]

No need to worry about ice for your medication, as you will have a refrigerator in the room.

[cherylcorwin]

We cruised the Pride to Mexico, one of the last West Coast cruises, & was disappointed in the taste of the water. We take a case of bottled water aboard (3 or 4 bottles per bag & some in carry-on).

[emelvee]

No need to worry about ice for your medication, as you will have a refrigerator in the room.

Are you sure there's a fridge in 8A's?

[JoeSmooga]

Are you sure there's a fridge in 8A's?

 

Yep, there is.

[chiarigirl]

Make sure any medications you have are in the original bottle with your prescription. Alot of people use pillboxes which if fine for while at home, but it is important when traveling to have it in the original bottles. I have a friend who used a pillbox and did not bring her bottles, she had gone to mexico on vacation and they would not allow her to bring her meds back into the country.

 

I am not diabetic and do not require anything special with my meds. I have never gotten a letter from my physician, nor have i ever let carnival know. I print out my medical information from my medic alert profile it has a full surgical history, medical conditions, allergies, and it lists all medications. I let my roommate know where that is in case anything happens, plus i always have my medic alert and pacemaker card with me when i leave the ship. Along with my bracelet which goes everywhere with me.

[read52]

If you have seizures, you can ask your room steward to remove the small table from your room. My dh has seizure and neuro problems so we don't want him to fall on the table.

 

We carry all our med pills in individual sealed packets that we make up for trips. You can bring a copy of the prescription instead of the bottle If we carried them in the original bottles, we would need a suitcase for just pills. We carried a list of medical meds and other medical info. We have traveled a lot since we have so many meds and have never been stopped or questions. When my dh had to have needles we told them at the airport.