First Time Cruisers

[ksmommyof4]

I posted this in first time cruisers board as well but wanted to ask in here as well since you guys are the pros lol....

 

We havent booked yet but in Feburary we will be booking the 7 day Western Carribean on board the Carnival Liberty....I have a few questions..

 

1.What all involves formal night? Can you skip it? If you skip it where do you eat that night? We are just not formal people at all.

 

2.The ports are Cozumel,Mexico Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios Jamaica.Does anyone have any tips,ideas,fun things to do.

 

3.What all comes with the price you pay?? I thought you get free drinks except alcohol but then on a few posts on here I see people buying soda cards so I am a little confused with all that...

 

4.On the Carnival Liberty we are going to be in a class 8C room with balconey.Which Deck do you prefer Empress or Verandah and WHY????

 

5.Fly in the night before the cruise or same day??? Which do you prefer?

 

Thanks so much for any comments back and anything else you add...

[Katetx]

Hello I am a first time cruiser, however I used to work for American Airlines. I HIGHLY recommend flying the day before your cruise. Murphy's Law has a wonderful way of messing with people's cruises from my experience. Better to be safe. Think of it as trip insurance.

[KenMo]

I posted this in first time cruisers board as well but wanted to ask in here as well since you guys are the pros lol....

 

We havent booked yet but in Feburary we will be booking the 7 day Western Carribean on board the Carnival Liberty....I have a few questions..

 

1.What all involves formal night? Just means you put on a little bit nicer clothes. Can you skip it? Yes If you skip it where do you eat that night? Lido buffet, room service, pizza, deli...you won't go hungry. We are just not formal people at all.

 

2.The ports are Cozumel,Mexico Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios Jamaica.Does anyone have any tips,ideas,fun things to do. Check out the POC boards for each of these ports. Tons of ideas there.

 

3.What all comes with the price you pay?? I thought you get free drinks except alcohol but then on a few posts on here I see people buying soda cards so I am a little confused with all that...You have to pay for soda & alcohol. I've never purchased the soda card, I bring my own soda on. All food is included in the price except the steakhouse. There is a specialty dessert place where you'd have to pay extra for.

 

4.On the Carnival Liberty we are going to be in a class 8C room with balconey.Which Deck do you prefer Empress or Verandah and WHY???? I prefer Empress so I'm sandwiched between cabin decks. Lido above you may be noisy. And if your on Upper Deck, above a club or the casino, that can be noisy as well.

 

5.Fly in the night before the cruise or same day??? Which do you prefer? Always, without a doubt, fly in the day before if at all possible.

 

Thanks so much for any comments back and anything else you add...

 

See answers in red....HTH!

[kyrisong1]

I posted this in first time cruisers board as well but wanted to ask in here as well since you guys are the pros lol....

 

We havent booked yet but in Feburary we will be booking the 7 day Western Carribean on board the Carnival Liberty....I have a few questions..

 

1.What all involves formal night? Can you skip it? If you skip it where do you eat that night? We are just not formal people at all.

I would never skip formal night, which is now known as elegant night with a less stringent dress code. You can wear just nice pants and a shirt and be fine with it, I make hubby wear a shirt and tie, but I believe there are men getting by with polo shirts, women nice pants and shirt. The food is really good and you'll MISS THE LOBSTER :D!!! That said you can always get pizza or room service and I know they have some other things offered on Lido deck.

 

 

2.The ports are Cozumel,Mexico Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios Jamaica.Does anyone have any tips,ideas,fun things to do.

Cozumel is awesome for all inclusives, not sure if your a beach bum or adventuresom but Tulum mayan ruins are awesome if you want history, Paradise beach offers a nice package of food, water toys and drinks if you so wish to beach bum or snorkle..... I myself would look up paradise beach online and book directly through them, the cruiseline charges more. Just make sure when you are on your own you keep your watch on ship time and give youself plenty of time to return to the ship, those margaritas can sneak up on you, and you don't want to be left behind!!!

Grand Cayman is awesome, my favorite tour there has been through Nativeway, you can google them. We loved them so much we did them twice, really inexpensive for what you get, you go swim with stingrays (very tame, the natives have been feeding them forever and they LOVE people), snorkle on the beautiful reefs and then lunch at rum points, two words for you Mahi sandwich!!! Delish............... the staff are knowledgeable, the are interactive and the dive boats are smaller, the biggest group was like 15 for us, smallest was 8... staffed according to numbers so there is plenty of staff to assist.

Can't comment on Jamaica, never been there.

 

3.What all comes with the price you pay?? I thought you get free drinks except alcohol but then on a few posts on here I see people buying soda cards so I am a little confused with all that... food (except the specialty restaurant, which is 30.00 per person and give you a 5 star meal, we always go at least once) and there are a few coffee and danish locations that charge, when in doubt, ask. Dining room, Lido deck food, burgers and grills, roomservice, pizza all free!!!! Alcohol and soda not included but you can bring a small amount of your own soda or buy a soda card. Drinks for free is Guava juice, tea and coffee all day. OJ and apple juice in the mornings (along with coffee and tea) milk if you ask. With dinner tea, coffee, milk, water, and cappacino after the meal, all free.

 

4.On the Carnival Liberty we are going to be in a class 8C room with balconey.Which Deck do you prefer Empress or Verandah and WHY????

I look at the deck plans at the carnival website and check what is above me and below me, if you have for instance Lido above you'll get noise in the morning (early) if it's a nightclub noise from music late, just use common sense.

 

5.Fly in the night before the cruise or same day??? Which do you prefer?

I am too much of a scardy cat to ever fly in the same day, I wouldn't miss my cruise for the world and those airlines are too unpredictable, bad weather even in a different state can effect your flight, and cancelations, overbooking, and so on are the norm, I try to fly in at least a day ahead, but sometimes 2 or 3 if it's a city I've not been and want to explore!!!

 

Thanks so much for any comments back and anything else you add...

Go have fun, experience and most of all ENJOY!!! You will be hooked in no time

Cheers, Carole

[J Free 203]

Fly in before!

[serene56]

I am curious- if you know when and where youare sailing why are you waiting until February to book?>

 

The cruise can go up in price by then.

 

Sailing late in June expect a lot of families with lots of kids.

 

Empress deck- close to the aft elevator- It puts me between cabin space-- and as close to the food/pools without the traveling. The only time I gotta travel somewhere is the show at night in the lounge.

 

We bring our own soda onboard and drink the free iced tea and lemonade all week.

 

The liberty has a mongolian station- check further posts down the page all about that area. We no longer do formal nights-

For a first time cruiser it is really fun- you get lobster. you can have your photos all done up nice and fancy- No way can you get an 8X10 formal pose of you and your family for under 25.00 Different backgrounds/poses and there is no obligation and no pressure to buy them

You look at them at your liesure as you fight the crowds to find them all

[redlef]

I posted this in first time cruisers board as well but wanted to ask in here as well since you guys are the pros lol....

 

We havent booked yet but in Feburary we will be booking the 7 day Western Carribean on board the Carnival Liberty....I have a few questions..

 

1.What all involves formal night? Can you skip it? If you skip it where do you eat that night? We are just not formal people at all.

 

 

4.On the Carnival Liberty we are going to be in a class 8C room with balconey.Which Deck do you prefer Empress or Verandah and WHY????

 

5.Fly in the night before the cruise or same day??? Which do you prefer?

 

Formal night is not very formal in the Caribbean. Some men will wear tuxes, some suits, some sports coats & ties and some just slacks and shirts. No reason to skip eating in the main dining room because you don't want to put on a tie. Formal night is also usually Lobster night, if that's an incentive for you.

 

Great choice of stateroom for you first cruise. Personally, I'd prefer the Empress deck so I'm not underneath anything noisy. You may also want to consider mid ship over front or back - supposedly a smoother ride. I've been midship and back and can't feel the difference, but I'm not too sensitive I guess.

 

Some people like the higher decks because it's closer to the buffet. A good reason for the empress deck for me is its Further from the food :D

[martinchem]

Book it and wing it.

[crusinpsychRN]

It's only elegant now not formal. Go! Get the lobster!

 

Fly in day before. Too many recent bad, sad stories of same day.

 

I always book between cabin decks. You'll love the balcony.

 

Cayman--sting ray excursion. (Not for me!)

 

Cozumel--Nachi Cocum, a beach day all inclusive. Must book in advance.

[ksmommyof4]

I am curious- if you know when and where youare sailing why are you waiting until February to book?>

 

The cruise can go up in price by then.

 

Sailing late in June expect a lot of families with lots of kids.

 

Empress deck- close to the aft elevator- It puts me between cabin space-- and as close to the food/pools without the traveling. The only time I gotta travel somewhere is the show at night in the lounge.

 

We bring our own soda onboard and drink the free iced tea and lemonade all week.

 

The liberty has a mongolian station- check further posts down the page all about that area. We no longer do formal nights-

For a first time cruiser it is really fun- you get lobster. you can have your photos all done up nice and fancy- No way can you get an 8X10 formal pose of you and your family for under 25.00 Different backgrounds/poses and there is no obligation and no pressure to buy them

You look at them at your liesure as you fight the crowds to find them all

 

 

We are one of the have to wait till income tax time to book it lol...thanks for the info

[redlef]

We are one of the have to wait till income tax time to book it lol...thanks for the info

 

You know, you can give them a deposit to hold the room and price, right?

[EmmaJean]

We are getting ready for our first Carnival cruise in a few weeks on the Splendor. I have a few more questions like the OP on what's included on a Carnival cruise:

 

Are juice, milk, lemonaide, or punch included? Is that at every meal? Is there a difference for children? I thought I read somehere on here that children could get all beverages included (even soda) in the main dining room at dinner. Is that true?

 

Is "free" ice cream available 24/7? Is the buffet open 24/7?

 

Is room service included?

 

What meals are served in the main dining room? I thought I heard about afternoon tea? Where and when is that?

 

Do all of the ships have the same policies on included items?

 

Can you wait until the end of the cruise to choose which photos to purchase or are they available for a limited time? Did you mean that a portrait is under $25, or is it more than that? Do they sometimes have incentives for purchasing mulitple portraits? Do they sell photo albums/scrapbooks?

 

Are all of the children's onboard activities included or do they charge extra for some special activities for Camp Carnival? I know they charge for babysitting after 10pm. I thought I read that one night there was a "slumber party." Now I can't find it. Does this exist? Is there a costume event? I thought I heard that too.

 

Thanks so much.

[redlef]

We are getting ready for our first Carnival cruise in a few weeks on the Splendor. I have a few more questions like the OP on what's included on a Carnival cruise:

 

Are juice, milk, lemonaide, or punch included? Is that at every meal? Is there a difference for children? I thought I read somehere on here that children could get all beverages included (even soda) in the main dining room at dinner. Is that true?

 

Is "free" ice cream available 24/7? Is the buffet open 24/7?

 

Is room service included?

 

What meals are served in the main dining room? I thought I heard about afternoon tea? Where and when is that?

 

Do all of the ships have the same policies on included items?

 

Can you wait until the end of the cruise to choose which photos to purchase or are they available for a limited time? Did you mean that a portrait is under $25, or is it more than that? Do they sometimes have incentives for purchasing mulitple portraits? Do they sell photo albums/scrapbooks?

 

Are all of the children's onboard activities included or do they charge extra for some special activities for Camp Carnival? I know they charge for babysitting after 10pm. I thought I read that one night there was a "slumber party." Now I can't find it. Does this exist? Is there a costume event? I thought I heard that too.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Juice, Milk, Lemonade and Punch (whatever that is) are available during meal times when the buffet is open. I believe some of the beverage dispensers are always operating. Soda is extra, either in the dining room or around the ship.

 

Soft Ice cream is available 24/7 except when the machine breaks down. Pizza too. No extra charge for either.

 

Room service is free, although menu is limited.

 

Main dining rooms serve Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. It's all sit down service, not buffet in there. Personally, I think the food is much more appetizing sitting down in the dining room them standing behind people sneezing into the buffet. Buffet portions are at your whim. You can order as much food in the main dining room as you want, however.

 

Not sure about photos - I believe many of them are available for sale until the last night, but as the racks fill up, they may start to hide them behind other photos, making them harder to find.

[Razorbackfan2010]

Do the Stingrays in Grand Cayman you won't regrete it.

[serene56]

 

Are juice, milk, lemonaide, or punch included? Is that at every meal? Is there a difference for children? I thought I read somehere on here that children could get all beverages included (even soda) in the main dining room at dinner. Is that true?

 

this is available at the buffet- in the dining room iced tea or milk and choc milk is available. Soda has not been free in the dining room even for kids since 2000.

 

Is "free" ice cream available 24/7? Is the buffet open 24/7?

ice cream is available 24/7 except when they are cleaning the machine. One side will be frozen yogurt- the other side has soft serve ice cream.

Sometimes they will have toppings put out. My dad always grabbed a banana from the buffet and made his own sundae.

 

 

Is room service included?

Yes, but you should tip 1-2 dollars per order in cash to the person who delivers it

 

What meals are served in the main dining room? I thought I heard about afternoon tea? Where and when is that?

I had tea in a lounge. Tea is available on sea days about 3:30-= check your capers. Main dining room is breakfast, lunch in one of the rooms. Its first come first serve seating. (Im thinking the aft one) and dining room you go to your disignated room/table.

 

Do all of the ships have the same policies on included items?

(I have no idea what you mean by this

 

Can you wait until the end of the cruise to choose which photos to purchase or are they available for a limited time? Did you mean that a portrait is under $25, or is it more than that? Do they sometimes have incentives for purchasing mulitple portraits? Do they sell photo albums/scrapbooks?

Yes you can wait til the end to look at photos- do not even try to keep them together- the crew will put them where they belong- we go along durin g the week and throw away the ones we wont even be considering. an 8 x 11 is the most expensive photo. (I think its 21.95 now.) you can not get a smaller size without ordering the 8 X 10. they will also be taking your photo of your group in the dining room and at each port as you are getting off-- these smaller ones are cheaper

 

Are all of the children's onboard activities included or do they charge extra for some special activities for Camp Carnival? I know they charge for babysitting after 10pm. I thought I read that one night there was a "slumber party." Now I can't find it. Does this exist? Is there a costume event? I thought I heard that too.

 

costumes at halloween- other then that- never heard of costume parties. Camps are free- except after 10pm which is when the slumbe rparty is that costs 6.00 per hour until 3am and the kids are delivered to your cabin. camps are closed from noon til 2 and from 5-7 most nights except one or two where the kids can eat with the counselors- (formal nights(

 

Thanks so much.

 

 

answers above

[glrounds]

I posted this in first time cruisers board as well but wanted to ask in here as well since you guys are the pros lol....

 

We havent booked yet but in Feburary we will be booking the 7 day Western Carribean on board the Carnival Liberty....I have a few questions..

 

1.What all involves formal night? Can you skip it? If you skip it where do you eat that night? We are just not formal people at all. Your presence not required . . . you can eat at the buffet

 

2.The ports are Cozumel,Mexico Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios Jamaica.Does anyone have any tips,ideas,fun things to do. There will probably be a zillion ships there at the same time, so go to "Charlies" and celebrate with other cruisers in Cozumel. Observe all the banks in Grand Cayman (excellent offshore cash storage sites:rolleyes:). You can climb up the Dunns River falls. Very dangerous in my estimation, plus I just don't care for Jamaica's vendors, dope dealers or police armed to the teeth.

 

3.What all comes with the price you pay?? I thought you get free drinks except alcohol but then on a few posts on here I see people buying soda cards so I am a little confused with all that... coffee, tea, cocoa, sometimes apple juice and lemonade are FREE, but NO CANNED SODAS, sorry.

 

4.On the Carnival Liberty we are going to be in a class 8C room with balconey.Which Deck do you prefer Empress or Verandah and WHY???? Try to get a deck that ISN'T below a public deck if you're a light sleeper. Wouldn't bother me at all, however.

 

5.Fly in the night before the cruise or same day??? Which do you prefer?I fly the night before the cruise (Redeye) to the east coast, but if weather could ever be a factor, I'd fly the day before.

 

Thanks so much for any comments back and anything else you add...

 

Comments in GREEN

Enjoy your cruise.:)

[Ivysdada]

If I may add; If you are a water drinker, you should know the water at sea is not very tasty. I always take a filtration pitcher (which doesn't take up very much space since we pack clothing inside) for water. Oh, and if you have a balcony, take a bungee to hold it open.