New to Carnival

[kmacht]

My wife and I have done three cruises in the past all on NCL and are thinking about trying Carnival this time around. We are looking at taking a 5 night crusie on the Elation in August. It has been about three years since we have cruised so I have a few questions. If there is already a carnival FAQ somewhere please let me know as I didn't see a sticky for it.

 

First, what is required for a passport. We are both US citizens and the cruise stops in Cozumel and Calica. If I understand it correctly, we can still sail with only a birth certificate and drivers license. No passport is required because we are returning to the same port. Is that right?

 

Are there "specialty" resteraunts on the Elation. One of the things I disliked about NCL was that the food in their main dining room was only mediocre. To get good food you had to pay $10 to $25 extra per person to dine in "specialty" resteraunts. Does Carnival do the same? I don't expect filet mignon and lobster every night but would prefer that the deserts are at least something other than jello and whipped cream.

 

Tell me about the dining times. On NCL you made a reservation for the time you wanted every night of the cruise. I think Carnival has a early seating, a late seating, and an anytime seating. How many people do you sit with if you choose a set seating time? Do you have a private table if you do the anytime seating or do you just get different people at your table each time. Do the shows at night only run once or twice? If I choose a late seating time is it possible that I will have to see the show before I eat dinner or if dinner runs long that I might completely miss the show?

 

Any suggestions on a pre-cruise hotel for one night in Mobile? I am looking for something that has an airport shuttle and/or an inexpensive taxi ride from the airport and to the cruise port.

 

Sorry for all the questions. I have tried the search feature and answered alot of my other questions but still had a few left over.

 

Thanks,

 

Keith

[singsong]

Keith - while Carnival does strongly recommend that you travel with a passport, as long as you are starting and ending in a US port, you just need a birth certificate and driver's license. I think. You could look into getting a passport card, which allows you to travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and the cost is much more affordable than a passport.

 

Here is a link to Carnival's FAQ

http://www.carnival.com/cms/faqs/default.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88

 

I've never sailed on the Elation, so I can't answer for the specialty dining. I happen to think that Carnival does a pretty good job in the dining room. You can do a search for menus. They don't change much. Whether or not you will be seated with others is up to chance. However - if you want to change your table to one for 2 people, just ask. Standard dining times are 6 and 8:15 pm.

If you have late seating - the shows could be either before or after dinner, although usually after. Most, but not all of the shows run twice, once for each seating.

[jdenn4]

I've cruised both NCL and Carnival. Carnival has 1 extra fee dining venu, the steakhouse, but the food in the MDR is excellent (desserts are to die for). Much better than NCL's food. If you have a seating request, see the Maitre Di as soon as you board.

 

Carnival does have an early seating (6 something) and a late seating (8:15) and anytime, I'm not sure if you can make a standing reservation for anytime on Carnival or not. We always choose fixed dining for the added "waiter" entertainment

 

Can't tell you about the passport, we always take ours, but not sure if it's required. It will tell you on carnivals website.

[firefly333]

Elation has no fee restaurants, nadda. Only newer ships have them. Elation doesnt have the upgrades, balconys or the waterworks if that makes a difference to you. I think its the only Fantasy class ship that didnt get waterworks... so some people arent too happy that Mobile got Elation.

 

If you choose early or late, you cant request table size, which will be anything from 2 to 10 top seating....its luck of the draw. anytime you can choose to sit by yourself. You can often change once onboard if you dislike your dining companions, but carnival does a good job matching them up.

[Tggrtoes]

Can't comment versus NCL, but we thought the MDR food was very good. We just did a 5 day, so the menus to should be very similar from what I've heard even though ours was on Fascination.

 

Here's a link to my meal pics and food reviews.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1200310&highlight=food+porn

 

There's more detailed food review in my full review below, but not sure you want to read all the "stuff" to get to it. It's quite long. ;) My day 1 food pics are in this review though.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1199040&highlight=fascination

[cruisinJenF]

Keith - while Carnival does strongly recommend that you travel with a passport, as long as you are starting and ending in a US port, you just need a birth certificate and driver's license. I think. You could look into getting a passport card, which allows you to travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and the cost is much more affordable than a passport..

 

A passport card is a waste of money- you can not use it to fly. Its only good for land or sea entry to the US. If your going to pay the money and take the time get a passport book. Otherwise if you decide to take a trip abroad you are going to have to spend the money again and get a book.

[Litewait]

I would run far far away my friend!! And I have 15 cruises with them and 2 booked.. I'd cancel if I wouldn't lose money!

[MoreMilesPlease]

If you pick set time dining, they are usually good about giving you a table for two. Just head there as soon as you board and make the request. Or you can ask to be at a bigger table to make new friends.

 

Carnival food is good. It's not top luxury line but almost everything we had was very good. The deserts were excellent in the MDR. You can always get free room service if you don't like the MDR offerings. In addition to the pizza,sushi, buffet, and well everything.

 

A passport card can be useful if you don't want to get a full passport book. Some states offer an enhanced state drivers license. It's not exactly the same as a passport card but might be an option if your state offers it.

 

There is a place on here that has a board for embarkation cities. try asking about Mobile hotels there.

[chachi]

I would run far far away my friend!! And I have 15 cruises with them and 2 booked.. I'd cancel if I wouldn't lose money!

 

What changes are so bad that you wouldn't sail them anymore? The only thing I have seen is no fans or power cords, never brought them anyways. You can no longer order alcohol beforehand, and they are being more strict about smuggling. Again I don't do either of these.

What changes are you refering to? That is a pretty strong statement to not support with details. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and you certainly leave Carnival if you so choose. However; if you are going to make a statement like that to someone who has never been on Carnival, you should explaiin.

[tdogcruiser]

What changes are so bad that you wouldn't sail them anymore? The only thing I have seen is no fans or power cords, never brought them anyways. You can no longer order alcohol beforehand, and they are being more strict about smuggling. Again I don't do either of these.

What changes are you refering to? That is a pretty strong statement to not support with details. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and you certainly leave Carnival if you so choose. However; if you are going to make a statement like that to someone who has never been on Carnival, you should explaiin.

 

I agree, all the cruise lines are getting stricter on their alcohol policies. In fact, RCL doesn't even allow you to bring a bottle of wine at embarkation. The electrical device rules are just common sense safety measures.

 

I myself am trying Carnival on our next cruise after cruising almost mainly with RCL - I like their product but I'm sure I will like Carnival's too - so try it OP - change is good. We are also trying the anytime dining - I've heard alot of good things about it.

[Rosefloater]

... so some people arent too happy that Mobile got Elation.

 

 

We on the Left Coast would be glad to have the Elation back in San Diego!:D

[tak81288]

Loved the anytime dining. You can't make a reservation, but you show up anytime like a regular restaurant between 5:45 and 9:30pm and they asked you if you would like to be seated alone or with other people. We only had one wait which was for about 10 minutes. All the other evenings, we were seated right away. We always had our own table, but still met other people at the tables surrounding us. We also requested the same wait staff after we enjoyed our waiter the first night. That requested was granted with no addition wait to fulfill it.

 

As others mentioned the food in the main dining room is excellent.

 

I also would strongly recommend getting a passport. It's good for 10 years, so its worth the cost of just getting one now. Passport cards, birth certificates and licenses aren't good for air travel to/from other countries. If there were some kind of emergency or you missed the ship and needed to fly to the next port or back to the US, only the passport will work for you.

 

I can't give too much advice on your other questions, but I have found tons of info on this site and others.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[MoreMilesPlease]

 

I also would strongly recommend getting a passport. It's good for 10 years, so its worth the cost of just getting one now. Passport cards, birth certificates and licenses aren't good for air travel to/from other countries. If there were some kind of emergency or you missed the ship and needed to fly to the next port or back to the US, only the passport will work for you.

 

 

In an emergency you can fly without a passport. It is a real hassel and be prepared for lots of paperwork and security screening on both ends of the flight. So if you miss the ship you can fly, but not easily. A passport card, while not valid for international air travel, would be a big help over nothing in an emergency.

[firefly333]

We on the Left Coast would be glad to have the Elation back in San Diego!:D

 

I dont think they are THAT upset.. they got Fantasy which has the upgrades, then Carnival moved Fantasy to the east coast and they got Elation.

 

They just wanted to keep Fantasy :D

[Ehpride]

My wife and I have done three cruises in the past all on NCL and are thinking about trying Carnival this time around. We are looking at taking a 5 night crusie on the Elation in August. It has been about three years since we have cruised so I have a few questions. If there is already a carnival FAQ somewhere please let me know as I didn't see a sticky for it.

 

First, what is required for a passport. We are both US citizens and the cruise stops in Cozumel and Calica. If I understand it correctly, we can still sail with only a birth certificate and drivers license. No passport is required because we are returning to the same port. Is that right?No, you don't need a passport, but you would need one if you needed to fly back from a port.

 

Are there "specialty" resteraunts on the Elation. One of the things I disliked about NCL was that the food in their main dining room was only mediocre. To get good food you had to pay $10 to $25 extra per person to dine in "specialty" resteraunts. Does Carnival do the same? I don't expect filet mignon and lobster every night but would prefer that the deserts are at least something other than jello and whipped cream. There is no specialty restuarant on the Fantasy class ships. However, ime the food in the main dining room has been very good. Lobster and prime rib on formal night. Every night has a wide variety of items to choose from. I highly recomend the chateaubriand and creme brulee! Oh and the shrimp cocktail, escargot and cheesecake too :)

 

Tell me about the dining times. On NCL you made a reservation for the time you wanted every night of the cruise. I think Carnival has a early seating, a late seating, and an anytime seating. How many people do you sit with if you choose a set seating time? Do you have a private table if you do the anytime seating or do you just get different people at your table each time. Do the shows at night only run once or twice? If I choose a late seating time is it possible that I will have to see the show before I eat dinner or if dinner runs long that I might completely miss the show?Yes, Carnival has early, late and anytime seating. I prefer late seating. It is my understanding that if you have anytime seating that you can get a private table if you so choose. Most shows with a couple of exceptions run twice per night. That's once for the early seating people and once for late seating. If it only runs once, it will be in the newsletter. Typically, the show for late seating is after dinner and I've never missed it.

 

Any suggestions on a pre-cruise hotel for one night in Mobile? I am looking for something that has an airport shuttle and/or an inexpensive taxi ride from the airport and to the cruise port.

 

Sorry for all the questions. I have tried the search feature and answered alot of my other questions but still had a few left over.

 

Thanks,

 

Keith

 

 

Hope that helps!

[cherylandtk]

In an emergency you can fly without a passport. It is a real hassel and be prepared for lots of paperwork and security screening on both ends of the flight. So if you miss the ship you can fly, but not easily. A passport card, while not valid for international air travel, would be a big help over nothing in an emergency.

This is technically true; I would add that the only time I have heard of it being used was when it was a true imminent death situation back home and hours mattered. The consular agent would be the one to make the call, and trust me, they have seen a lot of so-called 'emergencies' that did not merit any special attention, much less a travel letter. If you missed the boat regardless of the reason, no letter. If a death has already occurred, no letter. If you are the one that is injured or hospitalized, no letter (but you do get two-day passports if you are well enough to be released). It is the VERY RARE situation that warrants a travel letter, and that decision is not lightly made.

[Cuizer2]

Elation has no fee restaurants, nadda. Only newer ships have them. Elation doesnt have the upgrades, balconys or the waterworks if that makes a difference to you. I think its the only Fantasy class ship that didnt get waterworks... so some people arent too happy that Mobile got Elation.

 

Paradise doesn't have waterworks yet either.

[firefly333]

Paradise doesn't have waterworks yet either.

 

apparantly the ships on the west coast cant get to a dry dock location which can do these extensive add-ons.

 

I was wondering what they would do for paradise to get waterworks at least, if there was a way without taking her thru the panama canal?

[Cuizer2]

apparantly the ships on the west coast cant get to a dry dock location which can do these extensive add-ons.

 

I was wondering what they would do for paradise to get waterworks at least, if there was a way without taking her thru the panama canal?

 

Oh great. We'll be the only one without a waterworks.

[firefly333]

Oh great. We'll be the only one without a waterworks.

 

I think you already were the only ones?? Dont all the rest have waterworks, or am i forgetting a ship?

[Cuizer2]

I think you already were the only ones?? Dont all the rest have waterworks, or am i forgetting a ship?

 

:mad: You might be right. :mad: