tips wanted, 1st Cruise (Sensation 4/4/05) 14 of us going

[kimktbeg]

Heading to Cozumel out of New Orleans on 4/4/05 on the Sensation. This will be our first cruise. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversay and taking 12 of our closest friends. Any suggestions on saving money, freebies, and taking alcohol onboard. Any tips will be most appreciated!!!!:) Also what are the chances of getting sea sick? What to use and still drink alcohol???

Thanks

KK

[GoinCruisin]

You will love the Sensation! We had a group cruise that did her first cruise out of NOLA and had a blast! Get in at least one day early... you can pack some bottles in your checked bags. I use ginger capsules for seasickness... take the night before and several times the first day, no side effects and you can drink all you want with them :p Best thing would be to read the boards and get plenty of tips... there is a really long thread on here somewhere about "secrets Carnival doesn't want you to know about", read that! Great tips to be found all over this board!! You can start now by calling and applying money to your S&S card to help with your budget, just put some on every week or so... remember tips will be added automatically to your account, $50 per person (on the 5 day)... good luck and have a great time!!!!

[CruiseMark]

You'll have a great time on the Sensation! We were on her in August and were pleasantly surprised how well maintained the ship is.

 

As far as sea sickness, we could barely tell we were even moving, but in case you do run into rough seas, I stringly recommend Relief Bands (http://www.reliefband.com/main.html). This is an electronic device that you can wear on your wrist. The best part is, unlike the other sea sickness meds, you can put this on AFTER symptoms appear and you'll be better in minutes. These things are fantastic.

 

The only other tip I can think of is to stay away from the Bingo. it's a total rip-off.

 

Congratulations on your anniversary, you'll have a great time!

[kathy7558]

We had a great time - I'm sure you'll enjoy your cruise!

 

Alcohol "smuggling" - I buy hard liquor in the plastic bottles, put them in ziplock bags just in case, and put them in my checked luggage before I hand it over at the pier.

 

I agree with GoinCruisin about the ginger root - I buy capsules and take them before I board the airplane. I haven't needed to use them often while sailing, but do if I feel the motion. I have yet to get sea sick, though on that last cruise we had some rough seas and I was sick the night I drank too much at the Past Guest party! :o

 

About saving money - stay out of the Casino, stay away from Bingo, window shop only while on the ship, buy only the best photos, resist all temptation............ :D (just kidding) - just decide ahead of time what your budget is going to be and stick to it. In port, choosing a day at the beach over an organized tour would be cheaper - but there are bargains to be had for tours - search these boards under Ports of Call and book your own, rather than paying the extra money for the ship's tours.

 

Enjoy!! :D :D

[serene56]

The best unknown spot on the Sensation is the hot tubs located in the gym/spa area-- no one ever uses it. Very quiet- very relaxing. Have a hot tub party one sea day--do it before 10pm coz it closes then.

[Valentinecruiser]

Heading to Cozumel out of New Orleans on 4/4/05 on the Sensation. This will be our first cruise. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversay and taking 12 of our closest friends. Any suggestions on saving money, freebies, and taking alcohol onboard. Any tips will be most appreciated!!!!:) Also what are the chances of getting sea sick? What to use and still drink alcohol???

Thanks

KK

First, CONGRATULATIONS on your anniversary! WOW! That's GREAT!!! :) My advice would be to get your group together NOW and agree that you don't have to do EVERYTHING or ANYTHING together, for that matter. Some might want to shop, some want to go to the beach, some on exotic shore excursions, etc..... It's all OK. You don't have to see each other 24/7. If you want to, that's great!

I can't imagine a group of 5 people wanting to do everything together for 5 days, let alone 14.

Please please please do NOT get offended if the entire group doesn't want to be together the entire time.

When we have been in groups, the thing that worked best for everyone was to agree to eat together at dinner, in the dining room, every night. This was our group time to be together....we asked everyone what they did for the day, etc..... But, during the day, everyone was free to do their own thing, etc..... It worked GREAT for us! :) HAVE FUN!