Taking a cruise with no money, questions?

[travelntreats]

I haven't cruised Carnival in a few years and was curious if they charge a corkage fee by bringing your own wine into the dining room. as other cruise lines do?

 

And as for bringing a glass of wine from your room how do they know that you didn't get it from a bar before you entered the dining room :D.

 

see post 24 ;)

[texasbluebonnet]

I think you are going to have a great time. Let us know after you return from your cruise.

[CanWeGoYet?]

If you don't want to take the chance of being hit with the corkage fee, then by all means just pour your glass of wine & carry it to dinner with you. If you buy the wine on board the ship or pre-order through bon voyage then of course no corkage fee at dinner.

 

There is a map for a walking tour of Nassau. If you don't want to spend $ in the port it looks like a good plan.

http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/caribbean-and-bermuda/the-bahamas/nassau/frm_nassau_0251010008.html

 

I could only find this link, could not find the actual map & route I've seen in the past. Hope this helps. Good luck & enjoy your cruise.

[littlesnit]

Lesley,

I've been to Nassau 3 times and still haven't seen it all. Never booked an excursion. Took a cab to Atlantis for a few bucks each and had a great time just wandering around the casino and the grounds open to the public. I understand there is a water taxi also available.

 

May I suggest doing a search and getting a good map that shows the sights. If you are a hardy walker, you'll have a great time for little or no $$$.

 

This cruise we're heading off for the Queen's staircase and the fort nearby. (I have difficulty walking, so we have to take a cab.) If we have time, we're doing the water taxi this time over to Atlantis. There are some good spots in Atlantis where you can take each other's pictures for free (huge "golden" thrones, etc.) And the part of The Dig (aquarium) open to the public is a lot of fun.

 

I've read some people take bottled water, etc., with them when they get off in ports, and some order extra boxes of dry cereals at breakfast to take with them for snacks.

 

Of course, bring your 1 bottle of wine each for dinner and some non-alcoholic drinks for ports. I'm sure with the suggestions from CC and using your ingenuity, you'll have a great time, despite the car problems.

 

We have stayed on board when we've been docked at private islands (we're not sand people.) It was great to just relax on board without very many people. There is still plenty of service available. Almost like having your own very big boat. ;)

 

Happy cruising!!!

[IslandToIsland]

We are gong on the Fantasy on 9/24 and just found out today that our van is on death's door and we will probably need to get a new or newer car. :( The cruise is paid for including tips but we hadn't planned excursions yet and now won't. We were thinking of just walking around Nassau or walk over to the hotel-Colonial Hilton-I believe. We were thinking of doing an excursion on Freeport because we have never been there before. What is there to do on Freeport that is free? Or should we just hang out on the ship?

 

Also, we have Anytime Dining. If we bought a bottle of wine to use over two nights will the hold it for us until the next night? I know they can do this in the regular dining room. I'm thinking of just bringing our allowance of wine aboard for the stateroom and just not have wine at dinner.

We went to Hilton Colonial for part of the day while we were in Nassau and it was really nice and relaxing. There is a beach area and the pool by the hotel with lounge chairs. There was no charge, just buy a couple of drinks. After we took a walk around Nassau and looked in all the little shops and straw market. We had a nice time.

[Ellanora]

How much are drinks on Carnival again? For example, a Shirley Temple? :confused:

A Shirley Temple is just Sprite with grenadine (similarly a Roy Rogers is Coke with grenadine) so you either pay for the soda or have the soda card to cover it. I order these for my son all the time.

[MrFunInTheSun]

We are gong on the Fantasy on 9/24 and just found out today that our van is on death's door and we will probably need to get a new or newer car. :( The cruise is paid for including tips but we hadn't planned excursions yet and now won't. We were thinking of just walking around Nassau or walk over to the hotel-Colonial Hilton-I believe. We were thinking of doing an excursion on Freeport because we have never been there before. What is there to do on Freeport that is free? Or should we just hang out on the ship?

 

Also, we have Anytime Dining. If we bought a bottle of wine to use over two nights will the hold it for us until the next night? I know they can do this in the regular dining room. I'm thinking of just bringing our allowance of wine aboard for the stateroom and just not have wine at dinner.

 

If your at Nassau after 6pm, go to Atlantis and you can see the usally for pay aquariam part for free. To take a taxi there it's $4.00pp each way, $5.00 pp with tip, well worth it. Have done the walk to Atlantis and it's a long long walk, was fun to do, but don' think will do that again.

 

You can bring on two bottles of wine with you, they do keep your wine from one night to the other if there is still some left. You'll want to open it and bring it with you already opened or they will charge you $ 10.

[CruisingLPN]

I did the Nassau walking tour this month. Just be warned that traffic is heavy and be careful trying to cross the streets. We were also trying to spend as little as possible this year. Other than the traffic, it was a nice tour. At least you get to feel like you are in another country. We took lots of photots as souvenirs, and bought our girls $3 T-shirts. Our S&S bill was only $7.89. It can be done. Have fun!

[Tao Diva]

I write and am working on a novel. I always wanted to book a cruise just to disconnect from the world and scribble away all week! Break occasionally for meals and change locations from lido to lounge to cabin and back. Then just let the wine and creativity flow..... Yep. Some day me and my pen on a cruise. :)

 

(of course, writing is a hobby so pleasure writing is an indulgence for me. Not a full time job. I don't think I'd like "working" on a cruise. Then again. It might be better than "working" any where else)

[navybaby1113]

In Nassau, we did Fromer's Walking Tour (you can google it). It will take around a few historical sites in Nassau. It's a good bit of walking though. You get to see the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Everything on this tour is completely free! We really enjoyed seeing these things.

 

Here's a couple pictures of the sites:

 

 

In Freeport, if you can't afford an excursions, just spend a day on the ship. There's a small shopping center at the port, so you could walk out there for about 15 minutes, but nothing too interesting. Everything else is a taxi ride away.

[blestnannaof2]

We took a cab over to the Atlantis and had a fabulously free time! It is a beautiful place.

[truchattycathy]

In Nassau you can take a water taxi really cheap and go see the Atlantis, part of the aquarium is free and then walk a few blocks to the beach. When you get off the ship, there is a bldg you enter and they sell several types of transportation. The water taxi was super cheap, like $5 each or something and it was very interesting.

 

In Freeport, you have to take a taxi into town and it is not all that. I would stay on the ship. We took a taxi into town and just walked around and went to the beach.

 

Have a great time and just go see what there is that is free to do and come back and let us know. :D

[springhills]

We are gong on the Fantasy on 9/24 and just found out today that our van is on death's door and we will probably need to get a new or newer car. :( The cruise is paid for including tips but we hadn't planned excursions yet and now won't. We were thinking of just walking around Nassau or walk over to the hotel-Colonial Hilton-I believe. We were thinking of doing an excursion on Freeport because we have never been there before. What is there to do on Freeport that is free? Or should we just hang out on the ship?

 

Something else you might like to try in Nassau: We've been there several times in the last few years. We've seen "the sights", including the Queens Staircase and the gardens.We've walked to the Hilton for drinks and music on the patio. The last four times we were there we caught the #10 bus for $1.25 and rode it to the hotel and casino. If you don't care to gamble, "people watching" is free.:) We usually stop at Fish Fry on the return trip. For another $1.25 you can ride that same bus back downtown and walk back to the ship.

[Crusin Hogs]

How about this , van is shot , Sell locally ,or to junk yard

Buy a new car with no trade in , There are a lot of rebates out there

now , We just bought a new Chevy Aveo 16,000 dollar car

came with 3000.00 rebate , and We had gotten a 1000.00 dollar

certficate in the mail from GM , We financed 15,000 , and got

3000.00 in cash rebate ! This option would get you a new car

and no cash worries on the cruise!

[SteelerCruiser]

Freeport- you could take a Taxi/Van in Freeport in to Lucya for $5 per person each way. there is a Beautiful Beach there (free) and some other shopping and such. But Beach there is Great!

 

Nassau- Walk around see the sights.........Another option Water Taxi to Atlantis is only $3/person each way many areasFree to walk around there as well.

 

Go and Have Fun!!!

[omgletmeon]

This cruise we're heading off for the Queen's staircase and the fort nearby. (I have difficulty walking, so we have to take a cab.) If we have time, we're doing the water taxi this time over to Atlantis. There are some good spots in Atlantis where you can take each other's pictures for free (huge "golden" thrones, etc.) And the part of The Dig (aquarium) open to the public is a lot of fun.

 

 

 

Littlesnit - Just thought I would let you know that Atlantis is a little bit of a walk from where the water taxi lets you off. I don't know how much trouble you have with the walking but it was about a 10 minute walk. Just didn't want you to get off the water taxi and run into any trouble.:)

[2gals1cruise4fun]

You didn't ask about Nassau, but I would recommend taking the #10 jitney bus to the "fish fry" for a great lunch and maybe visiting the Ardastra Zoo and Botanical Gardens ($15 for adults) which is just across the street from the fish fry.

 

Do you recall how much the bus cost each way? Also, any idea how late the bus runs? We are in Nassau until 10. Finishing our dolphin swim and back to Paradise Island Ferry terminal by 4:30. Wanted some conch fritters (remember them very fondly from my honeymoon 11 years ago!) and wasn't sure if it would be cheaper for our cab to take us straight to the fish fry or best to come back to where the ship is docked and then catch the bus (I've heard it is walking distance from the port--true?)

 

Thanks for any info!

 

Denise

[littlesnit]

omgletmeon,

Thank you so much for that info. Yes, it might be a problem for me. Guess we'll be taking a regular cab. Thanks again.

[ScottsSweetie]

OP - I can relate to your feelings. Our air conditioner went out in our car while driving to Miami to board our cruise in May. And, of course, we were 4000 miles over warranty, so that cost us $700.00! :eek: Oh, plus the rental car we used for the two days we were in Miami before the cruise left, (we got there on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, so couldn't even put it in the shop until Monday), and the taxi charges back from the rental place to the port, and the taxi charges back to the dealership to pick up said car upon disembarkation.

 

Having said all of that, one of the BEST cruises DH and I ever had was a last minute purchase of a 5 day out of Galveston. We did no excursions, made no plans, and just got off the ship and wandered around at our stops. I think we remember it so fondly because we just went with the flow, no itinerary, no schedule to follow - it was great. And, to boot, was probably the cheapest cruise we ever went on! :)

[springhills]

The fare for the #10 is 1.25 each way, no matter the length of you ride. You pay the driver when you get off at your destination. We were told they run back downtown until about 6pm.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but they charge a $10 corkage fee for your wine when you take it to the MDR. There is no corkage to drink it in your cabin. There is nothing that says you can't carry in a glass of wine to the MDR.

 

I've cruised without spending any money in ports or doing excursions. I do have a hard time passing up a picture or two though although my last cruise I refrained.:D We always carry on soda and water.

[sharecruises]

The Colonial Hilton now charges $40 and you get $30 of that back in food and drinks....best to have UPDATED INFO

 

:: you can see part of the aquarium (dig) at Atlantis for free..and as stated

if you are there at night can go over and see it for free

 

 

:: Nassau also has nice horse/buggy tours for $10 a person, kind of fun

you can't miss them :)

 

:: Nassau has a Pirate Museum you can walk to for $12

 

:: Look for coupons in booklets at the Port when u get off in Nassau

 

>>> in regards to Freeport....there is a small area of shops/stalls and a tiki/island bar at the port..if you want to go to town you need a cab, so may just want to walk around pier to save $$

 

~~~~~~~ My idea of "bring a glass of wine to dinner" saves the corkage fee <grin>

[clareity]

Happy for you the cruise was paid for and you are GOING! You didn't mention it but I'm going to anyway. I hope you shopped or will--sorry I've forgotten the 'when' --around for 2nd opinions and estimates for vehicle repairs. I have an awesome mechanic who charges less than 2/3 of others for what IS wrong. It surely can matter. Quoted 650 by liar for brakes. He FIXED it for 150. A 'motor replacement' turned out to be valve job (common failure in that model of car) for about 1/10 the originally 'estimated' fix.

 

Sailing? I loved the Rhapsody so much I didn't want to get off in Hawaii once my first ship experience was underway though I'd always wanted to go there. I did get off and just looked around except for one day shared a car to see a volcano.

 

We did give the cabin steward $20 first day, only to be nice--required tips were prepaid-- which backfired badly as he bacame a pest though I told him we only wanted him to go away and be happy elsewhere. Didn't even want the room done EVERY day, never mind twice as is standard. No towel animals, nothing. Groan.

 

Other than those optional dollars it was zero extra dollars spent for a splendid time. We drink only water, dislike gambling, photos and trinkets. We are just there for the ambiance, food enough to get by on and sea air. Ain't that lucky!

 

Never saw a buffet line up. On Rhapsody. Were we just lucky? Didn't care at at all for formal dining room. Once was ENOUGH. Prefered sea views.

 

Have a blast whatever you decide. I'd stay on ship but for maybe squeezing out a few bucks for that fish place, especially if a 'shack!'

 

Cost of cab, per person surprised me. If per cab sharing can help.

 

You could ask crew what they do to enjoy the port of interest 'on the cheap.'

[SailingGrace]

Lesley, you absolutely can have a fantastic and unforgettable vacation without spending one cent....that's one of the great things about Carnival.

 

Two of the cruises I've been on I spent ZERO dollars. Get your Fun Times and highlight all the things that intrest you....and then maybe a few things that don't to get you out of your comfort zone. On port days, feel free to get off and walk around. I really can't say about things to do- but walking is free. And there is so much to see!

 

Plus, many stay on ship- make that their 'sea days' to lounge by the pool, relax without all the hustle bustle and chairhogs. You'll find shorter lines for everything!

 

Go to the Spa tour they have the first day..... many don't realize but if they win, it's most often - port days use only. So if they have excursions they won't be able to use their winning prize. But if you win- hey! You could have a spa treatment on your port day.

 

I don't recommend it, so if anyone reads this- do NOT flame me. But, if you find you need to cancel your pre-paid gratuities because you need the money refunded to your credit card, don't hesitate to do it. Carnival's gratuities are optional....but just know tips are extremely important to their bottom line (and the service staff).

 

Hopefully you'll find a miracle in your life where you get help with your financial situation. If my car died today- I'd be in a world of hurt, too....so chin up, and remember you don't have to have money to have a good time.

[balcony bound]

By all means, stay on the ship at your ports of call if that's what you feel like doing!

 

As others have said, a taxi ride from the port in Freeport to Lucaya will take you to a gorgeous beach, as will a taxi in Nassau.

 

Whatever you decide, I hope you have an great cruise.