Still overwhelming on the boat?

[cruizinisthebest]

cc is overwhelming.

Cruising is not.

I'd suggest you stay off cc for the next 2 weeks and then come back to tell us of your great adventure. ;)

 

signed,

so glad i didn't know about cc before my first cruise or i may have cancelled.

 

I totally agree!

 

I would have been scared off from bringing my kids or even going to the bathroom and leaving my chair for 5 minutes. etc. etc. etc. CC is best utilized after you've cruised at least once or twice.

 

OP we found out about our first cruise two weeks before we went on it as it was a honeymoon gift. We did no pre-planning, had the best time, and obviously got hooked. You'll figure things out. Enjoy your trip!

Edited December 28, 2014 by cruizinisthebest

[Cruise life]

I totally agree!

 

I would have been scared off from bringing my kids or even going to the bathroom and leaving my chair for 5 minutes. etc. etc. etc. CC is best utilized after you've cruised at least once or twice.

 

OP we found out about our first cruise two weeks before we went on it as it was a honeymoon gift. We did no pre-planning, had the best time, and obviously got hooked. You'll figure things out. Enjoy your trip!

 

 

Soo wrong, without the great conversation here I would still be paying way too much for ship sponsored excursions and booking horrible cabin locations.

 

 

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[cruizinisthebest]

Soo wrong, without the great conversation here I would still be paying way too much for ship sponsored excursions and booking horrible cabin locations.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Not wrong if it's MY opinion. The information here is great no doubt. I've tried to offer help to others myself. But there is alot of negative commentary that could turn off a newbie cruiser. And by my second cruise, I knew better about some things just from talking to people on the ship and in my life that were seasoned cruisers.

[momonthego17]

Take part in High Tea on Sea Days! Usually at 3pm in the main dining room (MDR) and you will see it listed in your Fun Times. My DDs (12 and 14) always look forward to this, and it's included in your cruise cost!

 

Remember that you can bring a bottle of wine or champagne per legal adult in your carry on. If you want to keep your bar bill down, you can order a bottle of liquor (vodka, rum, etc) through room service for your room. Bring your favorite mixers in your carry on, you are allowed max 12 bottles/cans no bigger than 20 ounces each. Get a couple Tervis tumblers from the Carnival gift shop on board and you are good to go!

 

Last cruise On embarkation day I went up to the spa around 12:45 and was included in the Spa Tour. I received a free facial while passengers toured the spa. My skin felt great! They were offering free massages as well.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

 

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[CCLCruiser4321]

Welcome to cruising hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Remember to relax it's vacation just remember your passports just about everything else can be fixed. We are also cruising in two weeks on the glory 1/10

 

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[dolphin2012]

All the suggestions are so helpful on thisite but most important is have your paperwork in a safe spot for boarding/check in. One time in Galveston the porters took our suitcases off the hotel van and we got out of the van and they were already in the loading area.. Thank goodness my passports and other info was in my purse.

 

After check in and the first welcome abroad pic we findsome food. then its really fun to relax and do what you enjoy. We like to watch ship being loaded with all the food and suitcases . The music will be playing and the fun starts! You just feel so happy! We like to look around the lobby and see all the beautiful atriums and bars. Then when the luggage arrives in your room. you can unpack. Remember to bring a highlighter for the funtimes to mark your favorites. Try things you normally would not do.. I have been on five cruises and just recently found out they have a "towel animal" day where all the chairs around the pool are covered in animals! Going to see that this next time. You cant do it all so it leaves more to explore in the future.. have fun! Life is what you make it!

[missdebi]

You will not be able to do it all.......that is why you keep cruising! Lots of great suggestions on here . I always get my fun times at night when I lay down and mark what I want to do the next day. But really relax and enjoy.

[OCruisers]

My family's first cruise is in a two weeks. The information is overwhelming, does it seem less overwhelming once you get on board? Things like figuring out where to go what to do stuff...seems there are sooo many options :)

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Once you get on board everything sort of falls into place. Look forward to having a wonderful cruise. :D

LuLu

[2chilover]

We found out two things we didn't know on our last (second) cruise - there's a library and in there are games you can borrow to take anywhere on the ship to play. Especially helpful if you have little ones - the games are all kinds - adult and children. There was a great selection of books - all genres - an entire wall, floor to ceiling.

 

At the bars, you can get a $5 card for the casino with every drink purchased - pay $5, get another $5 with the card.

 

Do the "Behind-the-Fun" tour - $55 each and you tour all the non public areas of the ship, including the Bridge and meeting the Captain. You can ask all kinds of questions and it is very interesting to see how everything is done. You get some freebies with that also - hat, lanyard, melting cake recipe.

[2chilover]

Another thing - I always get a lot of ones before I go - for tipping porter, room service, bartender and those who don't get the "big" tips. (wait staff, steward and assistant etc.) There are a lot of good tip guides on line.

Edited December 29, 2014 by 2chilover

[Disconnections]

At the bars, you can get a $5 card for the casino with every drink purchased - pay $5, get another $5 with the card.

 

Do the "Behind-the-Fun" tour - $55 each and you tour all the non public areas of the ship, including the Bridge and meeting the Captain. You can ask all kinds of questions and it is very interesting to see how everything is done. You get some freebies with that also - hat, lanyard, melting cake recipe.

 

Two things wrong with the above:

 

You only receive a $5 match play coupon when ordering specific classic cocktails. Not every drink.

 

The Behind the Fun tour is not $55. OP is sailing on the Carnival Magic, not a Fantasy class ship. It will be $95.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Disconnections

[mapsmith]

One very important thing to remember. All Alcohol and Soft Drinks are NOT FREE. Even though it may seem like you are just signing acceptance, you will be charged for all of them. I have seen many a first time cruiser rack up several hundred dollars worth of bar bills on the cruise. And even saw one person at Guest Services on the last day complaining about how her child only drank 3 sodas a day and they should be free since he was not overdoing it.

 

They cost.

[Gamecock_Cruiser]

Just get on board and go with the flow. Don't overwhelm your self trying to do everything.

[2chilover]

Two things wrong with the above:

 

You only receive a $5 match play coupon when ordering specific classic cocktails. Not every drink.

 

The Behind the Fun tour is not $55. OP is sailing on the Carnival Magic, not a Fantasy class ship. It will be $95.

 

Thank you for clarifying, Dis. Thank goodness for the experienced here!

 

Any particular reason why it is more for a non Fantasy class ship?

 

Forgot to mention - when we got back to our room after the tour, we found a beautiful plate of deserts with a note of appreciation from the Captain. (not hand written)

[Disconnections]

Thank you for clarifying, Dis. Thank goodness for the experienced here!

 

Any particular reason why it is more for a non Fantasy class ship?

 

Forgot to mention - when we got back to our room after the tour, we found a beautiful plate of deserts with a note of appreciation from the Captain. (not hand written)

 

Longer tour length, larger ship and I believe more backstage locations are visited. I've never attended this tour on a Fantasy class ship, so perhaps someone who had done both could confirm if fewer stops are made on the Fantasy class ships.

[emm126]

Ask one of your children. It amazes me that my niece and nephews knew where to go after 2 hours on a ship. Enjoy your cruise, the memories will last a lifetime. :D

[Kobayashi]

Thank you for clarifying, Dis. Thank goodness for the experienced here!

 

 

 

Any particular reason why it is more for a non Fantasy class ship?

 

 

 

Forgot to mention - when we got back to our room after the tour, we found a beautiful plate of deserts with a note of appreciation from the Captain. (not hand written)

 

 

 

Longer tour length, larger ship and I believe more backstage locations are visited. I've never attended this tour on a Fantasy class ship, so perhaps someone who had done both could confirm if fewer stops are made on the Fantasy class ships.

 

 

I've attended the tour for a Fantasy Class and Spirit Class ship. Here were the similarities and differences.

 

Fantasy Class:

$55

2 hours 45 minutes

Light breakfast offering at meeting point

Visits to galley, theater, laundry room, frozen meat locker, beverage storage, engine control room, I-95 corridor, crew lounge, crew dining, bridge

One group picture with the captain

 

Spirit Class:

$95

3 hours 30 minutes

Light breakfast offering at meeting point - more offered than Fantasy Class

Visits to galley, theater, laundry room, frozen meat locker, beverage storage, engine control room, I-95 corridor, crew lounge, crew dining, steakhouse, HR office and discussion of crew life, bridge

One group picture with the captain

One individual picture with the captain

One group picture with the chef

[sandytxtx]

You can put a boat on a ship.......but you can not put a ship on a boat,,,,,,,,,,

[Disconnections]

You can put a boat on a ship.......but you can not put a ship on a boat,,,,,,,,,,

 

... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=45072393&postcount=16

[SNJCruisers]

It took us a couple of days to catch on to the deal about not being able to go front to back on all decks.

Once you reach Platinum status, you will find out the secret location on each Carnival ship where the special elevators are located that will enable you to go from the front to the back on certain decks. It really comes in handy when you're eating dinner in the aft dining room and you want to go to a show that is forward and then after the show, you take the elevator in reverse to go to the aft of the ship for the late night comedy show.

Platinum status has it's privileges. :rolleyes:

[golfb4cruzing]

welcome the beginning of your cruise addiction. Here are my 2 cents for a first timer. The warm chocolate melting cake is a must. We have it every night. Make sure you have at least one breakfast in the main dining room. If you are traveling with kids let them be kids and enjoy their cruise just as much as you do. Allow them to order every dessert off the menu in the dinning room if they chose. If they want to try different things in the dinning room let them. if they don't like it they can always send it back and order something else. Most of all have fun, take lots of pictures, and post them here when you return.

 

Opinions will vary. The WCMC is disgusting. Melt a hersheys bar and then eat it, same thing. AND if you have kids, don't LET them be kids and run amok. Carnival already has too many of them. Let them experience a cruise without being obnoxious. Be a parent at sea as well. The Dining Room is over rated. Ordering anything and everything and then "sending it back" is wrong on many levels. I agree with have fun and take lots of pics. Welcome to Cruise Critic.:D

[HawkIVette]

Once you reach Platinum status, you will find out the secret location on each Carnival ship where the special elevators are located that will enable you to go from the front to the back on certain decks. It really comes in handy when you're eating dinner in the aft dining room and you want to go to a show that is forward and then after the show, you take the elevator in reverse to go to the aft of the ship for the late night comedy show.

Platinum status has it's privileges. :rolleyes:

 

Yeah right.:rolleyes: You have obviously been up too late and are tired.

Edited December 29, 2014 by HawkIVette

[TomsKim]

Opinions will vary. The WCMC is disgusting. Melt a hersheys bar and then eat it, same thing. AND if you have kids, don't LET them be kids and run amok. Carnival already has too many of them. Let them experience a cruise without being obnoxious. Be a parent at sea as well. The Dining Room is over rated. Ordering anything and everything and then "sending it back" is wrong on many levels. I agree with have fun and take lots of pics. Welcome to Cruise Critic.:D

"Opinions will vary. The WCMC is disgusting"..... OH not to me! I LOVE it! It is my favorite and I eat it every night. So does my hubby and daughter. Now my son... he thinks it too sweet.

 

I agree about not letting kids run amok. Kids can still have fun with out running wild.

 

Your cruise is what you make of it...but no matter what you do...you'll have fun and be hooked to cruising like the rest of us! There is no other way to travel!

[elliair]

My family's first cruise is in a two weeks. The information is overwhelming, does it seem less overwhelming once you get on board? Things like figuring out where to go what to do stuff...seems there are sooo many options :)

 

 

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Think of it as an adventure. If everything is laid out in front of you and you had to pick, then it would be overwhelming. Let things just happen. What you will need to learn first thing, is starboard and port side. Odd cabin numbers are one side and even numbers are on the other. This seems to be the most confusing thing to newbies.

 

BTW, a while back I read a review of a couple who went to Hawaii. He had every single detail down to the minute planned out for their cruise to Hawaii. He was so wound up making sure that every detail was down to his schedule and budget that he lost sight of just going and having a good time. He admitted it. I had a difficult time getting through his review, as I saw how anal he was in getting it just right and when it fell apart, he fell apart. Oh and everything was about budget, the budget. So much so, that they slept in the car at the ship to avoid getting a hotel room for the night. Some wedding anniversary present for his wife!:rolleyes:

[elliair]

Once you reach Platinum status, you will find out the secret location on each Carnival ship where the special elevators are located that will enable you to go from the front to the back on certain decks. It really comes in handy when you're eating dinner in the aft dining room and you want to go to a show that is forward and then after the show, you take the elevator in reverse to go to the aft of the ship for the late night comedy show.

Platinum status has it's privileges. :rolleyes:

 

Are you a comedy writer? That was hilarious! Thanks for making my day for a laugh!:D