First Carnival Cruise Experience

[schazzy]

With my cruise getting closer (19 days and counting!!), it got me to thinking about my first cruise. I thought it'd be fun to share a little bit about my first cruise experience and invite y'all to share yours.

 

Way back in 2004, a 24yo long-haired hippie, who was no fan of boats, was convinced to join a group of friends on a cruise to the Bahamas. I was nervous and excited all at the same time; I still remember the butterflies kicking me in the stomach when I first saw the ship. My amazement upon walking up the gangway and boarding this huge cruise ship called Fantasy and was just wowed by the multi-story atrium with glass elevators that go all the way to the top! Then to the Lido where I had my first Funship special (and my second and third! :D ) and then all the food! I was in love and we haven’t even set sail yet!! We went to the deck above the bridge for sail away and that became one of my favorite places on the ship, was just a bit wind and sunburned by the end of the cruise :D

 

One of the most memorable moments was the first night’s dinner. After the sail away, my best friend Martin and I, who were thick as thieves back then, had separated from the rest of the group, went off to find more booze. Fast forward to a little after 8pm and we had found our way to the MDR (Thanks to some very helpful crew members!) So, imagine two slightly tipsy guys who could have passed for “The Dude” Lebowski’s sons wandering into the MDR. The other members of our group were already at the table, looking a just a little peeved, they had been on a cruise before and knew to get prettied up for dinner. Meanwhile, Cheech and Chong over here, looking and feeling completely out of place, decided this place was way too fancy for the likes of us and we were about to skedaddle. Our waiter Vindu, a very nice man from India, tried to convince us to stay. I’ll never forget what he said after I told him we weren’t dressed nice enough for this place, he just looked at me kinda funny and said “What? You need jacket? Here, I give you my jacket!” and he started to take off his jacket, I really think he would have let me wear it! I respectfully declined and we apologized to him and our friends and we made our way back up to the Lido and ate buffet that night.

Well, we were set straight by our friends later and had dinner every night after that in the MDR. We thought the food was good in the Lido, but the food in the MDR blew our minds!!

 

I look back on that, and just can't believe how ridiculous I was back then and how much I've matured since then.

 

Anyone else have any "memorable moments" from their first cruise?

[Puzzlewoman]

That’s awesome! All I can remember before our first cruise was never really wanting to go on one as I was horrified of being told when to eat dinner, scheduled to go to exercise class, and terrified I would be left on an island somewhere and never get home.

LOL!!!!

[wemjam]

First cruise we did a 3 day because I suffer from motion sickness something awful and wanted to see how I would do. Didn't have to worry about motion sickness because by the first evening I was sick with a terrible cold and spent the rest of the cruise in our room.

 

Second cruise on the Holiday, while we were on shore (it was a tender port), the ship drifted into the reef and grounded (they were rushing to get people tendered off because we arrived late and they didn't drop anchor). We spent hours on shore waiting to get back on while they tried to get the ship unstuck using long ropes and tender boats. Never did. We got back on and the ship had a slight list. Long story from here, and a nightmare.. but needless to say they ended up emptying the ship by tender boats the next day of all passengers and busing us to the Cancun airport and flying everyone back to New Orleans.

 

Ship was on that reef for weeks.

 

We took a pause from cruising for a couple years but decided with the luck we had, not much else could go wrong and gave it ago.

 

Now getting ready to board our 31st Carnival cruise in 4 days! ;p

[schazzy]

That’s awesome! All I can remember before our first cruise was never really wanting to go on one as I was horrified of being told when to eat dinner, scheduled to go to exercise class, and terrified I would be left on an island somewhere and never get home.

LOL!!!!

 

Before ever setting foot on a cruise ship, my only other boating experience was getting sick on my dad's pontoon boat. Between the motion and this fear it was going to tip over or sink, I was not looking forward going on any kind of boat or ship. Now, I'm so glad I gave in and went, my only regret about is it gave me an addiction that I can't afford to satisfy as often as I'd like to!! :')

[schazzy]

First cruise we did a 3 day because I suffer from motion sickness something awful and wanted to see how I would do. Didn't have to worry about motion sickness because by the first evening I was sick with a terrible cold and spent the rest of the cruise in our room.

 

Second cruise on the Holiday, while we were on shore (it was a tender port), the ship drifted into the reef and grounded (they were rushing to get people tendered off because we arrived late and they didn't drop anchor). We spent hours on shore waiting to get back on while they tried to get the ship unstuck using long ropes and tender boats. Never did. We got back on and the ship had a slight list. Long story from here, and a nightmare.. but needless to say they ended up emptying the ship by tender boats the next day of all passengers and busing us to the Cancun airport and flying everyone back to New Orleans.

 

Ship was on that reef for weeks.

 

We took a pause from cruising for a couple years but decided with the luck we had, not much else could go wrong and gave it ago.

 

Now getting ready to board our 31st Carnival cruise in 4 days! ;p

 

I'm glad you were able to have better luck after all that! :D

[bury me at sea]

Schazzy, I loved your post. Looking back at our former iterations is still fun at my age.

 

When my 25 and 18 year old granddaughters get together and talk about "when they were young" it keeps me in stitches.

 

Glad you still enjoy cruising.

[SeaScout]

Carnival Celebration - 1989- First stop San Juan P.R. We went to some sort of dance show in the city. A ships tour. We didn't realize the shuttle van left immediately after the show. We missed it and ended up having to find a 100 MPH taxi ride back to avoid missing the ship. Next stop, St. Thomas. I had never seen such a beautiful place. We went to Coki Beach before it was developed. Last stop was St Maarten. The streets in Philipsburg were still dirt and much of what is there now didn't exist.

 

Haven't looked back since. :D

[schazzy]

Schazzy, I loved your post. Looking back at our former iterations is still fun at my age.

 

When my 25 and 18 year old granddaughters get together and talk about "when they were young" it keeps me in stitches.

 

Glad you still enjoy cruising.

 

Thank you! :D

[schazzy]

Carnival Celebration - 1989- First stop San Juan P.R. We went to some sort of dance show in the city. A ships tour. We didn't realize the shuttle van left immediately after the show. We missed it and ended up having to find a 100 MPH taxi ride back to avoid missing the ship. Next stop, St. Thomas. I had never seen such a beautiful place. We went to Coki Beach before it was developed. Last stop was St Maarten. The streets in Philipsburg were still dirt and much of what is there now didn't exist.

 

Haven't looked back since. :D

 

Our only port was Nassau, there I learned to never go on an all-you-can-drink rum punch excursion again! The most sober of us led the drunk conga line back to the ship! :')

[SeaScout]

Our only port was Nassau, there I learned to never go on an all-you-can-drink rum punch excursion again! The most sober of us led the drunk conga line back to the ship! :')

 

I left out the part about us inadvertently ending up on Orient Beach and not realizing it until a naked bartender asked if he could help us. :o:o

 

We had no idea where we were. I'm sure the looks on our faces were priceless. :D

[schazzy]

i left out the part about us inadvertently ending up on orient beach and not realizing it until a naked bartender asked if he could help us. :o:o

 

we had no idea where we were. I'm sure the looks on our faces were priceless. :d

 

lol! :'):')

[Frank12]

With my cruise getting closer (19 days and counting!!), it got me to thinking about my first cruise. I thought it'd be fun to share a little bit about my first cruise experience and invite y'all to share yours.

 

Way back in 2004, a 24yo long-haired hippie, who was no fan of boats, was convinced to join a group of friends on a cruise to the Bahamas. I was nervous and excited all at the same time; I still remember the butterflies kicking me in the stomach when I first saw the ship. My amazement upon walking up the gangway and boarding this huge cruise ship called Fantasy and was just wowed by the multi-story atrium with glass elevators that go all the way to the top! Then to the Lido where I had my first Funship special (and my second and third! :D ) and then all the food! I was in love and we haven’t even set sail yet!! We went to the deck above the bridge for sail away and that became one of my favorite places on the ship, was just a bit wind and sunburned by the end of the cruise :D

 

One of the most memorable moments was the first night’s dinner. After the sail away, my best friend Martin and I, who were thick as thieves back then, had separated from the rest of the group, went off to find more booze. Fast forward to a little after 8pm and we had found our way to the MDR (Thanks to some very helpful crew members!) So, imagine two slightly tipsy guys who could have passed for “The Dude” Lebowski’s sons wandering into the MDR. The other members of our group were already at the table, looking a just a little peeved, they had been on a cruise before and knew to get prettied up for dinner. Meanwhile, Cheech and Chong over here, looking and feeling completely out of place, decided this place was way too fancy for the likes of us and we were about to skedaddle. Our waiter Vindu, a very nice man from India, tried to convince us to stay. I’ll never forget what he said after I told him we weren’t dressed nice enough for this place, he just looked at me kinda funny and said “What? You need jacket? Here, I give you my jacket!” and he started to take off his jacket, I really think he would have let me wear it! I respectfully declined and we apologized to him and our friends and we made our way back up to the Lido and ate buffet that night.

Well, we were set straight by our friends later and had dinner every night after that in the MDR. We thought the food was good in the Lido, but the food in the MDR blew our minds!!

 

I look back on that, and just can't believe how ridiculous I was back then and how much I've matured since then.

 

Anyone else have any "memorable moments" from their first cruise?

 

Dude!

Did your post ever bring back memories. Our first was in 2004 on the Fantasy to the Bahamas also. We had a blast. Almost 14 years later and we are taking our 27th Carnival cruise next month. 28 and 29 are also booked!

[LPut714]

With my cruise getting closer (19 days and counting!!), it got me to thinking about my first cruise. I thought it'd be fun to share a little bit about my first cruise experience and invite y'all to share yours.

 

Way back in 2004, a 24yo long-haired hippie, who was no fan of boats, was convinced to join a group of friends on a cruise to the Bahamas. I was nervous and excited all at the same time; I still remember the butterflies kicking me in the stomach when I first saw the ship. My amazement upon walking up the gangway and boarding this huge cruise ship called Fantasy and was just wowed by the multi-story atrium with glass elevators that go all the way to the top! Then to the Lido where I had my first Funship special (and my second and third! :D ) and then all the food! I was in love and we haven’t even set sail yet!! We went to the deck above the bridge for sail away and that became one of my favorite places on the ship, was just a bit wind and sunburned by the end of the cruise :D

 

One of the most memorable moments was the first night’s dinner. After the sail away, my best friend Martin and I, who were thick as thieves back then, had separated from the rest of the group, went off to find more booze. Fast forward to a little after 8pm and we had found our way to the MDR (Thanks to some very helpful crew members!) So, imagine two slightly tipsy guys who could have passed for “The Dude” Lebowski’s sons wandering into the MDR. The other members of our group were already at the table, looking a just a little peeved, they had been on a cruise before and knew to get prettied up for dinner. Meanwhile, Cheech and Chong over here, looking and feeling completely out of place, decided this place was way too fancy for the likes of us and we were about to skedaddle. Our waiter Vindu, a very nice man from India, tried to convince us to stay. I’ll never forget what he said after I told him we weren’t dressed nice enough for this place, he just looked at me kinda funny and said “What? You need jacket? Here, I give you my jacket!” and he started to take off his jacket, I really think he would have let me wear it! I respectfully declined and we apologized to him and our friends and we made our way back up to the Lido and ate buffet that night.

Well, we were set straight by our friends later and had dinner every night after that in the MDR. We thought the food was good in the Lido, but the food in the MDR blew our minds!!

 

I look back on that, and just can't believe how ridiculous I was back then and how much I've matured since then.

 

Anyone else have any "memorable moments" from their first cruise?

Our first cruise was on the Original Carnivale-which we saw beached in Nassau many years back. No knowing much when I booked the cruise we had bunk beds and essentially could sit on the toilet and be in the shower at the same time. But despite that we had a great cruise. Casino was super small thought it was great someone won $250. Hubby got to do skeet shooting off the back of the ship. He also participated in a beer drinking contest with a gal from Texas-he didn't get much beer. We have now been on 30+ cruises-never had a bad one-not everything will be perfect-food, etc. But better than being at home.

[LPut714]

With my cruise getting closer (19 days and counting!!), it got me to thinking about my first cruise. I thought it'd be fun to share a little bit about my first cruise experience and invite y'all to share yours.

 

Way back in 2004, a 24yo long-haired hippie, who was no fan of boats, was convinced to join a group of friends on a cruise to the Bahamas. I was nervous and excited all at the same time; I still remember the butterflies kicking me in the stomach when I first saw the ship. My amazement upon walking up the gangway and boarding this huge cruise ship called Fantasy and was just wowed by the multi-story atrium with glass elevators that go all the way to the top! Then to the Lido where I had my first Funship special (and my second and third! :D ) and then all the food! I was in love and we haven’t even set sail yet!! We went to the deck above the bridge for sail away and that became one of my favorite places on the ship, was just a bit wind and sunburned by the end of the cruise :D

 

One of the most memorable moments was the first night’s dinner. After the sail away, my best friend Martin and I, who were thick as thieves back then, had separated from the rest of the group, went off to find more booze. Fast forward to a little after 8pm and we had found our way to the MDR (Thanks to some very helpful crew members!) So, imagine two slightly tipsy guys who could have passed for “The Dude” Lebowski’s sons wandering into the MDR. The other members of our group were already at the table, looking a just a little peeved, they had been on a cruise before and knew to get prettied up for dinner. Meanwhile, Cheech and Chong over here, looking and feeling completely out of place, decided this place was way too fancy for the likes of us and we were about to skedaddle. Our waiter Vindu, a very nice man from India, tried to convince us to stay. I’ll never forget what he said after I told him we weren’t dressed nice enough for this place, he just looked at me kinda funny and said “What? You need jacket? Here, I give you my jacket!” and he started to take off his jacket, I really think he would have let me wear it! I respectfully declined and we apologized to him and our friends and we made our way back up to the Lido and ate buffet that night.

Well, we were set straight by our friends later and had dinner every night after that in the MDR. We thought the food was good in the Lido, but the food in the MDR blew our minds!!

 

I look back on that, and just can't believe how ridiculous I was back then and how much I've matured since then.

 

Anyone else have any "memorable moments" from their first cruise?

We have been on the Original Carnivale-which we saw beached in Nassau in recent years. On our first cruise we knew nothing and booked the lowest category-we ended up with bunk beds and in the bathroom you could sit on the toilet and have your feet in the shower. But we had a great time. All the folks on the ship were great as was the service. We have continued to venture with CCL throughout the years and have met so many great people.

[Puzzlewoman]

Before ever setting foot on a cruise ship, my only other boating experience was getting sick on my dad's pontoon boat. Between the motion and this fear it was going to tip over or sink, I was not looking forward going on any kind of boat or ship. Now, I'm so glad I gave in and went, my only regret about is it gave me an addiction that I can't afford to satisfy as often as I'd like to!! :')

Completely agree!!

[sgttami]

I think the first (of anything) is always the most memorable.

 

My first cruise...26 years ago.. wasn't on Carnival but I remember every minute of it., including crying that I didn't want to go home.

 

My Carnival experiences have been awesome as well...love them all!

[champagne123]

OP, my first cruise was also the Fantasy. Remembering the "butterflies" seeing this massive ship in port just blew me away. Visiting ports were Nassau and Freeport...hahahaha.....probably the two worst ports. My first and LAST time using a TA. :cool:

[schazzy]

Dude!

Did your post ever bring back memories. Our first was in 2004 on the Fantasy to the Bahamas also. We had a blast. Almost 14 years later and we are taking our 27th Carnival cruise next month. 28 and 29 are also booked!

 

I have a lot of catching up to do!! :D

[schazzy]

We have been on the Original Carnivale-which we saw beached in Nassau in recent years. On our first cruise we knew nothing and booked the lowest category-we ended up with bunk beds and in the bathroom you could sit on the toilet and have your feet in the shower. But we had a great time. All the folks on the ship were great as was the service. We have continued to venture with CCL throughout the years and have met so many great people.

 

I kinda wish I had a time machine and go back and take one of those cruises back in the day. The closest I got was a cruise on the Celebration less than a year before she was sold off. That ship was like an 80's time capsule, only thing that was missing was Katie Lee!! :')

 

 

We've met lots of great fellow passengers and staff on all of our cruises, last year we met another couple that lives about a couple hours from us that we hit it off with and we've kept in touch, and they booked the cruise we are going on next month!

[schazzy]

I think the first (of anything) is always the most memorable.

 

My first cruise...26 years ago.. wasn't on Carnival but I remember every minute of it., including crying that I didn't want to go home.

 

My Carnival experiences have been awesome as well...love them all!

 

I remember contemplating stowing away in a lifeboat! :') You try to enjoy that last night, but at the same time you're sad that you have to get off the ship the next morning :loudcry:

[schazzy]

OP, my first cruise was also the Fantasy. Remembering the "butterflies" seeing this massive ship in port just blew me away. Visiting ports were Nassau and Freeport...hahahaha.....probably the two worst ports. My first and LAST time using a TA. :cool:

 

I agree with Freeport, I won't even consider a cruise with it as a port. Nassau wasn't so bad the first couple times, but after that, it becomes a quiet seaday!! :D

[thesmiths]

Anyone else have any "memorable moments" from their first cruise?

 

 

Yes our Honeymoon on the Ecstacy in the Grand Suite 1993..

But I can not reveal anymore :):):-)

:):)

[schazzy]

Yes our Honeymoon on the Ecstacy in the Grand Suite 1993..

But I can not reveal anymore :):):-)

:):)

 

What happens in the Grand Suite stays in the Grand Suite! :D

[MistyRo76]

I took my first cruise on the Carnival Sensation as a 21 (almost 22) year old, poor broke college student! I cruised with my best friend Melissa and older sister Julie. Melissa and I had an interior cabin on the Riviera deck almost all the way at the back of the ship. The cruise went to San Juan (6PM-Midnight), St. Thomas and St. Maarten. It was Spring Break and this cruise was really one big party for us! As novice cruisers, we flew in the day of the cruise (and I have never done that since in 16 subsequent cruises). The first day was a whirlwind. I vaguely remember getting on the ship...but once onboard, we tasted our very first Fun Ship Specials. To this day, it is still the first drink I order when I get onboard!

 

The thing that stands out to me most is the people we met! We had three other fun single guys at our dinner table in the MDR and then asked if two girls my sis met the first night in the casino could be added to our table. They had wanted late dining, but got assigned early. Our wait staff obliged without hesitation and our dinners were always a blast. We also met a group of guys from NY that just made the trip for us! They were so much fun and had us laughing all the time. I know if Facebook had been around back then, we would likely all still be in contact. But sadly, we lost touch after the cruise. I think it's that aspect of making friends that keeps me coming back to cruising. Since my first cruise, I have met so many great people many of whom are still friends and cruising buddies to this day.

 

Other things that stick out to me:

Getting dressed up for dinner - this was really my first experience with a nice dining atmosphere (definitely a step up from the Friday's and Applebees of the world). Eating in the MDR is still one of my favorite things about cruising. In all of my cruises, I've only missed dinner in the MDR probably four times (once we ate on the Lido deck while watching our Minnesota Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football on the Big Screen TV, twice my now-husband and I had dinner in the steakhouse and once I was sick and left dinner before the salads were served).

The Welcome Aboard Rum Swizzle Party in the Casino - this was a blast and something Carnival retired many years ago. But free drinks for an hour in the casino meeting other cruisers was alot of fun!

Late Nights and Early Mornings - back in my early cruising days, I definitely made the most of our time on the ship. We were the stay out late dancing or gambling group that was also back up on deck by 8 or 9AM laying out by the pool. I could sleep when I got home. I certainly cannot keep up that pace now as a 42 year old mom of a busy toddler. But it's nice to remember when I could!

The Ports - I loved that we could visit 3-4 fun ports on each cruise. Places that it would have taken much more time and money to see if not for the benefit of cruising. The more I cruise, the harder it is to find new itineraries and places we haven't been. But there are still a few out there we haven't done. Next year, we will sail to Cuba for the first time. And I still have Bermuda, Panama Canal and Alaska to hit.

 

So many wonderful memories made on Carnival cruise ships! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[schazzy]

I took my first cruise on the Carnival Sensation as a 21 (almost 22) year old, poor broke college student! I cruised with my best friend Melissa and older sister Julie. Melissa and I had an interior cabin on the Riviera deck almost all the way at the back of the ship. The cruise went to San Juan (6PM-Midnight), St. Thomas and St. Maarten. It was Spring Break and this cruise was really one big party for us! As novice cruisers, we flew in the day of the cruise (and I have never done that since in 16 subsequent cruises). The first day was a whirlwind. I vaguely remember getting on the ship...but once onboard, we tasted our very first Fun Ship Specials. To this day, it is still the first drink I order when I get onboard!

 

The thing that stands out to me most is the people we met! We had three other fun single guys at our dinner table in the MDR and then asked if two girls my sis met the first night in the casino could be added to our table. They had wanted late dining, but got assigned early. Our wait staff obliged without hesitation and our dinners were always a blast. We also met a group of guys from NY that just made the trip for us! They were so much fun and had us laughing all the time. I know if Facebook had been around back then, we would likely all still be in contact. But sadly, we lost touch after the cruise. I think it's that aspect of making friends that keeps me coming back to cruising. Since my first cruise, I have met so many great people many of whom are still friends and cruising buddies to this day.

 

Other things that stick out to me:

Getting dressed up for dinner - this was really my first experience with a nice dining atmosphere (definitely a step up from the Friday's and Applebees of the world). Eating in the MDR is still one of my favorite things about cruising. In all of my cruises, I've only missed dinner in the MDR probably four times (once we ate on the Lido deck while watching our Minnesota Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football on the Big Screen TV, twice my now-husband and I had dinner in the steakhouse and once I was sick and left dinner before the salads were served).

The Welcome Aboard Rum Swizzle Party in the Casino - this was a blast and something Carnival retired many years ago. But free drinks for an hour in the casino meeting other cruisers was alot of fun!

Late Nights and Early Mornings - back in my early cruising days, I definitely made the most of our time on the ship. We were the stay out late dancing or gambling group that was also back up on deck by 8 or 9AM laying out by the pool. I could sleep when I got home. I certainly cannot keep up that pace now as a 42 year old mom of a busy toddler. But it's nice to remember when I could!

The Ports - I loved that we could visit 3-4 fun ports on each cruise. Places that it would have taken much more time and money to see if not for the benefit of cruising. The more I cruise, the harder it is to find new itineraries and places we haven't been. But there are still a few out there we haven't done. Next year, we will sail to Cuba for the first time. And I still have Bermuda, Panama Canal and Alaska to hit.

 

So many wonderful memories made on Carnival cruise ships! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

Funship is still my first and maybe second drink of a cruise! Just something about it makes the cruise official! :D

 

We always have managed to make cruise buddies! Mostly just for the duration of the cruise, although a few have still kept in touch and a couple we met is going on the same cruise as us next month!

 

And yeah, The MDR was my introduction to dining in a place that didn't serve appetizers in a wax paper lined basket!! :') After that first night, I loved eating there! Have only skipped it a few times since.

 

We only have Bahamas, Key West, Grand Turk and Mexican Riviera under our cruising belts, so we still have many ports left to visit, I'm so excited to be doing a Western Caribbean this cruise!!!