Carnival Cruise FIRST TIMERS: Port Canaveral to Nassau and Princess Cays

[alangwehnke]

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise, Carnival Liberty.... February 17th-21st, 2019. We are in our late 40's and are non-drinkers.  We booked a standard state room above casino. I'm concerned about size and location of room.

 

Any comments/advice on rooms and excursions, etc, etc would be very appreciated!!! ...Anxious and want to be as well-informed as possible!  

Thank you all😎

[JimnKaren]

WELCOME TO CRUISE CRITIC!

Carnival Liberty is a beautiful ship, I love the atrium

Read some of the postings on the Carnival forum, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/133-carnival-cruise-lines/

If you read lots there, you will learn a lot. Realize that four days is not long. You will have the opportunity to explores lots in the Bahamas. Princess Cays for the first time is amazing. By the 5th or 6th time, it can be ho-hum.

Jim

Edited January 12, 2019 by JimnKaren

[lauren009]

For our first cruise, Husband insisted on a balcony room. We agreed that we probably didn't need to spend the extra money on it and our next room was an interior for a 14 day cruise! We loved it. Carnival has some of the best interior rooms. Maybe buy a couple things before you go though to help: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/cabin-must-haves.html
Oh and pack light! (this is for 7days, so bring a little less) http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/cruise-packing-list.html

 

Above the casino won't be loud - there's no loud music played there.

 

Here's what I did when I went to Nassau: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/11/nassau.html I don't like paying for excursions, so I find stuff near by in ports.

Haven't been to Princess Cays yet.

 

Last here's some stuff to know for cruising: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2018/07/cruising-101.html

...and specific to Carnival: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/carnival-cruise-tips.html

[cb at sea]

Carnival does have some of the larger cabins, be it interior or balcony.    

I think your cabin location will be just fine.  Better to be ABOVE public areas than BELOW them!

You will enjoy the beach day that is Princess Cays...I love the private beaches!

[SlobMike]

I was on the Triumph a few months ago on the same cruise you're taking. Inside cabin and all. Embark day is pretty easy there at Port Canaveral. Princess Cay, we went on our own and walked down the beach. Princess Cay is a privately owned island. You will tender to the island(small little jump boat). I would advise just waiting til the lines calm down before you head to the island. When you get off its a little built up right there and some shops are there. We didn't head out of the gates that are on the far side of the carnival owned area. You will see what I'm talking about when you get there. Do wear some sort of water shoes or mandals. There are sharp rocks that can cut your feet by the water and stuff. As for Nassau, the hurricane hit the area hard. They are still rebuilding from it. Still is a beautiful place. We did a scuba dive there and they drove us to the other side of the island. The port there is a built up area by a commercial area. The cruise is a great cruise and a good way to get away from the day to day grind in Fayettenam. I'm sure you can tell I was in the 82nd lol. 

[CoW mAn]

For excursions in Nassau I have to recommend Atlantis...

 

 

[mjkacmom]

We’ve been to Nassau several times, and bought daypasses. Atlantis aqua adventure was fun, had a great day at Melia (Cable beach), RIU (all inclusive, cabbage beach) and the Hilton (beach not nearly as nice as the others). Whatever you do, have a plan, it’s not the nicest port area and vendors are pushy.