First timer and booking on the Paradise questions

[wantingpj]

First this is just a wonderful site. And sorry if these questions have been answered else where, I've looked but didn't see them.

 

Second I have a few questions for anyone that can answer. I would have posted on the First Timer forum, but I know what ship we will be going on, so I just came here.

 

We are planning on doing the L.A. to Ensenada 4 day cruise on the Paradise probably in early Feb. There are 5 or 6 of us going, all first timers...So:

 

Should I book on the Carnival website? Call Carnival? Or somewhere else? Who will most likely have the best prices?

 

Can more then 2 people stay in a room? When I look on the Carnival website it has a higher price for guests 1 and 2 and then it's cheapier for guests 3-5. So where do the 3-5 stay?

 

Is there a good place to stay the night before the cruise where we will be able to the leave the car?

 

What's the weather like usually? We don't mind chilly, but I'm hoping not stormy.

 

Best location for cabins to not feel the motion of the ship? My husband and brother get sea sick (actually they've only been out on the ocean once, deep sea fishing for 12 hours and were sick the whole time the boat wasn't moving.)

 

Entertainment for non drinkers? My mother is a little worried about this.

 

Who to tip and who gets part of that $10 a day? I don't want to be cheap and I want people to get what they deserve, but we're trying to do this on a budget.

 

Thanks in advance for answering...and I'll probably have more questions soon. I like to know what I'm getting myself into.

[Cotton]

[quote name=wantingpj

 

Should I book on the Carnival website? Call Carnival? Or somewhere else? Who will most likely have the best prices?

 

Hi, and welcome to the boards.:)

You can call 1-800-CARNIVAL. Ask for a PVP. That's a Personal Vacation Planner. She/he will walk you through the process of booking a cruise, and you can ask anything you need to know. Very helpful folks. I book all my cruises directly through a PVP.

 

OR - You could check with a local travel agency or online agency. You might want to compare rates on different agencies as compared to Carnival directly. Just be sure and ask for the 'bottom line' you will be paying, including all port charges and fees. Also ask about the change/cancellation policies, as all agencies other than Carnival direct have their own regulations.

 

Everyone has their own 'best' way to book cruises. Using a Carnival PVP has been beneficial to me for several years. I usually end up w/OBC (on board credit) or lesser rates.

 

Can more then 2 people stay in a room? When I look on the Carnival website it has a higher price for guests 1 and 2 and then it's cheapier for guests 3-5. So where do the 3-5 stay?

 

Some cabins are for two, three, four people. It will vary, and so will the rate. Ask the PVP how to best configure your group.

 

Is there a good place to stay the night before the cruise where we will be able to the leave the car?

 

Can't help you there. I went to visit DD in L.A. and we parked her car at the Long Beach Harbor, by the Queen Mary. I think it was about $12 a day for parking.

 

What's the weather like usually? We don't mind chilly, but I'm hoping not stormy.

 

My four night cruise on the Paradise was last November. Light jacket or sweater was all I needed for on deck at night. Otherwise, it was pleasant. Don't know about Feb. Baja weather.

 

Best location for cabins to not feel the motion of the ship? My husband and brother get sea sick (actually they've only been out on the ocean once, deep sea fishing for 12 hours and were sick the whole time the boat wasn't moving.)

 

Best place for queasy cruisers is mid-ship. Less motion there than anywhere else. Don't book a far-foward or aft cabin. Lower decks are also best as far as motion is concerned.

 

You might want to consider taking Bonine. I take one about an hour before boarding the ship, and one every night before going to sleep, and have suffered no seasickness.

 

Entertainment for non drinkers? My mother is a little worried about this.

 

Oh my...You certainly don't have to be a 'drinker' to enjoy a cruise! There are lots of folks who cruise without alcohol, and seem to have just as much fun as everyone else. Non-alcoholic beverages are served at the Captain's Cocktail Party, too.

 

Who to tip and who gets part of that $10 a day? I don't want to be cheap and I want people to get what they deserve, but we're trying to do this on a budget.

 

I budget well for a cruise, so I understand. The total amount of tips for your cruise ($40 per person) will be the first entry on your Sail & Sign account. It's a very fair amount, but can be adjusted if you like. Hopefully, not many folks do this, as the crew deserves this small amount. The automatic tips are broken down as:

 

$3.50 per person per day to the cabin steward.

$5.50 per person per day to the dining room waiter & assistant.

$1.00 per person per day to the Lido buffet dining personnel.

 

No other tips are necessary throughout the cruise. However, if you feel someone has gone over and beyond for you, you could tip a little extra at the end of the cruise. Oh, if you order anything from room service (no charge for the food), please tip the delivery person $1-2 each time they make a delivery.

 

Any beverages you purchase on the ship will have an automatic 15% tip included, so no need to tip whenever you get a drink.

 

There are many, many beverages on board that are included in the cost of your cruise, such as: coffee, tea, water, lemonade, fruit punch, milk, a variety of juices.

 

Thanks in advance for answering...and I'll probably have more questions soon. I like to know what I'm getting myself into.

 

Anything else you need to know, just ask. There are SO many folks on these boards who are more than willing to help you have a wondeful first cruise!:)

[caribbean dreams]

The best way to book is to call Carnival direct.

 

You must all stay in the same cabin to received the 3 & 4 person discount

 

Cruising in February may be a bit chilly, but ya never know about southern California weather, i could be a beautiful spring like week.

 

Look online for hotels in the port area, that offer a park & stay.

So you can spend the night and leave your car there while you are on the cruise.

 

You can pre pay the tips or have them taken out of your sign& Sail account, 15% will automatically be charged to the bill for the bartending staff, the tip does not cover the Madre'd & room service so you can tip them as needed.

 

You may want to bring along some motion sickness pills, patches, drops or whatever you feel you may need.

 

 

I am not really a drinker and have no problem finding things to do....shows, auctions, games, casino ect...

 

[mkitchy]

If you're going the week of Feb. 5th., day after Super Bowl, use the Carnival website and use the DP1 promotion code. We're on this cruise, and paid $485 total for two people, with a five category upgrade. Good luck.

[gr81]

closest hotel to the Ship is the Queen Mary, which we have stayed in. Its a cool experience to do at least once.

 

There are a lot of hotels/Motels in the area. I cant remember the name of the little motel we stayed at in March, but it was only $79 a night and less than 10 bucks for a cab (with tip) to the Pier, and was walking distance (2 blocks) from the beach.

[cathyz]

The closest hotel other than the Queen Mary is the Coast Long Beach Hotel -

http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/usa/california/long_beach/coast_longbeach/overview. We stayed there last month before the Paradise.

[wantingpj]

If you're going the week of Feb. 5th., day after Super Bowl, use the Carnival website and use the DP1 promotion code. We're on this cruise, and paid $485 total for two people, with a five category upgrade. Good luck.

 

WOW!

 

Is that OV?

 

I talked to PVP earlier and she said something like $605 for two. With an upgrade. Though I'm not even sure I want the upgrade to a different deck. Can you tell me the difference? Why get an upgrade? Better rooms?

 

Thanks for all the answers to the questions. You guys are the best.

[wantingpj]

I couldn't find the edit button.

 

But I put in the code DP1 and it said that Requested rate code requires a valid past guest number. So it's not working for me. Bummer.

 

Thanks though.

[cuyahoga11]

I couldn't find the edit button.

 

But I put in the code DP1 and it said that Requested rate code requires a valid past guest number. So it's not working for me. Bummer.

 

Thanks though.

 

DP1 is for past guests. I just got an email that they are having a sale on Thursday. Call Carnival and ask to speak to a PVP and see what they give you on that day.

 

Good luck

[skiorcruise]

You asked about upgrades...

 

Each inside room is an inside room. It is considered an upgrade to advance from lower to upper decks, but the rooms are the same.

 

Inside has a blank wall and a curtain, giving you the impression that there is a window. An Oceanview actually has a window there, but again the rooms are the same. Balcony (none on Fantasy class ships like the Paradise) is the next step up, then suite. These rooms are larger, with more room to sleep on one level.

 

We cruised 3 adults in a room on the Paradise in Sept 04. Two twin beds and a roll a way on the floor. Mattress top was about 1 foot above the floor. Some rooms have bunks which fold out of the wall (up to two per cabin). You could possibly sleep 5 to a room, two on the beds, one on the roll a way, two in the bunks. I wouldn't recommend it - 3 was crowded when trying to get dressed for dinner or in the morning. 4 would be ok.

 

Upper decks are closer to the Lido deck, pools, food, etc. Try to avoid a room directly under the Lido, as deck chairs moving around the deck can be annoying.

 

You also mentioned sickness. Never a problem for us, but lower is better. Also center of ship versus forward or aft is better (less motion).

 

Lots of hotels in the area offer free parking for cruise guests as long as you spend a night with them. However, make sure you are close orbe ready to wait for a shuttle/pay for a cab. Our Travel Agent had us at the Sunrise Best Western, which would have been great for another cruise line, but was an $18 cab ride for the three of us.

 

Have a great time, and welcome to cruising.

[cruzegirl]

Everything here that everyone has said is solid advice... I would call Carnival and get going with a PVP.... Also, sign for email specials on the site... You can alot of good deals emailed to you as a potential guest versus the average citizen that hasn't signed up....

Also, as far as the weather? Bring jackets and a couple of warm outfits.... Feb. is typically our rainy season.... And it's cold.... Not east coast cold but cold if your looking for warmth and sunshine.... lol... Earlier this year I got very tired of the rain and cold... booked the same cruise mid March.... I thought, "going south to mexico = warmth/sunshine.... Not so......It was quite cold and had one day of warmth....I went to Acapulco in April to get warmth/sunshine.... So one never knows what California weather will bring....Good luck on planning your cruise.... It's so fun, you'll be addicted.....:D

[Annmarie58]

We took this same cruise last year in March, we are from Arizona so it felt chilly to us as well ( light jacket in evening,not bad when sun was shining)

We also had done deep sea fishing and Hubby and sons were sea sick. Not so on the ship ( we brought ginger gum amd capsules also wore sea bands on our wrists which you can get at k-mart or walmart at the pharmacy for under $10.00 )

Over all we loved the ship it more than exceeded our expectations and we are hooked on cruising!

If you have any questions feel free to ask,Oh and by the way there is so much to do on the ship,we realized afterward how much we missed we just could not do everything.:)