FIRST TIME CRUISE

[decemberg]

HELLO ALL..
I just booked my first cruise.. It is on Carnival aboard the SPIRIT. We are going from May 18-25 2005. Anyone please fill me in on the ship if you have vacationed on it before..and anything you could add to make my vacation experience better.

[Boo's Mom]

decemberg..... Save your pennies and be sure and go on an excursion that puts you in a helicopter and soars you over a few glaciers...and then lands on a glacier and allows you to walk around and marvel at the awesome sight! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

BTW, Welcome to the Boards!

Boo's Mom

Even the winds and the waves obey him!
Matthew 8:27

[ukcruisefan]

We are going on the Spirit a few weeks after you. I will be anxious to read your review. Get ready for a great time!

Sensation 10/98
Inspiration 5/02
Conquest 5/03

UNTIL THE SPIRIT TO ALASKA
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2004;6;9;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]

[noodle]

I have never been on the Spirit or to Alaska, but we booked the Spirit for next May 2005 to Alaska... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] So long to wait...so I have to come here to read about other people going this summer and get jealous.

Anyway, we were just on the Pride which is the same class as the Spirit. We found the ship to be beautiful and had a great time. Did you get a balcony room? Bring a bungee cord with hooks to keep your door to your balcony open. We brought two bottles of wine on board and enjoyed them watching the sunsets on our balcony.

Also, avoid the ship water. It is safe to drink (meaning no one i heard of got sick drinking it) and it tastes fine, but it did cause my ankles and feet to swell which of course is not fun on your vacations. I will pony up for the bottled water on all future cruises.

Have a great time. I am jealous.

Pride 02/15/04
Spirit 05/11/05

[noodle]

Oh yeah, other tips I've gleaned from these boards and the Alaska cruising books I bought:

Bring layers of clothing and a good lightweight rain/windbreaker kind of jacket with hood. Better to layer than have one big jacket.

Bring a good pair of lightweight binoculars. Something you can carry easily.

Good walking shoes (two pair).

Have fun and write a review when you get back so I can live vicariously through you.

Pride 02/15/04
Spirit 05/11/05

[aloveforwander]

Did you guys miss it?? Original poster is traveling in 2005- not next month...So, I guess the reviews will have to wait [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

*Fantasy 11/97;12/00;12/01
*MS Destiny 7/98;9/00
*Sov. of the Seas 9/98;9/99;5/00;1/04
*Majesty of the Seas 3/01;5/02
*Fascination 5/01
*Celebrity Millenium 1/02
*Navigator of Seas 11/02
*Grandeur of the Seas 5/03
*Explorer of Seas 9/03
*Disney Wonder 11/03
*Radiance of the Seas 5/04
*Mariner of the Seas 11/04

GOTTA LUV CRUZIN'
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;05;28;13;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Until ALASKA!! Mama's trip!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;11;07;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Mariner of the Seas

[noodle]

oops. Sorry.

Pride 02/15/04
Spirit 05/11/05