Just Booked My First Cruise! Help Please

[anil099]

Hey, I've been roaming around on these boards for a few weeks and thanks to all of you guys and gals who helped...This is the crusie I've selected

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=PCV&itinCode=BA8&durDays=3&sailDate=5/31/2007&shipCode=SE&sailingID=41924&subRegionCode=BH&rateCode=BCA

 

It's a 3 day to the Bahamas leaving May 31st....Now I just have some logistical questions....I heard of some sort of Fun Pass? what is that? does that allow you to cut in line at check in and out? do you pay extra? where do you get it?

 

Do we have to take passports?

 

Now...it says we leave at 4 pm and arrive in NAsseau at 10:00 am....can we stay on the ship or do they kick you off the ship? or can we go back and forth?

 

Are there formal nights on the 3 day cruises? if so is the formal night only in the dining room or you can roam around everywhere else with casual or shorts? and do you HAVE to dress formal or are khakis and dress shirt ok?

 

What other optiosn are there besides the main dining hall? I heard there's room service...is that free?

 

by the way any tips for first timers? or any tips about the Ship ill be on? The Sensation? Thanks

 

That's it for NOW lol Im sure im gonna have a lot more questions

[Donna - dsw]

Congratulations on booking your first cruise. I am sure it won't be your last.

 

You will be able to board the ship around noon - it will sail at 4:00 pm. So, make sure you are at the port and ready to board around noon to get a full day on the ship before sailing. This is the time I usually use to walk around and get my bearings. There will be a buffet set up serving lunch on the Lido deck.

 

You should read the Carnival web site for "First Time Cruisers". They will be able to answer most of your questions.

 

You will be able to eat in the dinning room, buffett, or room service. You can not wear shorts or tank tops in the dinning room, but can at the buffett. It is your choice if you want to wear slacks to go to the dinning room or not.

 

At the ports you can either stay on the ship or go into town. I would suggest as least getting off and walking around if you have never been. You are free to come and go as you please.

[petel]

Check out your Roll Call Sensation 5/31/07 from Canaveral, Anyone?

 

Take your pass port for a lot of reasons.

 

There is always plenty to eat 24/7 but the best menu is on formal night in the dinning room.

 

Enjoy :)

[Sharon2U]

The Fun Pass is required information that you can fill out on the Carnival website, print it out, and bring to check in with you, that saves some time when checking in for your cruise, but it does not allow you to "cut" line, just speeds up the process.

 

I believe you do need a passport going to the Bahamas.

 

I didn't think they had formal nights on the shorter cruises but I'm sure someone else can help you with that.

 

Enjoy!:)

[ShedQueen77]

Hey, I've been roaming around on these boards for a few weeks and thanks to all of you guys and gals who helped...This is the crusie I've selected

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=PCV&itinCode=BA8&durDays=3&sailDate=5/31/2007&shipCode=SE&sailingID=41924&subRegionCode=BH&rateCode=BCA

 

It's a 3 day to the Bahamas leaving May 31st....Now I just have some logistical questions....I heard of some sort of Fun Pass? what is that? does that allow you to cut in line at check in and out? do you pay extra? where do you get it?

 

Do we have to take passports?

 

Now...it says we leave at 4 pm and arrive in NAsseau at 10:00 am....can we stay on the ship or do they kick you off the ship? or can we go back and forth?

 

Are there formal nights on the 3 day cruises? if so is the formal night only in the dining room or you can roam around everywhere else with casual or shorts? and do you HAVE to dress formal or are khakis and dress shirt ok?

 

What other optiosn are there besides the main dining hall? I heard there's room service...is that free?

 

by the way any tips for first timers? or any tips about the Ship ill be on? The Sensation? Thanks

 

That's it for NOW lol Im sure im gonna have a lot more questions

 

YAY! I bet your excited!

 

 

It's a 3 day to the Bahamas leaving May 31st....Now I just have some logistical questions....I heard of some sort of Fun Pass? what is that? does that allow you to cut in line at check in and out? do you pay extra? where do you get it?

 

The Fun Pass is basically just filling out your information online. You can do this at the Carnival website by registering at the site with your booking number. Providing this information before you arrive helps speed up the embarkation process. We all want that to go quickly! lol The information includes your name, passport information if you have it, flight information etc.. It doesn't give you any extra privileges and there is no cost.

 

Do we have to take passports?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

 

This site should answer any questions you have about passport requirements.

 

It looks like the previous poster addressed your other questions. If you have anymore, ask away! I hope you enjoy your first cruise! :D

 

 

 

 

[jleq]

You can not wear shorts or tank tops in the dinning room, but can at the buffett. It is your choice if you want to wear slacks to go to the dinning room or not.

 

To clarify: The above is for dinner only. Shorts OK for breakfast/lunch. Just not bathing suits. Room service free 24/7.....but small [$1-2] tip appreciated. Menu:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2765382720085339509teWbRM

[anil099]

Ok so arrive around noon? how long does it take to check in? I heard its longer getting off the ship on the way back then getting on? btw...wierd question...what kind of TV Channels can we get? will we get american cable or new movies? im a night owl..

 

btw I'm a 19 year old college guy travelling with my 17 year old brother and my mom and dad....am I allowed in the casino? I don't wana gamble i just wana roam around..

 

What about shore excursions? does everyone do them or only some people? are they worth it?

[jleq]

You'll have an ABC/NBC/CBS station. Shows won't be on at time you expected. Affiliates used may well be from Denver. Other TV will be a pair of movie channels [no cost]/CNN/shipboard info channel. You can walk in/look at the casino. It'll probably take about an hour--maybe less--to embark. A buffet will be available when you get on the ship. You may also wish to get the "lay of the land" of the ship.

 

You'll probably be debarking at cruise's end by 10:30. Probably earlier

[anil099]

Just wondering...again sorry for asking too many questions....but is the night entertainment same every night? or is it like comedian one night something else another? what type of night entertainment is on the sensaiton? comedians? magicians?

[PINEVIEW01]

something new ever night. 18 gets you into casino

[Barkingowl]

Check out your Roll Call Sensation 5/31/07 from Canaveral, Anyone?

 

Roll calls are pretty cool even if you are traveling with friends. They help you to get to know other folks on the boards & make new friends. :cool:

[anil099]

Hey so im gonna be travelling with parents...so obviously sneaking in beer is gonna be a problem....but once on board how hard is it to get beer/liqour....apparently even though im 19...every new person i meet swears im 23 ATLEAST....and when im unshaven for a couple of days that guess goes up to 25....So would they ID a person who looks 23-25?

[DocF]

Since this is your first cruise and you have an extended stay in Nassau, I would say get off the ship and do at least one shore excursion. While many folks book their excursions independently to save a few bucks, We do book Carnival excursions for a couple of reasons; first, expediency as this is doable online before you go and, second, if the excursion is delayed, in theory at least, Carnival will not leave you at the port:p. Also, your gang can enjoy the shopping opportunities right near the cruise ship port. This includes the well-known Straw Market. The original burned down several years ago, but the replacement is just a short distance down the street in two huge tents. Be prepared to bargain. Do not be surprised at prices. My wife was buying two hematite necklaces for a total of $10.00. The next person who stopped at that stall was quoted $10.00 each, firm for the exact same necklaces. The next was asked for $12.00 each. We had fun; we also went into a shop loaded with the wonderful tropical shirts which I love.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

Doc

[ladyjbd3155]

Hey so im gonna be travelling with parents...so obviously sneaking in beer is gonna be a problem....but once on board how hard is it to get beer/liqour....apparently even though im 19...every new person i meet swears im 23 ATLEAST....and when im unshaven for a couple of days that guess goes up to 25....So would they ID a person who looks 23-25?

 

When you order drinks, you pay for them with your sign and sail card. This has your age encoded into it. It is my understanding that they don't ask for ID from anyone, they just use this card. It serves as your ID and the charge will be billed to your account.

[anil099]

Ahh thanks for your quick reply.....so my best bet is to get an older sailmate to buy me some? lol

 

alright i know ive asked a 100 questions but as i said this will be an on going thread as questiosn pop up in my head instead of making a new thread about every question....

 

on the "formal" night....is that the main part of the night? like if your not doing the dinner there's nothign else? or are there still activities going on besides the formal night where you can do other stuff without dressing up...all im asking is that is everything else going on when the formal night is on....so i can go do some other stuff or do i gotta just bum around my room

[jleq]

You do the same things "Formal" nights as any other. Eat/drink/entertainment 'til around 3am. Webshots.com will have copies of a recent "Capers" [schedule of events] for your cruise.

 

Carnival's idea of formal:

http://carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Dining_Room_Dress_Requirements.aspx

[the majority of men will probably be in a sportcoat or shirt/tie for your Sensation cruise]

[anil099]

So I just got a call from a rep at Carnival....I guess I had contacted them directly before about cruising a few days ago...but my dad went through a TA...so they called me and she said ohhk good you've already booked....nd she said that shes gonna be our trip advisor or official vacaton person or something and left her name and number and extension....is this normal? what if anything are we supposed to contact her about?

[steveaaaa]

That's it for NOW lol Im sure im gonna have a lot more questions

Try using the search function here and you will find tons of information.:)

[wvanative]

I went on the same cruise in January....while on board the temp was around 78 degrees....tv came from denver, co. when i woke up the news said 3 feet of snow....talk about a weird feeling....if you look in my sig below, you will find a link to pictures I took as well as a copy of all the capers I received....

enjoy.....

[PINEVIEW01]

So I just got a call from a rep at Carnival....I guess I had contacted them directly before about cruising a few days ago...but my dad went through a TA...so they called me and she said ohhk good you've already booked....nd she said that shes gonna be our trip advisor or official vacaton person or something and left her name and number and extension....is this normal? what if anything are we supposed to contact her about?

No, that is not normal. Your TA is your trip advisor. They, Carnival PVP, are not even allowed to talk to you about any details once you book thru a TA. They can send you e-mails and such for future cruises. I had a couple that e-mailed me all the time as, I hit that box online by accident.

[anil099]

ohhk i think it was a misunderstanding on their part....i didn't mention a TA i just said ive already booked a carnival cruise so she just assumed I guess....no biggie

[bubbles1209]

so my best bet is to get an older sailmate to buy me some?

Sure, go ahead and get an older sailmate to buy you some, just be aware that if caught....per the ticket contract you are given (located in your docs) this could happen

Any Guest twenty-one or older who attempts to or purchases alcohol for any guest under twenty-one will also be deemed in violation of this policy. Guest agrees that Carnival has the right to disembark any guest who violates this policy and as well as any adults traveling with minors who violate this policy or any other shipboard regulation.

But if you guys wanna get kicked off because ya got caught, and can afford to lose that kind of money, drink on, I guess. No, I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, just trying to make you aware that it could ruin the fun for everyone that goes with you. How fair to them is that?

[anil099]

Ok i guess i can do three days without beer/liqour....I was jsut wondering...I wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble...by the way...I saw on the capers pictures that the comedian show is R rated and is 18 and up...Im 19..but my brother is 17 and 10 months when we cruise...do you think they would make an exception?

 

PS Thanks to whomever posted the carnival sensation january capers....Do they have the same deal pretty much every cruise? if so my parents are huge fans of Deal or No Deal....that wud be good news for them...

[jleq]

The comedian will do two shows. The one around dinner is PG. For everybody. The show you're thinking of is at midnight...more risque and coarse language. They won't hassle your brother. Shipboard activities, while not exactly the same each cruise, are by-and-large the same.

 

And one of the women I work with also worships "great god Kobe" :D

[anil099]

Hey so we are a family of 4....so in oru seating assignment...how many peopel will we be sitting with? how many people sit together in the formal dining hall in a table? 6? 8? or 4?