Carnival

Carnival Cruise 2008 – Holiday Fun Ship
Our cruise to Mexico from Mobile

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Ok me and my family (twin daughters and a son hubby and me) are going on a carnival criuse (triumph) in November. How are the cruise ships like. This is our first time on a carnival ship so yeah. Um what is there to do amd what type of clothing do you suggest to wear in November??

Carnival ships are pretty much just like other cruise ships. The layout of the ship and the activities differ just a little.

I have been on many cruises and this is what I usually advise people on what to expect, and also some tips.

The standard cabin that most people get (inside, outside, or balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom. Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, a mini-refrigerator, and a life jacket for each passenger. Some cabins that are built to accommodate 3 or 4 people will have a pull down bed and/or a sofa bed.

When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will have an on board charge account set up and receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir, tours, photos, etc) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver’s license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship. Infants and small children may be required to wear an ID bracelet (like in the hospital) in lieu of carry a card.

The first order of business as soon as everyone is on ship is mandatory safety drill where every passenger has to get their life vest from their cabin and assemble at a designated area.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. There will be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free).

The ship will have a casino with slots and table games, free movies on the TV in your cabin, a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities, gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails. All of the spa things you will have to pay for.

The ship will have pools and hot tubs, maybe more than one of each. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course.There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI. There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party.

Carnival also has a program for kids called Camp Carnival. This program has activities for kids of the same ages on the ship each day.

Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking. The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving.

Some tips:

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

-Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries. Whatever swim wear you have will be fine.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That’s attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Your kids will be fine wearing most any type dress for dinner, or skirt and blouse.

Your cruise will have a formal night (or 2 if its a 7-day) when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. Kids will be fine with whatever they wear, like what they wear to church. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.

Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

If you have access to a grocery or convenience store prior to boarding the ship, or if you drive to the port, take a 6-pack of bottled water and a 6-pack of your favorite soft drink in 16 oz bottles. Soft drinks are not included in the price of your tour and I find that its nice to have my own soft drink in my cabin, same with bottle water which they also sell on ship.

The price of a cruise includes all shows and entertainment, meals, and snacks all day and night. There are places on ship where you can go to breakfast, lunch and dinner and midnight buffets and all of the food is free. There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free (you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars). But that does not include all drinks. The ships provide coffee, tea, milk, juices, and drinks like lemonade and punch for free. BUT, you must pay for soft drinks (usually about $1.50) and all alcoholic beverages including beer and wine.

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Carnival offers a wide range of massages.

They offer different specials…here are a few…

- Twlight Massage Special
– b/w 5-10 pm….well being full body, aroma flex, spa taster or pro collagen facial – $99
- 75 minute – $129 – full body
- Ladies night package – 75 minutes – $119 w/back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage.
- Pick & Mix – choose 3 20 minute sessions…back, scalp, neck & shoulder, hot stones, seaweed, facial, foot

They usually offer savings on services the last day of the cruise.

Why can’t you smoke outside on the deck?

The Carnival Fantasy sails in to her new home. Charleston, South Carolina.

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The ones that a while back were all over the news, because they were crammed full of stuff, like ice rinks, surf simulators, etc.

Carnival is not the cruise ship that has the ice rinks, rock climbing walls and simulators (some do have golf simulators, but they are not free). Royal Carribean is the one with all of the extras that you are thinking abuot– including the newest line (Freedom of the Seas) that has an onboard surf simulator. RC is more expensive than Carnival, but if you can foot the bill, have a lot of those extras that you are looking for. Check out the website below for cruise reviews for specific ships and lines…

Carnival Glory is a magnificent ship. Most of her extra-spacious staterooms feature ocean views and the majority of those boast private balconies. Relax in any of the CARNIVAL GLORY’S three pools or take a wet and wild ride on the 214-foot waterslide. No matter how you choose to spend your cruise, you’re guaranteed a great time. Book your Carnival cruise online at iCruise.com or call 1-800-i-Cruise.

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I’ve going on a cruise and want to know if they supply gold clubs

Yes, absolutely. They don’t expect their customers to each bring a set of golf clubs — besides, then they’d just have to store hundreds and hundreds of golf bags somewhere on the ship!

Much easier to just have a bunch around for everyone, especially since not that many are playing at a time anyhow.

Pride- loved the ship and the set up, had found it award o the Legend but the second time on a Spirit class ship and I was hooked

Victory-lthough it is an older ship it never felt crowded. I loved the balcony. The service was awesome

Imagination-The new redo was well worth the money spent. We loved staying by the slides and had a great time on them as adults