First time on a cruise, what can I expect as far as rooms, activities, abroad stops/visits, emergencies...?

Question

Planning on taking a 12 day cruise with Carnival to Europe. Will be going on my own, either this winter or next summer.

What are the rooms where you sleep like? Small, noisy, with/without bathrooms...?

How is a typical stop handled? For instance, we'll have 9 hours in Florence, Italy. Do you have to be in groups like a tour setting? How do they know you're back onboard?

What are some kinds of activities you've participated in onboard? How are they run?

For large ships, is there still a lot of movement/swaying of the boat? I'm not sure of wherther or not i'll get seasick.

I can't think of anything else to ask, but EVERYTHING you can tell me would be helpful. The cruise sites focus on what they have to offer such as nightlife and dining, which tells me nothing about how my experience will be.

Will call a travel agent eventually for info, but would rather hear from someone not trying to sell me. Thanks!

If you would rather email: [e-mail].

Answer 1

Fun! Rooms are quite small, but have bathrooms with a shower. Our room even had a tv. Some with windows, some without. When you stop somewhere, you scan your card before leaving, so the ship knows you are not on board, and when you return, you scan it again, so they know you have returned. You can just wander around alone if you would like, but most of the time people get off the ship and catch a tour bus. They are usually waiting around everywhere, and they cater to the cruise crowd, so they have you back in time.
Large ships feel like you are still on land. No rocking or swaying. There are lots of things to do on board. We saw a magic comedy show, a broadway musical show, and more. There were late night comedians for the uneasily offended. There is a casino, a spa, swimming pools, and ours played a movie each day.
There were buffet resturaunts that we could eat at any time of day, and the cost is included. We were also assigned a dinner table at a certain time each evening if we chose to eat in the formal dining room, which I HIGHLY reccommend. The food was AMAZING! They will tell you everything you need to know when you check in.
Any money you spend on board will have to be with your carnival card. You go to the customer service desk in the main lobby of the ship and give them cash, and they credit it to your card.
Have fun!

Answer 2

Small but not tiny, not noisy, with bathrooms.
All the people that leave are on a computer because you get an ID.
Planned activities, but there is always at least one restaurant open and you can go walk around the ship whenever you want.
You just go to a show or restaurant event. That's how they're run.
You can buy extra 'excursions' like diving or parasailing on the ship before you reach your destination.
They have a medical place.
The boat usually doesn't sway much until when everyone should be asleep, because that's when it goes fast. It's still steady enough for someone who doesn't get seasick too easily.

Answer 3

1. Your room depends on what you paid for. But they all have bathrooms.

2. At the ports you can do group activities or you can go on your own. If you miss the boat, you're SOL. They can't wait around for everyone.

3. Onboard activities are pretty cheesy. Think Love Boat.

4. If the weather is really bad, the boat will rock. But it's usually pretty steady.

Answer 4

The rooms are the size of the smallest bathroom in your house. Enought room to sleep,get dressed, and f#(k. If your fat-good luck getting into the shower. Getting on and off the boat at your destinations is crazy. You'll feel like cattle. If there are any teenagers around they'll start making mooing noises as everone tries to get off the boat. I always thought the food was good though. You won't really feel any swaying from the ship but if you have a weak stomache you might still get sea sick. Have fun!!

Answer 5

The rooms are nice. For a 12 night cruise, I would recommend at category 11 (suite) or category 12 (penthouse suite). They are very nice and roomy. Bathrooms have marble counter tops and jacuzzi tubs. The balconys are very large and have patio furniture. There are very many shows on the ship. They have like dancing shows with performers and things like that. They have bingo, trivia and other games etc. You will be very entertained the whole duration of your cruise. We went on a 7 day from L.A. and stayed in a category 11 room. There was quite a bit of swaying, but they told us over the intercom system that we were experienceing bad weather. I also traveld on a 5 day carribean from Miami, and experienced no rough seas. Hope this helped!!!

Answer 6

rooms are small. the dresser right against the bed and so forth
bathrooms inside your room but if you are a bigger person your feet may be in the shower when you set on the toliet. this is the small room case there are like 3 or 4 styles of rooms.
I can say the handicap room is a nice size almost like a hotel but I doubt you are in that room ( there are very few and you must prove you are handicap)
you get off the boat and do as you please if you did not book as a group. you are checked back on board. 1st day or before in the mail you will get a book and you highlight what you are doing and the ship keeps that on file and gives you a timeframe
think fo the ship as a little tourist town. so much to do and the activities are mostly in a book with locations and times.
I hear the ships do not really rock you may feel some movement but not like you are on a lake in a smallboat
for noise it is just like a hotel depends on where you are

Answer 7

Well lets just say you are in for A treat,you will be totally pampered your rooms are small but they have everything you need bathrooms are in your room,they have like 3 clubs,2or3 swimming pools,casinos,24hr food spas,gym,you name it its on there when you do your port of calls(stops)you have A time frame and you have to be back on the ship at that time or they will leave you and you can catch up at the next stop on you own expense so don't be late back you are on your own when you stop.It is the best vacation I ever took so you will have A good time! ENJOY!!!!!

Answer 8

i traveled on carnival and the movements as far as rocking and stuff is not bad at all, the ship is soo big you hardley feel it.
the rooms are alright i would suggest at least getting one with a window, the size doesn't change but you'll appreciate the morning sun! and they all come with a bathroom with shower and toilet. size is okay....your barely in your room.
there's alot of activities, games inside and outside, they keep ya pretty busy if ya wanna stay involved!
it's fun, i would go again

Answer 9

The only cruise that I went on the room was very small, it did have a bathroom in it though.

Answer 10

First, your room size will depend on the category you choose when you book your cruise, more $$=bigger room.Larger ships are stabilized so you shouldn't feel swaying, but ask your doctor for some meds just in case. If you enjoy having a few drinks (alcohol), be aware that they are VERY expensive on cruise ships. They don't want you bringing your own onboard. You can smuggle some on board - but don't let them catch you - hide the empties, NEVER dump them in the garbage can in your room - take them (hidden in a bag) to a washroom on the other side of the ship. When you dock, tours are nice, but quite expensive - try venturing out on your own - the further away from the dock when shopping, the prices get cheaper, and cheaper. When asking a price in Italy - haggle. Go out of the tourist areas - prices can be half! Always get the price of a cab fare before he starts driving. Watch for certain landmarks and signs when in a cab - they will go around in circles to get a higher fare (that's why you get a price beforehand).
Try to go with others and split the fare. And most important - buy travel medical insurance. Hope you have a great trip.