My husband and I will both be going on our 1st cruise ever. Is there anything you think we should know? Are they really fun? What essential stuff do you think we must pack, any info?
2007-01-27 16:01:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
Bring Dramamine. You'll thank yourself later. I believe with the Sensation, you'll be porting out of Port Canaveral. We just came back from a cruise last week on the Sensation going out of the Port. Something with the Atlantic side always seems to make the boat rock and sway. If you tend to get motion sickness, bring the dramamine. Even if you don't, bring it anyway.
Go to as many things as possible. Especially the last show, Far From Over. Fantastically done. Get there early to get a good seat! I also recommend going to see The Newlywed/Not-So Newlywed Game: so funny! The formal night is also really nice. The meals that we had were all spectacular, and we had great waitstaff. You probably will pack more than you need. I've always packed extra because I'm kind of paranoid that way. If you want to go to the hot tubs or the pool to actually use the hot tubs and pool, go around dinner time (5/6 o'clock) because most likely, they'll empty out. Enjoy the buffets! Beware of the spa. I don't recommend getting a massage. The staff are incredibly pushy and almost are to the point where they won't let you leave the room if you don't buy their expensive products for your "treatment plan." Just be careful.
Oh, just incase you weren't aware, when you go on the cruise, they'll give you your Sail and Sign card. That's your money. You don't pay cash for anything. Also, all of the tips and gratituites are put on that Sail and Sign card. Usually you put down a credit card to pay for the expenses you use on the S&S, and if you want to pay your own tips to whoever you feel it necessary (otherwise it's 30 dollars a day, per person), go right up to the Information Desk when you board the ship and tell them that you don't want your tips put on your credit card. You want to pay them yourselves. Then you can tip whomever you'd like, however much you'd like :)
Enjoy your time on the Sensation. It's a really good time. My family and I just happened to catch some bad weather which made the ship rock a lot and we got seasick, but dramamine is a godsend!
Good luck! I hope some of this has helped you. If you have anymore questions, like I said before, I was just on the ship, so message me if you'd like! :)
2007-01-28 15:06:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OPh my goodness. My husband and I have taken so many cruises to so many places.
Rules to remember: you have paid for all of the food, even the dinners so if when looking at the menu, you just can't decide which entree or desert to get, get them both. On my last cruise, this past September, I ordered two entrees and at least two desserts every night.
There is always a buffet somewhere on the ship. If you are out at the pool and you feel a little hungry. Go find the buffet and get a little snack and take it back to your deck chair by the pool.
If it says "diet" and you are not diebetic, don't get it. You are on a cruise to have fun and relax.
At every port of call there will be excurtions. Make sure you know how far from the port they are before you book them. I had a friend on a cruise that paid $35.00 for an excurtion and the travel time was 2 hours each way. She didn't get to do any shopping or anything at that port.
If you are going to the Bahamas, Mexico or the Carrabean Islands, and I know there are a lot of other places too, haggle about every price. They expect it and that was a lesson I didn't learn until the last day of my first cruise.
But the most important thing is to have fun. There is so much to do on each ship. There are bars and clubs and karioke places and all kinds of things and even though I am not a drinker, I still have a blast in the clubs and the bar and the cassinos on the ships.
You are going to have a blast.
2007-01-28 00:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by nana4dakids 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Sensation is one of 8 - yes 8 - identical ships that Carnival built in the mid 1990s. Her sister ships are the Fantasy, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Ecstacy, Elation and Paradise. They are all in the mid-to-large category at 70,000+ tons and carrying 2000+ passengers. Although they all have absolutely identical deck plans, the interior decor varies from ship to ship. However, if you've been on one of them, you'll feel like you know all of them well.
I took my whole family on the Imagination last year - 8 cabins - it was their yearly presents all rolled-up into one. We went out of Tampa for 5 nights and had a great cruise.
The Imagination was very well taken care of - nothing seemed to be wearing out or in need of replacement. She only has about 20 cabins with balconys, and those are only in the suites, but even with her age, we found nothing lacking. The buffet gets crowded, but other than that I had no complaints. The food was OK - not great. The entertainment was the best of any ship I have been on - and we cruise at least twice a year, so that's a big endorsement. The bars and night clubs were a lot of fun - especially those on the Promenade Deck.
By the way, you may not know that Carnival has the largest standard cabins of any cruise line - 185 sq. ft. compared to 155 - 175 on others.
Carnival delivered what it promised and we enjoyed our cruise, and I hope you do too!
Bon voyage
2007-01-28 07:17:52 · answer #3 · answered by travel guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will probably pack more than you need. You can wear several things more than once. You dont mention how many nights. There will be one or two Formal nights, but they dont have to be that formal. Sport coat is adequate. Shows are excellent, be sure and take them all in. Ship offers lots of tours at your port stops. You can usually find the same tour cheaper if you just get off the ship BUT make you allow plenty of time to get back to the ship. If you are on a ship tour they will wait for you, if you are on your own the wont. Plenty of food, take advantage of the exercise classes.
2007-01-28 00:08:16 · answer #4 · answered by John G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went on one cruise about 10 yrs ago. Be sure to read the ship's events schedule about times and places for fun events ,shows, contests, etc. The food was great and so was the service. The only thing that concerns me today is the health issue stories that have seemed to flood the media,and news.
2007-01-28 00:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring enough money to tip everyone that served you. They will explain that on the ship when you arrive. Bring at least two evening outfits, casual clothes, and bring your own over the counter meds, bandaids things that like, for just in case situations. Make sure you have a watch on, you don't want to get left behind when its time to board from your destinations.
2007-01-28 00:09:43 · answer #6 · answered by Andy P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they are great!!! in fact my husband and I are going on one next week. I have been on several. what to pack??? It depends on where your going. I spent the whole day packing for Jamaica,, lots of bright colors, shorts, long breezy skirts and of coarse bathing suits,,, you can log on to your ships website and they can help you. there is a section for first time cruisers,,, Have a wonderful time, and if your leaving out of fort laudable on the 3rd of February maybe I'll see you,,,
2007-01-28 00:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by MissMonk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ye si love that one.............eat as much food as possible then go into the spa then the taner then the sana then dress up go eat and lok great..
P.S. if u ever get bored just ride uop and down the elevators
;)
2007-01-28 00:04:44 · answer #8 · answered by bubles*pop* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beware of the buffet beasts.
2007-01-28 00:05:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋