Like maybe what to avoid or what not to miss, things Carnival doesn't tell you, shore excursions, saving $, etc. Thanks, I appreciate it!
2007-02-28 02:25:53 · 5 answers · asked by Animal 3 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Go to cruiseaddicts.com. You can ask veteran cruisers any question there. They just love to share their experience with everybody. I have cruised 3 times and I'm still learning stuff. Enjoy Carnival does a great job.
2007-02-28 14:00:59 · answer #1 · answered by Dusie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've done a couple cruises with Carnival. I had a good time, but don't believe the "Everything is included for one price" bit. Things like coke or other soft drinks are extra. Shore excursions are extra. The captain's dinner, about 2 nights before you get back home, is mandatory if you want to eat that night. It's their way of strong-arming tips out of everyone. They hand out a suggested list of people to tip and the suggested amounts. It added up to $200-300 on our last trip, and included everyone from the cabin steward to the maitre 'd, I think. You can tip whoever you want, but I don't think the maitre 'd did anything for us while we were there. We tipped the cabin steward, the waiter, and the busboy and called it good.
The food is usually excellent, and very plentiful. It's easy to soak up 4,000 calories a day and not realize it.
A few last things - first - the ship WILL SAIL WITHOUT YOU IF YOU ARE LATE FROM A SHORE EXCURSION. They have a schedule to keep, and won't wait for you just because you spent time haggling over the price of some trinket. If that happens, you have to find your own transportation to the next stop, and it could cost you plenty. Be sure you know the departure time, and don't push your luck by getting there at the last minute.
Carnival will issue you an ID card. Keep it with you at all times. You WILL need it to get back on the ship. When we went, they photographed everyone as they got off the ship. This was partly a sales technique - you can buy the picture later if you want. I think it was also a way to document who got off at each port, if there was ever a problem.
Second, depending on where you go, keep in mind that you may not be in the US any more, and things you take for granted may not hold true. You may be in a different country, and subject to completely different laws than what you are used to. If you act with respect and tact and a degree of flexibility, you'll be fine. Or you could end up having a world of hassle if you insist on your "rights" in a country that doesn't recognize them. You may not do yourself any good if you try this, but you'll probably amuse the residents a good deal.
2007-02-28 10:45:25 · answer #2 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have fun. The Excursions are optional, I do recommend you at least take 1. We cruised to Cozemel, Yucatan and Belize. We took an Excursion on all three stops. Best vacation I ever had. It helps if you bring your own water, cokes and snacks. Water and Cokes are at least $3.00 a bottle. Good luck and best wishes!!
2007-02-28 10:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by D W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try not to eat the food because you may get sick. there have been multiple instances where carnival has served tainted food and the entire ship gets sick, i think one had to be quarantined off the Bahamas a couple of years ago
2007-02-28 10:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by aP 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
2 words: "Midight Buffet"!
2007-02-28 10:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by john y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋