Carnival 5 day/4 night Bahamas cruise?

Question

We are taking our first cruise in January. Any advice on what to expect. What we should definitly do. Things we shouldn't do. Just any info you would like to pass along.

Answer 1

First about your cabin. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Suites and penthouses can be between 350 and 1300 square feet. 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, and a life jacket for each passenger.

When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) 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.

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. Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may 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). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

All ships, except Disney, have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have 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. Some ships leave the gym open all night. 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.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. 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 if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). 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 .

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. When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops. Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane.

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.

Regardless of where you are going the dress on cruises is casual,,i.e. shorts, slacks, "T" shirts, sandals, sneakers, during the day and "Sports Casual" (i.e., what you would expect to see worn in a business office) after 6:00 PM. If you are going to the Caribbean you can wear your swim wear at/in the pool area, but a wrap while headed there. The sports casual dress is required in public areas like the dining rooms, casino, show rooms, disco, bars. You don't have to dress up for dinner unless you want to; sports casual is fine.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights 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. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).
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.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I assume you are going on the Sensation, leaving on Sunday. I think Carnival cruises are great. No matter who you go with, expect great food, personal service, great shows, and being pampered to your heart's content. My favorite part of the cruise was the trip back to Florida. I enjoyed standing up on the top deck in front of the mini golf on the Fantasy. The ship was travelling slow enough that wind was not a problem. It was calm, quiet, and you were separated from the noise of the ship.

I am not real thrilled with Nassau. It's a matter of been there, done that. Make sure you visit the Atlantis resort. It is a must see. Do not get a tour at the pier as soon as you leave the ship. Most of the sites can be reached by walking. And there is a water taxi to the Atlantis that is much cheaper. Another thing to see is the straw market. It is like a flea market on steroids. If you want to buy something there, make sure you barter. Do NOT pay full price.

Answer 4

I did Imagination 4 night cruise last October. I had a blast. I liked this itinerary. I went to Key West and Calica (which is like 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico). This itinerary was great. I loved Key West....I want to go back there. Calica was fun, I rented a car and went to Tulum and the did shopping and dinner in Playa del Carmen since the ship was leaving at 10pm.

I just came a month ago from the Majesty to Bahamas, I loved the cruise experience...the ship was beautiful, food was super, and service was great! But the Bahamas...I don;t know. I just did not like the Bahamas. Nothing to see... unfriendly people, not nice.

Try get the Mexico, Key West itinerary....it is better.

Answer 5

5 Day Cruise To The Bahamas

Answer 6

I've never had bad service on Carnival. Food is good whether you eat in the dining room or on the Lido deck. In Nassau, be careful of pickpockets - especially in the straw market. Men, wallet in front pocket. Ladies, no large open handbags or backpacks. On board ship you don't use money, things are charged to your cabin so be careful. It's too easy to show the cabin card and then at the end you have a huge bill to pay. If you drink soft drinks, get the Carnival drink card .... all you can drink for one price. Lots of sun - be careful of burning. Go to Paradise Island ... grab a taxi or water taxi and spend the day there.

Answer 7

If you read the fine print after it names the cruise line it says or equivalent. What they consider equivalent is a 50 year old ferry boat. The meals are a terrible buffet and a room is probably extra. You end up paying fees for the FREE trip of hundreds of dollars. You can now go on a 7 day cruise to Mexico for as low as $350 per person on a major cruise line. ₪ ɦəlʞɹɐq ₪

Answer 8

the first thing is eat every night in the dinning room, the food is so much better there. there will be 1 formal night ad dressy to semi-formal will be fine but a few still are formal, it is meant for fun, so go with what suits you, me I'm semi-formal.
even if you don't want to be in the activities go and watch they are so much fun. and the shows are great.
on Nassau expect to be mobbed as soon as you get off the ship with tour guides, outside the port there are cab drivers too in vans and limos for the same price. and expect woman to be asking you to braid your hair too in the little corn rows, I personally don't let anyone at my hair. the Atlantic is a must see, and but I like the water tower better you can see most of the island from the top I am told, it was closed when we last went, but we are going back in Sept so we will head there first for the great picture opportunity and you can walk there but going to the Queens staircase.

have fun

Answer 9

well have fun! this is the most important thing!
if you are old enough def do at least one drink of the day every day just because you can!
haha
don't go listen to anything the ship talks about , shore excursions etc.. just because it's a general waste of time,
just book your excursions thourgh the ship and you will stay safe the entire time!
do fun activites such as a scavenger hunt or watch the ice icultor do any and all fun activiites that you can
just have a blast no matter what you do!

Answer 10

I agree with the not getting a tour at the pier. Everything is with in walking distance and away from the pier the Bahamas are very poor. Our tour guide also stopped at a little straw market in the town and we swarmed with natives trying to sell us stuff.