What to expect on 15 Day Cruise!

[crewzer]

Going on our first cruise in Sept. 15 Day Panama Canal Cruise on Carnival Paradise from Miami to LA. I am trying to figure out what to expect cost wise for the excursions. $,$$,$$$ doesn't really give the hard cold facts.

Should I rent a Tux for the formal nights?

Should I expect a lot of children running around on this cruise since it is non-smoking?

Are there any fun activities like shooting skeet off the back of the ship?

These are just a few things that have come to mind. We will be celebrating our honeymoon.

Thanks

[TheSkipper]

A fifteen day cruise will be more than twice as much fun as a seven day cruise.

I think the length of the cruise wll cut down on the number of kids. Don't think you will have problems with the "running around". Carnival has a very tood kids program which seems to keep them busy.

A suit will work, don't rent a tux IMHO. If you find you like crusing, then you might want to think about buying a tux. After 40 cruises, I have two, plus a Dinner Jacket. On Carnival more that half the guys will be in suits not tuxes.

$$ for shore excursions are hard to predict. The average shore excursion now seems to be about $50 pp. So figure out how many ports, times the number of people in your party. Some ports however, do not really require a shore excursion.

Don't forget to budget for tips! That will be a pretty good "hit" on a cruise of this length.

The Paradise is a fine ship and we loved her, especially the no smoking aspect. BTW, she is moving the the West Coast and becoming a smoking ship in the not too distant future.

Hope this helps. :smiley:

[jbond]

On a 15 day repositioning cruise I wouldn't expect too many children, especially at that time of year.

For excursions , it depends on ports. Some ports you can explore by yourself, others I would take a ship excursion. For instance, St Thomas, Aruba, Acapulco, go by yourself. Puntarenas, take a ships tour.

We did a Princess LA to FLL through the Canal and really had a great time. Next week we leave on Serenade of the Seas, San Juan to San Diego.

I would not rent a tux, but would recommend buying one. After two to three cruises it's paid for. Also a repositioning cruise tends to be a little more dressy than a regular 7 nighter, an older clientel.

Is Paradise still "Non Smoking"? I thought I read somewhere that it had reverted back to a conventional staus.

[KeithnRita]

We have heard the repositioning cruise will be the last "non smoking" cruise. We guess they will stop at Walmart to pick up some ash trays for the first cruise out of LA. :grin: :grin: