New to cruising...

btate · February 11, 2007

Hello,

I joined this forum for the same reasons you did. I simply wanted to get information from people who have done this before and then take their ideas and make my own vacation based on feedback that made sense to me hopefully with a little more wisdom.

Here is my take on the questions you asked:

As for the Carnival ship you are going on, I have not sailed with them. After reading several reviews on Carnival, I thought I would try a few other cruise lines first, then one day try Carnival and see if they have better reviews than what I have read. That being said, it seems that many of the people on this very forum still prefer Carnival and sail with them exclusively. I have just read too many reviews that tell me to stay away, including a recent one from a very popular poster here at Cruise Crazies.

I have sailed with my family and friends in a group of 8. Four Adults, and four children from 8-14 in age. We were required to have one adult in each room when booking, but when on the ship, there was no problem switching rooms to have the kids stay with kids and adults stay with adults the entire trip. That was my experience and it was a good one.

Looking back at the actual costs of the cruise, here is what I found:

Parking my car - about $12 a day

Tips for the cruise - About $10 per person per day (this is required by all cruise lines). You pay this in one lump sum at the end of your cruise.

Drinks - Between $4-$6.50 a drink - You can tip on the drinks, but your tip is already included on all cruise lines that I am aware of.

Airport Baggage - Many airlines charge about $25 for each bag that weighs over 50 Lbs.

Passport Fees - I find it much easier to travel with a passport. Check to see if you need one.

Shore excoursions - These are totally up to you. Anywhere from $15 - $500 depending on your budget.

Photos taken by professionals - $6-$25 each - Many people will want to take pics of you, but if you buy then, plan on paying!

All food is included

All water is included if you drink from a glass (Bottled water is extra)

Some cruise lines offer a pass for softdrinks, but after doing the math, you are better to pay for drinks individual basis for most people.

Part of your ship fare includes port fees where the ship has to pay to dock at a port or access a port.

As for dressing up - I find it fun to dress up. After all, you are going on a cruise and that is all part of the experience. On a budget, I would plan on wearing a nice dress and having as much fun with looking the part for the experience. Take that as it is. . . I got a Tux on eBay for $80 that looks as good as any one you can rent. I have used it several times and that was a great $80 well spent. As for the ladies, it seems like they have to have a different outfit for everything? You are on your own here, I will never understand the need for a change of clothes every 2 hours? Just have fun, nobody is going to say anything to you. I have never seen anyone in a prom dress yet? If you do wear a prom dress, will you please take pictures and post them here so we can all laugh? We all like a little humor here.

I have not been to any of these ports you mentioned, but I do know that I like to carry small bills as it seems everyone wants a handout. I find it annoying most of the time, but if I plan on it, it seems like it doesn't ruin my experience as much.

Make sure you have a great digital camera. I find that after I have returned from my trip and the time goes by, I can look at my pictures and remember people, places and fun times that can be captured and remembered over and over again. This may be your most important tool to your fun lasting through the years. I have a case to put my digital camera that will allow it to go under water. Underwater pics are fun, but you can also buy a camera that will go under water at WalMart for about $10-$15 dollars that will to the trick for you nicely. It will not be digital, but does the trick.

As for the ages of the people on this ship. . . I would say you will find all ages and a lot of all ages. You will find that the people your age will likely be doing the same kinds of activities, so you will see people your age where you chose to hang out.

Welcome to this site. I consider myself new as well, but love to cruise. Let me know if I can help more.

Lisa63 · February 11, 2007

Hi september2007, and welcome to CruiseCrazies.

I've a few things to add to the excellent information given above. (And btate -- what a fabulous post!)

Yes -- this may very well be a problem. How many are in your group? Is it just the four of you? I'm surprised your travel agent didn't catch this. Bring it to his/her attention. If you booked through Carnival, ask to speak to a supervisor to learn of your options.

You asked about changing rooms - I am not sure of the answer to that, I think Carnival would answer you honestly if you called and asked them. It would be better to book 2 in each room, rather than 1 in 1 room and 3 in another, because the person who is booked in at a single is going to pay a premium price, as the rates are based on 2 to a room and she may have to pay for 2 people for her cabin.

This is absolutely correct and, again, something you should have been told when booking. While it's true that the third person in a cabin gets a bit of a discount, it does not make up for the single supplement the person traveling solo must pay. It sounds as if this is the arrangement you'd prefer, anyway.

As far as switching around the occupants of the rooms, I would check with Carnival on that. That could be tricky since the stewards know how many people are occupying the rooms that they're servicing.

On a related note, this is a valid concern, and would be eliminated if you booked 2 people in each of 2 cabins.

On our Carnival cruises, they automatically put your dining room tips on the bill. If you don't eat in the dining room, you can get that adjusted.

I urge you to tip the full amount even if you don't eat in the dining room. The dining room stewards pull double-duty at the buffet, and you will very often see your assigned waiter and busboy there during non-dinner hours. They also serve during cocktail parties. So, please don't use this as an excuse to save money. And the dining room is so lovely that it would be a shame to miss.

JoeyandDavid · February 11, 2007

Guys great advise! Excellent thread.

JohnG · February 12, 2007

The under age passenger only needs to get a notorized letter from their parent giving permission for them to travel on that specific ship with a specific above age passenger. Perhaps have them room with the 40 something.

Like waitstaff ashore, the ship staff are paid a minimum amount because they count on the tips as part of their income. For them, this is their career, sending most $ home to their own country/family. When you see how hard they work, you'll understand the tipping. While many people preferred the tipping method where people handed out tip money on the last night of the cruise, many people chose not to tip at all, and it hurts the staff. So, most line have converted to automatically adding $10 or $10.50 per person per day to your bill so that the staff doesn't get stiffed.

Some may find it funny seeing people dress up on formal nights. However, many people enjoy the chance to dress more formally. I have never been on a cruise, including shorter Carnival cruises, where there weren't people formally dressed. I regularly see formals and cocktail dresses, tuxes and dinner jackets, as well as suit an tie. For those who prefer not to dress formally, they can eat in the buffet, and not feel out of place.

Formal night is a great time to get the group together and have a formal photo taken. It doesn't cost anything unless you buy a copy.