Going on my first cruise... Any tips/suggestions

[geebert74]

Going out of Miami on Monday morning... How many have you fellas been on. Any tips?

Im going on Carnival and Going to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau... Taking the whole family... (Wife, 3 kids...) Cost $1200 for all of us for a week... Can't complain...

[brxbmbers42]

should be awesome. the food is great.

[Fishhead]

Take plenty of condoms

[rfr3sh]

Food on a cruise owns all inclusive
I was going to say that carnivale is more of a kids ship
but I noticed you are bringing your kids they will have a blast
tons of activities for them, you will enjoy it
hopefully you get good weather

[geebert74]

should be awesome. the food is great.

That's what I hear... Just hope I haven't set my sights too high

[Brock Landers]

somewhere where you can get off in New Orleans

[geebert74]

I don't expect too many kids... It is October... I think Im the only idiot to take my kids out of school this time of year for a vacation.

[geebert74]

somewhere where you can get off in New Orleans

I would love to Brock... Always wanted to go down there...
After this trip, Im going to start seeing more of the US... Lot's of places I have not been to yet.

[SoCalFisher]

Stay outta the casino.
My cents.

[geebert74]

Stay outta the casino. My cents.

Thanks, It will be tough to though... We shall see how it goes!

[exstatman]

If the family drinks soda, buy the unlimited refill card, it will pay off. They may not tell you, but room service is available 24/7, take advantage of it. If you drink liquor, fill up water bottles and take your own, that could save millions! Slots are tight, table games less so, but do not expect comped beverages, they are tighter than a sportswriter picking up a tab. And never play a lotto game on the ship, the odds would make a numbers runner blush.

[geebert74]

If the family drinks soda, buy the unlimited refill card, it will pay off. They may not tell you, but room service is available 24/7, take advantage of it. If you drink liquor, fill up water bottles and take your own, that could save millions! Slots are tight, table games less so, but do not expect comped beverages, they are tighter than a sportswriter picking up a tab. And never play a lotto game on the ship, the odds would make a numbers runner blush.

Thanks a lot!!! I appreciate the advice!!!

[Extra Innings]

Send a PM to BobbyFK...he is a certified cruise critic, seriously

[geebert74]

Is Bobby certified in everything??? This guy is all over the god damn place!!!

[bobbyfk]

what would you specifically like to know? I have been on 5 of them.

a few tips:

bring your own soda, you ARE allowed 1 bottle of wine per person(over 21 of course), you can usually get away with bringing 12 pack of beer just make sure you put in your carry on and NOT the luggage you hand to the porters, less chance of them finding it if you carry it on yourself in your carry on bag.

bring a casino budget ($100, $200 whatever) and spend ONLY that and no more..as the casino manger of a cruise ship once told me when i asked him why the payouts on their video poker machines suck he basically said its not like Vegas..you can't get off the ship to go gamble somewhere else

specifically what Carnival ship are you going on? most if not all of them have a $30 per person steakhouse which IS WELL WORTH IT, drop the kids off in the kids clubs (which are some of the best at sea) and take your wife for a romantic dinner.

speaking of kids what are their ages? if they are younger make sure to sign them up for the kids club (you will see sign up times in the Fun Ship newsletter that will be in your room upon embarkation what time to go and see the club, get them signed up..etc)

what time do you plan on getting to the port? reason I ask is most times while you can get on the ship at 11/12 your cabin will not be ready till 1:30-2, so be prepared to get on and go grab some lunch at the buffet till then

in your carry on's bring swimsuits for kids/yourself, change of clothes, any meds you have to take..ec..because SOMETIMES (never happened to me thankfully) you might not get your luggage delivered till later on in the evening

[SoCalFisher]

If the family drinks soda, buy the unlimited refill card, it will pay off. They may not tell you, but room service is available 24/7, take advantage of it. If you drink liquor, fill up water bottles and take your own, that could save millions! Slots are tight, table games less so, but do not expect comped beverages, they are tighter than a sportswriter picking up a tab. And never play a lotto game on the ship, the odds would make a numbers runner blush.

All great advice, especially about alcohol, you can purchase in the gift shops, but if I remember correctly you dont get it till you get off the boat. And pack it well baggage hands arent very careful with your stuff.

[SoCalFisher]

what would you specifically like to know? I have been on 5 of them. a few tips: bring your own soda, you ARE allowed 1 bottle of wine per person(over 21 of course), you can usually get away with bringing 12 pack of beer just make sure you put in your carry on and NOT the luggage you hand to the porters, less chance of them finding it if you carry it on yourself in your carry on bag. bring a casino budget ($100, $200 whatever) and spend ONLY that and no more..as the casino manger of a cruise ship once told me when i asked him why the payouts on their video poker machines suck he basically said its not like Vegas..you can't get off the ship to go gamble somewhere else specifically what Carnival ship are you going on? most if not all of them have a $30 per person steakhouse which IS WELL WORTH IT, drop the kids off in the kids clubs (which are some of the best at sea) and take your wife for a romantic dinner

Not too sure about carry on, that gets x-rayed. I remember seeing tons of bottles on a table at x-ray machine, after I boarded I went to my room where my bags were waiting and poured myself a jack and coke.

[geebert74]

what would you specifically like to know? I have been on 5 of them. a few tips: bring your own soda, you ARE allowed 1 bottle of wine per person(over 21 of course), you can usually get away with bringing 12 pack of beer just make sure you put in your carry on and NOT the luggage you hand to the porters, less chance of them finding it if you carry it on yourself in your carry on bag. bring a casino budget ($100, $200 whatever) and spend ONLY that and no more..as the casino manger of a cruise ship once told me when i asked him why the payouts on their video poker machines suck he basically said its not like Vegas..you can't get off the ship to go gamble somewhere else specifically what Carnival ship are you going on? most if not all of them have a $30 per person steakhouse which IS WELL WORTH IT, drop the kids off in the kids clubs (which are some of the best at sea) and take your wife for a romantic dinner

Very nice Bobby! Thanks! We are going on the Destiny. Flying from JFK to Miami... I appreciate your complete insight!

[geebert74]

All great advice, especially about alcohol, you can purchase in the gift shops, but if I remember correctly you dont get it till you get off the boat. And pack it well baggage hands arent very careful with your stuff.

Going to have to try the water bottle trick... Im going to be pissed if my booze gets taken from me...

[bobbyfk]

if you need anything else let me know and i will be happy to help..i will also post other things in this thread as i think of them

[geebert74]

Great!!! Thanks again Bobby!!! What do they get you for WIFI??? I like to be connected even on vacation...

[exstatman]

It won't. We went for a week to Mexico and I brought 3 20 ounce bottles with no problem. BTW, it is worth the investment to buy secure locks for the suitcases, they never bother having you open them, and it makes sure what you pack gets on the ship. One other alcohol based tip, buy whatever the special is, and make sure you get the glass/cup so you can fill up your own stuff and can walk around the ship.

[geebert74]

and make sure you get the glass/cup so you can fill up your own stuff and can walk around the ship.

Glass/Cup who knew!?!?

You guys are getting me pumped now!!! You guys ever do any excursions when you get into port?

[pavyracer]

Take some extra rolls of toilet paper in your luggage. Just in case you get food poisoning and get the squirts.

[geebert74]

Take some extra rolls of toilet paper in your luggage. Just in case you get food poisoning and get the squirts.

Haha thanks Pavy! Always prepared!

[exstatman]

It depends where you go. Some ports offer identical trips onshore at half or less, but the main reason for taking a cruise sponsored tour is they guarantee to wait if you run late.

[bobbyfk]

Glass/Cup who knew!?!?

You guys are getting me pumped now!!! You guys ever do any excursions when you get into port?

since you are going on your first cruise I would do one of the excursions offered by the ship, BUT if your looking to save money you could do a private tour (look for tour operators by taxi area in ports) depeding on what you want to do in port you could save some money BUT the ship WILL NOT wait for you like they do if you are on a ship sponsered excursions..so if you do something on your own to save money make sure you make it back on time

[bobbyfk]

Great!!! Thanks again Bobby!!! What do they get you for WIFI??? I like to be connected even on vacation...

$.75-per minute.
Block of Minutes (no refund for unused minutes):

3, 4 or 5 Day Cruise
30 minutes for $16.50 (.55 per minute).
60 minutes for $24.00 (.40 per minute).

7 Day Cruise or Longer
100 minutes for $55.00 (.55 per minute).
250 minutes for $100.00 (.40 per minute).

[Housemoney]

Been a long time since I have been on a cruise. Isn't there still a duty free shop on the ship when you hit international waters? You are stupid to bing it on the boat. Bring an extra suitcase and take it off the boat when you leave.

[bobbyfk]

Been a long time since I have been on a cruise. Isn't there still a duty free shop on the ship when you hit international waters? You are stupid to bing it on the boat. Bring an extra suitcase and take it off the boat when you leave.

yes BUT they hold all alcohol purchases and it will be delivered to your cabin the night before you disembark

[geebert74]

$.75-per minute. Block of Minutes (no refund for unused minutes): 3, 4 or 5 Day Cruise 30 minutes for $16.50 (.55 per minute). 60 minutes for $24.00 (.40 per minute). 7 Day Cruise or Longer 100 minutes for $55.00 (.55 per minute). 250 minutes for $100.00 (.40 per minute).

That is absolutely outrageous! Looks like I wont be on here while I'm out there! Oh well... It is supposed to be vacation though right! I called Verizon to see how much data is on my phone and it is a hell of a lot worse than that... It's like $1.75 per minuet when I'm in the Bahamas... I swear to god I'm in the wrong business...

[bobbyfk]

you will have Brent Loyer as your cruise director..hmm..never heard of him but most if not all carnival CD's are GREAT

[geebert74]

Sorry for being ignorant... WTF is a cruise director?

[bobbyfk]

Sorry for being ignorant... WTF is a cruise director?

The cruise director is responsible for all onboard hospitality, entertainment and social events. After the captain, the cruise director is the most high profile member of staff aboard a cruise ship, acting as the public face of the company.

you will see him ALOT during your cruise...hell i know some people who book cruises just due to the fact they will have a CD that they like or have heard alot about

[geebert74]

No kidding.. Thats a sweet deal... I think I need a job like that...

Is there usually a decent show every night? Comedy/music etc.?