Anyone who's been on a Carnival Cruise?

[jipsy]

I won a cruise through work. I've never been on a cruise before. It's all expenses paid (including gratuities), so we just get to have fun.

We get to stay overnight at the Marriott Biscayne Bay and have a private party the night before, complete with a cigar roller to make us handmade cigars. Then, we will be on the Imagination, stopping in Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios. After we return to Miami, we plan on going to Key West for two days.

Suggestions? Tips?

 

[twinz]

Yeah have a GREAT TIME! We are actually thinking of taking a Carnival Cruise in November. Let us know how you liked it.

 

[jamsmom]

Congratulations! You have to let all of us who have never been on a cruise know what it is like

I hope you have a fantastic time.

 

[zurgswife]

I just went on a Carnaval cruise in jan....I had a great time...but then again...I had no DH or kids....so I probably would have had a great time anywhere...

Enjoy...

 

[Amzey]

I've been on a Carnival cruise, on the Destiny back in '98. We also stopped at Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios, with the addition of Cozumel. I had a blast, they're really fun ports - I loved eating British chocolate in Grand Cayman and climbing Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica. We also stopped at "Hell" in Grand Cayman - cheesy but fun.
Have a blast!

 

[jipsy]

Amzey :lol: Going to "Hell" is first on my list.

I am a little nervous about it being cancelled due to the war. But I refuse to let it get me down.

 

[debster812]

I've never been on a cruise, so I have no tips for you (other than to bring me!!! )

I have been to Ocho Rios and climbed Dunn's River Falls, lots of fun, wear water shoes or sandals.

Have a GREAT time.

 

[SonjaB]

Don and I went on the Holiday from New Orleans last January.

Plan your excursions EARLY.

Try to drink "Free" or cheap as often as possible, the liquor tabs can be KILLER if you pay full price.

GET INVOLVED!!! The more stuff you do, the more fun you have. Don't be afraid to be silly or look silly.

Scopolamine patches if you get seasick. Don was in the Navy and I've never had a problem with seasickness, but there were many people on our cruise that did.

The Spa discounts services on Port days. Book EARLY!!!!!!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!

 

[jipsy]

Sonja how do I drink free or cheap? LOL I'm all about that!

My company is giving us a $200 shipboard credit and $500 cash. But I'd like to keep as much of that $500 as I can for shopping LOL

 

[DonnaS]

Have a great time, Jipsy.

 

[Jeafl]

What a wonderful prize! We haven't been on Carnival in quite awhile, but we are booked for this November. You will have a great time! If you are interested, there is a great discussion board with lots of friendly people on www.cruisecritic.com. They have a board that is just for Carnival cruises. I've found it to be a lot of help. Have a great trip!

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Never been on Carnival, but I've been on Disney and a few RCCL's

Cruises need to come with a warning label: "rusing may be addictive.". After our first, we were seriously hooked. There is no better vacation (even Disney, and that's saying a mouthful).

Go.

Enjoy

I am SOOOOOOOO Jealous!

 

[jipsy]

*whispers* I may have an extra spot my BF is afraid to fly and ships make him seasick and with the war he is thinking of backing out...

 

[ripleysmom]

Have fun jips!!

A helpful hint to know is that in the waiting room outside the infirmary they have seasick pills and acetameniphen if you get sick.

 

[denisem]

Originally posted by LIDisneyFan
Cruises need to come with a warning label: "rusing may be addictive.". After our first, we were seriously hooked. There is no better vacation (even Disney, and that's saying a mouthful).

I agree! After my first, cruising became part of our yearly budget...doing preliminary planning for #15 for this fall

Grand Cayman: Snorkle with the sting rays at Sting Ray City... my all-time *favorite* tour (great for beginners, most tours go to shallow area).

Ocho Rios: Dunn's River Falls; and buy some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee if you (or someone you know) is a serious coffee freak.

My best tip is exactly what you're doing...fly in the day before your cruise, so you can board early/rested and able to fully enjoy your first day.

For your bf's peace of mind, check out international calling plans on your cell phones (if applicable) before you leave. We were sailing the Grand Princess the week of 9/11 & called home from Grand Cayman with NO idea what it would cost...amounted to only a $4.20 roaming charge, while ship-to-shore calls can range in the $10/minute area.

Princess DID offer free phone calls during that emergency; we chose to use our own resources, so that others could utilize that option. FWIW, I can't say enough of how well Princess handled that unexpected situation (as far as keeping us apprised and offering lodging, etc. for those unable to fly home after docking). I'd feel confident that most cruiselines now have similar contingency plans for these uncertain times.

You're in a treat! Have fun!

Denise < --- believes a bad day at sea is STILL better than a good day at work

 

[mamajoan]

WOW!!! HOW COMPLETELY COOL!!! YOU WON A CRUISE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS! AND BON VOYAGE!!!!

 

[Tiger Fan]

We've been on Carnival once before, the Destiny and are going on the Victory in June. You will love it. I agree with Jill about CruiseCritic. I've learned so much valuable information there. Congrats and have a great time!!
Lisa

 

[CookieGVB]

How cool is that? Enjoy the cruise and report back.

We're supposed to be sending my parents on a cruise this summer for their 50th Anniversary - they went to Nova Scotia on their honeymoon, so we're thinking of sending them on a cruise there as a gift - and Carnival is the line that goes there.

 

[DawnCt]

We haven't sailed on Carnival, but we like Celebrity and Royal Carribean. While in Ocho Rios, climb the falls. We used Peat Taylor two years ago. Very reasonable and excellent smaller group. He will get you to the falls before the cruise ship crowd making the climb easier. He also took us to Fern Gully. This year we are going to Island Village and Margaritaville rather than the falls. In Grand Cayman, I second the suggestion for String Ray city. There are lots of good tour operators that you can book independently and cheaper than the cruise line. We are booked with Captain Bryan because he has a catamaran. I like sailing.

 

[cybrarian]

Went on the same cruise a few years ago. The Imagination is not the newest or biggest ship out there but it is nice enough.
My biggest tip is that if you can choose your cabin pick one midship. On our last Carnival cruise we had a guaranteed cabin and they put us way in the back of the ship next to the propeler.
When the ship moved in and out of port the whole cabin shook and it was extremely noisy at night.

Don't mean to scare you. If you get a cabin in the middle you won't hear a thing.