Cruise Line: Carnival
Sailing Date: December 15th, 2002

A note before you begin reading our review:

The first cruise really is a “learning experience” and we now know everything we need to know to totally not miss anything on our next cruise. And yes we are already in the process of getting together with our booking agent to schedule for next December, the same cruise ship, and the same 4-day lineup. Because although I will say things that we didn’t like in this review, that is only to help the new-be like we were to understand things that we did not know, which would of helped us had we known. We had the most beautiful time, relaxed, pampered, waited on hand and foot, no thought of kids at home, no thoughts of work. It was like we dropped off the face of the earth for four days and we didn’t have to lift a finger to do anything but enjoy ourselves, and after 25 years of marriage and never having a honeymoon, or romantic get-away in all that time, this was the most elating experience we could have chosen. It was more then we ever dreamed, and more then we ever expected. Worth every cent, and we feel that each and every person on this earth should take at least one cruise in their lifetime. We are hooked. We intend to take one every year. And anyone who doesn’t enjoy the cruise…well that’s got to be the saddest thing I ever heard. So as I write this review to you, any down spots I mention I don’t even think about. They were small, trivial, and all are listed only for information purposes, for the new-be, because that’s what we were, and had we been armed with more information, well we could have known what to do to fix them, avoid them, or become a lesser part of them. Enjoy - and I hope that the stuff written here will help you on your cruise to come. That is it’s sole purpose.

Embarkation:

We left home (south coast North Carolina), and traveled toward Lumberton to pick up I-95. What a straight shot to Cape Canaveral Florida. You don’t even need a map. We only stopped in St. Augustine, Florida because we were told about a nice Best Western there, and we thought it would be nice to get close to ship (1 ½ hour more to drive), and pick up the rest the next morning. It was a lot easier. The Best Western wasn’t anything to go “rah” about, but it was clean, and cost about $60.00 for the night. We ate at a nearby family restaurant, (honestly there was more food on the floor then on peoples tables, very sad…but we were learning right?) Embarkation the next morning was a snap. Nothing to it. We pulled into Port Canaveral after taking the Beeline hwy out to the port, and everything was clearly marked. Fantasy this way, Majesty of the Seas that way…and the route was simple and straight forward. No way to get confused. Just watch the signs (they are lit up for you to read, and the information scrolls across it, and plenty of time to read it). We drove to the luggage drop off and gave the man 2 dollars a bag to carry our 2 bags on ship. They have carts there they load, so don’t think they run off with yours and come back…that’s a ludicrous thought. They put about 50 bags on a cart and off they go (later) when the carts full. We parked the car in about the 4th row of the parking lot, walked back to the ship, (it’s right there, no long walk)…and went through the line to show our birth certificates, ID and tickets the agent gave us. The booklet the agent gave us for sign and sail cards and other info, I filled out ahead of time, so she just ripped out what she needed, and that was that. The sign and sail cards are given to you there. You will need these to purchase everything you get on ship and for tours you book through the cruise line off the ship. Very handy. A special note here: If you use a major credit card for the Sail & Sign card you will not have to wait in the long lines at the end of the cruise to settle any outstanding balances. We were thankful for this. They give you two statements, one mid-cruise and one on the last night, so you know how much you spent. We walked through the embarkation gate onto the ship and had our picture took at 11:40 a.m. (They take pictures of you everywhere and you have the chance to purchase them in the Photo area, and they are listed by event, so they are easier to find). We hadn’t been there over 30 minutes, so felt it was very fast. Had these visions of thousands of passengers and miles of line to wait in. The messages boards gave me that impression. Wrong impression number #1. No hassles here, AT ALL. A little later we had the Emergency drill with our life jackets, no problems here. We were told to meet in a certain area when the Captain gave the proper whistle blows on the ships horn, and we went along with everyone in our area to the proper place, and then out onto the proper deck and lined up 3 rows deep (probably the hardest part, when you feel quite big with jacket on, and everyone else does too. Trying not to step on anyone’s toes and then it was over, and we marched back to our rooms to put life jackets away. They are stored under a table in your room, (one with a lid, so you can find them, and I suggest you try them on, and learn how to do the straps before the drill, to save time, and keep the straps from dragging when en route to deck. They “will” get stepped on by the throng of passengers going with you down or up the steps…I seen this happen). Once back, you are free to continue to watch the ship leave port, and enjoy the greatest experience of your life.

Things to know once on the
We got on ship and made our way to our room, Main 97 and what a great room, midship (the best place for balance), outside and perfect sleeping. I took 100 seasick pills with me, and never cracked the seal on the bottle. (Each elevator has a ship plan next to it, so read these and you’ll get around much easier, they are there for a reason, however we used the stairs many times, and I think because we did, I only gained 1# on the whole cruise, and I did eat a lot)! First experience…taught me this room is perfect, but still will get a balcony next time if possible, because I think that it would be grand to sip our coffee on our own private deck at midnight, and dawn…I spent a lot of time sitting in the window, 4 a.m., etc., just admiring the ocean and its magnificence and savoring the cruising experience. If you didn’t look over, or out, you’d never know you were on a ship in the ocean, the ship is perfectly balanced. Met our room steward, Agus. What a guy. He was the reason we were so comfortable on this ship. He did everything to make us comfortable. Our room was always tidy and plenty big for both of us. There were always soda and water bottles left on the counter (you must pay for these, you will see them billed on your sign and sail card if you drink them, so be aware of this, it was okay with us). Restroom clean and plenty of space, and “Yes”, the noise the toilets made was always a laughable experience. As one of the comedians at the midnight show put it one night, “I’m always afraid the guy in the next room is going to flush the same time I do, and the next thing I know, this guys going to get sucked down, and come up between my legs)…HaHaHa. They are extremely powerful. Be aware, move all objects away from this area when flushing. The shower power left a lot to be desired, but there was always plenty of hot water, and it was a hand-held wand, so you could soap up, and then hold the wand over your head. It worked. Agus always made us towel animals, a Lobster, a Dog, and an Elephant. Another joke of the midnight comedian. He asked how many of us walked into the room, (he was also very theatrical with his motions), and looked over to see a towel elephant on the bed, and went “ooh, ooh, look at the elephant…quick get the camera”, and take a shot of you and the towel animal. Everyone clapped and raised their hands. Me included. I have a picture of me from the day before doing the same thing with the towel Lobster. Hehe. As far as tipping goes, you now have your sign & sail cards automatically billed the American Express minimum figures, which you can also adjust up or down to your desire. We left it the way it was, and yes, I am going to give you the extra figures we added in, because they were well deserved. (There are envelopes on the main floor Information desk to put tips into). We gave Agus and extra $10 the first night, and then and extra $5, and another extra $5 on following nights. Our headwaiter received an extra $20 on the last night, and our assistant waitress received an extra $10 on the last night. I do not know if others want to give the extra tip, or even more, I just know that was within our budget, and “THEY” are the folks who make your cruise the great experience it is. So, I suggest giving the extra. It’s up to you how much. This was one of the questions I tried to find on the review boards that no one wanted to come right out and declare. I find it very easy, and I hope that it helps someone. I understand the $2 bill thingy. I read about it a lot, but find it not as convenient, and believe our service never suffered at all the way we tipped. I saw many tipping their waiters envelopes on the last night, so I think that is the expected method. Our service was always splendid, and they didn’t know if we were going to tip extra or not. They never wavered from perfect service for one moment.

Day #1

Fabulous day. The only downside was the food on menu in the dining room. We had the Celebration dining room, and the first experience here says, “Wow, how beautiful”. And it was beautiful. Our Mater’d made a quick appearance, and then Joseph our headwaiter (who was fabulous, and Violeta (from Peru) was our Assistant Waitress. They were both great, but just wasn’t happy with menu, and to order something special takes a few hours advanced notice, (which no message board mentioned. They all just said ask, and you can order anything you want if you don’t see anything on the menu you like. It really isn’t that way. You must give advanced notice, and I can understand that). Well we weren’t into Escargot, Lamb or Duck, (just so you understand us; were just a typical southern couple who normally eat just plain ol’ meat and potatoes or meat and rice meals; pork, beef, fish & seafood, and chicken). So we ordered the Scallop and Shrimp with some wine sauce and it wasn’t good. Tasted quite “yucky” to us, so we scoured the boat for other places to eat. We figured if the fare was like this on a nightly basis, we would likely go hungry, and couldn’t understand how everyone kept saying you’ll eat until you explode. Eat what? Duck? Lamb? Escargot? I don’t think so. We checked out the Windows by the Sea restaurant, and tried some of their fare. Anyone want Curry? I couldn’t even breathe let alone eat the food. My husband ate it okay, but agreed that the curry was used way too much (on everything…not just as a vegetable seasoning…it was on everything). However, the Windows by the Sea restaurant had the most fabulous coffee, and this is where we went morning, noon, and night for a good cup (and Danish in the morning), and then we’d carry it out through the back door of the restaurant onto a small deck with about 10 tables on the very back of the boat. Windows by the Sea also had great looking lunches and breakfasts, although we are not breakfast eaters, I enjoyed their Danish very much. This quickly became our favorite spot on the boat, during night and day cruising, leaving ports, entering ports, just to watch the stars, or gaze at the sea and the other two ships who followed us through our whole trip. One was the Majesty of the Seas, and the other was the Carnival Disney ship. Nice companions. Anyway, if you love coffee, don’t spend $4.50 or more a cup for it at the Bistro…it’s to bitter there anyway, even with the whip crème and the shots of liquor. Get it at the Windows by the Sea for free, and it tastes absolutely divine. The other thing is, you will get discouraged a bit at trying to understand you waiter/waitresses. Violeta was absolutely perfect as a waitress, but it was hard for us to understand anything but maybe every 6th or 8th word she said. Which made us feel bad, because we wanted to talk to her more and learn more about her, which after the first night, and then the 3rd night (we skipped the 2nd), we began to understand a little more of what she said, and learned much about her and her homeland. Quite fascinating. Well, I mentioned that we skipped the 2nd night, (which was the fancy dress-up night, and that hurt because we had brought our nice outfits and had looked forward to it for so long, needless to say it was to bad we missed it, because a nice lady we spoke with told us they had Lobster that night…Lord above that was the meal I had been thinking about since like, 5 months ago when we booked the cruise). I was heart-broke. This was also when I noticed there is a menu outside the dining room door that tells you what you will eat that night. Had I known about it, I would not have missed Captains night. However, to show you how these folks go the extra mile for you, this was my experience: I went to the Matre’d the 3rd day, and asked her if there was any way we could enjoy a meal of Lobster on the 3rd night. She said it would take considerable planning, and asked what table we sat at etc…and then shook her head to say she didn’t think it was possible. I was sad. Told her I was sad, not disappointed, nor did I act belligerent, just told her I had looked forward to that Lobster since the beginning, and though it was my fault we didn’t come to dinner on captains night, I guess I could understand her stance, but I was still sad. Well, dinner the 4th night we had decided on steak, because it looked like something we could eat well enough, but Joseph our head waiter, came to the table, and he says, “you need not look at the menu tonight, I have something very special for you both. I am going to bring you Lobster”. Well the Matre’d went by and put her hand on my shoulder and said for us to enjoy our Lobster. I can’t tell you how I felt. You look around and see 1000 other people sitting there, and realize that she took the time to care about “you”. What a trip. We were beside our selves to realize they care for every person on that ship and insist on making your cruise special for “you”. Not as a herd of cows being pushed through. Each person is cared for in a special way. It was more then heart-warming to see such care given to one of 2500 passengers for that moment alone. A special note here as well: We changed our seating from Main to the late seating (8:30 p.m.) and asked for a table for two. They didn’t have one, but gave us a table of 4, and no one but us was at it, so was still a table for two. Do this on the first day as soon as possible for a good shot at getting the seating you desire. It wasn’t that we didn’t want company, we were there for a different purpose altogether. To be with each other for a bit of renewal, and they went the extra mile to help us to just that.

Freeport, Day #2

After our first night in dining room, we were both kind of hungry, and it took us a while, but we found a Dominos in the straw market, and we ate it like we had never eaten before. We did have trouble finding something to drink with it, and we stopped at a little place that sold us beer for $10.00, much to our dismay. We then walked further and found a stand that had Miller and only cost $5.00 for 2, so here we learned valuable lesson #2…walk a little more…look a little more. You’ll find a better price on everything if you’re not in too big of a hurry. The taxi driver was a story all by himself here in Freeport. Valuable lesson #3…look around for a good taxi. I mean one that hasn’t been broken in half, and bolted back together. Because they are going to cram as many people into one of those things (and you can’t blame them). We traveled about 30 miles over the speed limit and fishtailed all the way. When we were riding the front of the taxi was always diagonal to the back of the taxi. It was one of those experiences that have you kissing the ground when you ever do get out. God be with you. $4.00 a person. Valuable lesson #4…If you don’t want to pay $4.00 a person act like you’d rather walk. The second taxi driver, (really cool dude) couldn’t stand that. He’d go, “okay, okay $3.00, alright, alright, a dollar 99”. And you can go much cheaper. We didn’t mean for the conversation to go that way, it just did. They want you to ride. Anyway, in Freeport after the Straw markets, I guess they called it the International Market, we walked behind some hotel, and actually had our first wade in the “blue” waters of the Bahamas, and “yes, they are truly blue”. The most beautiful blue-green you’ll ever see. And there were the ladies on the beach ready to braid your hair. I didn’t get mine braided, but may get it partially braided next time. I later saw that most girls just got the front of their hair done in braid, and it really looked pretty. I just recalled an experience as a young girl where a friend had did my whole head and it was horrid getting it out, and turned to frizz, even after 3 washes. But, yes…I will do it partially next time. The ladies were not insistent…a friendly “no thank you” was all it took each time I was asked. The weather was 80 degrees and sun the whole time. We couldn’t have received better weather. Our trip was Dec 15-19, so wasn’t sure. Not disappointed at all. It was beautiful. Larry Nixon was the comedian the second night at midnight and was so funny. The show before was great. Dancers all were fabulous, and even did a skit on the YMCA song. Guys were Chiefs, Construction workers, etc…and they were awesome. All were very skilled dancers, and they put on a fabulous show…and the singers were great too.

We got back on the ship at 2:30 p.m., and we went back to the room and took a nap until about 4:30 p.m. Then we had hamburgers (large yummy ones) out on the Lido deck and then our favorite place on back of ship (Lido level) for coffee from the Windows by the sea restaurant. We watched the ship turn around and set sail for Nassau. Our first chance to ever to see the Sun set on the ocean in the West. A first experience for us. I woke up before dawn and sat in the window ledge of our room, and watched the sun rise as we pulled into Nassau that morning, and it was a grand experience.

Day # 3 Nassau

We booked a Shore tour to Atlantis. We took a ferry ride over to Atlantis, and our guide took us all around the underground aquarium. Many fabulous sea life to see here. We enjoyed it very much. One thing I did know, and learned again, was you could book this yourself and pay a taxi a bit to take you there, and get in for half price. But as new-be’s we didn’t think we should stray from a safe route the first time, so was glad we didn’t. Was organized, and could see without worry. Next time, though we will book ourselves. Atlantis also has a huge luxury hotel, where Michael Jackson was the first visitor and paid $25,000 a night to stay there. Others still pay anywhere from $200 - $25,000 a night to stay there. Found a great Deli across the street from Atlantis and ate lunch. The Deli had comparable prices to subway, but nowhere near subway taste. MUCH BETTER. These sandwiches were piled high (asked for rye bread, better)…and could hardly get your mouth around. Sat outside in a patio style café to eat them, and ordered two cold millers from restaurant next door. Felt so good to sit in the sun (or shade if you wanted), and enjoy that ice-cold beer and enormous deli sandwich. I ate it like a starved puppy. After all, I felt it was “real” food. Remember, duck, lamb, escargot on the ship up to this point, because we didn’t know better.

Bought a liter of duty-free (tax free) Grand Marnier, and another liter of Bailey’s Irish Crème on the ship that night to carry home. Very cheap. Both were half the price as states. They keep the liquor until last night, when the send to your room, and you pack in your carry off tote and take home (then open). Here’s another lesson…we were drilled for over an hour in the disembarkation meeting on 3rd day about customs when getting off the ship. Unless you look like whoever they’re looking for, you aren’t bothered at all. Getting off the ship was a piece of cake, and no one even scanned us, or checked our carry off luggage. I was like ready for the strip search and baggage dump the way they talked. Lesson number #5 I guess. That doesn’t mean get away with what you can, just don’t let the talk scare you to death. I seriously wondered if I even wanted to get off the ship when they finished their speech. Shoot! Nothing to it…Walk off, and don’t hide anything you shouldn’t and you got no problems. Much faster then getting on, except the 1 ½ wait in the Universal lounge waiting for our luggage tag color to be called. One good thing about booking an upper floor room is you get off first. Those of us towards the bottom two floors had to wait the longest. But about the time you don’t think you can bear sitting there anymore, your tag color is called and off you go, and finding your luggage isn’t the hassle I expected. Lesson #6…Tie a ribbon on it, or take which is even better a unique piece of luggage. Don’t get blue or black luggage. Everyone has blue and black luggage. Our one piece of tan leather luggage was highly visible over everything else, and we grabbed it right away. Our Dark blue however took about 15 minutes more of looking for. Anway…kind of getting off of Day #3 here, but it was coffee on the Lido level back deck (our spot), to enjoy the scenery, because we were not leaving port until 7:00 a.m. the next day.

Day #4

Woke late, and pulled out of Nassau at 7 a.m. Could make out buildings when I woke up and looked out the windows. I’m telling you if you didn’t look out, you’d never know you were cruising, so smooth sailing. Today is overcast, so my plan to lay out on Lido deck and get the suntan I’d been relishing getting is out. Today was the day at sea, and wish I had not waited to lay out in sun. I did get 20 minutes the other day when husband was grabbing a bit of breakfast in the Windows by the Sea restaurant on Lido deck. Had sun in the afternoon however. Tonight was the night we were treated to Lobster by our Waiter. But with dinner being at 8:30 p.m., we also had been to our other favorite hang-out the Majesty Bar. It blends into the Casino area, and we had our Casino time on this evening. We also had Wings and Beer around 5:00 p.m. They had a ton of them, and you can eat and eat and eat, there was so much.

After dinner (our Lobster), we went back to Casino where we played Poker slots. Put $5 in and won $21., so cashed out, and went to another machine later and played the $21 until I lost it all, (hey that’s the point right?), and think by the time we finished we were $7.00 down, but it was all so much fun. It was my first casino experience. Hubby had had slot experience before, so he showed me how, and had a blast.

Had paid $24 for an hour of time in the Internet Café, took a couple nights but finally got up with daughter on Yahoo messenger and caught up with kids and how all was doing. I say kids, but one is off on her own, and the other nearly 18, so it was fairly easy not to worry about them, but still was nice to talk to them a bit from the middle of the ocean and tell them we hadn’t fell off. They were more worried about us then we were them.

The hardest part is knowing we are returning. We fell off the face of the earth for a while, and have already made the decision that this will be a yearly thing for us. What an escape. As I sit here and right this review, it’s now the 24th Christmas Eve, and I still long for the peace, and pampering and the Majesty of the whole experience. Waiting another 12 months will be the hardest experience of all. I did buy a large Poster frame board the other day, and I took all the best pictures, sail & signs, daily itinerary newsletter, placemats, and anything that had anything to do with our travels, and placed it into a mirage display within the poster glass. I hung it right above our bed. Every time I go to bed or get up, we can dream about the best four days we have ever had in our lives.

I am trying to think of anything else that might help those new to cruising and help them on their journey. But I think the best thing is to not become disheartened by those who had what they call a bad experience. Cruising is what you make it. You learn on your first cruise, and know what to adjust on those to come. Take it, enjoy and savor it. You will be hooked. Happy Sailing to you and yours, Bon Voyage.
Nannette M. Padgett, NC