First time on carnival anything I Should know

[Cruiseonly]

Hello everyone!! Just booked my first carnival cruise leaving on Feb. 8 on the valor. Is there anything I should know about Carnival I have only cruised on RCCL but with pricing I couldn't pass up the price. Please give me come good advice for Carnival. Thanks Everyone

[drlivingston]

Come on, Cruiseonly... you are one RCCL cruise away from Diamond status!! What ship are you going on? Carnival has lots to offer. I have found their rooms to be slightly larger than RCCL and their 24hr. pizza to be better. Both lines offer friendly and attentive service. Try the famed chocolate melting cake at dinner and above all, have fun. If you have specific questions, I , or anyone else on the site, will endeavor to answer you.

[Cruise Fanatic]

Actually, Diamond starts after your tenth cruise. According to Cruise Only's signature he's only been on 8 RCI.

It's just great being on a cruise. Regardless of your status.

[Dave]

Just booked my first carnival cruise leaving on Feb. 8 on the valor.

You'll probably find more in common between Carnival and RCI than you will differences. For the most part the food is equal in quality. Carnival has a better buffet layout I think, with pizza that is much better than RCI offers and also a nice deli for that corned beef on rye made to order. They do a pretty respectable job on oriental dishes too. The dining rooms between the two are pretty much on par. Carnival escargots is very good.

If they have Indian food in the buffet, and their are Indian crew members cooking and serving it, try it.

As drlivingston notes, the Carnival cabins are larger. Carnival likes to announce something every 5 minutes, but then RCI seems to be doing that now too. Look for the loudspeakers before you choose a seat. You'll thank me for it.

Carnival bartenders and waiters tend to be more "by the book".

[Cruiseonly]

We are traveling on the valor. Which seems great. Thanks for everyone who replyed

[Born to Cruise]

Hi,
I also tried Carnival for the first time in November and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The food on the Glory was on par or better than some of the RCCL cruises I have taken. Also, it was very nice to be able to take a large bottle of wine when boarding which I was never allowed to do on RCCL. The great price on Carnival enabled me to book a suite for the first time and the VIP check-in was fabulous!! Have fun on the Valor! I would be interested in your feedback as I was looking at the same cruise for March/09 (bringing the family on their school break).

[drlivingston]

Originally posted by Cruise Fanatic:
Actually, Diamond starts after your tenth cruise. According to Cruise Only's signature he's only been on 8 RCI.

Oooops. That is not the first time that I have made that mistake. Thank you for the correction.

[Dwayne]

Hello everyone!! Just booked my first carnival cruise leaving on Feb. 8 on the valor. Is there anything I should know about Carnival I have only cruised on RCCL but with pricing I couldn't pass up the price. Please give me come good advice for Carnival. Thanks Everyone

Congratulations on your cruise! Do you have any specific questions we can help you with?

Oooops. That is not the first time that I have made that mistake.

No worries, I've done it a few times as well.

Dwayne

[Cruiseonly]

One question I do have is How do i get VIP service on my first cruise with Cranival. I will Traveling with my 3 year daughter and everything helps not to stand in lines for long periods of time.

[Dave]

How do i get VIP service on my first cruise with Cranival

You don't. If you are in a suite for your first cruise you get VIP check-in but that is it.