new to cruising, please give me tips

[jroth31]

Me and my girlfriend are going on our first cruise together. We are going with a bunch of people. One person takes care of all the booking, so I am waiting for a confirmation number to see about what room we are in. for my first time i went cheap and booked an inside cabin. we are on the Triumph sept. 16th-23rd. out of New Orleans to cozumal, grand caymand, and ocho rios jamaica. please give tips on exursions, things to do, and what i can do to keep from going crazy waiting ten months before the cruise!!!

[Dwayne]

jroth31,

Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

You will find an abundance of information here, and some very fine folks. Not to mention the level of experience of the members is enormous.

Start with searching for your ports, and or ship. There is a port section you can scroll down to. Also lots of topics for first time cruisers. Also try the sister site CruiseReveiws.com

And ask away any time, you will learn alot before your cruise..and might help you from going nuts with anticipation, but it might make it worse

Welcome Aboard,
IslandCruz

[tncruiseman]

Hi JRoth31: you will enjoy the Triumph for your first cruise most definitely! For Cozumel, I recommend the jeep tour, or even renting your own and exploring. With the "tour" you really get off the beaten path and get to see the whole island, along with a cool lunch on the beach. For Ocho Rios, DunsRiver Falls is a must! Rather than book that one on the ship, just get off at port and take a water taxi to the falls and pay there. In my opinion, thats the only thing worth doing in Ocho Rios. grand Cayman has a lot of beach activities and Sting Ray City is a neat atraction. Your days at sea will be the highlight if you try everything on the ship. Also, try and have dinner in the dining room each night possible. You will get to try so many different entre's and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. You can eat in a buffet line anywhere! Also, feel free to ask any questions! There is no such thing as having too much information! Let your countdown begin!

[penny3333]

Congrats on your first cruise and welcome to Cruise-Chat. Up until the last 6 cruises, we booked the least expensive room that we could. Then I experienced a balcony and don't ever want to go back. I hope the cruising bug bites you as well. For Cozumel, check out Xel-ha, Paradise Beach or Chankanaab Park if you're into water activities. If you like ruins, check out Tulhum. In Ocho Rios, if it's your first visit, then Dunn's River falls is probably on your agenda. In Grand Cayman, 7 mile beach or there are a couple of wrecks near where you tender that are fun to dive/snorkel. Hope you have a marvelous cruise!

[pandaruth27]

Congrates on choosing Carnival as your first cruise experience. I have been on three so far (3and 4 Inspiration and last month 7 day Glory). Have caught the cruising bug got cruise 4 and 5 booked to Europe and Tranalantic. Love Cozumel!! Tulum Mayan ruins are awesome with a great view of the water. The piers are in process of getting totally repaired since Hurricane Wilma did a lot of damage a couple years ago. We docked at the International dock which is away from the city so took taxi to downtown to do shopping which cost us around $12 for round trip. If you have time eat at either Carlos and Charlies or Senior Frog both places are in the same building and they both are great. In Grand Cayman we just shopped but next time going to Sting Ray city to snorkel with the sting rays that Cayman Islands are known for. Beaches were nice. I have not been to jamaica but will like to go there someday. If you like you can email me if you have anymore questions. Cruising is so much fun and more economical then the normal vacation route. For example, My two cruises next year is going to be about $3,000 cheaper than the trip my family is planning to see my oldest brother who lives in Hong Kong

[LHP]

Don't forget iittle things like $50 in one dollar bills for tipping room service, porters, tipping the piano guy for that special song,etc. and an extention cord (there is only one electrical outlet per cabin).

As soon as you get your booking number, make sure you fill out your Fun Pass. Each cabin has a separate booking number.

You will need to take your passport and your drivers license. Make sure you have a "check list": passports, documents, fun pass, airline tickets, money.

The ship's use a Sail and Sign system where you give Carnival a credit card (or cash deposit) and you charge everything on the ship to that Sail and Sign (it is also your room key). You don't pay cash for anything on the ship that you purchase....it is all run through that Sail and Sign system.

The very first charge will be the tips for the week. They run $10 per day per person.

You are allowed to bring on soda and water in your carry ons. I would not pack it in the checked luggage for fear of it busting. We usually carry 2 12 packs of soda for a week cruise. Carnival does not care. Since you can not carry these on the airplane, there is a mall called the Riverwalk right at the port that you can pick up some soda to carry on.

There will be soda, water and a mini bar in your room...just remember that these are not free.

Carnival will provide you with beach towels...but if you lose them...they are about $22 each..so keep up with them.

Keep reading these boards..they are a wealth of info!!

Happy Cruising!

[Pupiczech]

I actually did not think the $1.75 for an in-room coke was bad. Did not partake, but that was the same cost as if you had gotten it from a barhop. And no tip . . . . . . . I'm just saying . . . .

[MrOctober]

I actually did not think the $1.75 for an in-room coke was bad. Did not partake, but that was the same cost as if you had gotten it from a barhop. And no tip . . . . . . . I'm just saying . . . .

I agree with the cost... I use the cokes and water in the room,, I usually get two days off a bottled coke. sometimes it's convienient to just grab one and crack it open without waiting or walking to get one.
I bring a threeway plug in deally for my camera charger and phone and I-Pod...
I bring the ashtry from my truck..it has a spring loaded closeable lid. I take it to the pool.
I bring my own travel coffee cup with lid. it holds more than the gay little cups they have onboard.

[tncruiseman]

Back in my single days, I would even carry a blender!

[CruiseDad]

Originally posted by MrOctober:

quote:

I actually did not think the $1.75 for an in-room coke was bad. Did not partake, but that was the same cost as if you had gotten it from a barhop. And no tip . . . . . . . I'm just saying . . . .

I agree with the cost... I use the cokes and water in the room,, I usually get two days off a bottled coke. sometimes it's convienient to just grab one and crack it open without waiting or walking to get one.
I bring a threeway plug in deally for my camera charger and phone and I-Pod...
I bring the ashtry from my truck..it has a spring loaded closeable lid. I take it to the pool.
I bring my own travel coffee cup with lid. it holds more than the gay little cups they have onboard.