First Time Cruiser Please Help

[TLau]

Hi, this is me and my girlfriend first time going to a cruise trip. We decided to pick 7 days Eastern Caribbean with Liberty. We are so excited about this cruise experiences. Start looked at all the activities before we book the cruise lol. The more we look into it the more questions we got. We are still student we got a budget for this vacation there lots of questions would like to know before booking so we can spend our money wisely
1. Eastern Caribbean is it a trip worth going?
2. How to register for the shore excursions? What are their costs?
3. Which shore excursions are must see?
4. Can you do multiple shore excursions on one day? How the times are schedule?
4. Any extra or potential cost on the cruise?
5. All food FREE including fancy dinner?
6. Any fun activities, food, place are must see, must eat on the cruise?
7. Any charge on getting off cruise if did not join any shore excursions on that day?
8. Can you get back and off cruise for dinning?
9. Tips require for dinning? If so what is the normal amount?
10. Any cruise info I did not ask and should be aware of?
Thank you for the help!

[Dwayne]

Hi TLau, Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

That is alot of questions to ask. I suggest you visit Carnival's FAQ section.

Please also take the time to explore the many sections of the forum. You most likely will find alot of answers to your questions in them. We all will be glad to offer advice from our experiences.

I will answer #7. No, there is not a charge to get off the ship.

Welcome aboard,

Dwayne

[TrvlPro]

TLau,

Welcome! Too many questions for me to tackle as well in one post. Use Dwayne's link, it'll answer most concerns and questions. My best advice is to relax and not let all the small details overwhelm you. Eastern Caribbean is beautiful and you'll enjoy it. The Liberty is among CCL's newest ships and will be beautiful and include your meals (Including the dining room, sit down dinners) and entertainment. Order some chocolate melting cake for dessert and look at the ship itinerary called "Carvival Capers" to plan each day on the ship. They'll put a copy in your cabin each evening for the next days activities.

Visit their website for excursions to book in advance or go to the excursion desk onboard if you want to ask questions before planning them.

Cheers, Neil

[Mike985]

I'm not an expert but we just came off the Glory to the Western Caribbean so I might have some insight. First, I would go on Carnival's website and pick out the excursions you're interested in. With that list, I would go to shoretrips.com and sign up for those excursions and save yourself a bundle rather than going through the cruise line. We found a single excursion per port was more than enough without worrying about missing the ship. Extra expenses onboard the ship? You bet but they're all controlled by you. For example, alcohol, gambling, sodas, etc. These expenses are spelled out on the FAQ section Dwayne mentioned on Carnival's site. As Neil mentioned, the Melting Chocolate Cake is awesome. Of the 7 dinners I had it six times! Some would call me a porker but I was more than willing to work out an extra amount of time to make up for it!

Any way, bottom line is stay on this board (a true wealth of information...some of the people on this board seem to live on Carnival's ships!) and hit Carnival's website. Planning is a fun part of the trip!

Mike

[Casanova frankenstein]

1. Eastern Caribbean is it a trip worth going?

Every cruise is worth going, is the best vacation for the price and beside you visit diferent islands every day is way batter than an all inclusive hotel.

2. How to register for the shore excursions?
What are their costs?

Well after buying your cruise you have to go to carnival an open an account they will ask for your booking # and after that when you go to your profile there is a link to excursions. You can book them online the very first night of your cruise they will bring them to your room after the boat drill. the price will vary depending on the tour.

3. Which shore excursions are must see?

that will depend on the itinerary
4. Can you do multiple shore excursions on one day? How the times are schedule?
yes but as a recomendation don't do it, is way better to book one and see the island by yourself.

4. Any extra or potential cost on the cr
uise?

yes if your cruise have an "special offering restaurant" also if you buy anything on the ship they will carge you to your sail and sign but after that they will charge you to the credit card.
5. All food FREE including fancy dinner?
yes mostly everything not the drinks (sodas)

6. Any fun activities, food, place are must see, must eat on the cruise?

You will have shows broadway style all the nights, comics, casino ect.

7. Any charge on getting off cruise if did not join any shore excursions on that day?

NO CHARGE

8. Can you get back and off cruise for dinning?

Yes you can

9. Tips require for dinning? If so what is the normal amount? they will charge you for it I prefer to pre pay it that will depends on the cruise days. I think is $3.50 PER DAY PER PERSON but you should check carnival site for it.

[LHP]

Any extra or potential cost on the cruise?
If you are driving to the port, then you will incur parking fees. Miami is $20 a day.

Tips are $10.00 per person per day. In reference to your tipping question below. This covers ALL tips (dining room and cabin steward). This will be charged to your Sail and Sign card on the first day.

I usually get some one dollar bills in the cabin for tipping Room Service. Room Service is free.

All food FREE including fancy dinner?

The formal dining room has all the "fancy dinners" you will want and is free. They do offer a Specialty Dining Room for extra "fancy" meals. That is $30.00 a person and completely optional. The only other food they charge for is desserts and speciality coffees on the Promenade. 24 hour pizza, deli, hamburgers, hotdogs, sushi, soft ice cream and room service...are all free.

Any fun activities, food, place are must see, must eat on the cruise?

You will get a Caper (newsletter) every evening with a list of the next days activities...so that you won't miss anything.

Any charge on getting off cruise if did not join any shore excursions on that day?

NO. Some ports are tendered in (riding in on small boats) and that is free. Some ports are docked. Both allow you to come and go as you please.

Any cruise info I did not ask and should be aware of?

The ship does charge for bottled water and soda, however you can bring your own aboard at Embarkation and at every port.

Hope that helps.

[Spiritfilled]

Welcome TLau Happy to see you join us I am sure you will find all the help you need here and most importantly have a blast on your cruise.

[Dave]

Note to all,

The OP has changed to the Liberty Of The Seas with RCI, asking the same questions about the revised booking. Please continue here .