All new to me

[JNicho4920]

Hi everyone,
Iam celebrating my 50th birthday on Carnival Desnity. It is also my first cruise. We are leaving 2/8/10 out of Miami going to Grand Turk, Half moon Cay and Nassua. We have booked an 8c balcony cabin. Iam relly excited about the trip. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so I am treating myself for this occasion. If anyone has any insight for this newby feel free to advise. I have heard some bad things about the Destiny but feel that there are many nay-sayers and some people you will never be able to please. I know its all in what you make it. Hope to hear back from anyone and if anyone else is booked on the Destiny at that time

Thank you,
Terri

 

[idraconis]

I had my 50th on The Carnival Legend last year. You'll have great time. And your right about nay-sayers there are a few. But no worries, almost all of them had a chip to begin with. You have a great time. Cheers

 

[Jeanie]

I had my 50th birthday on a cruise several years back. Got hook immediately, been cruising ever since. We just completed our 11th. I learn a long time ago, do not sweat the small stuff and listen to complaints. It is your cruise, do what you want and have a great time. You are cruising and you will love it.

 

[Calgon1]

First, WELCOME to the boards. Glad to have you here.

Second, you're absolutely right. A cruise IS what you make it.

Advice?

Activities - Don't even begin to think that you have to do everything. There will be so much scheduled that you'll have to take the same cruise (at least) three times, back-to-back to do everything.

Cell phone - Once you process through the terminal, and before you board the ship, TURN IT OFF. You're on vacation. There's nothing going on back in the world that you need to keep up on that badly. If there is, then stay home and take care of it. Besides, cell phone use on the ship can easily run around $9 (or more) per minute, on top of your regular useage charges ((all calls are picked up by the nearest cell tower, and that would be the ship's tower. Then they are relayed to a satellite and beamed back to Earth. This makes your cell call a satellite call and thus the $9+ per minute additional charge. The charges won't show up on your on-board account, but will on your cell bill!)).

Internet - Similar to cell phones, in that keeping in touch is one of the last things you need to be doing. Cut the apron strings. You're on vacation! Besides, the connection speed is v....e....r....r...y s....l....o....w, and expensive (anywhere from $.50-.85 per minute, can only be bought in blocks of time, and theres no credit for unused minutes....).

Menu - Try new things. If it's something you can't pronounce, or don't have the faintest idea of what it is .... order it. If you like it, great! If you don't, then back it goes and you can try something else. Order as many of anything as you wish. 3-4 appetizers. all three soups (especially the chilled ones!). Can't decide on which entree'? Order both.

Room Service - In the evening, after the late show, stop off at a telephone and order a plact of fresh (hot from the oven) cookies and a pitcher of ice-cold milk. It'll arrive at your cabin the same time as you do. Makes a great ending to a wonderful day at sea!

Tips - Tip (at least) the recommended amount. That $10-11 per/person, per/day is split between your steward, waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter and matre 'd. Those guys and gals work very hard and their salaries are pretty poor. If you have received special service, don't hesitate to tip (in cash and in person) at the end of the cruise. Along the same line, try to get the manes of crew who have made your cruise special and send a letter to the cruise lines head office citing the person. Those little pats-on-the-back go a long way and mean a lot!

 

[JNicho4920]

Thanks to all of you that responded to my post.The tips were great and make alot of sense especially the cookies and milk yummie. I just can't wait to get on that ship. I haven't gone on a vacation in 4 years and with working 2 jobs I really need to just relax.

Thanks again
Terri

 

[Donna - dsw]

Welcome! Read the Carnvial Web Site from front to back - they offer a world of information espceially to first time cruisers. And of course - ask us any questions you can think of - nothing is too big or too small.

Just went on the Carnival Imagination last December with our kids and grandkids as a Christmas present - worked for me! lol

I know I enjoy the planning as much as the crusie!

 

[Mbandy]

Great advice from everyone. I almost agree with Calgon about the cell phone. We always keep ours out until the ship is cruising out of Government Cut (the channel at Port of Miami). As the ship is leaving, we always call 1) my Grandmother, 2) Susan's Dad and 3) my best buddy just to gloat a bit. Then we shut them off and put them in the safe.

 

[Jeanie]

Calgon, great advice, especially the cell phones and internet. On my last group cruise, I saw a lady in the ladies on a sea day fighting with someone on her cell phone. All I could think of was her phone bill. What a shock she will have. Now was that argument worth the cost

 

[rdlouhy]

Try the chocolate melting cake for desert. It's delicious.