Cruise Virgin

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lfite

Guest
Hi,

I am new to this forum. I found it while looking for information for 1st time cruise people. However - there is a lot of interesting information on here. I plan on coming back a reading a lot of it. I just found out a place for Carnival Splendor, which had lots of pictures - thank you for that.

I am starting to plan my 1st cruise & have no idea what to expect or plan. So of course I am looking for any and all help. No information is turned away.

I am planning on a trip in October - just to Mexico. Money is tight (light everyone) so I am also looking to stretch my dollar.
Since it is my birthday week I wanted to get a massage ( this would be my one splurge, might cut it out and do it when I get back).

What I would like to know is the tips for upgrades and getting the cheapest price on the cruise. So far I am looking at just getting a inside room - with beds that can convert to a bigger bed. I figure I will not be in the room all that much so I can skimp there. However I am 35 and do not want to sleep on a bunk bed - so not going to go super cheap on that.

I have checked out Carnival (cheapest so far) and can get the 7 day cruise to Mexico from LA for about $1000. Is there any hidden fees that the site does not tell you about? I read about the $10 a day per person tip charge - so that would be a extra $140.00, anything else?

Also I know about the soda charge (we have already discussed this & are not going to have Soda, they serve plenty of other drinks). I also know about the Alcohol charges - these do not seem all that bad - since if you go out it is around the same price (ok maybe $1 cheaper). So we know to watch what we drink and keep a mental tab.

What about dinning, say we go to port and miss out dinner time - 1-do we need to let them know before hand that we might miss dinner or do we not have to say anything. 2- Will there be somewhere else that we can eat if we miss out dinner time? I think this is a yes.

Should I look around with travel agents or go ahead and book with Carnival? If you say travel Agent - any recommendations? This is my very first cruise and my birthday -so I am trying to eliminate any problems.

Thank you ahead of time for any help or advise given.
 
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bOB

Guest
A travel agent is always a good investment. But you have to shop around for those as well, there are good ones and bad ones just like anything else. A good agent will get you the best pricing they can for the category you are shopping for, and will then keep an eye on the pricing for you so that if there is a price drop you get a piece of it. Best way to get upgrades is to book a guarantee cabin, but caution in that you don't want to book anything less than you are willing to accept, in some cases even a guarantee booking doesn't dictate an upgrade.

As far as the pricing the only add on should be taxes and port charges, a lot of times these are not included in the initial quote, it makes the price look better, so make sure that the price you are looking at includes these charges because they can add up to $200-300 per person depending on the cruise and the ports, and if not they WILL be added come final bill time. This is a simple issue, just ask the agent "does this price include port charges and taxes", they will tell you yes or no, if the answer is no, just ask what they are, not rocket science, they can give you an answer in less than 30 seconds, it is a fixed number depending on the cruise. Have fun planning.
 
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mandy loves 2 cruise

Guest
When are you planning your cruise? Do you have a specific port you want to leave from? I prefer Cozumel itineraries over Cabo and Acapulco.

I have a group booked aboard the Carnival Fantasy leaving from New Orleans on Oct. 31 for 5 days. We are sailing to Progresso and Cozumel Mexico. The rates are $303 per person for inside and $353 per person for ocean view. This includes all taxes and port fees. Plus you will get group amenities ($50 OBC and cocktail party, welcome aboard gift ) We are going to Nachi Cocom, an all inclusive private beach club in Cozumel. If you are still looking for a cruise, we would love for you to join the group!

I know how many questions you have as a first time cruiser. So much to wonder....dinner is available almost anytime. if you miss your dining room time or just don't like what they are serving that night, no worries. You can check the menu on your tv each morning to see what they are serving that night. Plus room service is available 24hrs on Carnival and no fee besides a few dollars tip

The rooms are not large but you won't be in there much. However, they are comfy and just enough space for ones needs.

Feel free to email me with specific questions: mandym111@hotmail.com
 
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Luci

Guest
If Carnival is charging you $1000. for two persons that means that you are only paying $500. each which is a good deal. But for one person.... then it is a bad deal.
You shouldn't pay more than $750. per person which includes taxes and fees.
You should go for a Halloween cruise which is a lot of fun. I am guessing you are cruising on the SPLENDOR. It is a brand new ship and they are presently having a great deal.
I have already booked the early bird "special"... way......in advance.... and I got a great deal.lol. Luci
 
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Luci

Guest
Hey Cruise Virgen, are you cruising with a guy or a gal. The twin beds are made into a full bed if you are with a guy. If you are with a friend then you get to sleep on a twin bed. The Carnvial Splendor doesn't have bunk beds. It has two twin beds or one full bed in catagory 4-A which is the one you need in order to get the full bed.

Make sure you tell the agent or Carnival that you want a catagory 4-A ,with one full bed. That is the cheapest catagory with a full bed and is really very nice.

BOOK NOW!!! CARNIVAL IS giving you a great deal for two. I notice they have the EARLY SAVER rate of $399. per person and with taxes & fees, it is $1,068.00.total price.
Cruise rates go up and down. It is always best to book when the rates are down and they are down today.

Don't wait too long or you will end up paying an extra $200. for the two of you. Luci
 
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lfite

Guest
mandy loves 2 cruise said:
When are you planning your cruise? Do you have a specific port you want to leave from? I prefer Cozumel itineraries over Cabo and Acapulco.

Feel free to email me with specific questions: mandym111@hotmail.com
Click to expand...


We are leaving out of Los Angeles (Long Beach really). Going to Cabo & Mazatlan & Puerto Vallarta.
Also the cruise leave 10-11-09 - we chose this one since my birthday is 10/14/09. So this is really a birthday trip
 
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Luci

Guest
Hi, you can get a great cheapy massage in Matzatclan in the Courtyard area right in the port. I always get a massage when I go there.
The cruise ship massages are too expensive. Save your money to buy things in Mexico. Our American dollar is worth more than the peso so have fun shopping.

Hey, just book your cruise right away so you can get that great deal from Carnival. Long Beach has a parking lot where you can leave your car if you are driving.
I think they charge 10 to 15 dollars per day.

You are going to have a wonderful time on the Splendor and will become an addict like the rest of us. Your new addicted friend, Luci
 
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lfite

Guest
Is there anything to do near the Massage Place in Mazatlan? I only ask since my better half will not be getting a massage and do not want to have him just sitting waiting for me.
 
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MoJo2Rusty

Guest
Welcome to the board and welcome to cruising. There is a ton of helpful information on the various parts of this board. If you can't find the answer, don't hesitate to ask. There are plenty of us here to help. I can't help you on port information for the ports you are going to but many others can.
Inside cabins are a good way to save a little. I have had inside, ocean view and balcony's. I prefer the OV or Balcony but if money is tight I'll not turn down an inside after all, your on the ship and cruising. You will find that you will not be in the cabin much, other than to change cloths and sleep.
Enjoy and please share you virgin voyage with us all when you get back. That's how we all cruise when we're not cruising.
 
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Luci

Guest
Hi, The cruise port area is like a shopping Mall.... where you can walk around and look or buy things. Plus your husband can sit at a patio place to have a drink while you are getting your massage. BEST OF ALL....there is a cheapy internet place in that location where your husband can use a computer for a few American dollars. He can also call home from their telephones. I love that place. Luci
 
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cmountainman

Guest
Hi, my wife and I have 3 Carnival cruises so far and a fourth in 29 days. All have been booked with a military discount. You don't need to be in, just have an honorary discharge or medical discharge. It can be used for everyone staying in your room. Hope that helps. We are hooked for life!!
 
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Deborah

Guest
Congratulations on taking your first cruise....we took ours in November last year. We booked Princess from Long Beach to the Mexican Riviera. For a first cruise it was wonderful. When I booked it I had no experience with booking a cruise. I took the advice of one of my friends who's been on almost 30 cruises. He referred me to Cruises Only. Jomari (1800CRUISES ext 82432). He walked me through the whole process, answered all my questions, got an excellent price, and gave me advice so that I could make informed decisions for all the little things when booking my cruise.

We too were on a budget, but I also wanted to make sure I chose the best cruise (picky husband) so that it would ensure my ability to persuade my husband to cruise again in the future. It worked, (I just booked our second cruise within 6 months for the end of May on the Elation out of San Diego). Here is my advice for you: When you choose your cruise make sure you're going somewhere you want to go and for the length of time you need to really experience what cruising is about (a cruise too short will make you feel your getting off when you've just got on). I believe the Mexican Riviera is a cheaper cruise for the 7 days, but if it isn't going to places you really want to see....is the price really worth it? I've read posts on this site for almost a year now and there is both good and bad about each cruise line depending on who you talk to. You didn't say in your post who you're traveling with or what your ages are. Your age and what you expect from a cruise (in regards to activities) is definitely something you want to take into consideration in choosing your cruise line. For example, when my husband and I took our first cruise (we're both in our 40's) we chose Princess because it was layed back, there was more pampering (like the little things, Fancy toiletries and such) and it didn't have too many children on it. However, this time, we're talking our daughter and her best friend (both 14), Carnival is the line we chose due to what others here on this site and Jomari at Cruises Only suggested.

Back to saving money....you can take bottled water on board with you. If you drink water you may want to do this. Bottled water costs at least $2.50 per bottle on the ship. I drank the tap water on the ship and found it to taste a bit like chlorine. If you drink alcohol, some lines offer a drink card (Carnival has one 4 drinks for approx $25.00 which includes the tip), beer by the bucket (5 for the price of 4), and of course there is the unlimited soda card. However, keep in mind that there is coffee, tea, lemonade, iced tea,milk, and other juices available for free 24/7 in the buffet dining area. Yes, it is a hassle to get it from there when you're busy doing something else, but it's free. Don't use your cellphone while on board...charges can be literally out of this world for calls, texting, and retrieving any voice mails you receive.

The cruise lines try to get you to spend money...lots of money. If you want to save money, don't buy the pictures the cruise line will take of you and your traveling companion. I think these pics go for approx $25.00 each. It's cheaper if you have someone else snap pics of you with your own camera. Some cruise lines advertise art auctions....these are very expensive and personally, I wouldn't waste my money or time. If you have your heart set on buying something (besides alcohol) from the ship, wait until the last few days or last day of the cruise. You will see advertisements for big price reductions at many of the stores on the ship. Another way to save money is to make sure you eat your meals on the ship. You've already paid for the food on the ship...your breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners. Sure, it's nice to eat while doing an excursion in Mexico, but what if the food makes you ill? It could really screw up your vacation.

If you're really concerned about your budget, see if there is a way you can prepay on your ship spending account (Carnival has it). I am applying bits of money to my account each week, before we sail so that the final bill I receive will be very little if anything at all. I don't like surprises.

I am by no means an expert and things change all the time, but being a second time cruiser, I thought some of the things I found as a newbie, may be helpful to you. The more experienced cruisers on this site can provide invaluable information for you too, especially those who have already cruised all the different cruise lines.

Good luck on your cruise. I am sure no matter which line you choose, you will come back addicted to cruising!!
 
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lfite

Guest
Thank you for all your help. We are in our Mid 30's. So just kind of want to take it easy. The only thing we want to really do is the Zip Line. Not sure if there was any WOW places in any of the ports.
 
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MoJo2Rusty

Guest
Just a little point about the photos taken by the ship staff. The 8X10 photos are $21 each. I have found these photos to be very good quality. They really do a nice job. What my friends and I do is take loads of pictures. They do not charge you to have your pictures taken. Have fun hit all the back drops. The next day go around a find your pictures, if it's something you don't like, drop them in the discard box. If its something you might like to get, put it back on the shelf. Near the end of your cruise go gather all your photos up and pick one or two for your favorites and get them. As soon as you get home, give Carnival Customer service a call and tell them what ship you just got off of and the dates of your sailing. As if you can have a release letter to have some photo copies made for your friends. They will email, fax or mail you a letter without question. You can then take your photo to Wal-Mart, Walgreen's etc and have copies made for $2 or so. You can get bigger ones or smaller ones. Doesn't matter, you just can't use them for advertising or anything like that.
My friends and I do this for every cruise. We do a lot of group photo's so each of us buys a different one, make copies and mail to the others. Saves a bunch.
 
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howejustin

Guest
My wife and I are on the Splendor for the same cruise for 7 days to the Mexican Riviera in April (19-26). The one thing about Carnival is that they give direct customers the same rate as travel agents, and I was able to talk down the Carnival rep to $849 per person for a Balcony room on the Lido (top) deck. Booked it in November. My wife and I are stoked!

Always remember, the exact same cruise could be hundreds of dollars less per person even 1 or 2 weeks earlier/later. We're going right after spring break and before summer, so it's perfect for pricing and not being overcrowded.
 
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copman

Guest
We are booked on this same cruise with another couple. We got a good deal to upgrade to the spa balcony cabin from the Verandah deck. Our friends are on the Upper deck. The ship said to be be full-up... although, one never really knows. Carnival called me the other night about upgrading to a Penthouse Suite, but I declined as my wife wants to use the Spa facilities daily, which are included in our cabin. This should be a great cruise.
 
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pacruising

Guest
Hi, New to cruising too, so subbing to this thread to get all the tips offered to you!
 
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anniversarycruisin'

Guest
I did not realize that you could prepay onto your Carnival sign and sail card? That would be so convenient since my trip is still several months out....I could put any extra cash towards that? Where do I find out about this? Could I do this through my travel agent or do you do it online? Any info would be appreciated.
 
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