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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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