First time cruiser with a few questions

C

Caribbean or bust

Guest
Me and my family of about 25 are going on a Western Caribbean cruise the end of the month on the Carnival Triumph and we're all super excited. I have a few questions that I'm hoping some veteran cruisers can help me with.

1. I heard that you can buy a card that allows for unlimited pop, water and juice. Is that true and about how much is it?
2. Can you take drinks (alcoholic or not) back to your room? We're planning on bringing wine bottles with booze in them and I wanted to know if I would be able to mix them in my room with pop from the ship.
3. Are beach towels provided?
4. Would it be better to book an excursion now before we go or wait till we get on the ship?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.
 
M

Mbandy

Guest
Ahoy Matey and =welcome to Cruise @ddicts. Glad to have you on board.

1. I heard that you can buy a card that allows for unlimited pop, water and juice. Is that true and about how much is it?
I'm not going to swear to this one but I believe when we were on the Miracle a while back it was about $40 for a seven night cruise. Might have been less for kids? Someone will know the definate answer to this question.

2. Can you take drinks (alcoholic or not) back to your room? We're planning on bringing wine bottles with booze in them and I wanted to know if I would be able to mix them in my room with pop from the ship.
I have never had a problem bringing alcohol on to a ship. I usually bring one, maybe two bottles of spirits in my checked luggage and have never had it removed before it got to my cabin. IMHO the main issue is not trying to bring mass quantities of alcohol on board. Do that and they might take it all. I have never tried to conceal it in other types of containers and never had a problem as long as it was in my checked bag.

3. Are beach towels provided?
Yes. There will be one beach towel in your cabin for each guest and your cabin steward will leave a fresh one every day. Don't lose it though or you'll get charged. I think the charge is $25 per towel. You are allowed to take the towels off the ship for excursions but again, don't lose it.

4. Would it be better to book an excursion now before we go or wait till we get on the ship?
We always book in advance and never through the cruise line. We have found that booking through independant operators is usually less expensive and less crowded. We have booked lots of excursions on the shoretrips web site. Here's a link.

http://www.shoretrips.com/default.asp
 
G

Gayle V

Guest
I don't think juice is included in the drink card. And it only includes fountain soda, not cans. And if I'm remembering correctly the only soda they offer is cola, diet cola, regular lemon-lime (no diet lemon-lime) and regular gingerale. (and I'm not 10% positive about the gingerale being included.) I specifically remember that there is no diet soda on the list that is caffeine free. That is why I didn't buy the card.

About the shore excursion, yes book ahead to get what you want. They book up , and it would be a shame to miss one that you had your heart set on.

As for booking on your own, or through the cruise line: We have done and still do it both ways. We too have had good luck with Shoretrips.com . But I don't usually recommend going it alone to a newbie. Here's a little cut and paste of what I tell folks on the Cruise Tips page: (please forgive my being lazy and just doing a cut and paste. instead of typing it more succinctly)

Cruise Tips Page said:
WHEN IN PORT:

When in port: Don’t get left behind! This is good advice for all cruisers, experienced or not: If you are taking an excursion to a location some distance away from the port, book it through the cruise line even though that may be more expensive than booking it elsewhere. Think of the difference in cost as a mini insurance policy. The cruise line has the responsibility to get you back to the ship when you book through them. But if you book with an independent operator, and are delayed getting back to the ship, they will sail without you. And you will be responsible to catch up with the ship at the next port, at your own expense and costing you a lot more money in the long run.

When in port: Be sure to keep that same thought in mind when planning more than one activity for your port day. Suppose you want to do both a ship’s excursion, and something on your own also. To avoid being left behind always do your independent port activities early in the day, and do the ship’s tour in the afternoon. The concern is about the potential to be late returning from your independent activity. If your afternoon excursion is booked with the ship, and you are late returning, the ship waits for you. But if you chose to do the independent activity in the afternoon, and you are late…well that ship will be just a little dot on the horizon, and you will have to get to the next port on your own.
Click to expand...
 
C

Caribbean or bust

Guest
Thanks for all the advice. I don't think I'm going to try and conceal any alcohol, I'll just put a bottle in my checked luggage and if it gets confiscated then oh well at least I tried :). I'm still debating on doing an excursion since they can be a bit pricey and I might just want to sight see since I'm totally wet behind the ears. I've never been anywhere so this is all new to me and sort of over whelming.
 
K

Kruzr41

Guest
Bottled water is NOT included in the soda card. Don't know about juice. Juice is free at breakfast in the dining room and the buffet.

Dan
 
L

larsfun

Guest
Question 1 - The soda cards are available, the cost depends on the length of the cruise ($40 for 7 days sounds about right) It does not include bottled water. Juice, iced tea and lemonade is usually free. Some of the ships keep thier juice nachines filled all day near the buffet decks.
2 - Yes you can take drinks to your room. As for openly taking booze aboard the ship well, policy does not allow for that. 1 bottle of wine is permitted. However I have been creative in managing to get some other forms of alcohal aboard. use small 1/2 pint or small single serve bottles. Stuff them in the middle of your suitcase in yor shoes. Now I am not advocating the practice (ahem) but it has worked for me. Just be aware that you are aboard a ship and over use of alcohol can result in tragedy.
3 - Yes beach towels are provided. Ask your room steward to provide one to use if you are taking one to a beach off the ship. Be sure to return it or will show up on your bill. If you are using it in the pools or hot tubs on the ship you will find them being dispensed in those areas
4 - If you look at and review the excursions and make up your mind that you will do it then it is best to pre book on line before you go to be sure you get it. there have been times we didn't do that and found out too late that the excursion was filled. Booking through independent sources is cheaper and less crowded however be absolutely sure you are dealing with reputable sources. The one thing to be mindful of is; if you book through the ship they are responsible to get back to the ship on time or get you to the next port. If you book one the independents be sure to check what their policy is in those situations.

We have done the western Carib and loved it as you will. Mexico is a very freindly place and our dollar still has some clout there. Have a great cruise!

lars
 
G

Gayle V

Guest
About that soda card, I was reading elsewhere and it seems that on Carnival, the drink card does include cans. At least that's what several posters on another board said. I don't remember ever hearing that before. I do know that, on the ships where I have inquired about the card (Canival, Princess, RCCL) none of them had any kind of non-caffienated, diet soda available on the card. At least not then.
 
F

fpslim

Guest
If you have the soda card, you show it at any of the bars and they will give you a glass of soda with ice. They don't give you the can.
The following is from the Carnival website:

"We will offer to all guests the option to purchase a "Fountain Fun Card" which will allow them unlimited soft drinks for the duration of the cruise at a one time purchase price (including gratuities). The "Fountain Fun Card" can be purchased at the casino, lobby and pool bar onboard the ship. In all locations where beverage service is offered, guests may receive a glass of the soft drink of their choice - one glass will be served at a time and only to the guest whose name appears on the card. The card cannot be used through room service.

NOTE: A 15% gratuity will automatically be added on at the time of purchase of the Fountain Fun Card"

Unfortunately I haven't been able to track down the actual cost of one.
 
M

MoJo2Rusty

Guest
Welcome to the board. I see others have answered your questions but I do want to add. I have been on the Triumph twice and you will have a wonderful time. I'm sure this will be your first of many cruises. I know when I went on my first one, I planed it to be my only one. Well that was 4 cruises ago and I'm booked on 5 & 6 for this Dec. It's addicting, I'll give you fair warning.
Please come back and post a review when you get back. We;ll all be waiting.
 
J

Jamman

Guest
Just off the miracle and the going rate for the soda card is $6./day for an adult card, and $4.50/day for a childs card, then add the 15% gratuity.
 
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