Just booked my first cruise for my 21st b day yeah

P

Prelude

Guest
Yup yup

Booked the 4 day Baja Mexico cruise (departs from Long beach and goes to Catalina/ ensanda) with 3 of my buddies for my 21st b-day. Al my buddies are already 21 sooo we are set there. Anyways I have a couple questions and after reading through like 100000000 million posts I just decided to ask.
Sooo if anyone knows any anwsers it would be a great help.

1. If me or none of my buddies have credit cards can we just buy drinks and such with cash or do we have to put the on the sign and sail card? Also the deposit for the sign and sail card can be paid in cash correct? Lastly is it cheaper in any way to use the sign and sail card rather than buying drinks with cash?


2. On this cruise is it really necessary to bring formal clothing? Cuz we don't have any, ahahahhaha. And probably don't wanna rent any either.

3. If we bring our own alcohol (wink wink) should we bring cups to have something to drink out of or can we get bar glasses or what?

4. I don't completly understand the tipping. I read it was prepaid (like 10 bucks a day) is that all u tip? Obviously u can tip extra, but say I order mid night room service do I tip extra?

5. Is there mid night room service? Good food? How many times can I order it?


Hahhahaahah sorry i had so many questions. Its my first cruise and I am way way excited as u can tell. Please help me out thanks.

Brandon



Shoot I forgot 1 question.

I just got the cheapest stateroom possible cuz were broke. But should I request a specific area, for instance close to elevators/ etc..... Anyone know what or where that would be on the ship paradise?
 
J

jetblue

Guest
1. All cruise ships are plastic, or in otherwords, they don't always accept paper money. Most bartenders will require your Sail and Sign card (Ship's ID card) to complete a transaction. You can however add money onto your Sail and Sign card by paying extra cash to the Purser once you have already embarked. However since you are 21 I would recommend a credit card, it just makes life that much easier, but it still does not make it any cheaper.

2. It is never necessary to bring formal clothing. One night onboard will be designated formal night, if you plan on eating dinner in the formal dining room, you do have to dress up on this night, however you can always eat at the buffet everynight in nothing but your underwear, if that's what you really want to do.

3. If you bring your own alcohol make sure to hide it in your checked luggage. If the cruise line finds it they will either throw it out or give it back to you at the end of the cruise, maybe fill some water bottles with Vodka? Anyway, there are plenty of cups and glasses onboard so don't bother packing any in your suitcase.

4. Carnival will automatically charge your Sail and Sign card $10 per day per person. 4 day cruise = $40 times the number of people. If you are paying in cash for your Sail and Sign card, make sure you have enough tip money this way you don't run out of alcohol money.;)

5. There is room service 24-7. The choices aren't that great, just your typical cold sandwiches, fruits, cheeses, and desserts. But its all free, however you should throw the crew member who delivers it a couple of bucks just to be nice.

6. Never book a room close to the elevators! Too noisy! Just try and get as close to the center of the ship as possible, in addition the least amount of motion is felt on the lower decks which are the cheaper decks anyways

Bon Voyage! :)-D
 
P

Prelude

Guest
One more question for anyone who knows. Hhehhehe should be a easy one.

I believe my paperwork says the the cruise departs from long beach at 5 pm. What would be a good time to arrive in long beach myself (I am only like a 40 min drive from there). Does it take long to check in? I have read in other post to arrive around 11 am? Is that true?
 
J

jetblue

Guest
11am is probably the best time to arrive. I believe they start boarding at around noon if not sooner, so better to be early than late. If you arrived at the schedule boarding you would most likely have to wait on a very long line.
 
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