New To Carnival .... What Are Your Best Tips?

[12Cats]

I have sailed Princess three times and NCL once, and now will be taking my first Carnival Cruise on the Fantasy in January. I would love to know from all of the veterans what your best suggestions, tips, etc. are for this cruise line. Also, this will be the first cruise to the Caribbean/Mexico and don't know what to expect so would appreciate your thoughts on this as well.

To put it bluntly, I need help! In the meantime, I'll continue to read past threads for information.

Thanks.
12Cats

 

[Mbandy]

Well, since you've cruised before you know most of the good stuff. I have cruised on four Fantasy class ships and I'm sure you will have a great time.

One tip I can suggest is don't miss the ruben sandwiches in the deli, a yummy late afternoon treat.

I've been to Cozumel many times. a great website for lots of good information is Cozumel Insider. Here's a link....

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/

If you want to do some snorkeling I'd suggest Eagle Ray Divers

http://www.eagleraydivers.com/

=funsign on your cruise.

 

[cjbee]

I say don't spend a lot of time noticing what Carnival lacks versus the other lines (you WILL notice) and just have fun!
CJ

 

[LHP]

As you can see we have done Carnival alot and the Fantasy 3 times in the last 12 months.

All that said, the best tip is to keep your expectations realistic.

We love Carnival...but I will be the first to tell someone it is not 5 star. However, you don't pay 5 star rates either and you will definately get your money's worth.

The New Orleans terminal is only a year or two old and is a nice addition to the port. The folks there are friendly (HEY ROBERT!!).

Cozumel is also my favorite port. Very safe, tourist friendly and lots of fun. There is always transportation available. WE joke that there are more taxis than sand.

If you want to swim with dolphins, you can book it independently and save some bucks. You go through Chankanaab Park.

If you want a free beach resort (no entrance fee for the use of the lounge chairs, clean restrooms, internet at the bar, umbrellas etc) we go to Paradise Beach. All they expect is that you eat/drink while you are there. They do offer an optional wristband for $9 if you want to use the water toys like kayaks and snorkeling...but the snorkeling from the beach (at any resort) is not good in Cozumel. It is ok for beginners. Some parents use it to introduce their kids to snorkeling because it is inexpensive.

You really need to go to the reefs if you are a die hard snorkeler!!
You can book that independently as well and save some money.

All of these independent recommendations of course are only if you feel comfortable doing that. Some folks prefer to go through the ship and the ship does indeed offer all these excursions!!

If you are on the 5 day cruise, you will go to another port. It used to be Costa Maya...but hurricane Dean changed that for several years.
If you go to Progreso, there is not much there. Again, I have heard it is pretty user friendly. We are headed that way next month on the Holiday. Complaints I have heard is lots of seaweed in the water and aggressive vendors.

I believe that Big Tex will be your CD. I believe he and his wife are on the Fantasy until the end of January. He is super nice. Be sure to do the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl. We brought our own "flashy beads" for the occasion.

Personally, I feel like the Fantasy is in need of a drydock. They work hard to keep her looking good...but she does take a lot of abuse. When we were on her in August, she was still ok...but was starting to look a little tired. Nothing that will influence your cruise...just a hint of it here and there.

She goes in for the Waterworks refit the end of 2008...so I would imagine that is when they will freshen her up as well.

Staff and crew were friendly. We have always had a good time.

Hope yours is a good one as well!!

 

[12Cats]

Thanks for the information on the ports. About the ship ... I must be stupid .... what is a pub crawl?

Other questions

1. At dinner, with the assigned dinner times, are you also always to eat with other people? Can you choose to eat at a smaller table and if so, how do you make that happen?

2. Where's the best place to be for "sail away"?

3. Is there an easy way to tell port from starboard - like on Princess where the carpet is different colors?

4. Do you need to take hangers, a power strip, etc.?

5. If you have a late seating at dinner - are you ever hungry enough in time to really enjoy the midnight buffet?

6. Is the buffet the only place you can get free coffee (other than ordering room service) - or can you get it in the bars, at the deli, etc.?

7. What's a "must try" on the dinner menu?

8. What activites on the ship are especially fun or interesting?

9. What goes on at the "debarkation" talk (have never had one of these before)?

I'm sure I'll have other questions, but these are the ones that come to mind at the moment.

Thanks again.
12Cats

 

[Mbandy]

1. We always try for a large table. We enjoy visiting with our table mates for the duration of the cruise. We have had great luck with table mates over the years.

2. The pool area will have live music for sail away which is fun. Personally I prefer as far up and forward as possible.

3. Hmmmm. didn't notice the different colored carpet on Princess. I'll pay closer attention next time. Port, Starboard, what the heck =shrug One way I can always tell if I'm on the correct side of the ship on the deck my cabin is on is by the artwork close to the lifts.

4. Never took hangars except the ones I have things hanging on im my garment bag. We always bring a power strip. Although most cruise ship cabins have hair blow dryers, some of them are pretty weak. I always bring my own.

5. I prefer late dining. With early dining you sometimes miss being out on deck for sunset. I am never too full for the midnight buffet.

6. Amazing to say but in 17 cruises I never noticed if there is coffee at the bar.

7. Escargot is my favorite appetizer. I love the chilled fruit soups. Banana, strawberry and mango, Yummy!

8. We enjoy the trivia contests and "name that tune"...we usually win too. We're very trivial people. "Battle of the Sexes" is also lots of fun.

9. The "debarkation" talk mainly explains the procedure. A lot of info on what you're allowed too bring back with you, customs etc.

 

[Happy Traveler]

You are assigned a table with the same people for dinner. We enjoyed getting to know our fellow passengers.

Carnival has plenty of hangers. I brought some blow up hangers from the Containe Store. They were useful to hanging items in the cabin to dry. There is also a built in clothes line in the shower. I didn't need a power strip but the extension cord was very useful.

We took pictures of the midnight buffet, but didn't eat. There is so much food!

Coffee is available at all the self serve drink stations in the restaurants. You can get tea, coffee, and juice all day long. Just bring a sports bottle.

We enjoyed the soups. My husband liked the lobster.

The water slide was fun. We also attended the towel folding class. It was a hoot!

The debarkation talk provides a lot of interesting information about the day excursions and the cruise in general. You can get coupons for free items while in port. Sit near the front and you can catch the freebies that are thrown into the crowd. If you don't want to attend the live lecture, you can also watch it in your cabin. All the shows and events are taped and shown again on the Carnival entertainment TV channel.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[amylynn24]

The only advice I have is to be prepared to party. Carnival is a way better party boat than NCL and Princess.

You will love it.