Newbie with lots of ?????

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sweetwater

Guest
Hi everyone,
We are new converts crossing over from vacations at the beach to cruising the crystal blue waters!!!!!!!

My DH an I have planned our first cruise together to the Bahamas, we will be on the Fantasy Feb 06. We are so excited and can't wait. Has anyone taken this cruise before. We leave on Sun to Freeport then to Nassau and it looks like we overnight there and return Thurs mornin. 4 nights

We have lots of ??? like which side of the ship is best, what to pack that time of the year. Myself being a server in our local steakhouse want to make sure I take care of my fellow servers, maids, who to tip and what to tip????? What about pre paid tips is it enough how to you know? What about the s& s cards how do they work...Dinner times when is the best time? Do I have to carry a formal dress and dh carry a suit???(Pleazzzzz say no) Whats in the cabin and what do I need to pack. Passports need or not???
Where to go in Nassau where NOT to go etc.

Sorry so long...........Thanks for any advice......PS any ga cruisers going on that cruise??????
 
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cbug360

Guest
How exciting for you , your first cruise!!! I am only able to answer some of your questions as we are scheduled for our 2nd cruise October 9th. Sail and Sign cards---before you board you can put a credit card on file to which all your onboard charges will be charged to. The only place on board you will need real money for is the casino. If you do not wish to use a credit card you may put down a cash deposit at the pursers's desk after you get on board. All on board charges are charged to your S & S card. No you do not have to wear a formal is you do not want to. However, please be aware that no shorts or swimsuits are allowed in the main dining rooms. A nice dress for you and dress slacks for DH will be suffienct. Although most people do go all out on formal nights you do not have to plus you can always eat on the Lido deck any night you wish, (no dress code there). Tips: we have always done the prepay tips $10.00 per day per person. Room service is not included in that so if you order room service be sure to tip them a dollar or two each time (real money this time). Plus if someone give you exceptional service you can always tip them extra at the end of the cruise. Casual attire is the name of the game for packing. Shorts, Capris, slacks, pantsuits or sun dresses for the dining room. Carnival ships have 2 early 5:45 and 6:15 and 2 late (don't remember those times). We always select early dining that way we can eat the midnight buffets. lol www.carnival.com has a selection know before you go selection that will help alot. Maybe someone else can help with more information. Happy sailing.
 
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kakarp

Guest
Hi sweetwater and your DH, welcome aboard!

Your first cruise, a BIG CONGRADULATIONS!

You may want to ask this type of question on the Community Message Board. You may get more response there. I just happen to be partial to Carnival so I do visit this board too. And the, Know before you go board.

I remember our first cruise five years ago. We packed everything. DONâ€ÂT. Now we cruise once a year. The DW and I did bring dress cloths the first time. And went to the main dinning room five of our seven nights. The next year we cruise by ourselves and decided not to bring formal wear. We did what we wanted when we wanted. And we had a GREAT time. But we still over packed. I have finally got my packing down, I think. This past cruise we did bring our formal wear because my brother and his DW, their second cruise (which is my DW’s youngest sister) wanted to try the main dinning room. Next cruise we will probably not bring formal again.

A cruise is what you want to do. You can party hardy, or just relax and enjoy quite time.

Most of the time I live in shorts or swim suit, T’s or tank top and sandals. When on an island sneakers. Too much walking for sandals. At least for me. If we do go to the main dinning room we will wear casual. For us late sitting. That way we are not rushed especially when coming back to the ship from island.

Side of ship? To us no huge difference. When we pick a cabin (I don’t like or trust guaranteed, never know were you’ll end up) I check out the diagrams to see what is next, across, above and below were we may want to be. I don’t want to be below a “party deck†or below or above the casino.

Tipping. Carnival now has automatic tips as part of your price. But we usually will give the room steward an extra $20 and his or her assistant an extra $10. The only exception was last year. None of us in two different cabins felt he deserved extra.

I hope this helps you somewhat.

Kevin
 
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