Going on a cruise...

[chia51]

Hey all,
I am going on a cruise with my wife and best friend and his wife this January. BTW we are going to the Bahamas from Orlando(Port Canaveral) Sensation. Have any of you been on this cruise? For all of you have gone on any cruise what should I expect? I have read reviews and such but want to see some OS reviews/opinions.

I have read on a couple of sites to bring cash, mainly small bills for tips and such. But we plan on getting the prepaid gratuity feature. So should I still take alot of small bills or what? Also I know you can't bring liquor onto the ship, but I have read that it is fairly easy to pack it along in your luggage and get it in. Anyone with luck on that?

Basically what should I be expecting from food and drinks and such? Are premium drinks free or what, I keep reading on it and getting mixed opinions. Some say that well drinks are handed out and some say that you have to pay 7-8 dollars for one. I have been reading that the food is excellent. Also would it be worth it to get the premier food club? Supposed to be some VIP kinda dining IDK.

Thanks any tips would be helpful.
Chris

[fistofrage]

Re: Going on a cruise...

You are going to have to pay for your alcoholic drinks. All the food is included. I took a cruise around Hawaii for my honeymoon. It was fun, but you are going to have to do the excursions. Without the excursions, it would not have been that much fun.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Going on a cruise...

Best trip I've ever been on.

Excursions cost money but besides tips and alcohol, that's it. You'll gain weight for sure. The formal dinner, try new things, if you don't like it, ask them for something else.

Can't beat the trip for the value.

[chia51]

Re: Going on a cruise...

For the formal do you have to wear slacks and a jacket or what? Can I go with some nice jeans and a dress shirt?

[Munkey]

Re: Going on a cruise...

For the formal do you have to wear slacks and a jacket or what? Can I go with some nice jeans and a dress shirt?

you may see alot of people in suits and the only reason you would probably dress nice is to not stand out...when i went, i just wore slacks and a dress shirt

i love the free food on cruises

[nkhera1]

Re: Going on a cruise...

There is a ton of food to eat on a cruise at pretty much any time you want. There are usually 2 nights of formal wear, and most people do get dressed up slacks and a dress shirt. I would save the nice jeans for some of the other nights as you can eat in the dining room every night if you choose to. Usually on the formal nights you can also take pictures if want to. Alcoholic beverage cost a crap load though you can slip some in the luggage. Sodas also cost money though you can usually get some sort of plan where you pay up front and get a card which gets punched every time you buy a soda. Its probably a good idea to do some excursions, but probably not everyday because some days its nice to be lazy and get up at your own time and just explore the city or place at your own pace. Check out the entertainment they have every night usually in the main theater, as they turn out to be pretty good. Usually people leave a tip for their waiters and the people who take care of their rooms in addition to the tip included in the bill because they end up doing a pretty good job for you, so you might want to take that into consideration. Don't know how health conscience you are but you may want to try out the gym considering how much food there is for you to eat. Its almost impossible to not gain weight. I don't know which cruise you are going on, but make sure you check your newsletter everyday as there is usually something going on at nearly all times in some room or another. For the older people they usually have some cool lounges, but the atmosphere will probably depend on what demographic is going on the cruise. Overall its really hard to mess up a cruise, and it will probably be a blast for you.

[chia51]

Re: Going on a cruise...

There is a ton of food to eat on a cruise at pretty much any time you want. There are usually 2 nights of formal wear, and most people do get dressed up slacks and a dress shirt. I would save the nice jeans for some of the other nights as you can eat in the dining room every night if you choose to. Usually on the formal nights you can also take pictures if want to. Alcoholic beverage cost a crap load though you can slip some in the luggage. Sodas also cost money though you can usually get some sort of plan where you pay up front and get a card which gets punched every time you buy a soda. Its probably a good idea to do some excursions, but probably not everyday because some days its nice to be lazy and get up at your own time and just explore the city or place at your own pace. Check out the entertainment they have every night usually in the main theater, as they turn out to be pretty good. Usually people leave a tip for their waiters and the people who take care of their rooms in addition to the tip included in the bill because they end up doing a pretty good job for you, so you might want to take that into consideration. Don't know how health conscience you are but you may want to try out the gym considering how much food there is for you to eat. Its almost impossible to not gain weight. I don't know which cruise you are going on, but make sure you check your newsletter everyday as there is usually something going on at nearly all times in some room or another. For the older people they usually have some cool lounges, but the atmosphere will probably depend on what demographic is going on the cruise. Overall its really hard to mess up a cruise, and it will probably be a blast for you.

thanks for the info, pretty much sums it up for me, also its a carnival cruise to the bahamas 5 day

[davin]

Re: Going on a cruise...

I've been on 8 or 9 cruises, can't remember the actual number, most recently this summer to the mediterranean. Whenever I've sailed to the Bahamas the seas haven't been that bad. I've been through a hurricane on a ship before and some pretty wicked winds in the Aegean Sea. The food is awesome, honestly one of my favorite parts of the cruise. This summer my gf and I were tired of Italian food (if you don't like seafood and don't feel like spending more than 15 euro per dinner, you basically can get pasta, which the sauce is too light for me). We got onboard and the buffet was all American food with some nice Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, veggies, salads, roast beef, cookies. I think I gained 4 pounds that day and it is nigh impossible for me to gain weigth.

Just curious, what Carnival Ship are you going on? I've been on the Imagination and the Sensation.