Anyone ever been on a carnival cruise?

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Kristin

Carnival is a great cruise line! We went on our first cruise this past August. They do EVERYTHING they can to make you happy...esp. the cabin stewarts and wait staff (if you aren't happy, they won't make money..and tip). Most of the employees are generally from poorer countries, so they try their best to make you completely satisfied so provide for their family back home. If you don't like what you are served for dinner, ask for something else. If they offer you coffee with your dessert and you want hot cocoa...they will bring it. Two scoops instead of one...here it comes.

As for the activites, they always have something going on. They have really great comedy shows and a great deal of "Las Vegas style shows." During the day, they have games to win money/prices, classes to learn about the ports/shopping, dance classes, learn to make the towel animals (there is a new towel animal on your bed each night...very cool), casino, several pools, etc.

From our experience, unless it is a country that is know to be kind of...sketchy, I would say book your own shore excursions. There are people standing at the dock offering you the same shore excursions for 1/2 the price. Try to find another couple to go with you if it makes you feel better. One couple we ate with everynight rented scooters in Cozumel and rode around all day and had an amazing time. One bit of advice...if you take a taxi ride, negotiate the price BEFOREHAND! We got a great deal to a private beach in Cozumel, but when it was time to go...we had to pay 3 times as much to get back (they knew we would pay if we wanted to get home). For stuff that fills up fast (like swimming with the dolphins) or if you just don't feel comfortable on your own...suck it up and book with the cruiseline, but expect to pay more.

As for money...on the ship you charge everything to your "sail and sign card." You pay for it at the end with your credit card, or cash. Tipping for the crew is generally $10/day/person...and you can adjust it on your bill at the end of the cruise if you would like (go the night before the cruise is up...otherwise you will get stuck in a long line of people that morning!) I would bring enough cash to cover your souvenirs or if you want to grab something to eat while in shore (if you book through Carnival, taxis/food are included). Bring a small backpack or bag to carry water (expensive if you don't bring your own), cash, camera, sunscreen, etc in! Also, bring a light jacket for those windy nights that can get a bit chilly.

For dinner, if you eat at the restuarant (the time you picked to "dine") you will be assigned a table and a group of people to sit with. We had 3 other couples at our table (that is your table and eating group for the remainder of the cruise). They pair you with people you own age (we are a young couple and were paired with 3 other young honeymooners...so we ended up having a great time!)

You should have a great time! Hope it helps!

Morgan

I've been on AT LEAST 20 carnival cruises.
It's the best cruiseline, in my opinion.

There is so much to do on board, such as shows, on deck activities-near the pool- There is a water slide. Bingo that you can win money, if you do win. And other games that you can play to win money. There is a casino...a bar...game room..
and then, at night there are always shows...very good shows i must add.

sometimes they have magic shows, and not the lame ones either.

Money wise, it depends on how many ports you'll be stopping at, or if you even want to buy anything at the ports.

All food is included, therefore the only money you need is for ports, and possibly taxi fairs, if you take a taxi at any point.

To book shore excursions, you can talk to the information desk when you get on board, There, they have pamphlets telling you what they offer.

if you dont want to book a shore excursion, you can simply do what you want when you get to the port.

Oh and you also need to tip your waiters and the person that cleans your cabin.

(: hope i helped.

luvs2laugh1992

make sure you book shore excursions. you dont want to get lost in a foreign country. on the carnival cruise we went on we went zip-lining in the rainforest of jamaica, swam with stingrays and held sea turtles in grand cayman, and swam with dolphins in cozumel. it was AMAZING. other members of our group went to a plantation in jamaica, and loved it too. the only ports that you might not want to schedule an excursion are grand cayman and cozumel, if you're going there. but only if you plan on spending the entire day shopping. otherwise, schedule an excursion. they're pretty much the whole point of going on a cruise: to do amazing things in new places.

Dean S

I sailed Carnival Cruise for 3 days once. It traveling like cattle. Just be prepared. They herd you everywhere. From getting checked in to leaving there are herds of people everywhere. Dinners were very nice, the best part of the trip. Carnival is a party ship. Be prepared for them pushing cocktails on you. I mean pushing!!!

Beau.Gus

A carnival cruise?

Wouldn't the elephants get wet?

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