Carnival Paradise Cruise (Mexico): All advice welcome... tips,activities,food etc... ((thanks))?

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Ariel

Hi!

I've been on four Carnival cruises, so I may be able to help.

First of all, I recommend eating in the dining room if possible instead of at the buffet. The same food is offered, but if you like a sit-down meal, it's better to try the dining room.

Have your daughters sign up for teen activities. I am 16 years old and I LOVED the activities for both the 12-14 age group and the 15-17 age group. There are karaoke parties, dance parties, bracelet making, ice cream socials, and just fun time to make new friends. I still keep in touch with friends from cruises and have even met up with some of them. Your daughters will love it!

Remember that most food is included (there are some specialty desserts at the cafe that are not). There is free ice cream and pizza 24-hours a day. Alcohol and soda are not included. You can buy a soda card once onboard if your family drinks a lot of soda. There is espresso for free after dinner in the dining room.

Be sure to see some of the shows. They are really good and there are some very talented people!

All purchases made onboard the ship are charged to your room. You do not use cash. Instead, each person has a Sail and Sign card. You just give them a credit card number at the beginning of your trip and at the end, all of your expenses are charged to your credit card. You can decide when you give them the number if your children are allowed to charge on your card or not.

If you like to lay out, try to get a deck chair early in the morning. By the middle of the day, they will all be taken. Saving deck chairs is not allowed. There are sometimes some more secluded decks where there are more open deck chairs, so seek those out.

Remember to pack something to wear for formal night. Dress code is on the Carnival website. I had some tablemates that did not have formal clothes and were not allowed to eat in the dining room on formal night.

Definitely try the chocolate melting cake for dessert! It is on the alternative menu in the dining room. Also, the king crab legs are great!

Be sure to check your Carnival Capers. They arrive at your room nightly and list all of the activities for the next day. This will help keep you informed.

Room service is free but small tips are appreciated by the staff!

They leave chocolate on your pillow each night. I loved that. =)

Most of all, enjoy yourself! These were the things I thought of off the top of my head.

Hope this was helpful!

Dusie

Welcome to the world of cruising. Don't worry, all the veteran cruisers are NOT thinking "Look at them, they don't know what to do." They are thinking "Look, they're on their first cruise, Remember the feeling we had on our first cruise. And I still look around in wonder, and I've been on several.

Try cruiseaddicts.com or cruisecritic.com where you can just lurk and learn so much or post a question and get some really great answers from people who've "been there, done that."

Bon Voyage and relax and enjoy. You'll be as "hooked" as I am.

flcowgirl2000

hi one thing that mite help you is find out where the ship will stop lets say you are going to stop in cozumel then do a seach on cozumel mexico it will bring up the web page on there it will show you about it it will also have cruise ship stop and it will give a list of the things to do so you can read about each one of them and how much it will cost to do them also it will give you a time on how long it takes to do the tour most ship stop at the ports from 6 to 9 hours you have to make sure you have time for it this help me and my kids out it gave us a chance to see what each one of us like then we talk about it it was a great time for us (family time ) this will give you and ideal of what they like and will also show you about mexico and the way they live then after you have had a chance to do that then go to cruise critic my kids have choosen to see the ruins by the end of are cruise i think my feet are going to be killing me lol oh wait maybe ill have a foot Massage or relax in a spa well any ways i hope find things all of you like good luck you will love it

MomSezNo

CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to your favorite topic. You might especially be interested in "First Time Cruisers", "Money-Saving Tips", "Ports of Call" and the Carnival board. If you want to "meet" others on your sailing, you can go to the "Roll Call" board - you'll have to join CC for that board, but it's free.

I sailed on the Paradise back when she was a non-smoking ship - very nice, and one of Carnival's less-over-the-top ships in re decor!

Have a great cruise. But be forewarned: you, too, may become "addicted" to cruising!!

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