Going on cruise need advice and what to expect.?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

The cruise line will tell you in your cruise documents what time you should arrive. However, based on the many cruises we have been on you can usually get started with the check-in process about noon and they will generally let you board shortly after that. If you cannot board they will have a waiting room and they will have taken your luggage so you wait in the lounge until you can go on the ship. Sometimes when you first board all of the cabins are not ready for occupancy so you just head to the lunch buffet which WILL be ready when you first board. In addition, the pools and hot tubs and gym will also be open so if you want to do those immediately take those clothes on board with you in your carry-on bags.

Also regarding boarding, the cruise lines now require all passengers to be checked in at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time because they must provide to Homeland Security a complete passenger list at least an hour before sailing. So if you are running late be sure to get there within 90 minutes of sailing.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take swim wear (at least 2), shorts, tank tops and "T's", sandals, beach shoes, a cap or big hat for the sun, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, good walking shoes. Then after 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, capri, blouse, etc. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice. You will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room or any other venue if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. No sandals, flip flops or jeans in the main dining room. Also, on any evening that you don't want to dress up you can always just go to the buffet or order the free room service for dinner.

If you want to you can take bottled water and soft drinks (maybe a 6-pack of each) on board in your carry-on. You can also take any snacks you like. This is Carnival's policy on alcohol:

"Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages onboard. However, guests 21 years of age and older only may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. A $10 corkage fee per bottle will be charged should you wish to consume this wine in the main dining room; $14 corkage fee per bottle in the Supper Club. Guests may bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages. All prohibited alcohol, additional quantities of wine/champagne or excessive quantities of non-alcoholic beverages will be confiscated and discarded without compensation."

I think you will find that there no need for fear on the cruise ship as its nowhere near like going out on the water/ocean in a small boat or ferry. The ship is so big that you hardly know you are moving most of the time. The ships will have stabilizers that prevent most side to side rocking and its so large that there little or now up and down motion. To ease the boarding stress have a fancy drink or two as soon as you board (after having lunch).

You may want to take a look at the features of the Triumph on Carnival's web site: http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_triumph/default.aspx?shipCode=TI

Leafsfan29 is on the 1st tee

I would start by checking Carnival's website. They likely will have a FAQ section, or policies about boarding.

Cruise ships will not allow you to take alcohol aboard (if you buy any at a port of call, they'll hold it for you until you end your cruise).

Personally...I did a cruise some years ago, and didn't find it to my liking. I prefer to be more independent, and find that having set schedules for things isn't my thing at all. But, many people enjoy cruising. I suppose it's a matter of individual taste.

Relax. You're going on a cruise to have fun. If needbe, a doctor can give you medication to help you during the boarding process. Failing that, have your husband hold your hand (the walkway is very stable).

Onboard, have a glass of champagne, get some fresh air, and relax.

Mary L

The Carnival web site should have lots of very good information for you about boarding, clothes, etc, so go read everything! You will be safer on board the ship than you will be getting to Charleston, so get prepared to have a wonderful time!

Lexi

I went on a Carnival cruise from New York to 2 provinces in Canada. I have also been to the Bahamas (but not by cruise). For clothing, bring bunch of tanks, shorts, light jacket, flip flops, etc. The cruise is great too. I'm not sure if it has changed (went on in 1999). But I do remember seeing a theatre, a gym, at least one swimming pool, a club, stuff like that. If you are afraid of water, stay far from the balconies. Just in case you get seasick, bring something like Tylenol. The Bahamas is hot, so the two main things you'll need for that are sunglasses and sunscreen. There are places that do accept American dollars. Have fun and take care.

Stan

You can arrive as early as you like but you won't be able to board until the passengers for the previous cruise get off. Mostly I've purchased air fare through the cruise line which is a sweet deal in that after you check your bags at the airport you don't see them until your in your stateroom. If you are taking other transportation to the cruise terminal it's a pain just like going through the airport: waiting in line and having your bags checked.

You aren't supposed to take alcohol on board. A friend of mine said he's had his confiscated (given back at the end of the cruise). However, I've taken my own and a blender along (there is lots of fresh fruit on the buffet). One time I asked the steward for a corkscrew and he gave me a souvenir one I could keep.

If there is a formal evening on your cruise you will need a jacket / tux and a gown if you are going to eat in the formal dining room. There are other places to eat (the buffet, a hamburger stand, pizza shop, etc.) where you eat if formal isn't your bag. Even though the menu looks like you can have 1 salad, 1 appetizer, 1 main course and 1 desert - you can have as many as you like. If you want two steak and lobsters, just ask. As far as the other clothes, swim suit, shorts - whatever you wear at the beach. They have all the towels you need. Maybe your own snorkel gear if you are going to do that.

Tipping is a tradition on cruises and for this cruise expect to tip about $80 total for the two you.

When you are at the cruise terminal with all the hustle and bustle of checking in you may not even see the water when you make the transition from land to ship and if you have an interior cabin you may not even see the water until you go top side. If you think this may be a real problem, see your doctor. He can prescribe valium or something for you. Along the same lines, the ship has special stabilizers so you don't feel much of the ocean. You may feel the ship accelerate and slowdown and if the seas are calm you won't feel anything until you get home and lay down in your own bed. It's hard to describe. It's a strange rocking sensation but a fun reminder of the trip you were just on.

Time travler

Usually you can start to embark about 11:30 to noon. You can not take any alcohol with you on Carnival and, of course any weapons. Do take summer clothes and leave jeans, coats, heavy shoes, and stockings home. The Bahamas get very hot and humid. Bring sun dresses, shorts, cool tops and sandals. The ship will not seem like it is on water at all, but if your afraid of water, stay away from the balcony's and railings. Otherwise you won't even know your on water. Be sure to bring sun screen too. Boarding is very easy to do and you most likely will not even be able to see the water as you board. You would have to look down to the end of the ship to see the water. Cruises are very safe and once on board, you will feel secure.

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