Looking for any tips for going on a cruise?

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j d

If you intend to use the pools onboard, each of you needs a swimsuit. Bring one that dries quickly. Don't forget cover-up because no one really wants to see someone else roaming around the ship in a swimsuit. Bring flip-flops for the pool area and beach shoes if you go to beaches on excursions.

You'll probably have one or two Captain's Formal Dinners. Women should have a gown or party dresss, guys should have a suit or tux. You don't have to go to the formal night in the main dining room; you can dine casually in the buffet-area, in a specialty restaurant or in your stateroom. That way, you avoid the excesss wieght of formal clothes in your suitcases.

Each of you should bring clothes that mix and match, and things you can wear more than once. You are in the Caribbean, so shorts or jeans and t-shirts or shirts/blouses should be acceptable daytime wear. You'll need dockers or casual pants for evenings on board. Bring trainers for walking during excursions and one pair of dress shoes for evenings. In case evenings are cool, bring a sweater or light jacket. Bring enough socks and underwear to cover 7 days.

Leave your shampoo, conditioner and shower soap/gel nad your hair dryer at home.This stuff is provided in your stateroom, just as at a hotel. Bring travel size shave foam, deodorant and toothpaste. Don't forget your brush/comb and a toothbrush, all travel size if possible.

You'll need your creit acrd to set up an on-board charge account for things you'll purchase on board. Your purchases include any alcoholic beverages and/or soft drink you order anywhere on the ship as well as items purchased in the shops on-board. I'm not sure if Carnival charges the daily tips to your stateroom account; if they do not you'll need enough cash (US) for your waiter and stateroom attendant (about $3/day/person each), your busboy (about $2.50/day/person), maitre d' (at your discretion). To be on the safe side, figure $10/day/person: for 7 days you need about $70; with 2 of you, it's about $140. You'll also need cash to tip room service attendants, and you may want to give a cash tip to the person who brings you your drinks (even though a tip is included on your bill).

Your on-board account may be settled the last sea day by paying cash, or you can simpply let the charges go to your credit card. Some cruise companies will allow you to put a cash deposit from which on-board charges are automatically deducted; you are able to top up the amount once you're on board. Any excess cash is refunded to you Or any outstanding debt is settled when you go to the cashier's desk or reception desk to verify and close your account.

Read through the Carmival brochure to get the exact information on tipping, payment on-board and dress codes. Read up on excursions packages to find interesting places to go and things to do. You can do Caymen Islands and Mexico safely on your own. I'd take an excursion in Jamaica, though.

You should be able to take a virtual visit of the ship you'll be on. You can find your stateroom (you could see how it's set up), the dining rooms, the theatre, casino, shops on-board; use this as an orientation tool before you board.

Finally, sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise!

quinnline

I just did the same cruise a week ago, it was my first time as a cruiser. The food is amazing, make a point to go to dinner every night and in the a.m. too. There is plenty of stuff to do on board but not too much shops for clothing. Very little toiletries available on board to buy, so bring what you need. The motion sickness patch worked for me. My biggest tip is to be careful in Jamaica, the locals HOUND you to buy buy buy from them, everything is over priced, the taxis, the excursions, etc. They even go as far as offering you a gift with your carved name into it and then want you to give them something "for taking care of you" We payed $10 for them, they were little carved wooden faces (you'll see what I mean when you get there, avoid this scam please) If you go to Dunns River, bring watershoes, this excursion is dangerous, there are stairs you can go up and down on, so you dont have risk knocking your head. Be aware in jamaica, i'd say stay on the ship that day if i go back there. I'm never going back to jamaica again in fact. Caymen Islands are beautiful, you'll see the difference right away. Things are decently priced, you can book excusions off the ship when you get there, there are people there to take care of you. Mexico is the same. Bring a small clock for your room, there are only two outlets, so something battery powered would do. There are no irons allowed whatsoever in the rooms, but there is a laundry room available with one in it. There will be two formal nights so bring your best, you can dress up every night at dinner if you wish, there are alot of people. Carry you bags on board if you can, and carry them off too. Go early to the pool or very late, they are tiny and they are busy with kids, if you're a tanner, go early to get a seat. Have the photographers take your pic often, there is no obligation to buy and they do a great job, they are pricey, but if you get a few great shots it's worth it. That's pretty much it. Enjoy yourself and eat eat eat! We loved our trip and hope you do.

Hooyah!

I went on this exact cruise a couple of years ago. Ochos Rios, Grand Caymen island and Cozumel, Mexico. For Mexico I would say bring plenty of sun screen and bug repellent. Unfortunately we (along with the rest of out tour group) found out the hard way that there are strange bugs in the sand that will bite the hell out of you. We did an atv excursion through the ruins. There were really no ruins to see, but the atv ride to the beach was fun!
Grand Caymen Island was my absolute favorite! You'll love it. Once again, bring plenty of sunscreen. Go snorkeling if you can. The water is crystal clear and the sea life is absolutely beautiful. Don't plan to do anything the day you're there. Just enjoy the island.Oh, and they also have great food.
Be careful in Jamaica....well, be aware. I enjoyed Jamaica and suggest going to see the rain forest. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. But some of the people there are very pushy and intimidating. When I was there I simply asked a man for directions to a store. He followed me to the bank, went inside the bank, then followed me to the atm. By the time I finally got my money from the atm, I was scared to go any further, so I had to get the police involved. Thankfully an officer was in the street and told him to leave me alone. This along with several other people trying to force their gifts/services on me made me kind of weary of the natives. Don't get me wrong, many people were very nice and welcoming. Just make sure no one pushes you in to anything or tries to overcharge you. Other than that Jamaica was great! We got to see the local culture, visit the rain forest and enjoy the native 'plant' life. ;) A lot of people we cruised with went to Dunn's River Falls and said they had a blast. I regret that we didn't do that, so maybe you should check that out.
All in all, it's a great cruise. You will enjoy every minute of it! Take plenty of pictures!

Mary L

Read ALL of the Carnival web site, which probably has information about what to expect, what to pack, etc. They probably also have a way to see deck plans and photos of your ship, which will be good to review (and if you have your cabin number you can probably find your cabin, too). Finally, see what they have about their stops and any shore excursions.

Beyond that, a couple of things I find useful -- take a tote bag! It will be handy for your ID/key, sunscreen, sunglasses, daily program, etc. during the day. And be sure to take flipflops or some other kind of shoe that can get wet, because decks can get really hot and slick around the pools, and you will want to wear something on your feet to the pool and to leave at the side for when you get out!

Have fun!

~Island Girl~

well looks like everybody gave you good advice, so I'm just gonna give you this one thing

check in all or atleast most of your luggage!!! we let them take our large suitcases to take to our rooms (they say once you drop off your luggage it could be a couple of hours before they deliver it to your room) but we decided to carry two carry on-like bags. BIG MISTAKE!!!
they don't let you in your room for quite a while once you board the ship, so you are stuck hauling those bags you chose to carry with you.
when you first get on the ship you have about enough time to walk around to get a little familiar and then grab lunch, by that time they will let you in your room then you will have to leave again to go through the safety training thing

also, be careful about what you chose to buy, at the end of the cruise we ended up with a big shocker about what we had to pay taxes on (alcohol and such)

enjoy your cruise!!

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