Jump to content

Carnival Paradise first timer questions


hrwi
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi gang,

 

I've been reading like crazy but feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information. I've got a family of 5 that will be on Paradise to Cuba in October. I'm just going to throw a bunch of questions at you guys, sorry in advance!

 

I have a 14 year old. We have dinner scheduled early at 6:15. He will eat breakfast at like 9, lunch at noon, and will likely die of starvation before dinner. Are there options for him? Snacks (particularly fruit, this kid loves his fruit)? Similarly, after dinner - will he be able to eat again? The rest of us will not waste away.

 

We have an oceanview stateroom. Do they ever have good deals on upsells? Right now it's double the cost for a suite, but I'd pay 40% more or so. This is not a huge deal either way, I followed the "happy with what I bought" advice.

 

I do like to have some wine, but certainly not enough for a package. So husband and I each get a bottle to bring onboard? I can have a glass with dinner? I bring it myself? What is the deal with open containers, etc - can I just walk around with my wine in the afternoon? And kids will have water bottles, they can likewise just fill those up?

 

We will be flying into Tampa that morning. We will take a taxi. I assume I can get the driver to stop for said wine? Also, the phone agent for Carnival said we can get on at 1:00 (4:00 departure time), but what if we get there earlier? Security, etc?

 

I've been reading all of the shopping lists etc. My kids are old enough to basically run free (don't worry I won't let them be hellions), so they will have a key card? I'm thinking of getting these sweatband with zipper pouch (which will fit a credit card), and I'm crafty enough I might even sew a marble in to them, making them into sea bands. Do the cards go into a slot, will this be a pain?

 

Speaking of, seasickness? This is a huge concern for my husband and daughter.

 

Any other tips, must-dos, must not dos, advice?

 

Thanks so much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll do my best here in red.

Hi gang,

 

I've been reading like crazy but feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information. I've got a family of 5 that will be on Paradise to Cuba in October. I'm just going to throw a bunch of questions at you guys, sorry in advance!

 

I have a 14 year old. We have dinner scheduled early at 6:15. He will eat breakfast at like 9, lunch at noon, and will likely die of starvation before dinner. Are there options for him? Snacks (particularly fruit, this kid loves his fruit)? Similarly, after dinner - will he be able to eat again? The rest of us will not waste away. There is food everywhere all the time. He will have no problems finding whole fruit on the lido deck, as well as pizza, deli, Guy's, etc. No one has ever gone hungry on a cruise :)

We have an oceanview stateroom. Do they ever have good deals on upsells? Right now it's double the cost for a suite, but I'd pay 40% more or so. This is not a huge deal either way, I followed the "happy with what I bought" advice. Stick with your attitude. Occasionally, there will be upsell calls, but they are pretty rare.

 

I do like to have some wine, but certainly not enough for a package. So husband and I each get a bottle to bring onboard? I can have a glass with dinner? I bring it myself? What is the deal with open containers, etc - can I just walk around with my wine in the afternoon? And kids will have water bottles, they can likewise just fill those up? Open containers everywhere. You can fill up your own glasses and carry then wherever you wish. Everyone 21 and over can bring on a bottle of wine. If you take it unopened to the MDR, you will be charged a corkage fee; however, fill up your glass in your cabin and carry it to dinner without charge.

 

We will be flying into Tampa that morning. We will take a taxi. I assume I can get the driver to stop for said wine? Also, the phone agent for Carnival said we can get on at 1:00 (4:00 departure time), but what if we get there earlier? Security, etc? You will need to select a check-in time when you do your online check in and show up at that time. You will be able to enter the check-in area earlier than that time. Boarding is technically listed at 1:00, but occasionally happens earlier. Rooms will open between 1 and 1:30. You will check in at the port (after going through security) and be assigned a boarding zone. Carnival boards by zone.

 

I've been reading all of the shopping lists etc. My kids are old enough to basically run free (don't worry I won't let them be hellions), so they will have a key card? I'm thinking of getting these sweatband with zipper pouch (which will fit a credit card), and I'm crafty enough I might even sew a marble in to them, making them into sea bands. Do the cards go into a slot, will this be a pain? Everyone gets their own Sign and Sail card. This is your room key, ID, and "credit card." You will use it to pay for everything on the ship (for those things that a cost associated with them.). It is the size of a regular credit card.

 

Speaking of, seasickness? This is a huge concern for my husband and daughter.

 

Any other tips, must-dos, must not dos, advice?

 

Thanks so much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn't worry about making those wristband pocket things for their sail and sign cards. Just run to the dollar store and buy a lanyard. They will punch a hole in it at Guest Services for you (or in the casino) a lot of cruisers wear a lanyard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks so much! This reminded me, how can I limit what my kids can buy on those Sign and Sail cards?

 

Just stop by Guest Services and they will set it all up for you. You can set a total limit for the cruise, not a daily limit. If I am not mistaken, you can also do so through the kiosk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There will be food available most of the time. There's no limits on how often you can eat so can certainly go to the buffet for an afternoon and even snack as well as the MDR for dinner. I'm a snacker and do that as well as taking a few pieces of fruit and pastries to keep in the cabin for quick snacks.

 

No open container issues on the ship. Can grab a drink in one location and take it to another - just no bringing glass into the pool. So you can certainly fill a glass of wine in the room and take it to dinner with you. We like to bring large refillable water bottles onboard and fill at the buffet and then carry around the ship with us. You'll find the 'free drinks' hard to find outside of the buffet and meals. So can walk up to a bar and pay for a soda but they probably won't have lemonade or iced tea. I like to bring 'mio's' with me so I can just get water and flavor it.

 

We cruised out of Tampa recently. It sounds like you've already booked your flights but we like to come in the day before. But yes, can get to the port anytime after 10 or so. Drop your luggage with the porters; have your boarding documents and ID's in hand to get into the port building. Then you go through security and check in. On NCL boarding began at 11. We were only shortly after (but we had the return guest boarding numbers).

 

Keep in mind that your room won't be available until 1:30-2; regardless of when you board. So only carry on luggage you want to keep with you for a few hours.

 

Reference the seasickness. Do your husband and/or daughter ever get motion sickness? While in cars, flights, buses, amusement park rides, etc? If the answer is no, they will almost certainly be fine on the ship. It's not accurate to say you won't feel motion, but it doesn't bother most people and is nothing like being on a small boat. If they do, definately bring something.

 

I've used the patch (available by prescription only) and bonine (otc). If you use the patch you'll have to consult with your doctor for the prescription. You change patches every 3 days so it's less to remember than a pill. But it def has more side effects (I just gives me dry mouth but people have reported having vision problems with it). Bonine works very well for me and is a good preventative; many people like to take it for 24 hours before sailing, then 24-48 hours after setting sail to adjust, then stop. It's advertised as non-drowsy but some people experience drowsiness as a side effects. If either family member anticipates having motion sickness issues I'd recommend trying a medicine out before you leave to test it for side effects so they don't ruin your vacation. As someone who suffers from very very bad motion sickness, taking a preventative allows me to enjoy cruising and traveling.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of our Carnival cruises was on the Paradise, back in 2001 to the eastern caribbean.

 

My number one piece of advice is to fly in to Florida at least the day before. There's too many airline issues and there may even be a weather problem (it's still hurricane season). I don't know what the ports are for your cruise, but if Cuba is the first one, it may be problematic getting there if you miss boarding the ship in the embarkation port.

 

There will be food venues open all day long. My hubby likes to have small meals during the day to keep up his blood sugar so usually we'll head to the buffet mid-afternoon for a little nosh (a little salad, a little pasta, protein) to tie us over as we prefer late traditional seatings for dinner.

 

Let your kids know that if they go over a specific amount, any extra will be paid by them after the cruise. If they get a soft drink, they'll get a receipt to sign and keep, so ask them to put any on the cabin desk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...