First Time Cruiser's Questions...

Me and my family are going on our first cruise. It's in 12 days (and counting) , and my mom and I are really excited but really scared.

So I have a few questions I was hoping you guys would answer?

1. What are the casual nights like? I mean the dress. I know what to wear on the formal nights, but I'm not so sure on the casual. I'm going on a Carnival cruise, so does that make a difference?
    
   
2. When/If you are buying something, do you use credit,USD, or do you convert your money?
   

If I have more questions I will post.

Thanks! ♥:p

Carnival is a great ship line. If you have kids they will love it. DO NOT be scared. It is the best way to vacation for the money.

1. Dining on casual nights just means look nice. That is capris or skirts for ladies and pants and shirts for the men. They just don't want anyone wear shorts or jeans. That doesn't mean people won't. You may see some who feel they are on vacation and can do what they want.

2. You will get a sign & sail card to use on the ship. This is used to board, go on & off the ship, and also for anything you want to purchase on the ship. You have to give them a credit card # and at the end of the cruise they will ask if you want to pay cash or use the credit card. It is much safer than using cash.

When you are on the ship, you won't even know u r unless you are on the deck. Just go and have fun. After the cruise come back and write a review so we know how u liked it.

Have fun !!!!! We are sailing on the Explorer in 43 days. I can't wait.

Rhena in NJ

On nights other than formal, casual is fine...they frown on shorts, however there are many people that do not adhere to this and wear what they want to. I usually wear capri's or sundress and my DH and sons wore kaki slacks or dress slacks and a collared polo or dress shirt...u will see EVERYTHING...trust me!! Some better that others.....The money issue...when onboard u will use your S&S (sign and sail card) for everything...not sure where ur ports are, but I have sailed mostly in the Caribbeans and they accept debit/ credit/ cash (US)....hope this helps and I envy u that ur leaving in 12 short days...I have to wait until March:eek:

All currency on the ship is in U.S. Dollars. If you're not from America, they will convert your form of currency into dollars.

If you're sailing the Caribbean, all countries take American money...no need to get local currency.

All currency on the ship is in U.S. Dollars. If you're not from America, they will convert your form of currency into dollars.

 

If you're sailing the Caribbean, all countries take American money...no need to get local currency.

Ships give a horrible rate of exchange - and some add a fee as well. :(

So just to clarify:

I'm guessing that the OP is from the States, but if not....

although everything on board is priced & charged to the on-board account (S & S card) in USD, if you settle the account with your d/card or c/card you should ask the cruiseline to leave the charge in USD since the credit card company will then convert to your own currency at a much better rate.

If you plan to pay that on-board account in cash, take USD with you - for the same reason.

Currency for spending ashore depends very much where you go. Some US cruisers who've only cruised to the Caribbean seem to think that USD are accepted world-wide. That's very much not so.

But, as CB's post, they're fine in the Caribbean, which has a number of local currencies.

Take plenty of one's (and I mean a big fat roll of them) to avoid the possibility of being given change in local money - $20 for an ice-cream & a pocketful of local souvenir money is a poor bargain.

But avoid two's. For whatever reason they're looked on with suspicion.

And avoid anything bigger than a twenty - also unpopular.

If you're going to spend a lot of time in one place, such as a cruise-and-stay, there are advantages in converting some money to local.

Credit cards, particularly visa & mastercard, are accepted virtually world-wide, and advantageous for major purchases.

JB :)

Carnival is a great ship line. If you have kids they will love it. DO NOT be scared. It is the best way to vacation for the money.

1. Dining on casual nights just means look nice. That is capris or skirts for ladies and pants and shirts for the men. They just don't want anyone wear shorts or jeans. That doesn't mean people won't. You may see some who feel they are on vacation and can do what they want.

2. You will get a sign & sail card to use on the ship. This is used to board, go on & off the ship, and also for anything you want to purchase on the ship. You have to give them a credit card # and at the end of the cruise they will ask if you want to pay cash or use the credit card. It is much safer than using cash.

When you are on the ship, you won't even know u r unless you are on the deck. Just go and have fun. After the cruise come back and write a review so we know how u liked it.

Have fun !!!!! We are sailing on the Explorer in 43 days. I can't wait.

 

Rhena in NJ

That is what I told my mother, don't be scared!!

So just a nice skirt and blouse? And is it air-conditioned on the boat, or will it be 100 degrees?

So it's like a credit card???

And I won't notice the boat moving?

SuiteLady : Lol. I've been waiting for years to go on my first cruise. We were just going to go to the Bahamas and take my friend along, but they were going on a cruise and then we wanted to go to...And here we are!

I will definitely write reviews.

3. Is it very hot on the boat??

4. Do they play music on the decks/pool areas?? Or is it quiet??

5. Are there a lot of souvenirs? Like keychains?

6. Does anyone know if you can bring a metal detector? We wanted to go searching for lost treasure. XD

♥♥♥

3. Is it very hot on the boat??

4. Do they play music on the decks/pool areas?? Or is it quiet??

5. Are there a lot of souvenirs? Like keychains?

6. Does anyone know if you can bring a metal detector? We wanted to go searching for lost treasure. XD

it can be when you are outside by the pool.

Yes they play music by the pool. the further away you go from the pool the more quiet it gets.

yes you cab buy that stuff in the gift shop. I do every cruise.

I've never seen anyone bring one on board but as long as you don't mind packing and carrying it then I don't see the problem.

Have a great cruise.

3. Is it very hot on the boat??

4. Do they play music on the decks/pool areas?? Or is it quiet??

5. Are there a lot of souvenirs? Like keychains?

6. Does anyone know if you can bring a metal detector? We wanted to go searching for lost treasure. XD

 

 

it can be when you are outside by the pool.

Yes they play music by the pool. the further away you go from the pool the more quiet it gets.

yes you cab buy that stuff in the gift shop. I do every cruise.

I've never seen anyone bring one on board but as long as you don't mind packing and carrying it then I don't see the problem.

 

Have a great cruise.

My dad was told you are allowed to have metal detectors on the port, not on the boat. XD

My dad was told you are allowed to have metal detectors on the port, not on the boat. XD

Well then that settles that. Good to know.

While it may be hot out by the pool, all indoor areas are air conditioned, often over-air conditioned. You might want to have a sweater to use in the dining rooms or theatres.

7. Are there laundry facilities ? Like to wash clothing?

8. Are you allowed to bring food (i.e. snacks , like mini-donuts, cookies) on the ship? I mean leftovers from plane rides, or just snacks and water.

9. Is everything expensive?

10. How much money should you bring?

Hey "HappilyCrusing" welcome to CC. We are now booked on our third cruise and still can't believe the value. I'm going to mention motion sickness meds only as a precaution but don't be alarmed, many people don't even get dizzy at sea. Also, enjoy the food aboard the ship. If your not real picky it is out of this world! Have lots of fun, we hope to read some of your posts and review when you get back.:)

Unless they've changed it recently, men can wear nice dress shorts in the MDR for dinner. DH wore them every night last year except on formal nights.

Does anyone know if they work?

Does anyone know if they work?

I assume you're referring to the seasickness meds:). I don't need them but my daughter sometimes has a problem so she's used both Dramamine and Bonine and both seem to work well. If you're prone to that sort of issue (on a bus or in the backseat of a car), it might be worthwhile to take some starting the day before the cruise. If not but you're worried about the possibility, take a small package of it with you. Odds are good you won't notice much motion at all.

7. Are there laundry facilities ? Like to wash clothing?

8. Are you allowed to bring food (i.e. snacks , like mini-donuts, cookies) on the ship? I mean leftovers from plane rides, or just snacks and water.

9. Is everything expensive?

10. How much money should you bring?

Some cruise ships have laundry facilities and some do not. The two Carnival ships I have been on did - check your cruise brochure.

Yes, you can bring food, but why? There will be so-o-o-o much to eat and lots of ice cream and other snacks. I do bring soft drinks since I like Coke and some ships (NCL) have only Pepsi.

Some things are expensive, but some things are not - just like any trip you take.

Everything on the ship goes to the Sign & Sail card. Off of the ship, it is up to you, but I would not carry a lot of cash.

It's a good idea to have small bills with you in port. Assuming you're going to the Caribbean, almost all local vendors will accept US dollars but they may only give change in local currency. If you're just buying a coke, you don't want to give someone a $20. You can always break some big bills in the casino or at guest relations.

I assume you're referring to the seasickness meds:). I don't need them but my daughter sometimes has a problem so she's used both Dramamine and Bonine and both seem to work well. If you're prone to that sort of issue (on a bus or in the backseat of a car), it might be worthwhile to take some starting the day before the cruise. If not but you're worried about the possibility, take a small package of it with you. Odds are good you won't notice much motion at all.

I meant Pressure Bands, I'm not sure if my mom wants to take meds.

Some cruise ships have laundry facilities and some do not. The two Carnival ships I have been on did - check your cruise brochure.

 

Yes, you can bring food, but why? There will be so-o-o-o much to eat and lots of ice cream and other snacks. I do bring soft drinks since I like Coke and some ships (NCL) have only Pepsi.

 

Some things are expensive, but some things are not - just like any trip you take.

 

Everything on the ship goes to the Sign & Sail card. Off of the ship, it is up to you, but I would not carry a lot of cash.

I'll look up...

My mom said she wanted to bring healthy granola bars. XD My dad would like that Pepsi part!

So off the ship I'd have to use a REAL credit card?

I'll look up...

 

My mom said she wanted to bring healthy granola bars. XD My dad would like that Pepsi part!

 

So off the ship I'd have to use a REAL credit card?

There will be plenty of healthy food choices for your mom on board but packaged granola bars might be handy to take off the ship in port if she has any doubts about local food.

Sad to say, when you leave the ship in a port, you re-enter the REAL world so yes, a REAL credit card is necessary. Or cash for purchases from the little souvenir "straw markets" that are often set up near the dock.

Most vendors will take US currency, but I agree with keeping small bills because they always conveniently don't have change in US dollars. The further you get away from the port, the less common US currency will be accepted. We took a tour from Progreso to Merida (about an hour away), and no one in Merida accepted US currency. We had to find a place to change some into pesos.

You will need cash for street vendors, cabs, tips for luggage handlers, etc. Most other situations can be paid for with a credit card. If you are going to a private island, they may take your ship card for purchases there.

If you need a special diet, the maitre'd can usually help you with that, or call the cruise line and ask them about it. We like Coke Zero, so we usually bring some of that with us, but they always have water and tea and things that we can have, so we don't drink many. So if there is something that you can't live without, you can bring it with you. Just be sure it's something individually wrapped--no fruit or produce.

Pressure bands--we've never tried them. I've considered getting them for hubby, though, since he seems to get sick riding a cab or small boat, even though we always wear patches. We don't generally have a problem on the ship unless the water is very rough.

Have fun and relax! You'll be hooked!

Does anyone know if pressure bands work?

How much sunscreen do you need?

Do you need bugspray or no????

Does anyone know if pressure bands work?

How much sunscreen do you need?

Do you need bugspray or no????

My Wife & DD tried the pressure band 20 yr's ago and have not used them since. You are on a BIG Ship and should have 'no prob mon'!

Sunscreen, lots n lots if you are planning a lot of beach an pool time out in the sun.

Bugspray, nope.

My 2 cents, your vacation so do as you want within Ship guidelines and you will have a most wonderful time.

I am leaving tomorrow and the weather forecast is all SCATTERED T-STORMS!!! Will it be rainy and stormy ALL week, so I cannot do any excursions???