Brooke71991

Yes, I learned the hydration thing the hard way when I was 18. Woke up in the hospital getting fluids lol. I had spent a little too much time in the sun doing sports and not enough time hydrating. I apparently passed out cold. I made sure when I booked my excursions that they included either being in water or a promise of bottled waters. That is one of those things that you only want to happen once. I felt my stomach drop before I passed out. Which is actually part of why I drink so much water now.

Thanks everyone for the responses!!

I am tempted to do it because I like not having to worry about a bottom line. I also have not considered the fact that I could get virgin drinks. This might make it more tempting when I am feeling the alcohol. Also I could always drink a lot of waters to feel better. On hot days, I may go through 10-12 bottles. I am not a sipper, I am a gulper. This is partially where I wished carnival let someone do cheers for one person, but I can definitely see why they do not. My spouse is a sipper. I am also worried about driving her crazy by telling her to drink more. I am prepaying for everything as much as possible. I have even planned excursions for almost every moment we are at ports, so less chance to just go out and blow money. I do believe I will do it for the peace of mind. This is going to be the first vacation we have taken in three years due to me finishing school and starting a new nursing career. I feel like at this point I would rather drink whatever I want, whenever I want, than worry about a bill later. Reading these responses makes me feel better. While I may not make it with alcoholic drinks, it is likely I will at least get close with other drinks because I am always drinking something.

Thanks again!!!

My tolerance for strong alcohol is very, very low. This is why I typically like sugary drinks because there is not quite as much alcohol. I like a nice little buzz, but I do not like being drunk. I do typically drink about 6 bottles of water daily. I may get an energy drink or two as well daily because it is unlikely I will like the coffee on the ship. I do not care much for Soda, but I may get 1-2 a day if I have cheers. I would not miss it though. My spouse though loves Dr. Pepper and can drink a few per day. I keep going back and forth on whether I would get my worth with it.

I am more just curious about the thoughts of others on this one. I am going on an 14 day hawaiian cruise. There will be 8 sea days and 5 port days. There will be a 13 and 14 hour port day, which we probably will not drink much at all. Then we have two 9 hour port days in which I may end up drinking maybe 5 drinks and the spouse 3. We have one 5 hour port day, but that will likely not be much different except we will take a later dinner. On sea days, I will likely have 8-10 drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and the spouse, who drinks much less than me will likely only drink 5-6 on any given day. What has me worried is that while I mostly only drink water, hot tea, and black coffee on land, when on vacation, I like sweet alcoholic drinks. I have never drank so many over such a sort time frame. Previously it has been at most only 5 days at a time. From experience, do the drinks start to wear on you halfway through the cruise? Or do you continue to enjoy it that long? I want to at least break even with the $1600 I would be paying for cheers. Does this seems feasible on a 14 day cruise? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!

Which one decides when you can get into port? That's honestly all I care about. I am flying in the night before and am curious when I actually need to show up to port. They did not have staggered boarding when I first cruised carnival.

Thank you!! So now I know where to look when it gets closer!

Where do you schedule your embarkment time? I know it would not be available for my cruise yet, but I have not cruised since 2015. I just want to know where I should look for it.

IIRC, $3.25 each for both wash and dry.

People who cruise a lot develop a feel as to whether the ships are the destination or whether they are cruising for the ports. We are port people as we find we are drawn to the adventures to be had rather than some feature on the ship. If you are purposely cruising to see new places I would shop around for the ports and see what is highest on your bucket list and then come back to us with possible cruises to choose from. These boards are very good for that help.

 

 

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That is a good suggestion. I will explore the ports of call more. This way I get more of an idea of what appeals the most to me.

My preference is the Dream Class and a Southern Itinerary. The Cove Balconies are my favorite. I've been on the Dream and the Breeze and will consider the Magic now that it has the 2.0 upgrades.

My favorite debarkation port is New Orleans. So much fun before the cruise begins and it seems like a great bunch of cruisers from that port. I have even been out of N.O. when the Super Bowl was there and it really didn't cause any issues at all. Just lot's of fun!

Carnival doesn't go to Bonaire very often, but I would love to go back to the Southern route with a Bonaire stop.

I can get to New Orleans in about 6 hours. I am also close to most of the Florida ports and Carolina ports. Makes things a little more flexible. What did you enjoy so much about Bonaire? And what is great about the cove balconies? I have not sailed a balcony yet, but am certainly open to it. My first cruise was a last minute thing. My second cruise which will be on the splendor had too large of a difference in price between the ocean view and balcony. We are spending that money on cheers and excursions. I have noticed on the 8 day carribeans that the differences between balconies and ocean views is not nearly as large. So may sail a balcony on this cruise.

Read up more on Sunshine. We have been on her multiple times and prefer her to Conquest or Dream Class. And when you read you will find many people who claim her as their favorite. Yes some do not like her as much but I would say more do than don't because of how much she brings to the table with all the 2.0 plus excellent Serenity, Alchemy and sports square.

 

We go to the comedy club multiple times each cruise and simply go early and wait for 5-10 minutes if there is a show we want to see. The open the doors about 15 min prior to the show. It really is NOT a big deal at all. It holds more than you would think it would - I have seen people lined back to the piano bar still getting in. Please do not let this deter you from Sunshine especially if you are a foodie. JiJis is awesome and the steak house always good. Love to be able to grab real sushi at Bonsai. And Havana bar has Cuban nibbles at breakfast and lunch that are a great change of pace. Most of these things are not offered on other ships.

 

Given your interests, I would go Western. More ports of call allowing you to see ruins, go cave tubing, play with monkeys iguanas birds and sloths and take a zip line. If you find a cruise with Carnival Plus you can go to the mainland and do one of the cave snorkels. Most of these things cannot be found in St Thomas, St. marten, Grand turk etc.

 

 

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I will definitely read up more in the sunshine. I have seen many people recommend her. But it seems if I wanted to go the western route that it would not be on the sunshine. The only western I saw for her is later this year. I did not see any for 2018 or 2019.

Favorite entertainment on ship is comedy club. They made them much too small on Sunshine and Vista class and not about to go on a cruise and watch shows in our cabin. Therefore we prefer Conquest and Dream class with larger public spaces

Thank you for letting me know that. The comedy club is going to be a large part of our trip and I do not want it to be a hassle. When we were on the fascination, we never had any issues getting seats. We would unwind every night with a drink and a late night comedy show. This helped define our experience and I want the same for my sis.

Thanks so much for the replies! And we are wanting exotics places with beautiful views. We do not care much for shopping. We like adventure and doing things we have never done before, especially if it involves wildlife or great scenery. And we are most definitely foodies. We appreciate great food. We tend to try and eat healthy, but while in vacation we eat whatever, whenever, so great food is definitely important. So is alcohol. A ship with an alchemy bar is a must from my understanding. We are all getting cheers. We are doing it to try the variety of drinks we have heard about. We live in a small town, so not much in the way of getting good drinks. And we would never sail with anyone but carnival for 2 reasons, we like having a lot of fun and the comedy club. On my last cruise, I went every night but one. It is a must for me. And I am afraid if I venture to another line that I will be sorely disappointed as this is what sold me on carnival.

I am planning a cruise for after my cruise on the Splendor. I have only ever been on the Fascination and never on a ship with the 2.0 upgrades. My sister and her husband will be sailing with us for their first ever cruise and I want them to enjoy it as much as I do. We are planning a Caribbean cruise for 6-8 days likely in April/May. I am just curious as to what ships people really enjoy and what itineraries. We were thinking of maybe doing Vista or Horizon, but my sister is not a big fan of large crowds so I am unsure if that will be an issue on those ships. Thanks so much in advance!

Thanks! I will look into them.

I would love to spend extra days in California, but my job wouldnt allow it. We are likely to go in a day early and stay a day after and hopefully get to enjoy some sights.

Oh yeah it is 3 lol. And 6? Oh geez. I am a night shift nurse so my sleep schedule is messed up as it is. Oh well! I will adjust.

Read the West Coast Departure and Ports of Call-California Coastal boards for lots of info. Also check out the Hawaii board.

The Cruise Air board has lots of info.

 

Fly in at least a day ahead, no need to experience your first day onboard being asleep before dinner. (Been there, done that lol)

 

 

 

 

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This post made it finally hit me that there is going to be a four hour time difference. Definitely am gonna need sleep. I hope I get used to the time quickly.

Has anyone ever stayed here before a cruise? If so, how do you feel about it? Is there a better place to stay close to the airport with a free shuttle that is under $200? Thanks in advance!

That west coast board is actually very helpful and informative Thanks very much for recommending it and posting a link. And if I am flying in early, I will feel much better about booking myself.

There is a west coast board? I really should explore the boards more. I will likely fly in a day before. I am flying from Atlanta. It is a few hours from my house, but would be cheaper to fly from there to LAX than any other airport close to me. My inlaws live close to the airport, so I am dropping my car off with them and having them take us to the airport. I cannot book a flight quite yet as it is too early, but will plan one as soon as available. I believe that would be about a year out. The flying is definitely what we are most worried about.

I am flying from LAX. The flights were cheaper that way. I think flying in the day before will probably be the best bet also.

My wife and I will be taking our second cruise in October of 2018. We took a cruise back in 2015, but this cruise is going to be a lot different and many first for us. We are very excited, but also a little anxious. Our last cruise was a 9 hour drive away. This one requires us to fly across the country. Neither of us have ever flown. We are trying to be very careful, especially since if you miss embarkment with this cruise, you would miss four days of the cruise and have to meet them in Hawaii. So I have questions.

1. People who have experience with fly2fun, how do you feel about it? I like the guarantees that come with it.

2. When flying- what time is usually safe? Is it better to fly in the night before and get a hotel room or just arrive really early the day of embarkment?

3. How is the boarding process at Long beach? I was going to get fttf, but figured out that it is not available on Journey cruises, which is a bummer. Also, I have a heart condition which is made worse by standing in high heat for long amounts of time.

4. Is it better to book a departure flight in the afternoon when debarking?

5. Just any advice relating to flying, Long beach, or Splendor would be greatly appreciated. I comb these boards daily and know that many of you have more knowledge of carnival than even their own reps do.

Thanks in advance!!!!

I don't know the email address but I bought mine today for our July 2018 cruise, it was on my excursion page.

 

 

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Do you know how long it has been available for? I'm stalking it for my oct 18 cruise. If July 18 just dropped recently, then I may have a ways.

We are going to the ocean center as one of our excursions hopefully. They have not opened up yet and we are doing two snorkle trips where we may see turtles. It might be interesting to see them resting on the beach. We have no intention of touching them or anything like that. We want to observe them in their natural habitat as untouched as possible. We hope it will be an amazing experience. We also hope to go to some of the black sand beaches where they may be. I realize it is going to be a lot based on luck, but hopefully between all of that we may get to see a few.