Going on my 1st Cruise & I have questions

[bigshaun]

Hey, my name is Shaun and I'm going on my first ever cruise in September. I'm going on the Elation on the 7th and going to Cozumel and Progresso. I'm going by myself, making this a solo cruise. Just wondering if there is anyone thats done the Elation before. And if so, how was the Elation because I have some questions about it.

[GRANNYOFSIX]

Have never cruised on the Elation. I just wanted to say have a great vacation! There's nothing quite like the excitement of the 1st cruise!!!!! Bon Voyage!!!:)

[missypriss19]

I have been on the Elation once. Smaller ship but nice. You will have a good time.

[bluejay555]

Hi, I will be on the elation on the 27th! It' my first time on this ship, so I can't help you with specifics there, but if you have any general cruising questions, I'd be happy to help if I can :)

[kiwi121210]

I have been on the Elation before and am sailing again in December!! What's your questions??? It was a nice boat. smaller than others, but great.

[pungo3]

I hope you have a fabulous time on your first cruise.:D:D I feel the smaller ships are fun, with great service and delicious food. Enjoy!

[bigshaun]

Okay, so one of my questions was about the dress code. I have mostly shorts and jeans. I live in Arkansas, and our weather shifts. I don't have any dress clothes. I just wanna know about the dress code.

 

Also, I had a question about how to get onboard spending. What do I need to do?

[kelzbelz77]

Okay, so one of my questions was about the dress code. I have mostly shorts and jeans. I live in Arkansas, and our weather shifts. I don't have any dress clothes. I just wanna know about the dress code.

 

Also, I had a question about how to get onboard spending. What do I need to do?

 

 

You can choose to put a credit card down or cash. If you choose cash go to guest services as soon as you board and put cash down.

 

I would recommend Mr. Sanchos or Cozumel Bar Hop. Have a great cruise!!

[momoftrk3]

I went on the Elation last year & will be again on the 22nd. My husband wore nice shorts & collared shirts every night in the dining room except the formal night. He wore dress pants & a blazer that night. That was our 1st cruise so I have nothing to compare it to, but we loved it & can't wait for next week.

[D4]

The formal nights have gotten less formal on Carnival. A pair of nice khakis and a button down dress shirt would be sufficient. A tie would be nice but not required. You can wear nice jeans the other nights.

 

When you complete the online registration forms, you enter a credit card number that will be used for on board spending including automatic tips. Some people pay their bill with cash on board but I've never done that.

 

Do you have the right documentation? A passport is best but an official birth certificate and driver license is ok for closed loop cruises.

 

Have fun!

[missypriss19]

I myself just take a pair of black slacks and a nice shirt. I don't feel like doing the dress up thing. I am on vacation.

 

You use your S&S for everything. You can put down cash or a credit card. Just remember that if you use a check card then they put a hold on your account.

[bluejay555]

My husband wore nice shorts & collared shirts every night in the dining room except the formal night.

 

My husband too. It totally wasn't a problem! Don't sweat it, Shaun:)

[marshhawk]

Welcome! I am sailing on the Elation in January, but it is a Fantasy class ship, and I have sailed on that class ship three times, and love them. Bravo for going solo.

When you are embarking,(boarding), they will ask for a credit card, they will charge your tips-11.50 per day and ask how much money you want to put on the card, since this is a cashless society (on board) think about how much you want to put on it-things that you can get but dont have to are the chef's dinner (around 70) drinks (except for coffee, tea, lemonade,milk) any thing that you get from a bar has a charge to it, soda, booze. Pictures? If you want to buy one there is a charge, but they will take pictures of you all the time at no charge, just pretend you are a movie star and dont let it get to you. And if you go to the Casino, and gamble, that is on your card too, it adds up, so just be aware. We use cash, and go to the pursers office first thing. Pre pay the tips, trust me the staff deserves them, and then we usually get one picture, to check how bad we are aging, and we get a few fruity drinks (NA) . We spent way too much money on our first cruise, like for coffee at the coffee shop, it's free, not great, but free 24/7 on the lido.

We do dress for dinner, my hubby DH likes to put on a nice jacket with slacks, and I like to wear a dress, but after dinner, we are back in comfy clothes. I hope you have a great time, and want to hear about the ship when you get back. Our favorite part of the ship, is the outside aft on the lido, right past the pizza place, we grab a cup of coffee and a smoke and just watch the sea.

[bigshaun]

The formal nights have gotten less formal on Carnival. A pair of nice khakis and a button down dress shirt would be sufficient. A tie would be nice but not required. You can wear nice jeans the other nights.

 

When you complete the online registration forms, you enter a credit card number that will be used for on board spending including automatic tips. Some people pay their bill with cash on board but I've never done that.

 

Do you have the right documentation? A passport is best but an official birth certificate and driver license is ok for closed loop cruises.

 

Have fun!

 

Actually, my travel agent told me I didn't have to have a passport, as long as I had the birth certificate. I have already ordered it, and am waiting for it right now. I should have it in about a week.

 

Can't hold it back, man am I excited for this!

[Lovefuninthesun]

Sailed the Elation several years ago -- super ship, super cruise, super time!

We love the Fantasy class ships -- perfect size for us, anyway.

You will have a great time!:D

[TexasCruiser52]

Shaun, welcome to cruising. You will have a wonderful time & it will become an addiction. Happy sailing ! :D

[Mxlady]

while we usually cruise on 7 day my husband will wear a suit on the first elegant night but the 2nd one he wears black jeans usually new so they are nice and a button up shirt and a tie. You can wear just jeans the other nights or nice shorts. You will be fine in whatever don't worry no one will say anything either way. Just have a great time.

[cathyz]

Yes, that's correct, you need your birth certificate and an official photo ID (drivers license). You can check in with a credit card to set up your on board Sail & Sign account or you can give some cash at Guest Services to set up your account. As far as what to wear, my husband wears nice shorts (knee-length) and a nice shirt (Tommy Bahama or similar) on casual nights in the main dining room and on elegant nights, he wears black long pangs (Dockers) and a dress shirt (long sleeved but no tie or jacket), or sometimes he wears his best Tommy Bahama shirt with long pants. Jeans and shorts are allowed in the main dining room except on elegant nights when you have to wear regular (non-jeans) long pants. We've been on the Elation and she's a great ship, you'll have a great time!

[lana281]

Hi Shaun, What are you planning to do in port? I'm sure you could get some great ideas from this thread.

[CHRISnAMY]

Shaun, I've sailed on the Elation twice & she's a lovely ship! A great choice for a first time cruiser because she is large enough to be impressive, but not so large as to be overwhelming.

 

People who like to cruise are generally friendly & social, so you're sure to find plenty of new friends on your trip! Wishing you a wonderful first cruise--I doubt it will be your last!!!

 

 

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[Ours91]

Never sailed her , but you'll have an amazing time , and these boards are excellent if you have any questions.

[bigshaun]

Hi Shaun, What are you planning to do in port? I'm sure you could get some great ideas from this thread.

Actually, I currently have no idea what to do when I get there other than hit some of the shops and maybe a beach. I'm by myself (single) so I don't wanna feel out of place with all the families I'm likely to see. So, any ideas of what to do would be welcome.

 

Also, someone mentioned credit cards, I have a debit card. Would that work for the onboard spending?

[Ours91]

Actually, I currently have no idea what to do when I get there other than hit some of the shops and maybe a beach. I'm by myself (single) so I don't wanna feel out of place with all the families I'm likely to see. So, any ideas of what to do would be welcome.

 

Also, someone mentioned credit cards, I have a debit card. Would that work for the onboard spending?

 

You will be issued a Sign and Sail card. You can link it to a debit/credit card or put cash on it. Some prefer cash that way they don't tie up your card or debit card.

[Tennessee Rose]

Shaun,

I think you will love cruising. Be forewarned---it can become addictive, say, by day 2! Try to participate in as many on ship activities as you can, or feel comfortable doing. There is usually so much going on that you won't be able to do everything, which is a good reason to plan on cruise #2!

 

I would suggest you do go to the main dining room the 1st evening. We always enjoy dinner in the MDR, but some people don't. If you go at first, you can decide if you want to continue through your cruise, or enjoy any of the other many options available.

 

Free: 24-hr pizza and ice cream on Lido, tea, coffee, lemonade on Lido, all Lido food areas are free as is MDR.

 

"Dressy" night clothes or to fill out your cruise wardrobe----I have found some of my favorite cruise clothes at Goodwill! Inexpensive and you can find even new or barely worn jackets, walking shorts, tropical shirts, etc. Two of my prettiest dressy night dresses came from Goodwill---$7.50 each!

 

Go to the shows, relax on the Serenity deck, and most important--talk to other cruisers! Everyone is there to have fun and is (generally!) in a good mood.

 

Come back after your trip and let us know how it went. :)

[lana281]

You might as well just use cash. Go to the carnival website. I'm pretty sure there is a section under FAQ's that will explain the money. If you are a drinker or gambler, take plenty of money.

 

There are beach break party excursions in Progresso. I suggest waiting until you get off the ship to book one if that interests you. They sell the same excursions for cheaper on the pier. If you are a drinker, you might want to check out the cozumel bar hop (they have a Facebook page). We did it a few years ago. Met a lot of people and had a lot of fun.

 

Lucky for you, a lot of single girls take cruises in groups. You'll probably meet plenty of people on the ship.