First timer here, few general questions (Oct 27th, Liberty to Cozumel)

[mroden2699]

Hey guys! First time cruiser here. (well, first time as an adult. I cruised about 15 years ago as a pre teen) I just had a few general questions, and would like to keep this thread open for any other questions I may have in the future. Anyways I'm leaving out of Galveston on October 27th on Liberty for a small 4 day cruise to Cozumel, wife and I are celebrating a late anniversary. Questions:

 

I was wondering if it's necessary to have any checked-in luggage? We have a rolling suitcase that's slightly smaller than the 16" height x 24" width rule, a backpack and 2 smaller bags. I was thinking of just carrying it all on board with us instead of using a porter. Our check in time is 12:30. I'm assuming we can just hang out on the ship, eat a late lunch and our rooms should be ready by then, right?

 

Dress code for the steakhouse? Would jeans and a polo shirt for guys, and jeans and a nice blouse shirt for girls, with closed toe shoes for both be acceptable? What about the dinner (we scheduled 6pm every night).. Is this dress code more laid back than the steakhouse?

 

Following the previous question, any of you guys have experience, and success in emailing the maître d a week before the cruise to request a two seat table/booth?

 

Anybody do the Playa en la Casa - A Select Retreat excursion in Cozumel? Once we get to the Cozumel port, will a shuttle take us to our location? Who/what do we look for once we dock? Any thoughts/insights on this excursion?

 

Will an itinerary with the schedule of events will be readily available around the ship? Any must-do's? I was primarily interested in comedy clubs, night clubs, the adult only retreat, cooking demonstrations, dance classes, bingo, casino.. among several other things.

 

I'm debating whether or not $200+ is worth it for a 50 min couple massage. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

Thank you! I'm sure I'll have more questions as time passes. Super excited about this, and will appreciate any help.

Edited October 13, 2016 by mroden2699

[Schoifmom]

I hope you have a fantastic cruise. Everything that I can answer is below :)

I was wondering if it's necessary to have any checked-in luggage? We have a rolling suitcase that's slightly smaller than the 16" height x 24" width rule, a backpack and 2 smaller bags. I was thinking of just carrying it all on board with us instead of using a porter. Our check in time is 12:30. I'm assuming we can just hang out on the ship, eat a late lunch and our rooms should be ready by then, right? There is no requirement to check your luggage. As long as it fits through the scanner, you can carry it on. Remember, you will have it with you until the rooms are ready (normally around 1:30.

 

Dress code for the steakhouse? Would jeans and a polo shirt for guys, and jeans and a nice blouse shirt for girls, with closed toe shoes for both be acceptable? What about the dinner (we scheduled 6pm every night).. Is this dress code more laid back than the steakhouse? The dress code for the steakhouse is the same as that for the MDR, except that shorts are never allowed. You would be fine in what you described for a cruise casual evening.

 

Will an itinerary with the schedule of events will be readily available around the ship? Any must-do's? I was primarily interested in comedy clubs, night clubs, the adult only retreat, cooking demonstrations, dance classes, bingo, casino.. among several other things. You will get a Fun Times delivered to your room each evening for the following day. If your ship has the HUB app available, I would recommend downloading it. Youw would have instant access to all activities on the fly. Open times for the casino, as well as times for the Comedy Club, dance classes, bingo etc will all be listed there.

 

I'm debating whether or not $200+ is worth it for a 50 min couple massage. Anybody have any thoughts on this? I haven't done it. I just don't think it's worth the cost, but someone who has done it may have a different opinion.

[mrobstad]

Response above by mom is spot on....no need for lots of luggage! Enjoy!

 

 

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[tigereye]

I have had a message on one of Carnival's ships and I won't ever do it again. First it is way overpriced and the one I had was not very thorough. Get you a message in one of your ports for less money and probably a better experience.

[jdemps]

The massage isn't very relaxing after a 15 minute "health survey" and hard sell on their products. just get one on one of the islands!

[mroden2699]

Thanks for the help guys. Well I'm going to turn down the massage then. I heard the excursion (Playa en la Casa, private beach) has cheaper massages if I need one.

[Bird59]

Let them take care of your luggage except for maybe the backpack or a small bag with any neccesities like medicine or some valuable item. They do a good job.

Wear good jeans and a nice shirt and you will be fine. Take some slacks and a sport coat for cruise elegant night and for a nice picture of you and your wife. You will see people in varying manners of dress but just be yourself.

Get a massage on the beach at Cozumel. Usually around $20.00 a person or less and I have never had a bad one.

A lot to do in Cozumel. Lots of great beaches for free or low cost. Good food, good folks.

If you booked your excursion through the ship, when you get off and walk out into the main shopping area, you will see people holding signs for the different tours and excursions.

Happy anniversary and have a great cruise.

[mroden2699]

Thanks for all the help guys. Another question, when/where is Cruise Elegent Night?.. I heard on elegant night, jeans aren't allowed. Just want to be prepared, thanks.

[riffatsea]

You don't need a sports coat for "elegant " night.

The ONLY requirement for men is slacks(not shorts) and a shirt with a collar.

My husband has worn black jeans and been fine.

I would not expect you to be turned away wearing nice jeans out of Galveston but I have no personal experience with that port.

[mroden2699]

Sorry guys, another question. Corkscrews for my 750ml bottle of wine, are they allowed? What about butane lighters? For cigars. I can't find nothing on these items in the FAQ's, thanks.

[mroden2699]

You don't need a sports coat for "elegant " night.

The ONLY requirement for men is slacks(not shorts) and a shirt with a collar.

My husband has worn black jeans and been fine.

I would not expect you to be turned away wearing nice jeans out of Galveston but I have no personal experience with that port.

 

Thanks! So is elegant night only 1 night in the MDR? Steakhouse isn't considered "elegant", right?

[Aquahound]

Thanks! So is elegant night only 1 night in the MDR? Steakhouse isn't considered "elegant", right?

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Another question, when/where is Cruise Elegent Night?.. I heard on elegant night, jeans aren't allowed. Just want to be prepared, thanks.

 

I'm just off the Liberty. On Elegant night, I received a telephone reminder, and was told in person when I made the booking on board, that jeans were not permitted in Steakhouse that night. On others nights, they were fine.

[Schoifmom]

Sorry guys, another question. Corkscrews for my 750ml bottle of wine, are they allowed? What about butane lighters? For cigars. I can't find nothing on these items in the FAQ's, thanks.

 

No problem with either of those things. FYI, you can always ask your steward for a corkscrew if you choose not to take one. We always take a cheap one that we could leave behind (DH tends to forget things).

[mroden2699]

I'm just off the Liberty. On Elegant night, I received a telephone reminder, and was told in person when I made the booking on board, that jeans were not permitted in Steakhouse that night. On others nights, they were fine.

 

So the steakhouse has 1 night that is "elegant" night? Is it the same with the MDR?

[mroden2699]

No problem with either of those things. FYI, you can always ask your steward for a corkscrew if you choose not to take one. We always take a cheap one that we could leave behind (DH tends to forget things).

 

Sounds great, thank you.

[Aquahound]

So the steakhouse has 1 night that is "elegant" night? Is it the same with the MDR?

 

I'm probably not the best person to answer because this was my first CCL cruise, and I did not read the dress code. I'm only answering based on what I was told on board. One of the 2 nights we ate in there was on Elegant night. We booked it upon boarding on day 1. At the point of booking, which was in person with the hostess, she reminded us it would be Elegant night and went on to say jeans were not permitted that night.

 

The second night we ate in there, we received a telephone message confirming the reservation. In that message, they only said no shorts.

[mroden2699]

I'm probably not the best person to answer because this was my first CCL cruise, and I did not read the dress code. I'm only answering based on what I was told on board. One of the 2 nights we ate in there was on Elegant night. We booked it upon boarding on day 1. At the point of booking, which was in person with the hostess, she reminded us it would be Elegant night and went on to say jeans were not permitted that night.

 

The second night we ate in there, we received a telephone message confirming the reservation. In that message, they only said no shorts.

 

Thanks. I already pre-booked our steakhouse night (2nd night), and I haven't received any email about whether it's elegant night or not. I guess I'll have to wait until I board.

[poobears]

Just plan to take a pair of khakis for the steak house so you now you'll be covered just in case it's elegant night on the night you are booked.

 

For the record shorts are allowed for women as long as they are dress shorts. Shorts are never allowed for men. Why the gender discrepancy I don't know but that's is how their dress code is written.

[mroden2699]

Thanks for all the help guys, I have a few more...

 

I'm kind of undecided on the Cheers program. If I do decide to get it, can I get it while already on board?

 

I feel like because this is a small, 4 day cruise we wouldn't need a steward cleaning our rooms once or twice a day. Would they respect our privacy, and be okay with only attending to us if we call them for something? Tipping isn't an issue here.

 

6 more days to go!

[Schoifmom]

Thanks. I already pre-booked our steakhouse night (2nd night), and I haven't received any email about whether it's elegant night or not. I guess I'll have to wait until I board.

 

Elegant night is normally the first sea day (usually the 2nd day aboard), so it looks as though you will probably be in the steakhouse for elegant night. The dress code in the steakhouse follows that of the MDR (except for the shorts), so if it is elegant night, the elegant night dress code is appropriate for both venues.

[GinaBina]

Anybody do the Playa en la Casa - A Select Retreat excursion in Cozumel? Once we get to the Cozumel port, will a shuttle take us to our location? Who/what do we look for once we dock? Any thoughts/insights on this excursion?

 

 

We did the Playa en la Casa excursion a few weeks ago. Overall, we really enjoyed it. The beach is really rocky but they do provide water shoes if you do not have any. The chef is very approachable and will answer questions and let you hang in the kitchen if you would like. Lunch and drinks are included and the servers come around multiple times asking if you would like anything to drink. They kind of take the approach that the house is yours for the hours you are there. There is a pool if you prefer that instead of the beach. One of the hosts will take a group out snorkeling if desired. It wasn't anything really exciting, but my husband said he had fun.

 

There were massages on the beach offered. I would sign up early if this is a desire of yours because there was only 1 woman and with the massages ranging from 30-50 minutes not many can be fit in the time frame there. I believe my 30 minute reflexology massage was $30 and my husband's deep tissue massage was $45. It was an adequate massage, not as in depth as massages I am used to, but being on the beach with the breeze, hearing waves made it totally worth it.

 

I would definitely do the excursion again. It was a nice getaway from the crowds on the ship and the food was delicious.

[mroden2699]

We did the Playa en la Casa excursion a few weeks ago. Overall, we really enjoyed it. The beach is really rocky but they do provide water shoes if you do not have any. The chef is very approachable and will answer questions and let you hang in the kitchen if you would like. Lunch and drinks are included and the servers come around multiple times asking if you would like anything to drink. They kind of take the approach that the house is yours for the hours you are there. There is a pool if you prefer that instead of the beach. One of the hosts will take a group out snorkeling if desired. It wasn't anything really exciting, but my husband said he had fun.

 

There were massages on the beach offered. I would sign up early if this is a desire of yours because there was only 1 woman and with the massages ranging from 30-50 minutes not many can be fit in the time frame there. I believe my 30 minute reflexology massage was $30 and my husband's deep tissue massage was $45. It was an adequate massage, not as in depth as massages I am used to, but being on the beach with the breeze, hearing waves made it totally worth it.

 

I would definitely do the excursion again. It was a nice getaway from the crowds on the ship and the food was delicious.

 

Thanks for the detailed response! Was there a shuttle to the location, and was there Playa en la Casa signs or workers you would look for once you dock? And is this a Carnival-only excursion? Just curious if everybody from the Carnival ship would leave together and come back together.

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[Bahbert]

See my answers below... Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I have a few more...

 

I'm kind of undecided on the Cheers program. If I do decide to get it, can I get it while already on board? Yes, you can purchase Cheers onboard the afternoon you board or the next day; not after that. It's an extra $5 per person, per day onboard, though.

 

I feel like because this is a small, 4 day cruise we wouldn't need a steward cleaning our rooms once or twice a day. Would they respect our privacy, and be okay with only attending to us if we call them for something? Tipping isn't an issue here. I can't answer this as I've never asked them not to service they room, but I doubt it's an uncommon request and I would imagine they'd be happy to have a little less to do each day. :)

 

6 more days to go!

Edited October 21, 2016 by Bahbert

[GinaBina]

Thanks for the detailed response! Was there a shuttle to the location, and was there Playa en la Casa signs or workers you would look for once you dock? And is this a Carnival-only excursion? Just curious if everybody from the Carnival ship would leave together and come back together.

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

 

You are very welcome. You will see tents set up outside of the mall area and one of the signs will say Playa en la Casa. There will be a host there, they wear bright orange and they hold up a pole with a smiley face so you can see him. We were walked over to a little beach area and waited there for everyone to show up. Then we all walked as a group to the taxi area and went in two cars. It took about 10 minutes to get to the house. We came back to the port as a group as well. It is only offered through Carnival I believe.

[gardeningmama]

Yes I have emailed the Maitre D to make requests but be sure you double check that it is done. They have misinterpreted my requests before. Just go down to the dining room and double check. have a great cruise