FOR ALL YOU FIRST TIME CRUISERS

[RacerBC]

For all you first time Carnival Cruisers. Here are the myths and facts of Carnival Cruise Lines.

 

(1) Yes there are videographers. They lurk around the ship. AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS or you will end up watching yourself on the onboard TV station along with every other passenger. However it could be your one and only chance at your 15 minutes of fame. If that is the case.. make sure you have had a lot to drink to make it a memorable moment for all of us.

 

(2) If you are looking for that quiet serenity cruise. FORGET IT. Carnival Cruise lines is known for PARTYING! Why do you think they call it the "Fun Ship� At 5:00pm on the day you leave, do not be surprised to hear the main horn blow and "Let's get ready to rumble" being blasted all over the ship. Better yet go up to the pool deck and count how many sh*t faced people have already spent there weekly allowance on alcohol and are already dancing to "Hot Hot Hot".

 

(3) Speaking about “Hot Hot Hot†by the third day you will be sick of this song. Then just as you think you have heard enough, wait until the last night in the dining room when all the wait staff in the dining room does there own version of it.. By this time you want to retract your tips!

 

(4) Yes, Carnival has the loosest gambling games. Seen people walk off the ship thousands of dollars richer. The only problem they have MY money for some reason.

 

(5) It is not recommended that you flush the commode while sitting on it. If you want to see what I mean, try it. If you go up to the pool deck the first night or early in the morning when people have their bathing suits on, you can tell who has tried this little experiment by the red marks on their upper thighs. By the second day most people have learned their lesson so catch the sights early in the cruise.

 

(6) Make sure you get a map of the ship as you walk onboard. Without it you will be doing a great imitation of Stevie Wonder for about 4-5 days or better yet leave the impression that you have a very bad drinking problem. Carnival has a great knack for cramming a lot of stuff into a lot of space. Don’t be one of those passengers who finally figure out where everything is on the day the cruise ends.

 

(7) No, the “Las Vegas Style†shows do not have topless dancers.. Sorry my fellow male cruisers. HOWEVER, Carnival usually has a topless sunbathing area up near the smoke stack that does have a gate and warning sign that prohibits those under 18 from doing any sightseeing.

 

(8) YES the pizza bar is excellent and works wonders in helping to calm down the next morning hangover. I strongly recommend visiting it about 1-2 in the morning. Most likely you will find your kids up there also and wonder why they are not in the cabin sleeping.

 

(9) For kicks, set your alarm clock for 4 in the morning and call room service and ask for two lobster tails and drawn butter. YES they will deliver them to you within 30 minutes.

 

(10) Did I mention you will be hearing “Hot Hot Hot†?? ooh yeah I did.. I think this is Carnival’s theme song.

 

(11) Yes, bring a bungee cord to hold open your balcony door if you have a balcony room. Makes for a nice night of sleeping when you can have the door open. Without the bungee cord the door slams shut. You will get to know THAT noise pretty quick, as your neighbors will make you fully aware of it.

 

(12) First time cruisers, buy BONINE at your local drug store before you leave home. Start taking the pills in the morning the day of the cruise. Even though these are huge ships and have underwater stabilizers (huge wings that extend out like airplane wings), the ship DOES rock. It will take you a day or so to really feel comfortable. However remember one thing. The worse time you will have with the “rocking†will be after you get home from your cruise and you are in the shower. BY GOD HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE!

 

(13) Yes, to be a hero on Carnival, you MUST enter every contest, competition and game they have going. If you can snag more than 3 “ship on a stick†trophies.. YOU DA MAN!

Hint; bring some small tools with you. Small screwdriver and needle nose pliers. Carnival has this swimming frog competition. You can purchase the mechanical frogs in Cozumel. You can soup them up anyway you can and prepare them for battle the next day in one of the pools. Guys, if you have hairy legs.. DON’T shave em. You would be a ringer in the hairiest leg competition. Oh diving for spoons is one of my favorites! NOT, could be one of the reasons why I get a private balcony room.

 

(14) Ok now the serious stuff. Carnival is notorious for the three ninety niners. These are the people that find those staterooms that no one else seems to want. They cost $ 399.00 per person. These people feel that they need to take advantage of everything the ship has to offer and then some. These are the people who have not eaten in three years and make up for it in one week. These are the people who will jump in front of lines with no care what so ever. These are the same people who don’t clean up after themselves because there are “servants†on the ship to clean up after them. Believe me you will find them with no problem what so ever. Personally I make fun of them. They usually do not speak a word of English and cannot understand, or at least pretend to not understand you anyway. You can actually make a sport out of it.

 

(15) Deck chair hoarding. This seems to only happen on Carnival. People will wake up real early in the morning, sneak up to the main deck, grab a lounge chair and drop a beach bag or book that they have no intention on reading in the first place on their claimed lounge chair. By the time you finish breakfast and want to catch some rays, all the lounge chairs are taken by non-human objects. The owners of those objects could care less as they are doing other things like gambling, dancing to “hot hot hot†or playing bingo. Maybe another reason why I get a balcony room.

 

(16) Sneak your vodka on and off the ship in a water bottle. Works wonders.

 

(17) Watch out for in animated figures that Carnival seems to love placing around their ships. Stuff like elephants, camels, etc. I always have asked myself, WHY? If I wanted to go on a safari I would have.

 

(18) Be prepared to see some of the most ingenious things that can be made out of your bathroom towels. Yes, you will find cute towel monsters on your bed during the entire cruise.

 

(19) YES you must pay for your drinks in the casino. Sorry.. There are no freebies in the alcohol department. There are however "daily drink specials" I think they forget to put alcohol in them though.

 

(20) Finally remember one thing, Your cruise is what you make it. If you want to go around and complain about every little thing you will not have a good time. If you want to have fun, HAVE FUN! I have cruised NCL, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Carnival by far has always been the most fun. It is the people that make a Carnival cruise fun. Such an array of characters. Let your hair down, have a great time. Remember it is YOUR vacation..

 

Hopefully I have not shed any negativity about your anticipations. If so, I am sorry. I am going to have fun.. care to join me?

[aggieastrosfan]

That was great! And definitely true.

 

'Till 5/2 on the Elation...

 

Ecstasy awaits...12/4/04

 

Holiday 12/00 - Baja

Elation 05/02 - Mexican Riviera

Elation 05/04 - W. Carribbean

Ecstasy 12/04 - W. Carribbean

[Sophie]

I LOVE THIS POST!!! LOLOL

 

Sophie

Counting down the days till we sail the Rhapsody! 12-5-04

[vonniej51]

Amen brother, amen.

 

RCCL Mariner of the Seas 9/04 (Royal Hounds)

 

 

[hilltopfamily]

Great post but I have 1 question~~were you watching me in the shower last month after our cruise!? LOL. I can't understand why it felt like I was moving/swaying and could not keep my balance! Anyone care to explain how/why this happens? Makes absolutely no sense to me

 

Penny

Disney Magic~~Eastern 7/03

Carnival Celebration~~Western 3/04

Aug 1, 2004 Carnival Elation--Yippee, Our 3rd Cruise!!!

[ralmyers]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Triumph

<IMG SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;5;22;16;00;00

&timezone=GMT-0500">

 

Fantasy - 94

Imagination - 95

Ecstasy - 99

Triumph - 04

 

 

[DASA]

Racer LMAO!!! But you forgot one thing.

 

The first time you will hear HOT HOT HOT is at the muster drill when everyone has those bulky lifejackets on in the hot afternoon sun.

 

5/16 Destiny/life is short/take a long cruise

 

[RacerBC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hilltopfamily:

Great post but I have 1 question~~were you watching me in the shower last month after our cruise!? LOL. I can't understand why it felt like I was moving/swaying and could not keep my balance! Anyone care to explain how/why this happens? Makes absolutely _no_ sense to me

 

Real simple why you rock in the shower for a couple of days after your cruise. The the fluid in your inner ear counter balances the rocking on the ship. This is the way your body gets used to the rocking onboard. When you are on landeven though you are stabile the fluid is still rocking. It really only shows up dramatically when you close your eyes and tilt your head back. When are you most likely to be doing that ?? rinsing the shampoo out of your hair in the shower.

 

Penny

Disney Magic~~Eastern 7/03

Carnival Celebration~~Western 3/04

Aug 1, 2004 Carnival Elation--Yippee, Our 3rd Cruise!!!

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;8;1;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[voyagerfl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>If you are looking for that quiet serenity cruise. FORGET IT <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Personally i find it very easy to find peace and quiet on Carnival Ships.....And when I want to find a party.

 

There is something for everyone.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Carnival is notorious for the three ninety niners. These are the people that find those staterooms that no one else seems to want. They cost $ 399.00 per person. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So you are saying you are better than those People, because you can afford a Balcony ?

I left behind people that feel the need to make fun of others in High School.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Hopefully I have not shed any negativity about your anticipations. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If I'd never sailed Carnival before, I'd flee in terror after reading your post!

 

<u>NOTE:...you forgot to Mention "THE MACERANA"</U>

 

The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."

 

Caribe I 10/89 (aka Regal Empress)

Celebration 10/94

Britanis (Sank in 2000) 11/95

Inspiration 9/96

Regal Empress 4/97

Dolphin IV 11/97

Regal Empress 5/98

Celebration 9/98

Jubilee(Alaska) 9/99

Regal Empress 12/99

Imagination 10/00

Fantasy 12/00

Jubilee 10/01

Regal Empress 02/02

Norwegian Sea 10/02

Carnival Legend 11/02

Carnival Fasination 3/03

Carnival Triumph 11/15/03

[hilltopfamily]

RacerBC: another mystery solved!!!! thanks for the explanation! I've had college anatomy a couple times & your explanation makes sense to me!

 

Penny

Disney Magic~~Eastern 7/03

Carnival Celebration~~Western 3/04

Aug 1, 2004 Carnival Elation--Yippee, Our 3rd Cruise!!!

[CruiseFever]

We spend months trying to dispel rumors and stories about the drunken frat party image of the olden days of Carnival and here we blow all that out the window with one single thread.

 

This is the worst part:

"If you are looking for that quiet serenity cruise. FORGET IT. Carnival Cruise lines is known for PARTYING!"

 

...and we wonder why there are drunken teens terrorizing the decks at 3AM

 

Yikes!

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

 

[DASA]

voyager i took racers' post as tongue and cheek not as being demeaning.

 

5/16 Destiny/life is short/take a long cruise

 

[DASA]

And yes Chris you are right also. But we have to keep a little humor in our life.

 

I'm not condoning what was said just thought it was funny.

 

I've read many of your and voyagers post and find them very informative and have learned a lot from them.

 

5/16 Destiny/life is short/take a long cruise

 

[F5Loar]

21) Carnival is home to the 2 time cruiser (their first and their last). Commonly dubbed the "bubba" cruiser these first timers (both male and female varity) fall into the line breakers, chair hoggers, and dress code busters category. Easy to spot on the 3rd day as they will be the ones sporting the solid "red" tan all over their body, especially in the face and back of the neck. The males are also easily spotted on Formal nights sporting polo shirts and docker style pants in light colors like yellow and orange with flipflops. You can also tell them by what they order each night too, always the sirlon steak(with A1 sauce)a baked potatoe (loaded) and the tossed salad with extra Ranch dressing.

Their children will be eating either the pizza or the hamburger/hot dog in the main DR. They tend to have the most ill-mannered,roudy children on board and seldom provide parental supervison because after all they paid Carnivial to take care of them in the Camp Carnival.

These are the ones who on the 6th day ask you which way is to the front of the ship.

 

Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

 

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL

until we sail on the Disney Wonder

til we sail the ms Maasdam

[RacerBC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by voyagerfl:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>If you are looking for that quiet serenity cruise. FORGET IT <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Personally i find it very easy to find peace and quiet on Carnival Ships.....And when I want to find a party.

 

There is something for everyone.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Carnival is notorious for the three ninety niners. These are the people that find those staterooms that no one else seems to want. They cost $ 399.00 per person. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So you are saying you are better than those People, because you can afford a Balcony ?

I left behind people that feel the need to make fun of others in High School.

 

Hey my first cruise was a bargain basement cruise but I still was curious to my fellow passengers.

 

People need to learn to laugh at themselves. No one was putting anyone down or making fun of him or her. The truth is the truth and "you can't handle the truth" Wow that sounds familiar.

 

You find these same people at the "all you can eat" buffets in your hometown. They are the ones who bring the doggie bags. And don't tell me you haven't given them notice and even shook your head in wonder a few times. BE HONEST NOW!

 

 

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Hopefully I have not shed any negativity about your anticipations. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If I'd never sailed Carnival before, I'd flee in terror after reading your post!

 

You know the funny thing is I am sailing on Carnival in a few weeks. Each cruise line has it's own characteristics. This time around I wanted alittle more fun than the last cruise I went on.

 

<u>_NOTE:...you forgot to Mention "THE MACERANA"_</U>

 

_The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."_

 

Caribe I 10/89 (aka Regal Empress)

Celebration 10/94

Britanis (Sank in 2000) 11/95

Inspiration 9/96

Regal Empress 4/97

Dolphin IV 11/97

Regal Empress 5/98

Celebration 9/98

Jubilee(Alaska) 9/99

Regal Empress 12/99

Imagination 10/00

Fantasy 12/00

Jubilee 10/01

Regal Empress 02/02

Norwegian Sea 10/02

Carnival Legend 11/02

Carnival Fasination 3/03

Carnival Triumph 11/15/03<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[imatarb]

Love it!!

 

Lisa

 

Monarch of the Seas - 1994

Royal Majesty - 1996

 

Until VICTORY is ours

 

 

<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than any day at work</MARQUEE>

[voyagerfl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>baked potatoe <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Dan Quayle, is that you ?????

 

 

 

The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."

 

[This message was edited by voyagerfl on 04-27-04 at 10:27 AM.]

[tjevans]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RacerBC:

For kicks, set your alarm clock for 4 in the morning and call room service and ask for two lobster tails and drawn butter. YES they will deliver them to you within 30 minutes.

 

(17) Watch out for in animated figures that Carnival seems to love placing around their ships. Stuff like elephants, camels, etc. I always have asked myself, WHY? If I wanted to go on a safari I would have.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Just so no hopes will be falsely raised:

 

The fanciest thing on the Conquest's room service menu was a BLT.

 

. . . and I never saw any animated figures.

 

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Carnival Conquest 4/18/04

[tef43]

Perhaps the OP's real name is "Omarosa" ?

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

 

 

 

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

And then:

Yet *another* surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[RacerBC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by voyagerfl:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>baked potatoe <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> _Dan Quayle, is that you_ ?????

 

I REST MY CASE!

 

 

_The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."_

 

[This message was edited by voyagerfl on 04-27-04 at 10:27 AM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[RacerBC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tjevans:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RacerBC:

For kicks, set your alarm clock for 4 in the morning and call room service and ask for two lobster tails and drawn butter. YES they will deliver them to you within 30 minutes.

 

(17) Watch out for in animated figures that Carnival seems to love placing around their ships. Stuff like elephants, camels, etc. I always have asked myself, WHY? If I wanted to go on a safari I would have.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Just so no hopes will be falsely raised:

 

The fanciest thing on the Conquest's room service menu was a BLT.

 

. . . and I never saw any animated figures.

 

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Carnival Conquest 4/18/04<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Try the Fascination or the Glory for the Elephants and Camels.

 

As far as room service.. You can order things that are NOT on the R/S menu... try it you may like it.

[tjevans]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RacerBC:

Originally posted by tjevans:

Originally posted by RacerBC:As far as room service.. You can order things that are NOT on the R/S menu... try it you may like it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Dang! wish I had known that last week!

 

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Carnival Conquest 4/18/04

[dcat2u]

My daughters whenever they get sick or feel dizzy, they always say "it feels like I am on the ship again!"-lol

[AlinaMaria]

Well, I'll be going on my first Carnival cruise in Sept. After reading this I've begun to have second thoughts. After my last cruise on Holland America, I've decided that Celebrity and HAL are the best. I thougth Royal Caribbean was too busy in the "noise level". By the way, I've seen the $399 people at all cruises I've been and most spoke English!!! Don't judge by native language, I've also been to Panama City,Atlanta, and Boston and seen things that leave a lot to be desired in the "good manners" department.

 

11/04 HAL/Zuiderdam

02/04 HAL/Rotterdam

09/03 RCI/Majesty of the Seas

04/03 RCI/Navigator of the Seas

06/02 Princess/Grand Princess

05/98 Celebrity/Mercury

07/97 Celebrity/Century

06/96 Celebrity/Century

05/95 Celebrity/Zenith

06/82 Premier/Dolphin

[BADBUOY]

Bring on the room service at 4 am and then again at 7!

 

Thanks for a great thread.

 

Bud

 

Carnival Glory December 2004