Tips on Carnvial Cruise and some advice on how it works please!

kaynix21

So my aunt and uncle and three cousins surprised FI and I with a Carnival Cruise for our HM. We found out today because I had to fill out some travel forms to make life easier.

So we'll be going from Sunday to Sunday. Three days on the boat, three ports: Cabo, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

First question. The spa thing they have on the ship...is it free? I was looking around the Web site and didn't see pricing info.

Also, can you not pay for anything with cash on the ship? It said we had to make an expense account or something...so how does that work?

We are also going to check out all the fun adventure activities you can do. How long are you at port? Is it worth it to do one of those activities at all three locations, or will we totally miss out on getting to relax and visit that main area and shop and walk?

Neither one of us has ever been to Mexico or been on a cruise. FI has only traveled out of country with the military and in high school I went on two guided trips to Europe so any help will be much appreciated!

king26

Hi there!
  I love Carnival Cruises-they are so much fun!  To answer some of your questions:
-No, the spa is not free, you have to pay for the services, but generally if you are in a port and not in the ocean, they give big discounts on their services.

-You cannot pay with cash on the ship.  You will receive a Sign and Sail card before you board and you must link it to a credit card or else give cash to be put on it before you board.  Remember gratuities, pictures, drinks, excursions, etc. will all be put on this card.

-As for activities at port-that's up to you.  We generally like to go on excursions at a few of the ports because we are adventurous and most times you see a lot of the place you go to.  Most excursions aren't that long, so you'll still have plenty of time to explore.  Check online for the itinerary-it'll tell you how long your in each port.
Have fun!

LoveBugBaby

I'm a huge fan of Carnival too! Been on 8 cruises with them so far!!

The spa thing they have on the ship...is it free? I was looking around the Web site and didn't see pricing info.
No, the spa is not free, unfortunately! They do run specials every day while you're on the ship, and some are worth checking out!

Also, can you not pay for anything with cash on the ship? It said we had to make an expense account or something...so how does that work?
Like PP said, you will receive a Sail & Sign card. I CC is required and at the end of your cruise whatever expenses you put on your Sail & Sign will be put on your CC, or you can pay cash (CC is easiest because you won't need to go to the pursers desk the last day to pay).  You will be able to monitor your Sail & Sign cards daily on the TV in your room.  That way you can keep track of how much you've spent.  Carnival excursions, spa, pictures, and alcohol will all go on this card.

We are also going to check out all the fun adventure activities you can do. How long are you at port?
Generally you arrive in port in the morning sometime and leave late afternoon.  If you go to Carnival's web site you can pull up your cruise itinerary (find your ship/destination and date going) and see how long you'll be in each port each day!

Is it worth it to do one of those activities at all three locations, or will we totally miss out on getting to relax and visit that main area and shop and walk?
My advice is to go on CruiseCritic . com and check out reviews on your particular cruise!  You'll get an idea of what excursions are great, and which ones suck.  You'll also get some great advice about the islands you're going to and whether it's worth booking excursions there or going off on your own!  Plus, again, Carnival has all their excursions listed per port on their web site.  Check them out ahead of time so you and FI can get an idea of what you'd like to do, and how much it will cost!

HAVE FUN!

alithebride

you can see how long you'll be at port on the carnival website. find your cruise and it will tell you all about the itinerary.
as for the spa-nope, not free. honestly-dh and i did some massages on our last carnival and honestly-not worth it. i've had better for less.
the sign and sail card will be used to pay for everything on the ship. you can look at the website-it will give all info there as well as auto tipping amounts.

kaynix21

Cool! Thanks guys!

alschmid

I've been on that cruise and agree with all the advice above...(you put Cabo twice, I think  you are going to Puerto Vallarta instead of Cabo twice )

Cruisecritic.com is awesome...

Activites we did in port on this cruise -

Cabo - we did a snorkel trip - not really recommended.  The beach we went by on the way called Lovers Beach looked nice - I want to check this place out if we get there again.  We walked around the cruise terminal area and got some food and drinks.

Mazatlan - we went to Stone Island area - nice beach, lots of restaurants, good beer and shrimp .  We went on our own by taking a small ferry to it for like $2 each round trip. 

Puerto Vallarta - highlight of our cruise - we did ziplining with Los Verandos.  We loved it - then walked around town to get lunch before heading back

BrideofBigSur

I'm going on this cruise, but on Royal Caribbean - same ports of call. We are thinking about staying on the boat for one port of call (dunno which yet) so we can have the ship allll to ourselves! We are going to do an adventure tour in puerto vallarta where we get to ride 4x4's, then ride mules up to the top of the mountain, and zipline down - and rappell down a waterfall. I can't WAIT! That particular tour had really good reviews.

meganpink

Don't do excursions through the cruise line....you can find the same thing on port for much cheaper. And you if you are not wanting to put any money on your credit card you can use cash for your sail and sign card. You have to go to the pursers desk at the beginning of the cruise to give them the cash and set it up that way. Then it works like a debit card, but monitor your spending so if you are running low on funds you can put more on your card. We've been on so many carnival cruises it's silly. And I agree with the pp about the spa not being so great. I usually choose to not use it. They offer all the amenities if you do choose to use the spa, but you need to book it as soon as you're on board because the prime times fill up fast. Enjoy!