just booked our cruise!! :)...any tips?

Re: just booked our cruise!! :)...any tips?

• ehathewa

  

  October 2010

  At most ports when you get off the boat there are tons of taxis/buses waiting to take you to the beach.  Just remember to get back on the boat in time!  That is the best thing about booking an excursion through Carnival, if for some reason they ar late getting you back, the ship will wait for you. 
  
  Alcohol and soda are not covered in the cost of your cruise - that can add up fast. 
  
  Have fun!
  

  

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• tam728 member

  

  October 2010

  Hello I have been on many cruises-most of them with Carnival. You will have a great time as others said in those ports you will not need to book an excursion it is very easy to get around. I have never bought cruise insurance and there has never been an issue.

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• Beachy730 member

  

  October 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_just-booked-cruise-tips?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:c3eb85c5-e562-4eb4-abc5-9a2c5705e8baPost:69ed9b6a-4d3f-4187-9483-1628e4794ecd">Re: just booked our cruise!! :)...any tips?</a>:
  [QUOTE]You absolutely MUST buy cruise insurance!!!!  Check out cruisecritics.com for lots of tips and ideas!
  Posted by CMGr[/QUOTE]
  
  Do you sell cruise insurance or something?  I've been on 5 cruises and never once have I bought insurance and never had a problem.
  
  OP- are Key West and Cozumel your only 2 ports?  I have been to Cozumel 3 times on cruises and it is by far m favorite port that I have been to.  Carnival has a great pier there that has tons of shops and a few bars right at the pier.  Last time we went we walked around to all the shops there, dropped our purchases off at the ship since it was right here, and then parked it at Three Amigos all day to drink and hang out.  Also, Carnival has some beach excursions that you can book for fairly cheap, like $20-30 per person I think, and like a PP said you then have the added peace of mind that the ship won't leave you if you're late.
  Key West also has some shops right at the pier, and a lot of other things right in walking distance. 

  

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• KrystalsKitsch member

  

  October 2010

  You're going to have so much fun. Cruises are great. I, personally, have never purchased a soda card and I'm addicted to soda. I just stuck to water, lemonade and juice while on board (when I wasn't having a cocktail of course!). I think a can of soda was only $2.50 or so on board.  The ports you're going to don't really need a planned excurision, you'll be able to have fun on your own. They are very touristy so you will be safe and find ways to explore.
  
  Don't forget that Carnival allows you to bring one bottle of wine per guest on board (that's 21+). You can bring it to dinner and pay the corkage fee or enjoy it in your room.
  
  I've never booked cruise insurance either.

  

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• Beverly8

  

  October 2010

  I have never been on carnival cruise lines, but i have been on a cruise that stopped at cozumel, mexico.  There are tons and tons of stores around the port! so many cool things to buy! We did do an excursion here, but afterwards we took a cab( make sure take the cabs that the cruise employees point out to you) and we went to a cute mexican place and got lunch and drinks.  Food wa pretty good and the drinks were awesome and they also had many many shops in the downtown area.  Have fun!

  

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• becgrose member

  

  October 2010

  Take a less- drowsy Dramamine about an hour before the boat leaves port. It will still probably make you want to take a nap, but it is WAY better than being motion sick the whole first night. 

  
  

  I've been on several cruises and have never needed insurance. Even if there are hurricane issues, they tend to work around it (my best friend lost a day and had to go to a diff port, but still got to cruise for her honeymoon). 

  
  

  If you drink alcohol, put some of your favorites in water bottles in your checked luggage. You can also try to sneak some cheap liquor in from a port of call. it always worked for me (granted, years ago) by bringing a big bag and a beach towel and wrapping it in the towel at the bottom of the bag, with other purchases on top of it. 

  
  

  Try something new at dinner... something you would never pay for at a restaurant! That's how I figured out I loved escargot and pasta bollognese. 

  
  

  Loose gems in port are amazingly priced, but do not always fit standard settings once you get back into the states. 

  
  

  If you have an interior cabin, they are great for mid afternoon naps. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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