We are more into seeing the sites, and have loved our criuses in the past. In Feb. 2009 we are taking our 18,14 yrs old on a trip either a cruise or all inclusive. A carribean cruise, which ship?or all inclusive to Cancun?
Answer :
I would choose the Carnival Destiny. They offer the best value that I have seen. My kids, 12 and 14, love it. They are never bored, and they love the 24/7 pizza.
Answer :
I would definitely go with Royal Caribbean. I have cruised both and royal gives you your monies worth. They have a lot more to offer onboard so your kids have a better chance of not getting bored and enjoying themselves. Carnival's prices are cheaper and it shows in the quality of service and lack of onboard amenities and activities. I think with royal you would get more bang for your buck and a chance to see some great islands. Go to both websites and compare the ships you are interested in to see what they offer. Also read the reviews on cruise critic. As for the all inclusive, it sounds nice but can add up when you include the all inclusive fees. Also depending on when in February you may start to run into the spring break crowd, and Cancun is a lively spring break destination. That may not be the type of atmosphere you want your kids exposed to.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Dining on Carnival Paradise?
I need to know something. I am going on Carnival Paradise in Oct. We have chosen the dine anytime between like 5 - 8 or something. Anyways Im confused. ok What I heard is there is 1 or 2 main dining rooms and that is where we have our meals (breakfast,lunch,dinner) right? but then is there also a buffet? so i guess what i want to know is is this true? do we have the choice to go to the dinning rooms and have a sit down served dinner at our arranged dinner time or go to the buffet? and same for breakfast and lunch? are breakfast and lunch a certain time in the dining rooms? and also the buffet? i am so confused maybe more than I need to be sorry also do they have formal night with tuxedos and evening gowns? is this required on that night or can you just wear nice dressy clothes like dress pants and nice shirt? or do you have to dress up fancy? i know you cant wear like shorts or cutoffs but can you wear jeans in the dining room? or do you wear khakis or something? what about in the buffet? i mean i know no like bathing suits but is it the same? or more casual? i am so sorry for being dumb this is our first cruise and i just don't understand how this works i want to make sure i pack the right clothes
Answer :
The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are in a rush, or just want to stay casual, then there are always buffets open. If you are looking for an actual sit-down meal with more formality, then go to the dining room.
Most people will use the buffets or cafes for breakfast and lunch, but you are welcome to use the dining room. They will seat you just like a normal restaurant.
Almost ALL cruisers eat dinner in the dining room. You are somewhat expected to eat dinner there, and be on time for your seating. The first night you will be shown where your table is and that will be your table for the remainder of the cruise. You will also have the same waiter and assistant waiter, which can turn into a lot of fun. Dinner lasts about an hour/hour and a half if you are quick eaters, or (if you have the second seating) you may linger for hours.
Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. However, shirts and shoes/footwear (flip-flops) must be worn at all times inside the Lido restaurants.
Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).
Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats.
Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
Cruises are my absolute favorite type of vacations. You will have a great time!
Answer :
The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are in a rush, or just want to stay casual, then there are always buffets open. If you are looking for an actual sit-down meal with more formality, then go to the dining room.
Most people will use the buffets or cafes for breakfast and lunch, but you are welcome to use the dining room. They will seat you just like a normal restaurant.
Almost ALL cruisers eat dinner in the dining room. You are somewhat expected to eat dinner there, and be on time for your seating. The first night you will be shown where your table is and that will be your table for the remainder of the cruise. You will also have the same waiter and assistant waiter, which can turn into a lot of fun. Dinner lasts about an hour/hour and a half if you are quick eaters, or (if you have the second seating) you may linger for hours.
Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. However, shirts and shoes/footwear (flip-flops) must be worn at all times inside the Lido restaurants.
Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).
Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats.
Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
Cruises are my absolute favorite type of vacations. You will have a great time!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Going on Carnival Paradise?
OK My husband and I are going on the Carnival Paradise in Oct. has anyone been on this ship before? How is it? What can we expect? We are getting an inside cabin. Are those ok? I know they are small with no windows but other then that are they ok? I just didnt see a point of paying high prices for a room where we are just going to shower and sleep. We are going to want to be out doing things. So how does everything work? We have already done all the pre boarding stuff. So how will it be on the ship? What is there to do on the Paradise? Is it a good ship? Opinons? Experiences?
Also one other thing I am kinda confused about.
I know there is a sail and sign card. Ok so do you have to like put how much money you want on the card and then they swipe it and deduct what you spend or do they swipe it for everything and then at the end it gets totaled up and then you pay? If so can you pay your final bill in cash or can you use you debit/credit card? How exactly does the card work? Can you tip as you go or do they put a preset decided amount of tip automatically
Alos while in the ports (catalina Island/Ensenada can you use your debit/credit card for any spending/shopping or does it have to be cash?
Sorry for asking so many dumb questions. This is our first cruise and I like to pre plan ahead as much as possible so there are no surprises.
Thank you so much in advance for all the info you can give me.
Answer :
The Paradise is a nice, although a bit older, ship. It was VERY nice, when it was a non-smoking ship.
An inside room is just fine. Be sure you take some type of clock because otherwise you won't know what time it is while you're in your cabin. The cabins are very small, so don't be surprised. I tend to be claustrophobic and I'm just fine in an inside room.
You will get a sail and sign card that functions as your ID, your room key and your "charge card" for your cruise. You put in the credit card info for your card when you do your on-line pre-boarding check-in. You can use cash, but you need to arrange this with the Purser's desk, I think.
Tips will be automatically charged to your account, although the amount can be adjusted [hopefully, up, not down]. Drinks you buy on the ship have a 15% service charge added to the cost of the drink.
You can use your credit card in most any of the ports.
Not sure there's going to be a lot to do in Ensenada. It's a pretty "sketchy" port from what I've read, but the ship is required to stop in a foreign country, so.... Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to "Ports of Call" and find your ports for great info from experienced cruisers.
Have a great cruise!
Answer :
The classic interior design of the Carnival Paradise honors famous ocean liners of the past. The two-deck Normandie Showroom is done in an art-deco style, with stained-glass chandeliers and cherry wood trim. In the America Bar, a Venetian glass mural in red, white and blue creates a waving American flag. Meet newly made friends in the Rotterdam Bar or go dancing in the Queen Mary Lounge. In the six-story atrium, glass elevators silently glide up and down as passengers relax at the circular bar below. Passengers seeking a casual alternative to the two main restaurants can opt for the casual Paris Restaurant or offerings from the snack bars and pizzeria. This ship also features an adults-only "Serenity" area that offers bar service, ocean vistas, and whirlpools for relaxation
Also one other thing I am kinda confused about.
I know there is a sail and sign card. Ok so do you have to like put how much money you want on the card and then they swipe it and deduct what you spend or do they swipe it for everything and then at the end it gets totaled up and then you pay? If so can you pay your final bill in cash or can you use you debit/credit card? How exactly does the card work? Can you tip as you go or do they put a preset decided amount of tip automatically
Alos while in the ports (catalina Island/Ensenada can you use your debit/credit card for any spending/shopping or does it have to be cash?
Sorry for asking so many dumb questions. This is our first cruise and I like to pre plan ahead as much as possible so there are no surprises.
Thank you so much in advance for all the info you can give me.
Answer :
The Paradise is a nice, although a bit older, ship. It was VERY nice, when it was a non-smoking ship.
An inside room is just fine. Be sure you take some type of clock because otherwise you won't know what time it is while you're in your cabin. The cabins are very small, so don't be surprised. I tend to be claustrophobic and I'm just fine in an inside room.
You will get a sail and sign card that functions as your ID, your room key and your "charge card" for your cruise. You put in the credit card info for your card when you do your on-line pre-boarding check-in. You can use cash, but you need to arrange this with the Purser's desk, I think.
Tips will be automatically charged to your account, although the amount can be adjusted [hopefully, up, not down]. Drinks you buy on the ship have a 15% service charge added to the cost of the drink.
You can use your credit card in most any of the ports.
Not sure there's going to be a lot to do in Ensenada. It's a pretty "sketchy" port from what I've read, but the ship is required to stop in a foreign country, so.... Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to "Ports of Call" and find your ports for great info from experienced cruisers.
Have a great cruise!
Answer :
The classic interior design of the Carnival Paradise honors famous ocean liners of the past. The two-deck Normandie Showroom is done in an art-deco style, with stained-glass chandeliers and cherry wood trim. In the America Bar, a Venetian glass mural in red, white and blue creates a waving American flag. Meet newly made friends in the Rotterdam Bar or go dancing in the Queen Mary Lounge. In the six-story atrium, glass elevators silently glide up and down as passengers relax at the circular bar below. Passengers seeking a casual alternative to the two main restaurants can opt for the casual Paris Restaurant or offerings from the snack bars and pizzeria. This ship also features an adults-only "Serenity" area that offers bar service, ocean vistas, and whirlpools for relaxation
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Carnival Paradise 12/17/07 4-Day ~ Basic Questions (Newbie)?
First Time Cruiser on Carnival Paradise on 12/17/07, departing from Long Beach, stops to Catalina Island and Ensenada.
1. Anybody going on this specific cruise?
2. Are all food free? Including the formal-dining food?
3. For the dining room, do I have to wear a tie?
4. Which types of beverage are free?
5. How does the buffet work? Do I walk in, get my food, and dine on any table? Or do I need to be waited by a server?
6. Where do I get the entire schedule for music and entertainment?
7. Do I need to dress up for the theater show?
8. Any specific things I should look out for?
9. Recommended excursions?
A cruise-boat seems like it has their own little world. I don't know anything and not sure what to expect... Help! =)
Answer :
1. I haven't been on this particular ship but have been on this cruise itinerary many times.
2. Not all the food is free. There seems to be a few restaurants on board that may cost. If they do, it will be clearly stated in your Carnival Capers (the daily paper).
3. You only need a tie on Formal night. Otherwise a nice casual shirt will work (no t-shirts).
4. Coffee, tea, juices and fruit punch are free.
5. Just how you thought. Get your food, find a table. The wait staff will come around to clear plates and see if you need a refill.
6. Every evening you will receive a copy of the Carnival Capers. It lists everything you need to know for the next day. There will be a copy waiting for you on your bed when you embark.
7. You only need to dress up if you wish to. I used to dress down before going to the show on formal night.
8. Specific things to look for... if you decide on a shore excursion book it on line before you board. If you don't make sure to do it first thing when you embark. Your ticket probably says embarkation starts at 1pm. Truth is, you can check in around 10 am and get a boarding number. If you don't check in early then wait until about 1/1/2 before sailing. This way, you will avoid the long lines (this used to be my job, trust me). The on board photographer can get annoying but just go with it. Just because he takes your picture, you're not obligated to buy them so just have fun.
9. Don't waste your money on excursions on Catalina. Take a walk along the waterfront and do some shopping. Stop at the Casino and check it out. At the pier where the tender lands, there are gum ball machines( to the left on the pier) with fish food in them. Bring quarters and feed the fish off the dock. In Ensenada, take the wine tour. You can get some really good olive oil. After the tour, spend some time in town. Make sure to visit Papas and Beer. There's a little cantina at the other end of town (green plastic table and chairs out front), they have 2 for 1 margaritas. If you want vanilla, go to the supermarket around the corner. It's cheaper then buying it in the tourist places on the main drag. If you're going to be drinking, make sure you buy a bus ticket back to the ship. Then you only have to stumble to the bus stop instead of the 5 or 6 blocks back to the ship. lol! The bargins in Ensenada are, vanilla, the olive oil from the winery and Kahlua. It's like $8.00 for the liter bottle.
Answer :
Check out CruiseCritic.com, "Boards". You might especially be interested in "Ports of Call", "Carnival Cruise Lines", "First Time Cruisers"; be sure and check the "Roll Call" for your particular sailing, too.
1] See "Roll Call" board at CruiseCritic.com.
2] Food is "free", except for any specialty dining venues [don't think there is one on Paradise, but I haven't been on her since 2001].
3] Most nights in the dining room are informal, so no tie needed; only formal nights "require" a tie, and even then many don't wear them.
4] Free beverages include fruit punch, coffee, tea, lemonade and water. You can get a soda card if you drink a lot of soda [Coke products, I believe].
5] Buffet - walk in, get what you want, find your table, enjoy!
6] Each night you will get a schedule of the next day's activities [Carnival Capers]. If you take a highlighter, you can mark the ones you're interested in so you won't miss them.
7] Dress for the theater show is the same as for that night's dinner [this will be listed in the "Carnival Capers"]; however, it's not enforced.
8] See "First Time Cruisers" at CruiseCritic.com.
9] Ditto, "Ports of Call".
Have a great time.
1. Anybody going on this specific cruise?
2. Are all food free? Including the formal-dining food?
3. For the dining room, do I have to wear a tie?
4. Which types of beverage are free?
5. How does the buffet work? Do I walk in, get my food, and dine on any table? Or do I need to be waited by a server?
6. Where do I get the entire schedule for music and entertainment?
7. Do I need to dress up for the theater show?
8. Any specific things I should look out for?
9. Recommended excursions?
A cruise-boat seems like it has their own little world. I don't know anything and not sure what to expect... Help! =)
Answer :
1. I haven't been on this particular ship but have been on this cruise itinerary many times.
2. Not all the food is free. There seems to be a few restaurants on board that may cost. If they do, it will be clearly stated in your Carnival Capers (the daily paper).
3. You only need a tie on Formal night. Otherwise a nice casual shirt will work (no t-shirts).
4. Coffee, tea, juices and fruit punch are free.
5. Just how you thought. Get your food, find a table. The wait staff will come around to clear plates and see if you need a refill.
6. Every evening you will receive a copy of the Carnival Capers. It lists everything you need to know for the next day. There will be a copy waiting for you on your bed when you embark.
7. You only need to dress up if you wish to. I used to dress down before going to the show on formal night.
8. Specific things to look for... if you decide on a shore excursion book it on line before you board. If you don't make sure to do it first thing when you embark. Your ticket probably says embarkation starts at 1pm. Truth is, you can check in around 10 am and get a boarding number. If you don't check in early then wait until about 1/1/2 before sailing. This way, you will avoid the long lines (this used to be my job, trust me). The on board photographer can get annoying but just go with it. Just because he takes your picture, you're not obligated to buy them so just have fun.
9. Don't waste your money on excursions on Catalina. Take a walk along the waterfront and do some shopping. Stop at the Casino and check it out. At the pier where the tender lands, there are gum ball machines( to the left on the pier) with fish food in them. Bring quarters and feed the fish off the dock. In Ensenada, take the wine tour. You can get some really good olive oil. After the tour, spend some time in town. Make sure to visit Papas and Beer. There's a little cantina at the other end of town (green plastic table and chairs out front), they have 2 for 1 margaritas. If you want vanilla, go to the supermarket around the corner. It's cheaper then buying it in the tourist places on the main drag. If you're going to be drinking, make sure you buy a bus ticket back to the ship. Then you only have to stumble to the bus stop instead of the 5 or 6 blocks back to the ship. lol! The bargins in Ensenada are, vanilla, the olive oil from the winery and Kahlua. It's like $8.00 for the liter bottle.
Answer :
Check out CruiseCritic.com, "Boards". You might especially be interested in "Ports of Call", "Carnival Cruise Lines", "First Time Cruisers"; be sure and check the "Roll Call" for your particular sailing, too.
1] See "Roll Call" board at CruiseCritic.com.
2] Food is "free", except for any specialty dining venues [don't think there is one on Paradise, but I haven't been on her since 2001].
3] Most nights in the dining room are informal, so no tie needed; only formal nights "require" a tie, and even then many don't wear them.
4] Free beverages include fruit punch, coffee, tea, lemonade and water. You can get a soda card if you drink a lot of soda [Coke products, I believe].
5] Buffet - walk in, get what you want, find your table, enjoy!
6] Each night you will get a schedule of the next day's activities [Carnival Capers]. If you take a highlighter, you can mark the ones you're interested in so you won't miss them.
7] Dress for the theater show is the same as for that night's dinner [this will be listed in the "Carnival Capers"]; however, it's not enforced.
8] See "First Time Cruisers" at CruiseCritic.com.
9] Ditto, "Ports of Call".
Have a great time.
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