Who? What? When? Where? Why?

First cruise,

Companion, My wife still cruising with me.

Ship, Carnival Jubalee

Year, 1995

Seven day Mexican Rivera

We became hooked by the food, staff and the ocean. The whole package, we love live music and the shows.

My first cruise was back in the 80s. I cruised with my family (husband& two kid) on the Carnival Mardi Gras. We went to the Caribbean & loved it. We are still cruising today because we had such fun. Kids cruised for free in those days. We just had to pay $99 for their air fare.

I cruised solo for the first couple of times.

Carnival, Destiny. I'll never forget my first

Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk.

I like it.

I do remember while at port in Grand Turk, I wanted to see us leave, so I went top side. We were docked next to another Carnival ship when a lot of men were making their way to port side to watch the ship leave but that wasn't what was getting their attention. What was getting their attention was a lady undressing on her balcony waving to us leaving. Uhmmm, maybe she was happy about her cruise.

Welcome, I love the excitement of first time cruisers (actually I've never lost it). I look froward to your "review". My best advice is to remember that sometimes little things go awry, just like any vacation might... so relax and enjoy yourself. Ignore the other passengers that have the "me first" & "I know everything" attitudes as you probably know more from reading about your cruise on the forums than they do.

Great tip! Nice to know! I will make sure to keep that in mind. I love that there is so much information out here via you seasoned cruisers.

Thanks a bunch!

The FTTF will make it a bit smoother, especially not having to keep your carry-ons with you for a couple of hours after you board -- your room should be ready as soon as you board.

(If you are stopped at the fire doors and told that the rooms aren't ready yet, politely explain to the crewmember that you have FTTF. They should let you through).

Thank you Brian! I was wondering how the whole parking thing works. I pre-paid but I noticed that some people said that really doesn't matter. I also purchased the faster to the fun... Just trying to make things go as smoothly as possible.

Thank you! I am really excited like vacation on the brain excited. My boss thankfully understands that I am scatterbrained. I am probably on every cruise site I can find making sure that we don't forget anything and also keeping in mind to not over-pack.

No need to check back with you--you'll be on here drooling over cruises like the rest of us addicts.

Have a great cruise! You are sailing the same ship to the same place at almost the exact time of year as our first cruise :)

Hope you guys have a great cruise! I think you are going out of Charleston with the Ecstasy, just relax when going through the parking lot chase at the Port of Charleston, you will be fine!

Brian