First Time Cruising Woes

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 57

Review summary

If you as the reader are into gambling (the casino), drinking alcoholic beverages (patronizing the numerous bars and alcohol buying opportunities), or wanting to take over the "naked cowboy (cowgirl) job in NYC by trying out your wardrobe (or the lack of it) on the ship then a Carnival Cruise if for you. Otherwise, maybe not. We used the parking/shuttle service, please remember to tip. We used a porter at the cruise terminal, please tip. At embarkation the computers were down, so we had to do everything twice. With a screaming child the whole time. After boarding we went to the Lido Deck. The food needs seasoning (i.e. herbs and spices) and the desserts need sweetening. The food on the buffet is comparable to a regional cafeteria chain (in this case Furr's). The food in the restaurant is way better. Do not be in a hurry, from appetizer to dessert it took a little less than 2 hours to complete the meal. My husband enjoyed the burger joint. We also enjoyed the Blue Iguana Cantina. Ice cream is good and 24 hours, as is the pizza. The pizza is good if you can get one of the four people back there to actually serve any. There are four people back there "doing" things and yet there is no pizza on the counter, hmmm ? Beverages - The coffee is lethal - super strong. If you like Espresso, then you are all set and will be one happy camper. If not, avoid, its hard to fix it. If you like colored tasteless water, then you will like the tea. The lemonade was nice and tart, but not sweet (sweeteners both natural and artificial are provided). I absolutely loved the Orange Passion Fruit Guava Cocktail that was ONLY available at breakfast. Bring a trash can type tumbler and fill it for the day, 'cause after breakfast is over you can't get it until the next morning. Camp Ocean - Camp Ocean is broken down as follows: 2 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 - 11. The 2 - 5 group should be broken down even further 2-3's and 4-5's. I have a 2 1/2 year old grandson that is very much a 2 year old - lively, rambunctious, and not potty trained. He nearly got kicked out the first day due to running and "touching" other kids. He's 2 1/2. He goes to daycare during the week with other 2 - 3 year olds. I guess they wanted a zombie child. We dropped him off at 10:00 am and picked him up about 12:30 pm because he takes a nap around midday. We were given the warning that if he continued the above mentioned behavior that he would not be able to be there anymore. After he got up from his nap, we asked him if he wanted to go back and he refused. He refused the next morning and by day 3, I turned in my phone. We did go for family fun time 5:00 - 6:00 pm Thursday and Friday. There was no family time on Saturday (why, I don't know). Stateroom - shampoo and shower gel are provided. Hot water in plenty, toilet and sink work great. Beds are comfortable and room temperature can be adjusted. TV is okay. You are not cruising to watch TV. No waste basket liners so be aware of what you are putting in the trash. Do not open big bottled water or you "buy it". Order bottled water beforehand online to have been delivered to your stateroom prior to your cruise. You get a good deal and you don't have to lug it on board. We did not use the Room Service, but if you do, please tip. Muster drill/Debarkation instructions - attend and follow all instructions. You hold everything up if you don't. Debarkation - follow all instructions and rules for an easy and stress free "getting off the ship" experience. If you use a porter for your checked bags, remember to tip. If you use the parking shuttle service, remember to tip. Overall, I would have enjoyed my cruise better if I did not have my under age 4 grandchild with me. The ship and its activities are in my opinion just too much for little ones, infants exempted. Remember to bring a ton of sunscreen and use it liberally. I would also suggest bringing small quantities of OTC pain relievers, gas-indigestion-diarrhea meds, as well as your own prescriptions. You don't need a 90 day supply of your blood pressure medicine for a 7 day cruise. A small power bar (extra outlet/surge strip) is recommended as there is only one outlet. There is a hair dryer already in the stateroom. Be prepared for motion sickness even if you do not get seasick. There are multiple applications that work very effectively in addition to or in lieu of dramamine. Be courteous, be polite, even though you will not be seeing most, if not all of these people ever again, they are after all people.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Onboard Activities

Entertainment

Children's Programs

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

Disembarkation

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