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cruise

wolfpackwolfpack Member Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭✭
edited July 2013 in General Discussion
Taking a Carnival cruise out of Charleston, SC in just a little more than a week. Never been on a cruise before but my daughter wanted to so we did. The ship is the Fantasy. Anyone have experience with this ship and anything I should know before hand.
Thanks.

Comments

  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • the middlethe middle Member Posts: 3,089
    edited November -1
    From the luck the cruise lines have been having, I recommend you keep your life preserver on at all times while aboard, have a haz-mat suit packed, in case power goes out and the plumbing backs up, and have a fire extinguisher handle at all times too.


    Oh ya....pack MRE's with you too and dont eat the seafood the ship offers......
  • MaxOHMSMaxOHMS Member Posts: 14,715
    edited November -1
    It could break down out in the ocean for several days with no AC or sewer pumps working, which would force you and your family to camp out on the upper deck in crowded conditions and very little food or water.

    ......or you could have a great time and eat like pigs kings.

    [:D]
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A cruise to me is a floating prison, your at their mercy.

    Have fun and stay safe.
  • pietro75pietro75 Member Posts: 7,048
    edited November -1
    http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=6


    Looks like a cool ship. We went on the "Splendor" last year for a Mexican Riviera cruise and had a great time.

    Have fun!
  • pietro75pietro75 Member Posts: 7,048
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by RobOz
    A cruise to me is a floating prison, your at their mercy.

    Have fun and stay safe.


    I think Trista and I are done with cruises. We are moving on to Sandals resorts. That way we are imprisoned on land and can at least attempt an escape.[:D]
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    you can take out some really cheap insurance to prevent the most common vacation ruiner as it pertains to cruises, seasickness.

    go to your doc and get a prescription for the patches. the pills are worthless and all of the remedies are nearly worthless after you're already sick. be prepared, even if "you dont get sea sick". get the patches and put one on the day before you leave. keep wearing one till atleast the midpoint on the trip.

    heres the thing. say you're on a 7 day cruise. you take nothing before hand. day one isnt bad, day two you get sick, day three you start to do something about it. at this point, the pills arent going to work, but you might waste a day on them anyway. so now its day four, you've gotten nothing out of this vacation but misery, you put on a patch and halfway through day five you feel better. day six you feel fine. day seven you go home. sound like a reasonable vacation?

    get the patches. even if "you dont get sea sick". a big factor in seasickness is the minds inability to reconcile motion with what you can see. this isnt so much of a problem on a little boat where you can see everything. sure, there a lot more motion to contend with, but your mind can make it right. on a cruise ship, so much takes place indoors with no or limited visability of the horizon(what you need to reconcile the perceived motion with your surroundings.

    even if you've never gotten seasick before, the patches are cheap insurance....
  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good luck with Carnival lines, who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and actually get a "round trip".
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    Friends of mine did an Alaskan cruise. Combination of ship, rail, bus, fancy hotel and some hiking. Had a terrific time.

    They are talking about a Mediterranean Cruise next.

    Not on this boat, some other boat ...
    Costa-Concordia-runs-agro-007.jpg
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    hospitals are dirty places.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One thing you can say about a Carnival cruise: They're GIVING them away. (For good reason, likely. Bookings after all those mishaps gotta really suck.)

    We much enjoyed our one cruise so far. The Alaska inside passage on Norwegian, Seattle to Seattle. Love the open dining plan versus scheduled seatings.

    Wolfpack, keep an open mind, roll with whatever punches come unexpectedly and worry about the pricetag later. Figure you'll owe at least what the tickets cost in onboard expenses - even if you show some restraint. Avoid the jewelry pitches and shops ashore that the ship "recommends."

    One tip: if they have an "all access" spa package, get it. A daily trip to the sauna and jacuzzi is worth its weight in bellybuttons.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • SwanKongSwanKong Member Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    Friends of mine did an Alaskan cruise. Combination of ship, rail, bus, fancy hotel and some hiking. Had a terrific time.

    They are talking about a Mediterranean Cruise next.

    Not on this boat, some other boat ...
    Costa-Concordia-runs-agro-007.jpg



    I just did a similar Alaskan Land tour/Cruise...had a great time.
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Relax, you will have a great time.

    But, it's a good idea to buy travel insurance (NOT from your cruise line). Be sure that it covers medical evacuation, an air ambulance is extremely expensive.

    Try to keep ship board spending to a minimum, especially alcohol & sodas. Avoid the casino & shops, there are no bargains.

    Limit your excursions to sightseeing. Parasailing, scuba, swimming with sharks, etc should be avoided; the cruise lines do not stand behind their safety, you are on your own.

    On shore, limit your contact with the indigenous population, especially when alone.

    Neal
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by RobOz
    A cruise to me is a floating prison, your at their mercy.

    Have fun and stay safe.


    agree 100% no way I'd get on one.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    On our Alaska cruise, we got the big waves and weather the first night out. LOTS of folks sick that first day. Especially folks up near the bow, due to the pitching. We had a room at the very stern, which hardly pitches at all. Agree about the fabulous night's sleep, rocking like a baby.

    Our booking agent's advice: pick a room as high up as you can afford and as far aft as you can get. Know what? She was right.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    Oh, and one last thing... About seasickness. Most people don't get seasick. The big boats are 'stabilized'; they hardly rock & roll at all. For me, that's kind of a disappointment. On the way back on our Alaska cruise we got in a pretty big blow with 20+ foot waves. Now that I was diggin big time! Never slept better in all my life!

    Say what you will. It's the single most common complaint in ships medicine, but hey because you don't get seasick, nobody else will either, right?
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FCD, the cruise folks know that little dodge perfectly well. Try to take a couple bottle of "Listerine" aboard and they'll check the seals - and then the contents.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We booked a "picture window" room because it was little more than half the price of a balcony - but we get a free upgrade to balcony on our next cruise. We put down a deposit on one while aboard, and have five years to use it.

    Inside rooms suck big time.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No thanks. Not with their recent history. Might as well bring all your camping gear including a composting toilet, water filter, and mountain house freeze dried meals.
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