1st time cruiser - have some questions
 

Hi,<BR> My friend and I are 23 and we are going on Carnival Pride in late October to the eastern carribean (Salt Cay, St Thomas, St Maarten) If you could give me some info, I would greatly appreciate it.<BR>1) We are taking and inside cabin and they mentioned doing a guarantee cabin? Is this worth it? Does it usually work?<BR>2) If you have any recommendations on shore excursions, that would be so helpful. Is it better to do through Carnival or explore on our own. I really want to do horseback riding in the water.<BR>3)How are transfers from Orlando to Port Canaveral? Should I book through Carnival for them? <BR>4) We decided to do our own airfare, how early should we arrive?<BR>5) I have 2 formal dinners- how formal is formal?<BR>6) Any info on the ship would be great.<BR><BR>I know this is alot of questions, but I'm kind of clueless to all this!!<BR><BR>Thanks!

1.Take the gty cabin--you could get bumped up--it is not a definite , but it COULD happen. Gty just means that the least cabin you will get is an INSIDE cabin--there is nowhere to go except UP.<BR>2.St.THomas-if they offer a 1/2 day sailboat/snorkel to St.John,do it---<BR>and spend rest of time in town shopping (if you like to shop)Book thru the cruise line,because if the tour is late getting back to the ship,the ship HAS to wait for you--- If you book something on your own and YOU are late, YOU are responsible for getting yourself to the next port.<BR><BR>3.If you are doing your own air,I usually arrive the nite before to make sure there are no screw-ups.....<BR>If you don't want to do that,make sure you arrive by 10:30 am--then take the transfers to Port Canaveral....Book the transfers thru Carnival IF they let you book transfers without doing their air.<BR><BR>And for your return flight, make sure you do NOT leave Fla until After 1pm-<BR><BR>4.Formal is anything from dressy cocktail dress to floor length evening gown--you will see everything...<BR><BR>For men,you will see some Tuxedos, but LOTS of dark suits....<BR><BR>Have a great time-- the very top deck is TOPLESS!<BR>

<BR>The only negative of "guarantees" is that you may get a cabin below one of the galleys or running track or above or below the disco. <BR><BR>Once the upgrade is assigned you can not change it.<BR><BR>Also, if you are booking with 3 or 4 in a stateroom you just may get a cabin for two or three will have to get a rollaway.<BR><BR>Just the luck of the draw.<BR><BR>Paul

When you visit Sint Maarten you have to go to the Belgian Chocolate shop in Oldstreet, its the best chocolate you will get, fresh made on the spot!!<BR>Its also the best gift you can bring home to your family and friends :)<BR><BR>www.belgianchocolateshop.net

YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A BLAST!!!! HAVE ALOT OF DRINKS FOR ME!

Thanks for all the answers!! We are very excited about our first cruise. As for being not being 25 we had no problems, and we went through a very well know travel agency. I guess if you are under 21 you need someone 25 with you. So there were no complications with that. I didn't see where Paul wrote that though?? Thanks!

<BR>If everyone in the cabin is over 21 it is OK.<BR><BR>Paul

Carnival isn't as upscale or traditional as the lines I like (I love the getting dressed up part of cruising and steer clear of the casual cruising concept), but traditionally, what is proper for formal is for men either a tux or a dark, dressy suit. Or something to that effect. Long cocktail, evening dresses for the women. Informal, by the way, does NOT mean casual. It means cocktail-attire, which means you can wear a short cocktail type dress and gentlemen can wear suit and tie. Casual nights usually don't requite the suit jacket. As I said, Carnival is less traditional and formal (one of the reasons I don't like it) but a nice cocktail dress and a dark suit probably would get you through any of the more dressy evenings on this line.