first time cruisers
 

My husband and I are celebrating our first anniversary on the Carnival Sensation. Can anyone tell us whether the staterooms have clocks, irons, etc.? Also, we are concerned about what type of excursions does Carnival offer for Cozumel and a range of prices? Any advice for a first time cruiser will be appreciated.

Hi Talisha-<BR><BR>Happy Anniversary, Kiddo!<BR><BR>You might want to head over to www.cruisecritic.com <BR><BR>They have an entire forum dealing with excursions.<BR><BR>Let me offer you some advice....Run out to WalMart and pick up a cheapo (5 or 10 dollar) "clear plastic shoe organizer" that you hang on a door.<BR><BR>Talisha, when I think of what would have been terrible clutter between shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, deoderant, suntan stuff, etc.... I cringe. <BR><BR>As a new cruiser, that was the BEST advice that I'd gotten.<BR><BR>(No clocks or irons in staterooms in my experience).<BR><BR>

Hi Talisha,<BR><BR>The Sensation has a self service laundry facility with iron and board on each deck.<BR><BR>And I will join Nanette in wishing you Happy Anniversary.<BR><BR>Paul

Cozumel is a fun place. There are a number of excursions & activities you can book on your own, much cheaper than the cruise line's excursions. If you feel you must use a ship's excursion, one I can recommend is the catamaran snorkel & beach party. Lots of fun. This was about $65/person when I did it in Dec. 2000. <BR><BR>I would aslo suggest you look into sdome of the Cozumel web pages as there is some pretty good info available there as well. Might help you with do it yourself shore excursions.<BR><BR>Other sites that might help are:<BR><BR>http://www.shoretrips.com<BR>http://www.portpromotions.com<BR><BR>Have a great cruise!

I suggest skipping the ship excursions in Cozumel and do one yourself. If you like to snorkel, just take a taxi from the pier to Chankanob National Park. You just catch a 5-10 minute taxi ($8 to the park – can be split if you find others) and $10 per person entrance into the park. You just walk 200 yards and you are at the snorkeling beach (a reef just off the beach). Either bring your own snorkeling gear, or you can rent it right on the beach. Taxis arrive every several minutes to take you back to the ship, and you can probably find someone to split a taxi. When you are finished, just head back to the ship, shower, eat lunch and head back out for shopping! <BR> FYI - The taxi stand has fixed rates and they are painted on a large board at the end of the pier (where the taxi stand is located). <BR><BR>FYI - It costs $6 per cab to go each way into town (regardless of how many people are in the taxi). <BR>