I'd like to try one of the other lines, but haven't had the opportunity yet.

I just booked my next cruise, 2 years out lol, also on Carnival & a balcony!

I've found that people complain about *everything* and many look down their noses at Carnival, calling their passengers "low class." I take that to mean "diverse," because the way Carnival prices their cruises, many more people than just rich white folks can afford to cruise. I have *ALWAYS* had a great time on board. There is always something to do, even if it is just lying out on a sunny deck reading a book or taking snooze.

If you are on FB, do a search for a roll call of your sailing. You can also check out the website "cruise critic." With a roll call, you can meet people before your cruise & join in (or not) on any activities that they have planned. Research the ports & get an idea of what excursions are offered in each one. Research your ship to see what amenities are available. Spa package? Steakhouse? Comedy club?

hope the boss doesn't notice my internet activity.


Already got a reservation in the fancy steakhouse for our anniversary night.

I've been looking at just the carnival site so far but thanks for the roll call suggestion! I'll look up the FB group and check out cruise critic as well. We're on the Conquest and my wife has already been looking at spa packages. I know I want to go to a Mayan pyramid so I need to research which is the best excursion for that - there are several different ones. We stop in Cozumel, Belize, Honduras and Grand Cayman.

My biggest fear is that I won't have time to eat everything. There are so many good looking food places on the ship!

We got this cruise for less than a similar 5 night cruise on Royal Caribbean. I didn't even look at Disney although I've heard it's a great line. Carnival suits me just fine.

Not sure when your anniversary night is, but if you book the steakhouse on the first night, you get a free bottle of wine. (not sure if this is per table or per person)

Definitely let Carnival know that this is your anniversary. They might do something special for you. (some program that's rolling out currently, some people get something, others don't; either way, can't hurt)

For Mayan ruins, definitely use the ship's tour. I suggest seeing the ruins in Belize, as Cozumel is just so beautiful (plus Chichen Itza will be a full day, mostly on the road getting to/from). You can easily do Honduras (I'm presuming you're stopping at Isla Roatan) with Bodden Tours. They offer several different ones. Cozumel is also an easy DIY port. Pick a beach club (I'm looking at Chakanab where I hear the snorkeling is great), make your reservation ahead of time, then when you get to port, grab a taxi.

And if you're docked portside in Cozumel, make sure you get back in time to sit up on your balcony & watch for pier runners.

lol, is that folks who waited too long to come back and they tryna not get left? That does sound fun!

Yes, Roatan - she wants to go to the cameo factory.

The lady on the phone said she'd make a note in our file that it's our anniversary so maybe they will do something.

Thanks for all the tips!

you can manage your booking online. Buy little extras (like bottled water, so you don't have to carry it on) for the cabin, make steakhouse reservations, make payments, etc.

Yes, that is the definition of pier runner. Youtube is full of videos of pier runners, some of whom are more successful in getting to the ship than others.

never heard of such a thing. I checked out the YouTube's you recommended, and that has got to be a vacation killer and quite depressing.

I bet its quite expensive finding a flight to the next port, if any. What a bummer for those late arrivals, but its there own damn fault.

but people are warned many times to set their watches to "ship time" & be back in time for sail away. Some people are late because something happened on an excursion, so I feel for them more than I do for those who sat in the bar & got drunk. That's why I won't take a private excursion that lasts almost the entire time I'm in port. I'd rather pay more for a ship excursion, so that if it's delayed, the ship will either wait for us to return or if it can't, Carnival will get us to the next port.

PS buy trip insurance

And I posted about it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018551198 (Callmecrazy cruise).
Went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Haiti(Labadee Island) and had a great time.

I highly recommend swimming with the stingrays in Grand Caymen. It was really neat hand feeding and holding these HUGE stingray.
I haven't been to Honduras or Belize, but I heard there's a huge barrier reef there and it's great for snorkelling.
This Christmas I'm taking a 10 day aboard the Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas down to:
1. Nassau
2. St.Thomas
3. St. Maarten
4. St. Kitts
5. Puerto Rico
6. Labadee in Haiti
I'll be aboard for Christmas, Hanukah, and New Year's Day.
I'm getting my $4000.00+ boardwalk balcony stateroom for free!(Just pay taxes and gratuity- $458.00). I just gotta gamble in the ships casino. No problem, I usually win.
The excursions offered through the ship are pretty well organized and don't have you standing around too much. And if they run late the ship will wait for you.
I got to scuba dive a shipwreck on my very first dive in St. Thomas last year and that was incredible.
If you're going to do the trip on the cheap and not do any excursions you will still have a great time on the islands and on the ship. Boredom is not an option.
Take some salsa lessons, an art lecture, wine tasting etc. Make your own fun.
I've never sailed Carnival, but I think I loved the Norwegian Pearl the most. The cruise Director, Simon, (I still remember his name) and his staff made sure there was always something fun going on somewhere on the ship. I did Celebrity on my last two cruises and found myself getting a little bored sometimes.
The ALLURE OF THE SEAS is the ship you see in the Royal Caribbean TV commercials and that's the one I'm sailing on this December.