NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Just 2 weeks ago, I threw caution to the wind and boarded my first Cruise on Carnival Celebration. While not only my first time on Carnival, it was my first ever Cruise Trip. I’ve always been afraid of large boats. You can thank the Titanic for that.
Before the trip, no one informed me of what I was walking or sailing into. All everyone said was that I would have fun. So, I went in expecting the best. What I walked away with was mixed feelings. Since my first cruise was with Carnival, all I can do is give a reflection of Carnival Celebration and nothing else. My advice before you ship out is to do some homework.
Do I Need A Passport For A Cruise
First things first. If you don’t have a passport, you can still travel. Cruises are not like airlines where you need a passport to go to another country. As long as you’re leaving and returning to the same port (closed loop), a passport is not needed. All you need is an Enhanced ID and a Birth Certificate.
I boarded Carnival Celebration out of Miami. As the Uber pulled up, I was amazed at the size of the ship. I was in complete awe. Like most before going on their first Cruise, I did my research on their boats. But to see it up close, that was amazing.
Once you arrive at the dock, workers are there waiting to take your bags. While you’re doing the boarding process, they will take your bags to your room. That’s a plus. No need to lug that baggage around.
From there, you will meet with an individual who will then check your credentials. It’s the same as an airport. They check your ID, Birth Certificate, or Passport. Once you’re done there, you head upstairs and stand in a line where dogs will sniff for any contraband. Then you’re off to the metal detectors.
Following that process, it’s time to make it to your room. The cabins are not hotel size but how much time are you going to spend in there?
I’m guessing every Cruise will have some form of entertainment as far as movies, live shows, comedy, games, etc. For me, I wasn’t too impressed with what Carnival had to offer. Maybe because kids were onboard and not an all-adults thing. It was indeed a family vibe. I’m a little older and I like entertainment geared towards my age bracket. The Comedy Shows were not that funny and it was more mid-humor than adult style. But I understand, they had to keep that family vibe.
Things To Do For Kids On Carnival
There was late-night comedy and games for adults after 10 pm but even those were not what I expected. For those traveling with kids, Carnival did provide a ton of kids options. They had their own Arcade and gathering area. There was a basketball court on the top deck right next to a small roller coaster. Hell, they even had a Daycare.
Another big thing to research is food. Make sure you know what you’re walking into as far as selections go. A ton of options are included in the package you choose like the all-day Lido Market Buffet, Ice Cream, Pizza, Tacos, Burgers, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Sandwiches, Fruits, and other things. However, there is one drawback. And that’s the Beverages.
I can understand paying for the Cheers Alcohol Package (starting at $70 per day- per person) but paying extra for The Bottomless Bubbles Package ($11 per adult-$8 per day-per child) that includes Soda, Gatorade, and other juices, no. Carnival has to do better with that. What was free was Water and Lemonade. Needless to say, I drank plenty of water and lemonade. Now, what you can do is head to a store before you board the ship as Carnival will allow you to bring a case of soft drinks per person. I took a personal case of soda on the ship with me.
Since this is your first Cruise, please bring some Motion Sickness medicine with you. It’s a real thing. I was sick on my second day. Also, depending on where you’re traveling to, pack smart. If traveling during the summer time, those destinations will be hot. Also, there are no trees on the boat, and hiding from the sun is a complete no.
Another pointer for those newcomers will be to NOT buy any excursion packages beforehand. The prices are always higher. What you do is wait until you get off the boat and then buy them from the locals. You can get better deals that way.
Can I Use My Cell Phone On A Cruise
Another thing and one of the most important pieces of information to mention is the use of cell phones. Once you board the boat, your phone signal is gone. So, if you’re a heavy phone user, all I can say is to pay for the Premium Internet Package ($21 a day). If not, you’ll be on a boat for a few days with nothing to do but talk to your family.
Once you get to a destination, if you have International coverage in your cell plan, you’re good to go. But PLEASE make sure that’s included in your plan. No need to get your next bill and see a charge for $500 because you didn’t read the fine print of your T-Mobile plan.
If you like to travel alone but for some reason find yourself traveling with a group on a Cruise, keep your anger in check. Not everyone is going to do what you want to do. There are a ton of activities to indulge in and while you may want to play Trivia at 1 pm, another person in the group may want you to join them at a live show. Work this out beforehand so there won’t be any hard feelings.
All in all, I don’t see myself going on any more Cruises anytime soon. It just wasn’t for me. Not my vibe. Maybe it was the Carnival Celebration, maybe I should try a more adult cruise. I did enjoy seeing the sights of the other countries. We went to Grand Turks, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. That was fun. I did not have much fun on the boat but I did have fun when we docked.
I hope this helps.
