Cruise Reviews?

Question

My husband and I are planning to take a cruise to Nassau Bahamas on the Carnival ship Celebration. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Bahama cruises or Carnival cruises. I have heard that the Bahamas are nasty. I have heard that Carnival charges for sodas but not for food. I don't know what is true and I am not going to spend a fortune on a cruise that is going to just cost me even more money when we get on the ship. I know we need to book shore excursions and that all that costs extra and gambling and spa treatments on the ship cost. Does it cost for room service? Do we have to pay for sodas on board?? And if so, is there another cruise line that is not like that or are they all that way?? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I have been on one Carnival cruise and am booked on the same ship as you in July (Celebration).  Here is some info I can give you from past experiences and online research:

-The Bahamas aren't "nasty"... just choose what you do wisely.  As with traveling to any place outside of the continental U.S., you need to realize that other places aren't just like what we are used to.  Enjoy the unique culture and be aware of your environment.

-Carnival does charge for sodas.  You can buy them individually from bars (around $2.50 per drink) or can buy a soda card (around $30-40 for a 5 day cruise, I believe) for unlimited sodas.  Carnival also allows you to bring a REASONABLE (6-12 pack per person seems pretty reasonable) amount of soda with you onboard.  Most cruise lines deal with soda in the same manner.

-Most food is included.  Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner buffets, breakfast/lunch/dinner in the dining room, room service, pizza buffet, soft serve ice cream is all included!

-If you have pre-paid your gratuities, you technically don't have to pay a cent once onboard.  You can have a perfectly wonderful vacation with tons of food and great entertainment without spending any money onboard.

-You can book shore excursions through the ship, but you can also book them through independent agencies on the islands.  Do your research online to find reputable agents.  This will save you money.

-Room service is free, just tip the steward $1-2 for the service.

Answer 2

Cruises are fun.  I don't get off the boat.  Everything I have is right on board.  Especially you will be with hubby.

The Bahamas are nasty ----- stay on board or just take a brief walk from the ship.

Coke costs other than at meals.  For $14 on a seven day cruise you can purchase a soft drink pass for unlimited soft drinks.  Plenty of free coffee, tea, ice cream, and juice drinks at any time.

Room service, 24 hours a day is free.  However, I like to tip $2 for each service.

Tips for two people will run  maid service $3 per person per day.

Table service, waiter $3 per day per person.

Waiter's helper  $2 per person per day.  I like to tip $3.

Total for two about around $16 a day.  This is a bargain for what they do.   All other tipping is optional.  I spend my money on those that help me and I tip extra.

I have been on 14 cruises including the Celebration.  You get the biggest bang for your buck  on cruises more than anywhere on this planet.

All the ships charge for soft drinks other than at meals in the dinning room.  The recommeded tips are the same. Speaking of meals, get ready to put on about 6 pounds.  If you try a meal on the menu and want seconds, indulge.  If you don't like your selection, the waiter will gladly bring you your new choice.  A great chance to try something new.

It is the only time I do not look at the prices on a menu --- there are no prices, just enjoy.  For a week, you live like a millonaire.

Bring an evening gown, have your husband wear a tux and live it up formal night. (Optional)

You picked a good line, Carnival.  All extra costs are at your option, shopping, excursions, photos, and gambling,

Hope you have a blast. Diet after the cruise.

Answer 3

Went last month to Nassau. As long as you don't get to far from the pier its beautiful. The Bahamas are poor and the city is run down and nasty. All cruise lines charge for soda,water and alcohol but most juices are free.Food is free unless its a specialty restaurant then a cover charge is payed which is still a good deal. Tips on Carnival are about $10 a person per day. Royal Caribbean is $9.50.You can get away with less than $100 aboard. Room Service is free and some of the best food on the ship.

Answer 4

I see some people stating that soda (pop) is free with your meals.  With the exception of children under twelve, I believe you do have to pay for soda with meals.  I did when I cruised in May of 2006.  As an earlier poster said, if you drink a lot of soda, then be sure to get a soda card.  This will give you unlimited sodas during your cruise.  (Although I am not sure if this includes sodas ordered by room service, so double chekc on that!)  Coffee, tea, juices, etc. are offered free during the cruise.

The tipping policy is automatically added to your Carnival account, and I believe it is $10 per person/per day.  However, you can go to the service desk and adjust this amount, or have it removed.  (But if you have the automatic tips removed, be sure you still tip.  The wait staff and room stewards depend on tips as their salary.)  We left the automatic tips on the Carnival account, then added an extra $10 each for our 2 main waiters.  If you give extra money, be sure to tell the staff that it is in addition to the automatic gratuities, that way they get to keep it all.  If you take automatic tips off, then tip personally, the staff has to divide among several different people.

I was in the Bahamas last year, and they are very run down.  However, I would not say they are "nasty", and they are great for different water sports, such as snorkeling, scuba, and dolphin swims.

The only food you have to pay for on the Cruise ship is if you buy something in one of the stores (a candy bar or chips, etc), or from the coffee stand which sells gourmet coffees and pastries.  Some of the newer ships also offer a special restaurant with a surcharge of $30 per person.  However, you have to make reservations in order to eat there.

When gambling, be sure to use cash for the machines.  Carnival now allows you to "charge" your slot machine gambling on the Carnival account, but they charge a fee for doing so.  I have heard most people say the fastest way to lose money on cruise ships is by gambling and drinking.  The drinks are quite high in price, and you are not allowed to carry on alcoholic beverages.  If you are trying to keep your Cruise tab down, be sure to avoid these.

On a final note, you can book shore excursions through the ship or independently.  Just remember that if you book excursions independently, and the excursions run late, the Cruise ship WILL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU!  I suggest booking  excursions through Carnival at any port where you have to tender in (to Tender means you can't just walk off the ship to the dock, you need to take a smaller boat to the shore).  

Hope this helps.  Check out CruiseCritic.com for more great tips.  This is my favorite site to go to before cruising, and you will find some excellent tips.  Be sure to check out the message "Carnival Secrets they don't usually tell you about" under the carnival message board.

Answer 5

A cruise is one of the most economical vacations you can take.  The only thing you must pay for is liq. and soda.  If you order sodas with meals there is no charge.  Room service is free, but you should tip.  The ship's photographer is always taking pictures, you may buy those, but they are expensive.  Take your own.  The cruise I took was five days.  We had a wonderful time and my bill at the end was $19 and change.  We had room service every morning and my friend and I took turns tipping $2 each time.  On our 8 day cruise to Acapulco my bill was less than $75 at the end and that included a tour of Acapulco.  If you go to the spa or take shore excursions then that will cost.  Also if you get your hair done.  But these are things you have a choice of doing or not.  Go, I know you will have a wonderful time.  ( all cruises are about the same in this regard)

Answer 6

rather than answer your questions directly, here are some great resources:

Cruise Critic FAQs

http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseplanni...

CruisesOnly FAQs

http://www.cruisesonly.com/cs/faq_page.a...

Cruise Reviews from CruisesOnly

http://www.cruisesonly.com/reviews/cruis...

here are some reviews for the Celebration. Looks like an older ship, but generally guests like it.

http://www.cruisesonly.com/reviews/defau...