Thus spake "Matthew" :
>First time poster here so please bear with me. I am going on my first cruise
>thru Carnival this January. I am going to the Bahamas. The boat is the
>Sensation. The ship leaves on Sunday and comes back on Thursday. It will
>just be me traveling.
>
>The ports I am going to first is Freeport from 8 am to 5 pm than the next
>day. The boat spends 24 hours in Nassau than back to Port Canaveral.
>
>I also have a few questions about the rooms. I am on the Rivera deck with
>unassigned stateroom. My agent said I will more likely get upgraded with
>all the deals going on.
>
>How big are the bathrooms for example? I am a big guy standing over 6 ft
>and football player build. Need some room if you get my drift ;-). Same
>for the shower. Do they provide descent amenities ( soap, shampoo ) or
>should I really being my own?
We prefer to take our own, if for no other reason than it's a known
quantity. But they seemed to be nice.
The bathroom itself is cozy, but comfortable. Not enough for two,
though. The shower is another matter. For you, I wouldn't bother
putting the shower mat down, it'll be soaked. The showers are rather
tight. I'm 5'10, 160 and I was okay turning around, but just. You
may find yourself bumping both the wall and the shower curtain. But
that's the way it is on most cruise ships until you climb pretty high
in the categories or in the lines.
>
>What is the best sitting times for eating? Is there a good restaurant on
>board that anybody can share some experiences with me? I see cruise critic
>talking about a few but I like to hear about some personal experiences
>please? Also I am not a drinker.
You won't hve any choices in restaurants, there are just two, and they
are the same except for location. I like early, some people like
late. It's up to you.
>
>Is there a site that I can go to that can tell me the do's and don'ts of
>cruising. I know about cruise critic is that the best one or is there a
>better one.
Decode my email address (it's easy to do) and send me your's. I've
got a review from a cruise a few years ago on the Elation, a sister
ship.
>
>I did scan the group but did not see any post talking about this ship or the
>destinations I am going to. Thanks in advance
>
>On the boat are there any in house excursions to avoid that are not worth it
>such as lets' say the spa. Or anything else that is definitely should be
>avoided
The spa is pricey. I can get a first rate massage in Austin for about
$55 for 60 minutes or as low as $45. You'll probably pay around $80.
But you have to decide the big question. What the heck, I'm on
vacation.
>
>Also I am a big bottle water drinker. Will they let me bring a big cooler
>and a couple cases of water with me?
No. Carnival will let you bring a "reasonable" amount of non
alcoholic drinks on board, but I've never seen what that number really
is.
>
>
>
>
>
>Below are the shore excursion I am interested in at Freeport. Looking for
>some feed back on them please?
>
>Bahamas Jeep Adventure
> See the best of the vibrant Grand Bahama Island in this adventurous jeep
>tour.
>
> Discover Scuba Diving
> Learn the fundamentals of scuba diving as you experience your first dive
>in the waters of Freeport.
I'm not a big fan of these quickie dive trips. They teach you a few
things, but not always the things that can kill you. I'm an
instructor, I really hate these things. Sometimes my shop wants to
run one, I hate doing it.
>
> Dolphin Close Encounter
> Take this opportunity to experience an amazing close encounter with
>Dolphins.
Please don't encourage this kind of activity.
>
> Freeport Island Tour
> Take this opportunity to explore the Island of Freeport in the heart of
>the Bahamas.
>
> Freeport Snorkel Tour
> Spend a day in the sun over one of the many pristine reefs snorkeling off
>Lucaya Beach.
>
> Glass Bottom Boat
> Visit the shallow coral reefs off Grand Bahama Island aboard a
>custom-built 60ft double-deck glass bottom boat named the "Ocean Wonder."
>I am going on this go this for free.
>
> Grand Bahama Coastal Cruise & Shopping Tour
> Take a fantastic coastline cruise to the Port Lucaya Marketplace.
You can save yourself a bunch of money and get ripped off at the shops
on your own.
>
> Junkanoo Beach Party
> Sand, surf and a whole lot of fun in the sun await you at Junkanoo Beach
>Club.
You're not a drinker. Booze is the principle attraction. Lot's of
it.
>
> Open Ocean Dolphin Swim
> Don't miss this once in-a-lifetime experience to swim with the dolphins in
>the open ocean.
See above comments.
>
> Peterson Cay Kayak & Snorkel Tour
> Explore the natural beauty of Freeport on this multi-activity excursion.
>
> Sailing & Snorkeling Tour
> Relax and enjoy the tranquility of sailing along the Lucayan shores.
Snorkeling fun. Sailing back with a bunch of people consuming too
much booze, maybe not.
>
> Sea Safari Snorkeling
> Snorkeling, rock climbing and a waterslide - this floating fun machine has
>it all!
>
> Swim with the Dolphins
> See how remarkably intelligent and friendly dolphins can be when you take
>a swim with them!
See above.
>
>
>Than at Nassau which I get to spend 24 hours. Here are there excursions for
>Nassau.
>
>
>Ardastra Gardens & City Tour
> The Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center is part jungle, part
>garden and home to hundreds of mammals, birds and reptiles. I am
>going here definitely
I've heard good things about this.
>
>
> Blackbeard's Beach Break
> Named after the infamous pirate, Blackbeard's Cay features fun for the
>whole family.
>
> Blackbeard's Deluxe
> Sit back and relax on a scenic 25-minute boat ride through Nassau Harbor
>to the private island of Blackbeard's Cay.
>
> Blackbeard's Treasure Beach Snorkeling Tour
> Live the "pirate life" for a day as you search for treasure and relax in a
>private island oasis.
>
> Catamaran Snorkel
> Experience the marvelous underwater kingdom and all its incredible
>inhabitants.
>
> Discover Atlantis & Historical Harbor Cruise
> Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and
>financial heart of the Bahamas.
>
> Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon
> Experience first hand some of the ways these amazing creatures are so
>fascinating.
MoS
>
> Dolphin Swim at Blue Lagoon
> Don't miss this amazing opportunity to swim with a dolphin!
MoS
>
> Glass Bottom Boat
> See everything a scuba diver sees without getting wet.
Glass bottom boats sound like fun, but you are usually too far from
the action.
>
> Historical Highlights Tour
> If you are interested in the sights and history of the most famous Port in
>the Bahamas this is your excursion.
>
> Pirates of Nassau & Historical Highlights Tour
> David Cordingly, world pirate authority, describes this tour as "The best
>pirate attraction in the world."
>
> Power Snorkel
> Explore Nassau's underwater world as you glide through the water in your
>own power scooter.
>
> See Nassau the Fun Way on a Segway!
> Discover the sights and sounds of Nassau while riding your own human
>transport vehicle.
This always sounds like fun. We'll do the tour of Epcot next time
we're there.
>
> Stingray Adventure & Beach Break
> Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's
>treasure.
Stingray encounters are hot right now.
>
> Tiki Island Snorkeling Safari
> Board the Tiki Island triple deck floating island boat and discover
>Nassau's colorful marine life.
>
> Tiki Island Treasure Hunt Snorkeling Safari
> Search for real pearl oysters and Bahamian conch shells underwater, relax
>at the beach and half the fun is getting there!
>
> Yellowbird Party Boat
> You have to experience this legendary party cruise that takes place off
>the coast of the Bahamian islands.
Let's all get shit faced.
>
I'm not a real fan of the Bahamas. I know a lot of people who stay on
the ship and get it for themselves. If you are considering a spa
treatment, they're usually cheaper on port days.
--
dillon
Elvis is still dead |