Expert: Linda - 5/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am leaving from miami on a carnival valor eastern caribbean cruise June 15th. Where can I park besides the miami port which charges $20.00 a day.  Also this is my first cruise any advice or tips would be appreciated

ANSWER: Cynthia, there really is no place to park but the port.  The port is on almost an island, so other than the port; there is nothing else there.  I don't know your situation, but we have had friends rent a car from Florida, drive to the airport, drop off the car; the rental agency will bring you to the port, then they do the reverse when they arrive.  I don't know where you are driving from, that may be one alternative.

OK, sit down and get a glass of wine.

First, don't stress about anything!  It's your cruise to do with as you want.  Want 2 steaks?  Order it...3 desserts...go ahead.  Want iced tea waiting for you at dinner; ask for it.

If you have a balcony cabin, it's nice to order your coffee/tea etc, have it delivered to your room and sit on the balcony.  You can order what you want delivered, just give $1.00 tip.  I do suggest you to NOT fill out the paper ahead of time on days you'll be in port.  We just pick up the phone in the morning and order; arrives very quickly.

You can put your tips on your credit card, only money you'll need is $1.00 per bag at the dock for a tip, same coming out for the porters to help, gambleling money and whatever you buy on shore.  If you drink, bring it with you and save some money.  If you only drink soda, then get the soda card, it's worth it if you drink a lot of soda.  If you do drink, when you get on board, go to an outside bar and get a drink so you'll have a plastic cup, then you can take the cup back to your cabin and have it for when you'd like to mix a drink.

If your dinner is at 6:00 pm, don't go early, you just stand in line.  We usually have a drink before dinner at a bar and when it's 6:00 we leave for the dining room.  However, conversly you don't want to be 15 min late either, your waiter will be waiting for you for at least that long before he takes everyone elses order.

Bring a jacket or sweater, the lounges, bars and restaurants can get COLD.  I normally would say...don't overpack, but no one ever listens :).  If you have an inside room, I suggest bringing one of those lights you can push on the wall so you'll have some light.

I'm VERY shy and it's hard  for me to talk to people, and I'm usually the quiet one until day 3..remember, you'll never meet these people again if you don't want to.  Talk with people, you learn so much and it gives you more people to hang with, have a drink with, or just a "HI" when you see them.

In the morning or at night after you receive your Carnival Capers, mark off the "must do's" for the next day.  I bring a highlighter and sure enough, there is always at least one time I want to do 2 things that are at the same time.

If you're going to go to the spa, don't book when you first get on, they have specials (on days when you're at port), take advantage then.

shorts are fine for days, dressy capris, slacks, skirts for casual nights, formal nights; that little black dress works great.

Have your picture taken EVERYWHERE you can; free, so you only buy the photos you like.  We get our taken on formal nights, buy one, then bring it home and have copies made and give them for Christmas presents (no sitting fee, no minimum charges).

If something isn't right, no need to yell or scream.  Bad service in dining room, talk to maitre d.  Don't like your cabin steward, go to the pursers office.  (In 27 cruises, we've never needed to do this, but it is available).

Go to CRUISECRITIC.COM, join the community, it's free, then go to Carnival Cruises, then Message Boards.  All are welcome, great answers, lots of advice and when we're planning a cruise, I'm on there every day, keeps up the excitement!

Cynthia, please ask away if you have any other questions.

Linda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My husabnd and I and my parents celebrating their 50th wedding aniversary will be on cruise.  We are all first timers.  I did find out that since my mom is handicap and has handicap tags on her car we can park for free.  My husband and I will be flying from Maryland to Tampa Florida  and meeting up with my parents who live in St. Petersburg. Then we will drive from St. Pete to Miami.  We both will be on the riviera deck of the Carnival Valor in an oceanview room.  Our cruise is June 15, 2008.  Any other things you can tell me to watch out for?  Can you feel the boat moving?  Have you sailed on Carnival Valor before.  Thanks for help.

Answer
OK, since I know a little more; I suggest you call Carnival and have their room decorated for them, next, see the maitr d after you board the ship and tell him it's their anniversary so they will have a cake delivered to the table that night.  Same thing, if either of them like "something" each time they eat, like extra rolls or splenda, just ask your waiter and he'll make sure it's at the table each night.

You can feel the boat moving, but it's not like being on a small boat!  On a small boat, I just can't do it!  I have no problem on the large ships.  I always suggest though that just in case, if you tend to be the kind that gets sea/air sick to get an Rx from the Dr for the patch, or if you want natural, get the "seabands".  sometimes first time cruisers are so afraid they may get sick that they DO.  I don't like Dramamine because it makes you sleepy, the scopolamine patch does not.  Since your Mom is older, you would need to speak to her Dr because she's on some meds I'm guessing.  You will have priority disembarkation as your Mom's handicapped, so you will leave the ship fairly early when you disembark.  Make sure she takes (and you check) that she has all her meds with her when she leaves and you should have a list of her past medical history...just in case.

We sailed the Liberty which is sister to the Valor, great ship, lots of room for everyone.  Oh, forgot with last e mail to tell you, if you're going to sit at the pool, there are chair hogs, if you see someone not coming to their loungers for awhile (I give em an hour) and there are no more lounges, I move their towel under the lounger and I take my towel and lay down.  

The biggest thing is to relax, but if you're like me, you worry about your parents and if THEY are having a good time, what they need etc, but trust me, all should go very well!

Linda