Will be my first time on the Inspiration and first time out of Tampa.  Looking forward to another back-to-back adventure...

Hello fellow cruiser. my boyfriend and I are cruising the inspiration on the 3rd also. i am a first time cruiser so i am very excited and not sure what to expect.  how much money should we bring for the entire cruise length? we are looking at some excursions and are kinda big drinkers. how much a drinks on the ships? and also i like to lay out and get some sun. are there plenty of deck chairs or are people fighting over them. so many questions, sorry for asking so much. just super excited and i still have 8 months to go

My BF and i are taking the inspiration on nov. 3 as well!!! first cruise for both of us!! i know what you mean about being excited even with so much time left to go!!! i have had a bunch of questions too, been reading alot on here!! hoping i don't stick out like a country bumpkin on the trip!! i have also heard some talk about pre-paying for drinks or getting "carnival bucks" (or something like that) so we do not have such a large bill at the end. have you heard this? i wonder if my TA would have all of these answers but i hate to call her a zillion times for silly stuff! we did not end up booking our excursions with carnival, went outside for that. kinda worried, hope they work out ok! see you on the boat!!!

akajill and chry00~

First off... you will have a blast!  Stick out like a country bumpkin, doubtful, but if not sure about something... ASK!  Be it crew, staff or fellow cruisers or your travel agent beforehand.  My boyfriend and I love showing newbies the ropes and if you run into us, we have fun enjoying in other cruisers fun and helping them find their way around.  A few times have helped people find their cabins... etc.  We never do shore excursions, so can't help you there.  There is lots of helpful info all through these boards.  Another good cruise site is www.cruisecritic.com  Many experienced cruisers, attitudes, hints, tips and what have you.

This will be my first time on the Inspiration, and first time out of Tampa, but I love the Fantasy class ships.  The Imagination and Fascination (my first Carnival experiences) also Fantasy class were a ton of fun!   The ship is small enough that it is relatively easy to find your way around.  I would also suggest grabbing one of the little ship layout brochers/booklet that should be in your cabin to help you find your away around.  If not one in your cabin, the pursers desk always has them.

Happy cruising!

Hi,

My fiance and I are getting married on 11/2 on Longboat Key, just outside of Sarasota, and we are taking this cruise on 11/3.  We are very excited...he has never cruised before and I have been on 1 other cruise back in college. I'm also excited to see that other couples will be on this cruise!!!  Being that I cruised so long ago, I feel like a first timer, so I'm also doing lots of research and trying to figure out the coupons for drinks...if anyone figures it out...please share and I'll do the same. 

I'll be there with you on November 3

http://carnival.com/BonVoyage/AddToCart.aspx?cat=MostPopularItems&pid=BAR

That is the link to the Bar Coupons!  if you check out www.seauonboard.com there is a list of drink prices.  I will also be on the 11/3 with my family for the first time!  Congrats to the person getting married!  There is so much info on this forum that will really help you out...I feel pretty prepared!  I'm so excited I want it to be November!

Thought I would bump this thing up to the front and see if anyone else is going with us.

Another bump in the night...

Bump

Bump.

My fiance and I will be on this cruise. His 2nd time and my first cruise ever. I am getting so excited. I have been reading all the hints on here so i woun't feel out of place. Hope to meet some of you on the ship!!!. November cant get here fast enough.

I know how excited you are.  I cruise as often as possible, but I still get excited about every cruise.  I live in the Tampa area so cruising out of here is economical!!!  I will have my mother, who cruises with me often, and my brother and sister, who have never been.  I think I'm as more excited for them!!!  You will love the Inspiration.  It has a great floor plan, easy to get used to and find your way around, and it has a wonderful staff.  If you dine in the Mardi Gras room, you will have the famous George the Greek as your matride.  He is probably the most known matride in the Carnival fleet.  Expect to be entertained.  Not to be outdone, the matride in the Carnivale room, is coming right around.  He is getting better everytime we cruise with him.  (However, as much as I like him I can't think of his name right now.)

Dont forget to make arrangments to vote before you go. We will be on the ship during the election.