Hello Guys!, this will be my 3rd cruise with Carnival, but I've only recently learned about the NOT ADVERTISED BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR...

I really, really, really...want to do this...

how do I go about it?? 

how much is it??

are kids allowed on the tour??

Any info you have would be so helpful, 

I will be in a 4 day cruise on the PARADISE, December 14th...if it helps, 

Thanks a million, 

Yvillanua

 We were on Liberty a couple weeks ago and did the Behind the Fun tour.  We found out about it on the ship from the cruise director during a talk giving an overview of excursions.  We were told there was a limited number of 30 participants.  We signed up at the desk and found out it was $95/per person.  When we met in the library we were offered refreshements, given a brief do's and don'ts (no cameras or phones), and metal detection scanned for security reasons.  There was 14 in our group.  We toured crews quarters, laundry facilities, kitchens, stage, engine control room and the bridge with the captain.  The tour ended with champagne and a short evaluation.  It lasted around 3 1/2 hours and we received two 8x10 photos of our group and one with the captain.  Kind of expensive but something we would never otherwise have the opportunity to do.  I'm not sure about kids on the tour - I don't think so due to liability. We enjoyed it and thought it was worth it.

There were 15 in our group and the other one had 16. I did a post to this earlier and nothing saved.

We signed up at the excursion desk and had a choice of morning times. Ours lasted 4 hours and there are no scheduled bathroom stops so you have to ask your guide. I would do this a head of time so he can rearrange the I-95 tour a bit differently. We had to go all the way to the other end so people could refresh themselves and ended up doing the engine control room earlier then planned.

We received a bag with a picture book the employees had submitted over the year, our lanyard, a baseball hat, and a rubber bracelet. Oh and we received a carved swan out of lava soap that is used in displays. Later that day we got our pictures of the group with the chef and the captain. we also had individual ones with the captain. they also delivered a plate of dipped strawberries and an array of cookies and cakes.

Some advice: If you can while on the bridge, linger away from the group and look at all the control panels after they are explained. Then when you get to the radar screen ask the officer there to explain a bit more, like how deep is the water or show you how they keep out of the storm and how all the information on any vessels in the area show up.

I think it is too long for most kids.

Is this something that is offered on every ship?  Does the areas the tour goes to change?  Would I be able to book this before getting on the ship or does it have to be done once on board?  Does the tour take place on embarkment day?  Sorry about all the extra questions, this is just something my husband would love to do.  Thank you to all for the help.

whitelilly014:

Is this something that is offered on every ship?  Does the areas the tour goes to change?  Would I be able to book this before getting on the ship or does it have to be done once on board?  Does the tour take place on embarkment day?  Sorry about all the extra questions, this is just something my husband would love to do.  Thank you to all for the help.

As of September, it is supposed to be offered on any sailing of at least 7 days. It is done the last sea day.  You can only sign up for it once you are on the ship at the shore excursion desk.   You can check out some information on my review of the Splendor... http://www.sagetronics.com/SplendorReview.htm  there is a link to the Behind the Fun tour there...

whitelilly014:

Is this something that is offered on every ship?  Does the areas the tour goes to change?  Would I be able to book this before getting on the ship or does it have to be done once on board?  Does the tour take place on embarkment day?  Sorry about all the extra questions, this is just something my husband would love to do.  Thank you to all for the help.

 

Some questions I was going to ask too. :)  Sounds like a nice little tour & fun.  My hubby would like it too.

 Krystin

Thank-you for the info Sage!

Sage,

  Thank you so much for the information.  You had me go thru my capers, and I didn't see anything about this tour.  Now I know where to go.  The hubby said something about it, and I would like to have him see the "behind" parts of the ship.  Thank you again for your help.

My sister and I would really like to go on this tour.  We're scheduled for a 5-day so I don't know if it will be offered or not.  Guess we'll just wait and see.

Ours was on the last sea day and it was done early in the morning and you couldn't book it until you get to the excursion desk.

Sage56:

As of September, it is supposed to be offered on any sailing of at least 7 days. It is done the last sea day.  You can only sign up for it once you are on the ship at the shore excursion desk.

Ah, that's the piece of info I was missing.  Thanks!!!

Thanks for all of the tips - I think the excursion desk will be my first stop when we embark!

Bunnyette:

Thanks for all of the tips - I think the excursion desk will be my first stop when we embark!

Hope you can get on the tour.  Remember there are limited spaces available.  But it is well worth it!

If you're on a shorter cruise, some ships have a galley tour which is much shorter, maybe 45 minutes, and interesting. We did that tour on Imagination.

Is there a charge for the Galley tour? Do you sign up the same way?