We will be doing the casinos, I am getting more and more excited as the days go on. By next week I will probably be floating. I have to shop this weekend  I especially need a swim suit (ha-Ha) thats a real joke. Oh well you only live once and I am going to enjoy this.

Hey what storm is everyone talking about. We got to keep in touch so we can hook up.

Connie:

We will be doing the casinos, I am getting more and more excited as the days go on. By next week I will probably be floating. I have to shop this weekend  I especially need a swim suit (ha-Ha) thats a real joke. Oh well you only live once and I am going to enjoy this.

I know what you mean. I am looking for boardshorts now to wear over my swimsuit. I know I'll probably never see these people again, and thus should enjoy myself beside the pool but...

Hey!  Sorry, we had to go pick up my friend from work, and go to walmart.  I hear you're looking for shorts for the ship, walmart has something perfect for that right now, Missa just got some.  I dont know if *your* walmart will have any, but-ours had a crap ton.  She got a red pair of shorts for 3 bucks. 

Connie, the storm is a tropical storm that is currently in the carribeanish area I believe. I just know that it's supposed to land in florida area on thursday, which is our departure date.  I dont believe it will affect our trip too much.

OK thats good we were wondering what happened to you all

Well, we've got some work to do around the house...and I'm hoping to find my camera.    Be back on later! 

I am back. AJ is busy cleaning out the turtle tank. I don't mind how we all decide to meet up. I know we won't be using our cellphones once the cruise starts and we get out of US waters because texting and call prices are crazy with Verizon. Also AJ and I are thinking if we enjoy our cruise we may get married on one of the ships and take a cruise for our honeymoon next year. Yay. lol

i can't wait to see all you guys...My friend (Kim) and myself (Tina) will be there and will be partying...and don't worry i have some tats too, i will be looking for you guys. we are doing the dolphin one and we are not sure about the other day, we booked a stingray thing but that was cancelled. we kinda wanted to do some snorkling.. we have been saving for this trip. my real vacation in over 10 years...can't wait. Oh and i need to find the local to buy some moonshine.

We don't plan on doing the dolphin thing. Too expensive for us. I myself don't snorkel. Let alone go in the water past my ankles. I have a fear of being eaten by a shark or stepping on a jelly fish. lol We were told the moonshine has no taste but will mess ya up pretty quick. So I guess we will see. Also if you are a pop/soda drinker make sure you buy the unlimited pop/soda card. It's like $25 or $30 and you get pop/soda for the whole trip. I hear they also have an alcohol drink card that gets you 5 mixed drinks a day for like $28. But I don't know if thats the price for the whole trip or just a day.

we look at it this way... we are going all out. we want to do stuff we won't ever be able to do in illinois. we love to be in the water. and for the moonshine, that is awesome, it's everclear. Fab.  we have a dinner planner at 8, we thought all the older people will be going at the time...bummer....

And for the pop card, you can take a case per person on board, not sure if you knew that. but i didn't know about the 'drink' card. can we get those when we get on board? that might work for us. so is everyone plan on meeting up?

fun in the sun..here we come.

Yes we knew we could bring pop on board. But my fiance, AJ, drinks a lot of pop. So we figure we'll just buy the card. And yes you can get them on board. Our dinner is at 630. I think we all plan on meeting up to at least say "hi" I believe.

What I've found out from some research on google...

a pop card costs 27.50ish, and allows you free pop for the entire cruise.  You can choose to bring a case of pop per person.

 Bringing your own alcohol is looked down upon, but you can bring 1 bottle (750ml or less) of wine or champagne per person.  They charge a 10$ 'corking' fee if you drink it in the dining room, and 14$ if you drink it in the steakhouse.  (Fascination doesnt have a steakhouse anyways...)

 I'm reading rumors of 'punch cards' for alcohol that save you a little bit of money, and people are saying something about dining with the captain and getting 'free samples' of different alcohols. 

Another thing about about alcohol is that if you bring anything other than what i mentioned earlier, they will sieze and discard it.  Also, when we re-dock after our day excursions, the same thing applys.  They will sieze and discard it.

 As far as us smokers, there are designated spots on the ship for smoking, and I hear there is a 'duty free shop' on board where you can buy cigs with no tax, so avoid stocking up on the prior.  However, you can only take 1 carton per legal age person OFFBOARD when we get back to the US, so dont stock up too much.

(I'm quitting smoking when I get back to pennsylvania, so I dont have to stock up anyways ^-^)

Another thing is this: 'formal night' is optional, and you may wish to dress up if you want, but it is not required. 

ALSO, do not buy your 'excursions' on the ship, wait till you get off, because carnival has to charge tax on them, but the individual islands do not.  =)

I know alot of us are first timers, and dont know what to expect about rules and whatnot, so lets all put our thoughts about this together. 

Hi my name is Helen and I will be on this cruise too with my mom.  I'm 31(but at times like to party like i'm 21 hahaha) and my mom is in her 60's but she likes to have a good time too.  We are going to be driving down from upstate NY the night before.  This is our first cruise and we are so excited we can't wait!!!!!     

Lolz

I am so glad everyone has starting signing in and talking. It looks like we have a lot of the same ideas. I am very excited to go on this cruise. The bf couldn't come and so, I'll be dependent on a funny, fun, happy, hype group to keep me going and keep my spirits up. I know already with the tats, piercings, bingo, karaoke, booze searching, and adventure seeking this group is discussing that this is the group for fun! Woo hoo! 

Has everyone already purchased your excursions online or are you waiting until we get on the boat to do so at the desk?