"Matthew"
proudtoserve.com> wrote:
>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.
I have not been on this ship or this itin or on Carnival at all on any
ship, so take what I'm going to say with a grain of salt - remembering
that it is all speculation and extrapolation from small amounts of
data on my part. My daughter and her family took a Disney cruise to
the Bahamas, and we've been there on our own boat, but that is as
close as I can come to being informed.
>
>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.
>
Freeport is actually a kind of nasty big commercial harbor, and an
airport. The island it is on is Grand Bahama. Most of the land based
vacationers go to Lucaya which is down the coast.
Nassau is the capitol and is on New Providence Island. There's a
Bahamian song - the refrain is "If you don't see your friends in
Nassau, they're in Freeport or they're in jail." I wouldn't want to
walk around Nassau by myself at night.
>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?
I don't know if they provide soap or shampoo, but other lines do.
This is the Carnival website with the deck plans of the ship.
http://www.carnival.com/Ship_Detail.aspx?shipCode=SE
I presume that you mean that you have the least expensive cabin,
which is an inside cabin on the lowest deck. Low is good and I doubt
they will upgrade you to an outside room. Carnival does not seem to
have floor plans of the cabins on line like other lines do so I can't
answer about the size of the bathrooms and you may find the shower
cramped.
>What is the best sitting times for eating? Is there a good restaurant on
This depends on when you like to eat. We pick early dining because
that's when we like to eat and Brian picks late dining because that's
when he likes to eat. He likes to relax after the shore excursions
and go to dinner later. We like to get back from the shore excursions
early, eat and maybe go to a show after dinner - and we probably go to
bed earlier than many do.
.
>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.
>
I can't find out about this from the website, but usually there is a
main restaurant where people sit down at assigned tables, and a buffet
restaurant which is less structured. There may also be an extra price
restaurant that needs reservations and for which you pay extra.
Drinks with ice (i.e. soft drinks) are usually not included and they
will probably give you a card that you can charge these kinds of
drinks on. It may include water.
>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.
>
>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
>
That's probably because most of the people in this group go on longer
cruises - if they have done one of the shorter cruises to the Bahamas,
it's been a long time ago.
>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
>
I would DEFINITELY avoid the art auction. Whether you like the spa or
any other locations depends on whether you like those kinds of things
ashore. I personally do neither the spa (which you pay extra for) or
the casino, nor would I particularly want golf instruction.
>Also I am a big bottle water drinker. Will they let me bring a big cooler
>and a couple cases of water with me?
I don't know about this. The ship water supply is usually RO water
which is quite pure. We usually bring bottles and fill them from the
taps in the bathroom.
>
>Below are the shore excursion I am interested in at Freeport. Looking for
>some feed back on them please?
>
When you are considering water based shore excursions, keep in mind
that the water temps in January are probably going to be cold. Maybe
less than 80 deg F. Even if you are from Maine and used to cold
water, it is hard to enjoy being in the water if you are just floating
there and watching fish rather than vigorously swimming.
> Junkanoo Beach Party
> Sand, surf and a whole lot of fun in the sun await you at Junkanoo Beach
>Club.
>
> Sea Safari Snorkeling
> Snorkeling, rock climbing and a waterslide - this floating fun machine has
>it all!
>
No idea about these
> Sailing & Snorkeling Tour
> Relax and enjoy the tranquility of sailing along the Lucayan shores.
>
A lot of times these are opportunities to give everyone free booze.
But if you like sailing, then it might be OK anyhow.
> Freeport Snorkel Tour
> Spend a day in the sun over one of the many pristine reefs snorkeling off
>Lucaya Beach.
>
> Peterson Cay Kayak & Snorkel Tour
> Explore the natural beauty of Freeport on this multi-activity excursion.
>
If you swim and have a wet suit - I'd recommend these because Grand
Bahama has an underwater park and they would probably go somewhere
like that..
> 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.
>
If you don't swim I'd recommend this one. Be aware that if there have
been high winds, it will stir up the bottom and they may not run this
excursion.
> Dolphin Close Encounter
> Take this opportunity to experience an amazing close encounter with
>Dolphins.
>
It sounds like you just stand and watch them.
> Swim with the Dolphins
> See how remarkably intelligent and friendly dolphins can be when you take
>a swim with them!
>
I would recommend against these as they are probably captive dolphins.
> Open Ocean Dolphin Swim
> Don't miss this once in-a-lifetime experience to swim with the dolphins in
>the open ocean.
>
If you are going to do a dolphin swim I think this one would be the
one to do.
> Discover Scuba Diving
> Learn the fundamentals of scuba diving as you experience your first dive
>in the waters of Freeport.
>
You can do this one anywhere - no need to do it in the Bahamas.
>Bahamas Jeep Adventure
> See the best of the vibrant Grand Bahama Island in this adventurous jeep
>tour.
>
This might be interesting. They do have some National Parks on the
island.
> Freeport Island Tour
> Take this opportunity to explore the Island of Freeport in the heart of
>the Bahamas.
I hate it when they call it the Island of Freeport.
>
> Grand Bahama Coastal Cruise & Shopping Tour
> Take a fantastic coastline cruise to the Port Lucaya Marketplace.
>
You are already cruising. If you want to shop, take a jitney bus to
Lucaya.
>Here are the 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
>
> Discover Atlantis & Historical Harbor Cruise
> Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and
>financial heart of the Bahamas.
>
If you want to 'discover' Atlantis (which is a hotel and resort
complex on Paradise Island which is across the harbor from Nassau),
then you can do this fine on your own. Just take a taxi or bus to the
end of the bridge, and walk across the bridge. You get a marvelous
view of the harbor from there. (Or 'harbour' as they spell it.)
You can walk around the casino, and go to the aquarium (you have to
pay for the aquarium - it was $25 when we were there a couple of years
ago - the casino is free - at least to look at). I don't see that
they have an excursion that allows you to use the water park at
Atlantis.
You can take a ferry back, and also visit the markets under the
bridge.
The beach excursions here have the same problems with water temps as
they do in Freeport.
>
> 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.
>
> Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon
> Experience first hand some of the ways these amazing creatures are so
>fascinating.
>
> Dolphin Swim at Blue Lagoon
> Don't miss this amazing opportunity to swim with a dolphin!
>
Same problem as above with captive dolphins
> Power Snorkel
> Explore Nassau's underwater world as you glide through the water in your
>own power scooter.
>
> Stingray Adventure & Beach Break
> Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's
>treasure.
>
> 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.
>
This is likely a booze cruise.
> Glass Bottom Boat
> See everything a scuba diver sees without getting wet.
>
Same caveat as above.
> 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."
>
Some people say this is a tourist trap and some people love it.
>
> See Nassau the Fun Way on a Segway!
> Discover the sights and sounds of Nassau while riding your own human
>transport vehicle.
It is pretty easy to walk around downtown Nassau.
If you can get away from all the vendors around the dock that want to
braid your hair or something, then you can just walk along Bay Street.
Or you can take a jitney bus (they have established routes) for about
$1.00 One route goes down Bay Street, and then comes back on the next
street over (Bay Street is one way east)
