Ask Bahama Mama - The Official Q&A Thread for "Freeps Ahoy!", an FRN Caribbean Cruise

Free Republic Network | 11/01/2002 | MinuteGal

[DoughtyOne]

 

Ask Bahama Mama!

Hey Mon, and Freepers of all ages:

Picture me, your own Bahama Mama, lolling on a sun-drenched beach on Freeper Island.
Warm, sparkling blue waters all around.  Palm trees waving.  Coconut rum punch nearby.
It's a Freeper holiday.

I'm here to answer all those nagging little questions you may have
about our week-long "Freeps Ahoy" cruise to the Caribbean,
May 31st aboard Carnival's "Triumph", a beautiful and fun Ship.

Things such as: What do I bring to wear?...  Are there any hair dryers in the cabins?...
What are tipping guidelines?...  Can my special diet be accommodated?...
How much cash should I bring?...

Bahama Mama will answer all your questions.  Use the links provided on this page for information on cabins,
fare and reservations, plus other topics of interest and "chat" about our cruise getaway.
This "Bahama Mama" thread will be for questions and answers only.
Please keep on topic.  Some answers may take a little time to research, so be patient.
Bahama Mama will respond to each of you.

If you want a private reply to a special query, send a freepmail to Bahama Mama's stateside moniker, "MinuteGal".

Do I hear reggae music nearby?  I'm off to investigate.  It's such an effort to pull myself off the beach.

Fellow Freepers, follow your heart's desire for a relaxing getaway in the sun.  Register now!
On embarkation day, I'll be waitin' aboard ship to welcome y'all with a big warm tropical hug!

Remember, post your questions to BAHAMA MAMA on this thread.
I'm here to insure smooth-sailing for every Freeper signing on for our fun-filled Caribbean adventure!

Freeper cruises rock!!!

Bahama Mama's mainland alter ego...
( Leni / MinuteGal )
 

Bahama Mama thinks all Freepers belong on a beach like this.
Who could argue with that? Register today.
 

This page is for questions and answers only.  If you have general comments
please go to the Cruise Announcement page to make them.
Thank you.
 

Freeps Ahoy Links

Cruise Announcement - Comments welcomed here
Cruise Staterooms, Categories and Rates
Registration Form
The Carnival ship Triumph
More about Cruise Staterooms
Deck Floor Plans
Cruise Map
Destinations
More about Triumph

[Principle Over Politics]

Does Carnival have a bus going to the airport after the cruise?

[MinuteGal]

Yes, Carnival has transportation both ways. But if you want the Carnival shuttle you must book RIGHT now with Wanda. You cannot purchase Carnival transportation at the two locations. There is no charge for Wanda reserving your shuttle transportation. Her number is 1-800-890-7583 (Pacific time).

Or, you may chose to go by cab. Cabs abound in the ground transportation areas both at the airport and at the Carnival cruise terminal.

Complete information is posted above in #'s 197 and 198.

If you need more information, post here. Bahama Mama loves to answer all questions!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

CHECK LIST:

Do you have ID ready (valid passport or birth certificate?)

If you're flying into Miami, check your arrival time and make sure you'll be IN the Carnival terminal waiting room by 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 31. NO LATER!

If you're coming in a day before embarkation, have you made your Embassy hotel reservation yet? It must be done right away.

Have you checked that each piece of your luggage, including carry-on duffel bags, etc. has ID on it with your name, address, phone number and email addy?

Don't forget to get your travelers checks now if you're going to use them while traveling.

Begin amassing plenty of dollar bills right now for tipping here and there on this cruise.

Have any prescriptions filled now if necessary.

Make sure your luggage meets weight limitations of your airline.

Check replies #'s 121 through 126 for tips on what to bring to wear.

It's each cruiser's personal responsibility to read the info on these Bahama Mama threads so you don't goof up and hold ole Mama's feet to the fire. Take some time to scan from reply numero uno through to where this thread leaves off.

Get your info here
From Bahama Mama
The day we sail
You'll have no trauma!

COZUMEL SHAVE

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

CAN I USE MY OWN LAPTOP ABOARD SHIP?

There's no cabin access to the internet. The ship has an Internet Cafe which you can use for a fee.

There's no cell phone reception at sea, so probably the same is true for the Internet unless there is some sort of satellite system in use. But don't count on it.

Utilizing your laptop in the ports is something Bahama Mama can't comment on, not being familiar with same.

Perhaps someone with knowledge on this subject could chime in here.

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Although the ship sails at 4 PM, boarding may start as early as noon if the cabins are ready.

Generally, your luggage would arrive in your cabin shortly after you occupy it. However, we've been informed that due to more security procedures nowadays, you may not get your suitcases till later.

After you've checked into your cabin and combed your hair, just hurry yourselves down to the Lido deck for the buffet lunch. We'll meet and greet and partake of food and drink on the sunny deck for a while.

It will be very crowded in this area these first few hours, so look around for a bunch of good-looking folks and a little red and white Free Republic bumper sticker we'll stick on the back of a chair or whatever.

We recommend wearing casual sports clothes to the terminal as you may be in them for a while. Who knows?

Bahama Mama is wearing shorts, a cool top and sandals to the Carnival terminal.

Remember, Miami will be very warm, so dress accordingly.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

It's always advisable to leave a phone number with a family member and a neighbor when you cruise.

The phone number of the Triumph is 1-877-CCL-SHIP (1-877-225-7447). The caller must have the name of the ship (Triumph) and the first and last name of the person called.

Phone calls to and from sea cost $9.50 per minute, so calls are advised for emergencies only, not chit-chat.

In the final documents you will receive soon, there'll be pre-printed cards with the phone information on them that you can leave with the home folks.

Bahama Mama

[Edomaden]

I went on the Carnival Fantasy last year and they had an on board Tuxedo Rental. They would measure you and let you choose from several tuxedo's in that size. This was on the Fantasy. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume (but we all know what assuming can do) that all or most other carnival cruise ships have a room for tuxedo fitting.
It's a small room tucked away somewhere on the boat.

[Trust but Verify]

Just an eyewitness report on the Triumph. On Saturday, May 10, the Triumph made an unscheduled stop in the port of Nassau, Bahamas. We were on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas and joining us in port was the Carnival Fascination. Next thing we know, there is a second Carnival ship docked and it wasn't supposed to be there. We never did get the whole story, but scuttlebutt was they had engine trouble.

On the plus size, the ship is HUGE and looks like it has a lot of real nice amenities, including a cool looking waterslide. Hope you all have a great time!

[BreitbartSentMe]

On Carnival's website, in the Gifts and Services section, they have formal wear rentals listed. Here's what it says:

Formal Wear Rentals cannot be ordered Online.
Professional tailor measurements are required.
Please call 1-800-522-7648 to place an order and keep your measurements handy.
Orders are accepted up to and no later than one week prior to sailing date.
Tuxedo prices vary according to port of embarkation.

They have a form you can print out and take to a tailor/tux shop and get measured, and send it in.

[Principle Over Politics]

Does the ship have a laundromat?

[MinuteGal]

Yep, there are laundromats aboard ship. Further details are on reply # 37 of this thread.

Bahama Mama

[Edomaden]

oops ^_^.....I could've swore...oh well, thanks for clearing that up for be B_D.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Hey, no problem. My hubby's still considering whether or not he's gonna rent a tux or maybe a white dinner jacket ("Bond, James Bond") for the formal nights. I guess he'd better decide soon!

[MinuteGal]

ATTENTION CRUISERS !

In your document packet, there's an item that looks like a coupon booklet. Please read all the pages.

In particular, there's two forms that you should fill out right away. One is titled "Boarding Pass". The other is titled "Post Cruise Return Home Information" (two sides).

The information requested on the Boarding Pass is mandatory. It should be filled out BEFORE you leave home so you have no delay in checking in at the terminal or delay others waiting in line.

The Return Home information helps both you the cruise line in disembarkation procedure. Passengers are disembarked in groups by color codes or numbers which are issued to you in your cabin near the end of the week.

If you have transportation schedules to meet after disembarkation, the ship makes every effort to give you a priority group color or number to insure that you meet your schedule.

Also, please read the "Welcome Aboard" brochure in your packet. It provides info on most aspects of cruise life and answers many of your questions.

If you have any further inquiries about your documents, post them here. It's each cruiser's personal responsibility to be informed of cruise requirements and Bahama Mama is happy to help out.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

There are also several ships' luggage tags in your packet. Fill them out and attach them on or near your suitcase handles by looping the tag through the elastic and handle.

Make sure you also have your own personal ID tag on each piece of your luggage, including carry-ons.

You may not have enough of these tags for all your suitcases. Never mind, the redcap will give you more at the curb. Just have a pen ready to fill the tags out.

Have dollar bills ready for tip ($1 per luggage piece checked in with him).

There is no limit on number of suitcases.

Tip: Leave some extra space in a suitcase for any items you may purchase in the ship's shops or in the port towns. Pack a folded-up paper or plastic shopping bag.

My carry-ons will be two shoulder-strap duffel bags (forget the purses, ladies) and a shopping bag holding crushable straw hats or the like, with extra space left to carry souvenirs off when disembarking.

I suppose shopping bags are not chi-chi, but they're practical and handy.

If you have a shopping bag from Sak's Fifth Avenue or Marshall Field's, so much the better, heehee.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

You don't have to pack beach towels. On board, towels are provided pool-side. At our Caribbean Swim 'n Eats party on Seven Mile Island, towels will be provided beach-side.

Don't forget to bring a good-size beach bag, your sun glasses, a brimmed beach hat, a top cover-up and sun block lotion.

If you forget anything, all these items can be purchased on board in the ship's shops.

Use the sun block, freepers. That tropical sun will creep up on you. There will be shaded areas on the beach for the redheads and blondies.

Bahama Mama

[strela]

Please refresh my memory as I go through my ticket package. Those staying at the Embassy Suites the Friday before the cruise have the option of getting transportation there to the ship. Is that transportation a one-way trip (hotel to pier), or is it a two-way (hotel to pier, then pier to airport when the cruise ends)?

[MinuteGal]

Your connection with the hotel ends when its van drops you off at the Carnival terminal.

After you disembark at the end of the cruise, you can catch vans or cabs going to the airport.

Only if you had made a prior reservatation for the night after landing could you again take one of their complimentary vans back to the hotel.

Leni

[Utah Girl]

Bought my industrial sized sun-block at Costco's yesterday. Glad to hear there are shaded areas. :)

[strela]

Thankee! I thought so but didn't want to fill out that part of the card with incorrect information before I checked.