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Hello Woofa, Welcome to Cruise Addicts.


How exciting to be going on your first cruise.  I had no idea how hooked I was going to be, on cruising, when we booked out first one.  Best idea we ever had.  I'm sure you will love it.   And how amazing to be treated by your wife's company.  Do they need any new employees ?  :) 


You've got good info above from bob and Michael, about the ship repairs, so I'll just say that I agree.  I have not doubt that the Triumph will be just fine when they're done with her, and it likely won't take ages, but whether or not it's in time for your dates, is what you have to worry about.  I do hope it goes well for your plans.


About your questions:

  

  About the park-n-cruise hotel:  Well we've never done it, but I've read about others on these cruise boards doing it all the time, so it seems to be a fairly popular option.  I've never heard a negative story about it so far. The one caveat seems to be that the parking areas at the hotels are not fenced or guarded like some (not all) long term parking lots would be.  Still I figure the car is as safe there while you are gone, as it is while you stay in the hotel. 

  

  We thought we would board early about noon when they first open to get on the ship as early as possible and get settled in.  Well, you need to check Carnival's web page, for the actual time boarding is supposed to start.  The listed time is not often as early as "noon".  The usual stated time is 1:30.  That's not to say that you won't be able to get on before noon..  Just be aware, that you may have to wait till later.  Lots of cruisers are just so eager to get on board that they are happy to wait in the line.  Happier still on the occasions that debarking the previous passengers, and cleaning up goes extra fast, and boarding is started early.

  

  Is it worth upgrading to a balcony?  Any idea on how much more we would have to spend?  I always say that a balcony is worth every penny, but that being said you can have a wonderful vacation with a less expensive cabin.  We certainly got  totally addicted to cruising while booking only "insides" for our first several cruise.  If you can afford it, and it isn't a hardship financially, do it.   As for how much it costs,  you should go to Carnival web page and play like  you are booking a cabin for your particular cruise and week, find out the cost of the specific cabin category you are in and compare that to the category you want.  (Look at your booking confirmation for something that say your in an "4b"  or "7c" not just "oceanview".  The different designations of balcony cabins can vary a lot.  That comparison should give an idea of the difference.  But to know for sure, you have to ask the booking TA.

 

  Having heard about food I want to make sure I try and preplan as much as possible to get what we really like. I have read it is usually best to eat in the main dining rooms? Better to choose the late dinner time if possible? Better to stick to certain foods ie. steak rather than seafood or vice versa? Better to eat breakfast in the sit down restaurant than the buffet? 

 

   About the food:  There's not really all that much need to pre plan things with food on the Triumph.  She does have a specialty restaurant, that you might want to try, but we don't usually bother, except for a rare special occasions.  If you really want to, you can reserve that on the web site.  I just usually think "Why pay an extra $20 per person for a meal when you've already paid for a very nice meal in the dining room." 

  

  And yes, definitely have at least your dinners in the dining room.  It would be such a shame to miss that.  We try to get to the dinning room for breakfast about once per cruise, just for the Eggs Benedict, (not usually served in the buffet) but aside from than we like the lido buffet for breakfast and lunch.  It's just more flexible, considering we are doing so much during the day, and the dining room takes time. 

  

  As for choosing early or late seating, or anytime.  Well that totally depends on you.  What time do you usually eat your dinners?  When we were on the Triumph they had staggered early and late times.  Early was either 6:00pm and 6:15. and  Late was something like 8:00pm and 8:30pm.   Eight is too late for us, so we always pick "early".  We didn't like the "Anytime", the once that we tried it.  Actually managed to get moved to early seating after a few days of "anytime"  (Changing like that is not usually possible, so don't count on it. )  Other's say they have no problem with it, but we didn't like having to either make reservations or having to wait in line to be seated.  I've always thought the personal service you get from main dining room waiters who know you, and not having to bother with reservations, and the no waiting in line  are all part of what I like about cruising.  Also, if you stay with the assigned dinner times (choose either early or late) you don't have to worry about being able to see the evening shows.  When you go to anytime dinner, you have to be sure you're allowing enough time to finish dinner either before the show starts, or wait to eat after the early show is done.  With the assigned times, they plan for that, for you.


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