So I've decided to actually take a vacation this year and I booked a cruise for my 40th birthday in December. I we t on a cruise when I was around 5-6 but I don't remember it.

I have a Premium Balcony Stateroom on Carnivals newest ship that gets released this summer, the Horizon. Got a few friends going as well and we will be in Cozumel, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and I've booked shore excursions including swimming with Dolphins, Parasailing, Innertubing through a rain Forrest, rock jumping and Zip Lining.......

I definitely don't know what to expect, what to bring or how much money I will need once onboard. The meals are covered and I got the package where alcohol, sodas and juice are covered plus I get $100.00 added to my ship spending account.

I also don't know how nice the weather will be in December in the Caribbean, I mean it can't be too bad. I'm guessing in the 80's?

Plus I'm really excited about everything this ship has.... Cat in the Hat water park, ropes course, sky bikes, mini golf, IMAX, pools and spas, bowling, pool tables, Volleyball, Basketball,Night Clubs, about a dozen restaurants and many more that I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Is there anyone who's experienced in Cruising here? Would love some insight.....

In my experience all cruises include food but alcohol usually is the biggest expense, so it's good you got that included in your plan.

Most ships also have casinos so if you like to try your luck then plan for some extra money for that.

Once on land, it depends on what you might want to buy as souvenirs in remembrance of your experience.

Whether on the ship or on land you can use your credit card but depending on your destinations, sometimes using US cash can bargain down prices in certain situations

Have Fun..cruises are great!

Wow you sold me! Red Wine I would like to do a cruise, but justifiably mannidunno. $$$$bye bye hard to come by cash today because of what and who we have in charge these days. Sad.

Actually have been on 5 cruises with Carnival...

If you bought the drink card then the only things you would have to pay for on the cruise is if you go to some of the Specialty Dinning Rooms.. which would run you anywhere between $5- $50 extra per person all depends which one you want to try out..

My brother and sister always go to the Steak house it is like $35 extra but the steaks are what you would get here for $75 + a person..

Myself I have only done the Steak house once due to I prefer the evening dinning that is included where you can can a steak or what ever you choose.. Normally when we go as a family this is a must for all to go it is well worth getting to try out all the new dishes you normally would not and as much of it as you want.. If you don't like what they have they will take it back and give you something else or as much as you can eat all included..

All gift shop purchases goes on your credit card that you give them in the beginning no cash or credit cards are used on board except for tipping only... All charges go straight to your card..

You can go on the tv and look at your charges every day any dispute go talk to them and they will fix it.. It helps too look there in order to keep up with all charges..

As far as excursions it is better for you if you book those through Carnival that way if the excursion is running late the ship will not leave you and if something happens and it is canceled it is really easy to get the charge taken off while you are on board..

As far as Weather two years ago we had 24 family members that went on a Christmas Cruise came back on the 23rd and did the same ports that you will be going to.. Weather was perfect in Jamaica normally it is humid and hot but Dec is perfect still warm enough to lay out and enjoy but not too miserable from the heat. Sea days I laid out all day long....

Myself once the cruise is paid for and my excursions are paid for I normally take $400 in cash and a credit card just in case...

Always use your safe in your room to put your personal stuff money ext for all you need on board is your room key card... Get you a lanyard so you can carry your card around your neck. If you don't have one they sell them on board......

Never take fruit on or off board there is a hefty fine for that regardless if you meant too or not if you get caught...

The main pool is where all the action is there is a adult pool area but really go to the main deck... They are always having stuff going on lots of fun and laughter plus the big screen tv, at times they have bands...... Make the ship party on deck it's a lot of fun too normally the first or second night when they have that..

Take sunblock & Mosquito spray(Always use when going into ports} ,,,, If you want internet for full service it gets a little pricey. But they have a plan where you can connect to one social site for $25... I always choose Facebook due to messenger that is there I can message anyone that has it and no extra cost cause it is part of that site.. Plus it was a way for me to upload all my pictures each day to a Album... But that is the only site I have access too...

They also have a hub app you can down load for like $5 if you have a big party so when on ship and want to find someone you can hit them up on the hub so you can meet up with them if needed...

They ask when you get off on ports to take your ID and your passport... Normally I have only taken my passport but due to some factors the last two cruises I have made sure I took my driver licenses as well like your suppose to..

Ohhh and the extra $100 or so for insurance is well worth paying for if something happens it covers more then most know like your medical on board just one Dr visit pays for it's self as well as if something happens to you medically the last minute and have to cancel you can get a refund but not unless you bought it.. And if you get left at a port and you went through carnival for the excursions it covers you getting to the next port...

Only thing I can add to TxsGal's wisdom is, it helps to set aside
(in envelopes) any tips you plan to leave, you can simply address
them (to room steward, sommelier, waiters, etc.) and not spend
that $ elsewhere, which is always tempting.

One year, the cruise stopped at Pier 39 in San Francisco, where
there are many shopping venues.

One was an refrigerator magnet store with every magnet known to man.

So, besides the tips, we got each person we were tipping a magnet..
let me tell you, they hounded us the rest of the trip, offering us
stuff, they were so happy to get an actual gift..for the wine
server it was a wine bottle magnet, etc.

They showered us with every conceivable amenity after that :-)
Because we gave them out a week into the 2 week cruise ;-)

cruises are the best

Carnival has a " hump or jump" cruise. It is a one night cruise to nowhere.. literally nowhere as it never leaves the dock.

It is a night full of food, drink and laughs then you are led to a room and whatever walks in a few minutes later.. yep, you guessed it you have to hump.. if you refuse, you can either jump off the ship on your own into the water ( about 6 stories) or the deckhands will throw you over the railing. Either way you are getting wet.

Now there are tug boats out there that scoop you up so you don't die or anything like that.

Roll the dice.. take a chance.. ( could be a beautiful model walking the door.. or it could be one of those gals you see in Wal - Mart)

that's Carnival... Hump or Jump cruise

They said not to use cash at on the ship. They want you to use the ship banking system so you don't lose money.

When on board they do not allow cash you have to use your ship card that is connected to your CC or cash that you put up to charge with...

Only thing cash is good for is tipping.. which they do charge a gratitude of like $10 per day that gets shared by all..

We still tip our cabin guy $20 the first day just for him.... the staff is awesome they know you by name after the first day and will get you what ever you need...

Myself have never bought a drink card too many ways to take liquor with you lmao~~~

I think it helps to know the market or the people who are targeted by the cruise itinerary itself. The last one i joined were more for the seniors and i had a blast

you just like being the baby of the group

More of the baby sitter

No offence meant to seniors im talking about my mom

you just wait till i tell her you said that

I thought they search your luggage? They said we can bring one 750ML bottle of Champagne or Wine and a 12 pack of soda per person.....

With the internet am I able to take my Amazon Fire TV so I can stream a movie if I wanted at night?

Well, I cruised in several of my cars..

My boats...

But nothing I didn't have control on..

I was excited when I found out one of the ports in in Jamaica. I have always wanted to see the historical Pirate sights like where Captain Vane was hung but apparently that is all over in Port Royal not in Ocho Rios where I am goin. From what I can tell theres not much in Ocho Rios other then a major tourist trap.

If you dive,
you can get day permits for scuba
in Cozumel.

And try the food while you're there.

I can't do scuba. I panic when I have anything over my face or mouth. They have to give me a local to even put an oxygen mask on my face in the hospital.

I am signed up to swim with the Dolphins in Cozumel though....

You should join us man, they gave us a killer rate. It's only like $50.00 deposit!