ME AND MY HUSBAND OUR GOING ON OUR FIRST CRUISE, advice please?

Watch out for pirates arrr

Formal nights are not strictly enforced on Carnival. You will see people wearing some very casual things on formal night. So participate if you like, but don't feel pressured. A nice shirt and some slacks will be totally okay on Carnival. And the five regular nights aren't dressy at all. You can always eat on Lido deck as well. There is zero formality there.

There is a decent chance that your stop in Mexico may get cancelled due to swine flu. Cancun (near Cozumel) is a center of the flu in Mexico right now. Our Carnival cruise to Cozumel (last week) went to the Bahamas instead. Either way, you'll have a good time.

My best advice is to get on the internet and research your ports. Sometimes you'll be dropped right into town, or you may find yourself in a parking lot miles from the action. If you have taxi / car rental / bus / excursion plans made in advance, you'll have much more time to do what you really want to do - enjoy your limited time on shore!

Shore excursions are a little cheaper if you book them directly (not from Carnival). You might save 20%. We have done this in the past with good results. Keep in mind, however, that if you miss the boat on a tour you arranged yourself, it can and will leave without you.

There will be a ton of free food on the ship. You'll have more to eat than you can stand. Sodas are expensive on cruise ships, maybe $3 each. If you're a big cola drinker, throw a 12 pack into your checked luggage. Carnival allows this. You can also take a bottle of wine or champagne if you like.

We usually take a couple hundred dollars each and always return with money left over. Some people spend tons more. Credit cards are readily accepted most places, and you don't need cash on the ship as long as you have a credit card with which to open your ship account. Your cash is just for souvenirs, sodas on shore, stuff like that. If you have a credit card issued by Capital One, they are one of few banks who do not charge currency fees for using your card abroad.

If you have other specific questions, feel free to e-mail me. My address is fcabooks ((at)) gmail dot com.

Know this: Everyone-even people you've never even seen on the cruise expect a tip. It's insane, IMO.

Bring two swimsuits so you don't get stuck wearing a wet one. Bring outfits to go to dinner in (because there's a dresscode for dinners) and if there's a formal night-come prepared for that (but if it's not your thing, skip formal night and order room service into your room)

Bring sun screen for sure. High SPF. Bring lots of casual clothing for excursions. Sandals and good walking shoes are great.

Now--the frugalskate tips:

1. Eat on ship only since it's included with the price of the cruise.

2. Don't sign up for the excursions that the cruiseline offers. You can get them cheaper with places unrelated to the cruisline since they mark it up.

3. Don't buy stuff onboard if possible since they mark the prices up.

And as a sidenote: Get there as early as possible so you can eat lunch on the ship before it takes off. Not sure what dinner time you have scheduled so it's a good idea (and free)-However, you will have to tote your carry on luggage around until they officially open the rooms. Also-when you dock at your ports, there is often a long waiting line just to get off the boat. Consider sleeping in a bit that morning or having a later breakfast so you can go when the lines thin out. And--if you buy one of those thingies-like a lanyard for around your neck that has a clear plastic pouch type thing on it, you'll be happy you did. Every time you get on or off the ship, you will have to show your driver's license, your ship card-and you might even have to show a passport or birth certificate. Those make it convenient so you don't have to dig around for them continuously. One more thing: Cruises have food 24/7 practically. If you find that the food is not to your liking at dinner, you can always wait for the buffets they put out in the evening-and the midnight buffets. You'll never go hungry on a cruise--which reminds me-if you care about your weight, try to do active excursions and work in a little exercise during your trip so you don't gain weight. (the desserts are excellent and plentiful, too!)

The formal nights are anything from dress slacks to evening gowns. Wear whatever you like. You'll see everything. Mexico will be really hot and humid so wear something cool. I've never been too excited about any excursions. I prefer to just relax. Eat all the meals you can on the ship. You'll love it! Remember it's all free except alcohol and soda. Be sure to go to the shows, also free. Remember the tip is $10 per night. They will add that on your bill at the end. You'll get a card to "charge " everthing on till the last day then it'll go on the credit card you gave them at check in. You'll have a blast!!

They should give you a choice of excursions, just choose the ones you think sound the best.

People wear any kind of clothes, depends what kind of boat you are on.

As long as it is not formal 24/7 which it probably isnt, then wear what you like (thats still tasteful of course)

I have been on a few cruises and depending on where you go will vary.

I went somewhere once where the clothes shops were crap so didn't spend much money.

The formal nights are nice. But nothing "requires" you to attend. But if you enjoy dressing up for a nice dinner, go for it.

Clothing is completely up to you so bring whatever you are comfortable in. You'll be in the sun and warm weather. So shorts, swim suits, and any summer time clothes are just fine.

You won't need alot of cash if you are staying on the ship. But bring a credit card. All your drinks and spa treatments will get charged to your room and you need to settle up before you leave the ship. If you leave the ship to go shopping it's like anywhere else. Lots of souvenir shops and plenty of places that will be more than willing to take your money.

take some really sexy clothes and have fun!

my advice is DONT GO TO MEXICO : ) have fun