You will be tempted to sleep in, of course, but try to make it to the earlier breakfast in the dining room (instead of the available-into-the-afternoon buffet) at least a few times. We only bothered to go on the last day when we had to be up anyway, and found ourselves wishing we'd gotten up for it every day. The buffet is certainly good, like all the food, but the fancy breakfast was just incredible.

Advice given to Dagney a while back
Cellar thread

if 'twere me, and one day I hope it may be, I'd go out and buy Cruising for Dummies or some such, to stock up on insider tips.

Why? Seems to me that pretty much all the important stuff has been mentioned here or is only a question mark away.

Oh, hey you're going to be on Carnival, right Merc? They've got the infamous "bloody big bottles of heineken" that my drunken australian table mate fell in love with on one cruise. They're champaigne size/style bottles, but it's heiney. fun.

why? because I'm obsessive like that. Trust me, if I were going on a cruise, I'd be buying 2-3 books on cruising to prepare.

and then my whole family and all my friends would be laughing at me. :)

I'll save you some time, effort, and money by laughing at, er with you now if you like.;)

no fun and no fair!

I hate cruises (and Disneyland, Paris, London, and other similarly theme-parkish places).

That said, I've been on several cruises on different ships and cruise lines, since I didn't have to pay for them.

Food-wise: avoid buffets (except perhaps the midnight gala buffet), go to the upscale restaurant at least once, eat in port in an off-the-beaten track restaurant.

Excursions are generally fun, but choose at least one port to explore yourself.

The cruises I've gone on have tip envelopes that are distributed to your waiter, steward, and a some other people, I think. There is a recommended tip level, but I forget what it is.

Good stuff, keep it coming.

Do most people just wear bathing suits while tripping around the boat on the excursions?

I'm not sure exactly what you mean Merc. Do people wear swimsuits while on shore? Sure, you're going to islands and can spend your days on the beach if you want. I would be more inclined to bring a backpack with that kind of stuff in it though.

Do you mean just walking around the ship? Sure, some do. Personally I only wear my suit if I'm hanging around the pool.

Wear comfy clothes during the day. Pretty much anything goes.
Dress a bit nicer for the evenings. Jackets aren't required for dinner anymore, but there is something fun about getting dressed up for dinner, getting your pictures taken, and hitting a couple of bars or shows.

We usually dress up a bit for dinner and pics then change to more casual and hit the nightlife.

I highly recommend that you take a ajacket and dress up for the final dinner. It is just a fun way to finish up.

Yea, I meant while walking around the boat.

Yeah, you'll be able to walk around in your suit without getting crowds of pointing and staring people. Unless of course your suit is a banana hammock, then let the pointing and staring be joined with laughter.

Most cruises have a final "day at sea", which is the last day where the captain takes you out and chases the sun all day long with no port calls. That is just a sunshine, gambling, and beverage consumption day. Enjoy. That night typically gets a bit rowdy in the clubs too. Twice I have walked out of the bar straight to the line to disembark. Good times.

I think I am beginning to warm up to the idea. Thanks for your notes.

Take something cool and easy to slip on if & when you're walking to the sunbeds/ deck, "pool" (it's never really a pool!). Like linen trousers, khaki shorts, whatever. It means if you decide to grab a quick drink or a snack you won't feel you have to go change.

On the flip side, don't take too much out of the cabin with you. Part of the fun of being on board a ship is the fact you remember that's where you are. If you have to go get something from the cabin you can take a different route and see something you might have missed otherwise.

The extra clothes are the one thing I'd advise because if you fancy a nibble you want it right now. Unless it's that kind of nibble. Then you have to go back to the cabin. Know what I mean?

Lookout nailed it!!
Carol and I went on a Cruise a few years back , it was WAY Cool !!!!
We went on a 7 day cruise , we only did the formal dinner thing twice , nice and all food was Great but a bit too stuffy for me, But DEFFently do the Last nite Supper , they pull out ALL the stops !!!!!!!

Have fun , take and Post LOTS pics !!!!!