DAY 1: Flew on Delta Flights from Myrtle Beach to Jacksonville, Fl. Everything went very smoothly - no problems at all. Delta staff very accommodating and helpful. Checked in to the Hampton Inn & Suites - Airport - Excellent all the way around. We arrived at the airport, telephoned the hotel and within 10 minutes we were picked up just outside of baggage claim and taken to the Hotel. We arrived early and were upgraded from a King to a suite. Excellent front desk customer service. We went to our room - which was lovely - I think we paid $80 for the room as we paid in advance. When we were done we inquired about a restaurants nearby - there was a Ruby Tuesday right in from of the hotel - had an excellent lunch and great service again. Back to the room a little dip in the hot tub and a little nap - aaaah - vacation. Then up an at'em - enjoyed the free shuttle to the Wal-mart to get water and sunblock for our cruise. Met up with some cruisecritic friends at the Buffalo Wild Wings in the plaza - great food, great price - but difficult at best to carry on a conversation - very loud. Staff continues to be excellent. All we had to do was call when we were ready to return to. Would definitely recommend this Hampton Inn. I know they also offer a shuttle to the Jaxport for $20 (I think that is correct). In the morning, we had an excellent and free breakfast and then off to the airport to catch our shuttle to Jaxport. (first time cruiser error -I purchased round trip airport transfers from Carnival so had to go back to the airport).DAY 2: OMG - so excited, had an excellent breakfast at the Hampton Inn, easily caught the airport shuttle. Well, now not quite as smooth as could have been - but we were beginners after all. We waited, and then waited some more, and then waited some more. Actually it was a stranger outside the airport that told me I had to go check in at the desk in baggage claim - so I did that and then we waited for the bus to take us to the ship. Still excited - but disappointed that the Carnival staff did not seem all that enthusiastic or informative - and being first timers we didn't know anything - but ok none the less. Found out that there was some problem with Carnival computers which delayed debarkation of incoming and embarkation of us newbies. Then onto a very comfortable bus and to the ship. We are going crazy at this point - just so excited to be there. Hubby is walking in with diet coke in hand - we make it all the way up to the VIP check in room and someone tells him he can't have his coke with him - make him walk all the way back out the door to throw it away (would have been nice to be told as we were walking in - but now we know). It is VERY crowded - even the VIP area is quite delayed - I think it still had to do with computer issues -but not sure because staff still not very informative. Then it is our turn - we go to the desk - they take our credit card that we paid for the cruise with and then hand us our sail and sign cards. No problems there - then we are asked to wait as they take embarkation pictures - after about 5 minutes we were allowed to skip this picture and get on the ship. Wow, we are overwhelmed and just follow the crowd at this point - kind of funny - reminds me of joining the Army - no directions or interactions just following the crowd - but we are finally on the ship - YEAH. We look around a little and end up on the Lido deck getting something to ear - little did I realize how much time we will spend here eating - LOL. Well, since everything was delayed it was soon time to move up to the whale tail for the meet and greet - FABULOUS!!! The tail area was closed but many of us found each other anyway - exchanged greetings, stories and Mardi gras beads - All is well with the world. Then we take off - watch as the tail barely makes it under the bridge and then out to sea - no seasickness at all - Yeah us! We had a grand suite - room U103 - VERY Nice and very roomy - would not necessarily spend the money for it again but it was great for a first cruise. Nice sized balcony with 3 chairs, living area with couch, chair and table that we did not necessarily use, king size bed which was very comfy - lots of drawer space and counter space, nice closet with more hanging and drawer space - nice sized bathroom with Jacuzzi tub - but had to be able to climb approximately 2.5 feet to get into the shower. Use the tub one time - 4 jets but none for the back - nice enough - but wouldn't pay extra for it again. Then off to dinner in the Imagination dining room - can't remember what I ate but probably finished about 7 million calories on this day. Then off to sleep for us tonight - very tired.DAY 3: At sea - learned our way around the ship, ate, rested, and ate some more, gambled, slept, ate, - whew slow the gravy train down.DAY 4: repeat of the aboveDAY 5: Grand Turk - this was our very favorite port. Got off the ship - again living and learning here. How cool is this? We went to the end of the pier, through the store and then checked in for our adventure - SNUBA. Could not have asked for anything better - just us and one other couple. John was our guide and he was extremely hospitable and shared much with us about the island, the culture and the wildlife. Excellent all the way around. Spent probably an hour or so in the water exploring the marine life. Too much fun. For those that don't know - SNUBA is SCUBA but with the oxygen tanks floating on the surface in a raft. NOTE TO SELF - do not wear make up - unless it is waterproof - for water adventures - can you say Raccoon???? Oh well, live and learn again. Went back to ship, changed and head back on land and to the town center. I had read about Spa Anani and knew it was reputable - so I headed in that direction. I waited a short time for Joann and must say well worth every dollar and every minute - she is FABULOUS!! She worked on back problems that have been there over a year - amazing woman - will definitely go back and see her. Took a couple of pics at Margaretville and then called it a day - back on ship got ready for dinner and ate and slept (do you sense a theme here?)DAY 6: Half Moon Cay - Our second favorite stop. Off the ship - had to tender on this stop. We had the AQUATRAX excursion - oh holy cow this was a hoot!!! There were about 8 of us on the tour. You get a life vest and about 6 minutes worth of training - then it is off in a straight(ish) line following the leader - you do not go off on your own - but for us we had a hoot and he led us through a nice quite patch of water - where of course I got stuck on a sand bar - but no worries - they unstuck me and then I was 'flying' to catch up - love, love, love this tour!!! Then out to sea with the salt water splashing in my face and bouncing all over the place. I learned if I slowed up a bit and let the guy in front get way ahead - I could floor it and take off quick. Hubby and I both enjoyed the heck out of the jet skis - and the tour out to sea - probably out over an hour - it was fabulous! Then back on land and off to the picnic lunch provided by Carnival - very good and lots of assortment. We rented a clam shell for the rest of the day - $20 - and then napped a little and swam a little - nothing to strenuous - lots of fun and no complaints. Back on ship to eat and sleep.DAY 7: Nassau - our least favorite - do not necessarily want to return to this island again. This definitely has a stark contrast of the ultra rich versus the ultra impoverished with very little in between - quite sad for a social worker for sure. We got off the ship and right off the bat the cabbie tried to cheat us on the fare - but I guess that is how it goes. Got to the ferry and had a long wait to get to Blue Lagoon. This was real nice (booked directly through the blue lagoon and saved a bunch). Would have been better if we were not a little sunburned from the day before. Played in the ocean a bit, collected seashells, had a nice little lunch, watched the dolphins and took the ferry directly back to the straw market right by the ship. Did the straw market thing - definitely not my cup of tea - lots of touristy items that they will bargain with you for - very cramped walking. I guess this place is for those who like to shop - this would not be us. So we got back on the ship and napped a little on the Serenity deck. Then ate some more.Day 8: out to sea - played bingo, bought 2 bottles of Kahlua to take home, 2 cartons of cigarettes for my mom (YUK) - gambled, ate, went to a show, slept.Day 9: back in Jacksonville - time to go home for sure. Did the self debarkation - some complained - I thought it went very well. Waited about an hour in the lounge watching TV until they called our deck - got off the ship with our luggage, through customs like a breeze and to our bus back to the airport. Dropped off at the airport and on the plane before we knew it. Missed my furry little ones for sure.NOTES TO SELF/LESSONS LEARNED:1) Do not need a grand suite - a balcony room would be fine - grand suite would be nice for a family of 4 - have to be able to climb into a tub that is 2.5(app) feet high even for the shower2) Would have arranged to eat/sit with the members of the cruise critic roll call for dinners3) Telephone service is hit or miss & very expensive internet service4) Take more pictures - stop and smile - you don't have to buy them if you don't want to - but some are really great - take them all and then just don't buy the ones you don't want - simple5) Purchase the future cruise certificates - nothing to lose here - we bought 26) For us - 1 bottle of rum from the Bon Voyage club is ample - gave away the tequila 7) Pack less clothes and more bathing suits/cover-ups - you live in those8) Plan dinner clothes a little better9) Eat early (we had late seating and by the time we were done we were too tired to do the shows)10) Don't use sail and sign for gambling - easy to spend a ton this way - next time I will use cash to keep better track of spending with that - YIKES11) Don't worry about drink mixes - I did not like the ones I brought and therefore would buy virgin drinks for like $5.25 and add my own rum12) 1 twelve pack of water would have been fine for us13) Nassau cab drivers are scam artists - or try to be14) Not many washers or dryers on ship - $3 per load to wash & $3 to damp dry (dryers do not work all that well)15) Do bring the following items:a. Downey wrinkle release (works nicely)b. Bungee cord for balcony doorc. $1 bills for tipping (did not need the $5 bills as recommended)d. Watersafe for your sail and sign, cash, etc to take off the shipse. Power strip to add outlets to your room
U103 - this was a grand suite. You walk in and to your left is a closet with space for hanging and drawers on both sides of the closet. On the right after you walk in there is the bathroom - you step up into the bathroom. It was nice sized and had a jacuzzi tub - but this meant you had to climb into it even for a shower (approximately 2.5 high). Only used the tub once - it had 4 jets - two at the feet and two that hit me in the upper/outer thigh area - none for the lower back. then you walk in to the room and on the left is counter space, mirrors, more drawer space, a bar, a fridge and tv. On your right is a king sized bed - very comfy indeed. We had a living area with sofa and chair and table - but did not use very much. The balcony held 3 chairs and a little table - very nice. We ordered at minimum of coffee for room service every morning - and room service was excellent - always on time. Lighting in the room was good. Friendly and fabulous steward and housekeeping staff - tidied the room 2 times daily. Never noticed any smoke smell (yeah!!!). Too much room for us - was a bit of overkill - but if you are traveling with family would be great or if you just want to spend time in the room - otherwise probably not worth the extra money spent - but a great first time experience.