I have so many questions. Taking my first cruise late summer on Carnival Triumph from NYC to Canada. It's a 5-day cruise, stopping only in Halifax, NS and Saint John, NB.

1. Best time for meals? Breakfast, lunch, dinner. I hear these are crowded cruises.

2. For dinners, I plan on wearing business attire (dress suit/skirts). . But I do plan on wearing on a formal gown at the big dinner. How can I pack a full length satin skirt without wrinkling? If it does wrinkle, what do I do??

3. What's the crowd like on the Carnival to Canada? We're both single women, me and my mom. No offense, but I really don't want to spend 5 days solely surrounded by parents and their kids. Not my idea of a vacation.

4. When it comes to drinks. How does this work? Sodas, water, juice, wine, beer, champagne. I can't get it straight. Is everything included, no limit?

5. Are there any quiet places at all on these ships besides your compartment to relax?

*bump* anybody, anybody, bueller?

Just saw your post, I will try to answer some of your questions.. .


Carnival is a great cruise line, I don't know how old you and your mother are, but I believe you will find plenty to do.. .

1. Best time for meals? Breakfast, lunch, dinner. I hear these are crowded cruises.

Carnival usually has buffets set up for breakfast and lunch, or you can go to the main dining rooms for open seating and have a sit down breakfast, or you can order from room service and have a leisure breakfast in your cabin. Your Dinner seating will be assigned based on if you requested early or late seating and what is available..The dining us usually 5:45, 6:15, 8:00 or 8:30. If you are not happy with your dinner arrangements just find the Maitra'd and request a change of either time or dining table. If you requested a large table you will be seated with others and the Maitra'd usually tries to set you with people who have things in common, such as newlyweds with newlyweds, singles with singles etc.. .
When you board the ship they will probably have a BonVoyage lunch buffet, it will probably be crowded in the beginning, just don't worry about rushing to it, it will slow down. Same with the breakfast and lunch buffets daily. You will find your dinner assignment (dining room and table assignment on your "Sail and Sign card). . Also if you have a 6:00 seating, don't rush to get there, if you get there at 5:45 you will stand in line until the doors open at 6:00, so go around 6:05 you will still have the same table each night.

2. For dinners, I plan on wearing business attire (dress suit/skirts). . But I do plan on wearing on a formal gown at the big dinner. How can I pack a full length satin skirt without wrinkling? If it does wrinkle, what do I do??

Dress suits and skirts will be just fine, even nice dress pants and dress blouse is fine at dinner. Formal wear: if you make sure to pack your gown in a dry cleaning bag before packing it in your suitcase or garment bag you will find it will have little to no wrinkles. If it does you can either carry a small steamer with you or just hang in bathroom after running shower on hot for a few minutes, leave it hanging there and the wrinkles should fall right out. You can have it ironed on the ship for a small fee. Just check with your cabin steward.

3. What's the crowd like on the Carnival to Canada? We're both single women, me and my mom. No offense, but I really don't want to spend 5 days solely surrounded by parents and their kids. Not my idea of a vacation.

The Carnival Triumph has a guest capacity of over 2700 people, you will find that there will be a diversified group of people from young to old on the ship. Just make sure to read your "Carnival Capers" each day to find the activities, there are usually quite a few things for single people traveling also. I do not think you will be over run with kids, there are pools that are adult only so just find those locations on the ship and you will be fine and have a great time.

4. When it comes to drinks. How does this work? Sodas, water, juice, wine, beer, champagne. I can't get it straight. Is everything included, no limit?

Sodas, wine, beer and champagne are not Free.. ..it is not included in your price, but are readily available for purchase. You will be able to purchase a soda card for unlimited sodas and it usually runs around $5.50/day for adults. It is really a good investment if you drink quite a lot of sodas considering the sodas usually cost around $2.50 or more each so for the cost of 2 sodas a day you can have unlimited access. Tap water, iced tea, sometimes fruit punch and lemonade are always available throughout the day at no charge. Juices and milk are available during dining times at no charge, or you can order from room service (which is no charge, just make sure to tip the server who brings it to you as they don't receive any of the tips from customary tips)

5. Are there any quiet places at all on these ships besides your compartment to relax?

Sure there are, on your first day on the ship, start exploring, there are usually libraries or card rooms and many of the lounges that are quiet. You can also find places on the deck that are not full, just spend your first day exploring.

You will have a great time! Just relax and enjoy being pampered, if you have never cruised before you are in for a treat!!

If you have any other questions feel free to post and I will try to answer them for you.