...I am buying a cruise for my boyfriend for his birthday. I have not bought the tickets yet. We will be traveling on Carnival's "Fascination". I have never been on a cruise. I need help with the following questions...

Should we stay on a lower or higher deck? Front or back???

Does it really matter if there is an "Ocean View"?

Is it hard to sneak alcohol on board?

We will be driving from Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL, so there is no need to stay over in Jacksonville. Is there parking at the cruise ship departure site?

Thanks in advance!!!

Does anyone have anymore tips for us?
I'm 30...so I'm not trying to underage drink just save some pennies!!!

"Lower level vs higher level- higher level rooms are usually the balcony and suites. It's closer to the "action" (disco, casino, etc). They feel more sway of the ship, just like the higher floors in a skyscrapper. Lower decks are usually the ocean view rooms. Lower has less sway.

Front or back? Doesn't matter at all. If you get motion sick, the middle is the best b/c it sways less but the front and the back are equal.

Does it matter if there is an ocean view? This is a question that causes a lot of controversy on this boards. Some people are of the opinion that if you book a nicer room you'll spend more time in it. Some people say you just sleep there so what's it matter? It really is up to you. Personally I have booked balconies before and think it's a waste of money. We usually book ocean view. My husband does get motion sick though so the interior is a bit difficult for him. However if money is an issue, the interior is a good deal cheaper and you have more money to spend on the cruise. Let me ask you this- when you go to Vegas, how important is your room? When you go to the beach, how important is the condo? That will answer if it's important to you. I'm one of those "a room is just a room" people--I never stay at hotels like Wynn, Ritz, George V.

Is it hard to sneak alcohol on board? From your departure port, not at all. You just walk on with it. Last cruise I brought many bottles of champagne for my sister's wedding. I've brought vodka onboard as well. No need to go to outrageous ideas like pouring it into contact lens solution bottles or anything like that. However the hard part is just mixing it. If you enjoy a night cap before bed of Scotch on the rocks it's great but if you want to mix...you have to carry it upstairs to get some juice, mix it, then walk all the way back down when you want a refill. In my opinion it's a waste of time. Plus most of the juices are behind the bar anyway and you have to pay for soda. A drink on Carnival is about $6-7, it's served in a large hurricane glass and it's very strong. A soda is $2 plus the cost of the alcohol your brought. I'm not sure it actually saves you money. Rum in the islands is very very cheap.

My alcohol tip- carry your souvenir glass around with you. When you get onboard they'll have a FunShip (my fav drink) in a souvenir glass. It's about $7-8. After that, you can get a refill for about $5-6. You can also get the drink of the day for the cheap price every day (for example you can drink Monday's drink on Thurs as well). I only drink the drinks of the day and that saves about $3 a drink.

Parking- Yes just like the airport they have port terminal parking. Just like the airport, it is expensive. That's why I recommend staying at a place like Hampton Inn where you can park your car for $20-30. However since you aren't staying the night, the parking garage at the port would be your best bet.

My best tips- carry snorkel gear with you. that way on the island you can just take a cab to a good snorkel location. carry aloe vera, motion sickness medicine, and a waterproof camera with you. they sell them onboard but the markup is outrageous. don't overpack. I never carry day clothing b/c I know I'm just going to be in a bathing suit every day. I carry multiple bathing suits and multiple coverups but no tshirts and shorts. Carry one soft thing with sleeves in case you get sunburned.

ENJOY!"
(chosen answer)