I Wish Someone Had Told Me On My First Carnival Cruise.....

This thread is chuck full of great advice and ideas!

 

Price drops: There is a website that you can subscribe to, some refer to it as the fishy site...it does cost like $1 per cruise watch...and they will email you if the price of your cabin drops....this website is a win....

 

That's awesome! How do I find this website?

Do they offer motion sickness pills at guest services?

I have no idea and would interested to know as well, but if it were me I would go looking for them at the infirmary rather than at guest services. I would hope they would be quite inexpensive. We got a shot for seasickness crossing the Sargasso Sea eight years ago on Holland America... it was like $15 I think.

 

That's awesome! How do I find this website?

Unfortunately, sharing that information on CC is not permitted. :(

What's a Yeti cup?

 

A large white hairy mug.:o

Great information in this thread for a first timer (Splendor - Eastern Caribbean in June)! I love to take pictures with my DSLR. However, my phone takes decent pictures as well. Do you bring your good camera or just stick to your phone?

 

Has anyone ever had problems with theft from your room? How careful are you about putting stuff in your safe (electronics, cameras, etc.)?

 

I bought the prepaid gratuities with my cruise. What gratuities are not covered by that?

 

Do you usually buy the drink packages? We're not big drinkers but definitely enjoy mixed drinks and an occasional beer.

 

I saw that bottled water isn't covered on the drink package. I also saw someone say they pre-ordered a case of bottled water at $2.49 per 12. Where do you do that? We're all big water drinkers.

 

We don't plan to do the Captain's table but are going to the steakhouse one night. What is the most casual you can get away with? I want to pack as light as possible.

 

We have port days every day but one. Do you always go ashore? Do you always book an excursion? What's your favorite excursion? We're late 40s but are taking two 13 y.o. boys with us. We like to relax. They like to play.

 

Have any of your kids been to the C Club (12-14 y.o.)? We're talking a couple of boys who love video games, Minecraft but also both play sports. Are they going to love it or hate it?

 

One of the boys has a severe (Epi-pen) peanut allergy. Would you feel safe with your kid going to the teen club with an allergy like that?

 

Thanks for your help! :*

Gardn198

There are several sites. Google is your friend

Don't try to do everything onboard, or go to all the talk/port/shopping shows!!!

We always prepay everything and use CASH for our onboard spending account. Usually put about $600 and it's plenty for souveniers, casino, steakhouse, cocktails and extra cash tips if they are earned.

 

 

Silly question - but if you open the S&S account with cash and don't spend all of it can you get it back? I feel like I had an issue with this a while ago and had to spend it or lose it.. but it could have been for something different.t

My friend usually gets the motion sickness pills at guest services....but for $1.50, I bring my own....guest services will (usually) only give you one or two packs at a time....why waste the time....(and I like to start taking them the night before we leave)

 

If you google cruise price tracker.....you'll find what you're looking for...

 

I agree...do not waste your time at the shopping presentation.....they give you a map and some coupons for the touristy stores that I am sure pay a fee to be mentioned....and it's super boring....

 

Also....BINGO is a waste of money.....I played it ONCE....it was expensive....and they only played one game per card...(and as I recall, the prize was not very big)...it's a total cash grab for the cruise line....but they draw people in with the free cruise raffle....

 

Cases of water can be ordered on the ccl website under 'manage/gifts and shopping'....not hard to find....or you can just order it once you get onboard...

 

We do not buy the drink package....but we do buy a bottle of liquor for the cabin to mix with our soda...(also available on the website)...it is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as a drink package....we enjoy a cocktail or two before dinner on our balcony...

 

We have never had any problem with theft in our cabin....but we don't leave cash lying around either.....but our expensive electronics have never been touched....

Great information in this thread for a first timer (Splendor - Eastern Caribbean in June)! I love to take pictures with my DSLR. However, my phone takes decent pictures as well. Do you bring your good camera or just stick to your phone?

 

Has anyone ever had problems with theft from your room? How careful are you about putting stuff in your safe (electronics, cameras, etc.)?

 

I bought the prepaid gratuities with my cruise. What gratuities are not covered by that?

 

Do you usually buy the drink packages? We're not big drinkers but definitely enjoy mixed drinks and an occasional beer.

 

I saw that bottled water isn't covered on the drink package. I also saw someone say they pre-ordered a case of bottled water at $2.49 per 12. Where do you do that? We're all big water drinkers.

 

We don't plan to do the Captain's table but are going to the steakhouse one night. What is the most casual you can get away with? I want to pack as light as possible.

 

We have port days every day but one. Do you always go ashore? Do you always book an excursion? What's your favorite excursion? We're late 40s but are taking two 13 y.o. boys with us. We like to relax. They like to play.

 

Have any of your kids been to the C Club (12-14 y.o.)? We're talking a couple of boys who love video games, Minecraft but also both play sports. Are they going to love it or hate it?

 

One of the boys has a severe (Epi-pen) peanut allergy. Would you feel safe with your kid going to the teen club with an allergy like that?

 

Thanks for your help! :*

 

 

As a filmmaker with a Canon 7D camera, I would recommend NOT bringing it. I brought mine on my cruise and only used it a handful of times. It's a nuisance to carry around and something valuable to worry about getting stolen! An iPhone camera or even GoPro for some cool underwater videos would be MUCH easier!

Silly question - but if you open the S&S account with cash and don't spend all of it can you get it back? I feel like I had an issue with this a while ago and had to spend it or lose it.. but it could have been for something different.t

 

You get it back.

If it's a small amount (less than $5, I think) Carnival will donate it to St. Jude; otherwise they'll cut you a check and mail it to you unless you drop by Guest Services and settle up before debark.

Great information in this thread for a first timer (Splendor - Eastern Caribbean in June)! I love to take pictures with my DSLR. However, my phone takes decent pictures as well. Do you bring your good camera or just stick to your phone?

 

I just use my phone for most photos. I'll bring an underwater-capable camera (Pentax Optio W30 right now) if I'm doing any snorkeling or snuba.

Has anyone ever had problems with theft from your room? How careful are you about putting stuff in your safe (electronics, cameras, etc.)?

We put our "serious" valuables -- wallets, keys, $1500 I got back from a cancelled port excursion :o -- in the safe. We've never had a known issue with theft although it's possible that our steward could have taken my friend's vaping liquid two cruises ago. We never found it, but we weren't totally sure either.

 

I bought the prepaid gratuities with my cruise. What gratuities are not covered by that?

-- Tips for porters at the pier for your bags ($1/bag is customary at embark)

-- Tips for room-service personnel

-- Tips for spa services personnel (unless enumerated in your bill)

-- Tips for shore-excursion operators and guides (anywhere from $5 to $20 or more depending on the tour/excursion)

-- Tips for taxis or shuttles at ports of call

-- Anything extra you want to give to your steward, bartenders etc. for exemplary service

-- I probably forgot someone here. :)

 

 

Do you usually buy the drink packages? We're not big drinkers but definitely enjoy mixed drinks and an occasional beer.

I'm not a big drinker either, but the Cheers program includes almost anything that's liquid on the ship in a single serving, including bottled water and sparkling water at dinner, shakes at the Promenade café, sodas, etc. It pays off after only 6 or 7 drinks at ship prices, so I was happy with it on our last cruise.

 

I saw that bottled water isn't covered on the drink package. I also saw someone say they pre-ordered a case of bottled water at $2.49 per 12. Where do you do that? We're all big water drinkers.

You purchase it pre-cruise via the website. It's listed under Fun Shops, as I recall.

 

We have port days every day but one. Do you always go ashore? Do you always book an excursion? What's your favorite excursion? We're late 40s but are taking two 13 y.o. boys with us. We like to relax. They like to play.

No, we don't always go ashore, or sometimes it's just to walk around for a bit and get back on. There are lots of advantages to a mostly-empty ship. No lines for food or water slides, etc....and some ports are just old-hat and uninteresting.

 

My favorite excursions have been snuba and snorkeling excursions, but everyone is different. Many ports, such as Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk, don't really require an excursion to have a relaxing beach-day.

 

Enjoy your first time! It's always special!

Great information in this thread for a first timer (Splendor - Eastern Caribbean in June)! I love to take pictures with my DSLR. However, my phone takes decent pictures as well. Do you bring your good camera or just stick to your phone?

 

 

 

Has anyone ever had problems with theft from your room? How careful are you about putting stuff in your safe (electronics, cameras, etc.)?

 

 

 

I bought the prepaid gratuities with my cruise. What gratuities are not covered by that?

 

 

 

Do you usually buy the drink packages? We're not big drinkers but definitely enjoy mixed drinks and an occasional beer.

 

 

 

I saw that bottled water isn't covered on the drink package. I also saw someone say they pre-ordered a case of bottled water at $2.49 per 12. Where do you do that? We're all big water drinkers.

 

 

 

We don't plan to do the Captain's table but are going to the steakhouse one night. What is the most casual you can get away with? I want to pack as light as possible.

 

 

 

We have port days every day but one. Do you always go ashore? Do you always book an excursion? What's your favorite excursion? We're late 40s but are taking two 13 y.o. boys with us. We like to relax. They like to play.

 

 

 

Have any of your kids been to the C Club (12-14 y.o.)? We're talking a couple of boys who love video games, Minecraft but also both play sports. Are they going to love it or hate it?

 

 

 

One of the boys has a severe (Epi-pen) peanut allergy. Would you feel safe with your kid going to the teen club with an allergy like that?

 

 

 

Thanks for your help! :*

 

 

I hope some of our experiences help you: we have a daughter and we all started cruising when she was about 7. This will be her 5th cruise and she's about to turn 11. She loves the kids club. Each sea day at breakfast (or sometimes the night before) we look at the camp schedule and she picks what she wants to go to during the day. At times we have told her she is going to go to the camp at a specific time so we could do a grownup activity and even when it hasn't been the activity she chose she usually liked it. Many times she has asked to stay longer or even attend the shows with the camp instead of us. [emoji22]

 

We get off the ship as soon as we can on port days because we always have excursions lined up. My husband and I have been talking about an empty ship to enjoy some of the things that are hard to get to with a full ship. Just talk though because we are port people!

 

My daughter does not have allergies but I can tell you that on the kids club registration asks about allergies. We always do the registration ahead of time online.

 

We have never had an issue with theft in the room and we are not great about using the safe.

 

We have never gotten the drink package but usually only get one alcoholic drink each.

 

The most casual we have gone for the dining room is khakis and button up for my husband, skirt or dress for me & similar for my daughter.

 

Have a great time! Your boys will have fun!

 

 

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Such good information! I'm subscribing to this one for sure!

Thank you guys! I truly appreciate it! <3

I'm not sure if this was posted, but we always enjoy eating breakfast in the MDR. Even on port days, I feel that it's just about a quick to be seated, order and be on our way as it is to fight through the buffet lines and find a table.

 

It's a much less stressful way for us to start our day.

You don't need to be over 50 to get gift cards from aarp

 

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How do you get them from AARP? I am a member and have been searching the website and cannot find any carnival gift cards for purchase.

How do you get them from AARP? I am a member and have been searching the website and cannot find any carnival gift cards for purchase.

Unless they just came up, they're not available at the moment. Historically, they show up "every few weeks" according to forum posters. They were available in Feb, if I remember correctly. When they are available, you go to the aarp rewards for good site. I'm pretty sure you register for the site even if you have an AARP online account.

I'll post here if I find them available.

 

Nexus 9 on Tapatalk Pro

Actually I wish I had known that the dream was one of the last to change over to American Table in the dining room. Took her 2015 new years eve and dec 2016. Told dad (1st timer) How wonderful all the food was. It really wowed us. American table buffet was not near as good as before...Truth being told. No we did not starve just like the menu before a lot better

You get it back.

If it's a small amount (less than $5, I think) Carnival will donate it to St. Jude; otherwise they'll cut you a check and mail it to you unless you drop by Guest Services and settle up before debark.

 

 

Thanks!

Carnival cards are back on AARP rewards for good.

 

Nexus 9 on Tapatalk Pro

Carnival cards are back on AARP rewards for good.

 

Nexus 9 on Tapatalk Pro

And verizon wireless smart rewards

Carnival cards are back on AARP rewards for good.

 

Nexus 9 on Tapatalk Pro

 

It won't let me in the Rewards for Good to get mine...ugh.

Couple of other thoughts...

On port days that are early, we order room service breakfast the night before. That way, we don't have to fight with the lines at the buffet and can sleep in a bit longer.

 

Bring a first aid kit that has advil, Imodium, tums, aloe, Neosporin/ band aids. You're going to be doing/eating different things. Sometimes you get blisters. Sometimes your stomach is going to be upset from the 4th lobster tail that you eat on formal night (snort).

 

Drink package - What I've found is that you have to drink ALOT every day to just break even. If you're a drinker, you can probably do this on sea days, but on port days, you're gone all day and you most likely aren't going to be drinking 6 drinks between dinner and bedtime every single night (maybe you will, but I know that's not for me). So odds are, you are better off paying for drinks as you go. By the end of the cruise, you almost feel obligated to get a drink, just because you paid for it. Don't forget, you'll be in the sun quite a bit (if it's the Caribbean) and you need to hydrate with plenty of water, too.

Steakhouse - if you go on the first night, you get a free bottle of wine. :)

If you are prone to MOTION SICKNESS the absolute best thing for you is to bring ginger tablets with you (you can find them in the vitamin section in your local grocery store or Walmart). I suffer BADLY from motion sickness... I can't ride in a car for more than 10-15 minutes without feeling horribly sick to my stomach due to motion sickness.

 

When I cruise, I start taking ginger with each meal a couple of days before my cruise and then continue to take it each day during the cruise and I feel absolutely NO motion sickness the entire time. It works much better than Dramamine or the other motion sickness meds - even the non-drowsy versions still make you a bit wonky.

 

I also get very seasick so many cruises back I started wearing the patch which works fine for me. It's not for everyone though. I've never really been able to figure out exactly how much ginger you'd need to take. How much do you take?

 

Cindy

It won't let me in the Rewards for Good to get mine...ugh.

 

I couldn't either. Got so frustrated I quit trying.