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

Hi All,

This will be my 2nd ever cruise and my first with carnival. What I found really handy last time was a thread with everyone offering advice on "I wish someone had told me on my first cruise with carnival". For example on my last cruise (holland america) I found out on the room service breakfast menu even if the item wasn't on there you could simply write it on and they would make it.

So seasoned carnival cruisers what is something you wish you had known on your first carnival cruise......???

Interesting - what kinds of things would they make for you?

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Interesting - what kinds of things would they make for you?

 

 

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Sorry was just using that fact as an example (that was on holland america cruise) just giving an example of the type of information that was given.

 

So seasoned carnival cruisers what is something you wish you had known on your first carnival cruise......???

That writing something on the card will NOT get you it if they don't offer it on the menu.

Yes, I actually tried it by wanting some scrambled eggs for breakfast room service. I got everything I marked except NO eggs! LOL I tried...

I wish I had known to check for price drops, and they would honor them. I didn't learn until my 4th cruise, when I had joined Cruise Critic. This was back in the day of price drops granted up until sailing, not just before final payment.

I also wish I had known there are better areas of the ship to book your cabin on, to avoid sea sickness.

I wished I'd know that even if you book an excursion through Carnival they basically dump you off at port an expect you to figure out how to get to where you are going. I still hate that part even though I've been able to figure it out each time. It is stressful not knowing what is going on and if you are in the right place.

That writing something on the card will NOT get you it if they don't offer it on the menu.

Yes, I actually tried it by wanting some scrambled eggs for breakfast room service. I got everything I marked except NO eggs! LOL I tried...

I have had some luck though with calling room service, and asking for something they don't have listed as offered.

Like cheese plate. First the young lady told me no, they don't make cheese plate. But I pointed out they offer cheese on sandwiches, and fruit. Just put a few slices of cheese on a plate & some of the fruit - didn't look as fancy as a plate with wedges of blue cheese or brie, but I was able to get it.

I wish I knew I could bring 12 cans of my favorite diet soda

I'm sure this applies to all cruise lines but I didn't know it on our first cruise on Carnival. If you see an appetizer that you really like you can have the chef make it into an entree size.

That the Carnival room service items that cost extra (chicken fingers, pizza) are NOT worth it. They are different than the chicken strips or pizza you find elsewhere on the ship.

 

I also wish I had known there are better areas of the ship to book your cabin on, to avoid sea sickness.

What parts? Whenever I looked for rooms it kept asking front mid or back and to me it makes no difference! We did RC last year through my husband's work so we didn't get a choice on room. They booked it, paid for it, and we were happy with what we got because it was FREE! We were on the 5th floor front and it was just fine for us. I can't remember where we are this coming trip. I know 8th floor, I think towards the front. I guess I didn't realize it mattered! Insight please!

I wished I'd know that even if you book an excursion through Carnival they basically dump you off at port an expect you to figure out how to get to where you are going. I still hate that part even though I've been able to figure it out each time. It is stressful not knowing what is going on and if you are in the right place.

YIKES!!!!!!! So they don't have signs when you get off with buses to know where you are going? Our trip last year we only did one excursion and it was in Labadee Haiti which was so small there was no cars or buses. All was walking distance and you followed the signs. This time around, we have excursions at every stop, we have kids (didn't bring them last year), AND all excursions include a bus ride.......now I'm worried!

I'm sure this applies to all cruise lines but I didn't know it on our first cruise on Carnival. If you see an appetizer that you really like you can have the chef make it into an entree size.

Good to know. Imagine my embarrassment last year with my husband ordering FOUR orders of escargot as his appetizer. :o

Not to buy any souvenirs on the ship until the last day, because most things will go on sale.

I wish someone would have explained all of the holds that can come up on your credit/debit cards. I was not prepared financially to cruise at all and my S&S got locked so I couldn't do anything. I had to log onto the internet (pay by the minute plan back then) and try to shuffle what little money I had around in my accounts and pray my paycheck got deposited sooner rather than later.

Not to buy any souvenirs on the ship until the last day, because most things will go on sale.

I guess that would work if you aren't picky about what souvenir you buy, but if it's something you really want it could be sold out if you wait.

If you go on a Fantasy class ship, the glass door room thing on the Lido will take you down to mid ship on the Promenade deck.

I guess that would work if you aren't picky about what souvenir you buy, but if it's something you really want it could be sold out if you wait.

I've never had a problem with anything being sold out...maybe I've been lucky, but I also don't buy a lot on the ship. I definitely wait until the last day to purchase any pictures that I might want.

If you go on a Fantasy class ship, the glass door room thing on the Lido will take you down to mid ship on the Promenade deck.

Do you mean the elevator?

Take half as many clothes. Take more money than you think you will need. Spend $20 in the casino to remind yourself why you dont gamble. Join in a Lido game, join a line dance. Get up early and watch a sunrise. Find the "wind tunnel" door at the front of the ship and take silly pictures! (Our 1st cruise on the Paradise we spent probably 20 min every morning doing dumb stuff at those doors!) And HAVE FUN and TRY NEW THINGS! :cool:

What parts? Whenever I looked for rooms it kept asking front mid or back and to me it makes no difference! We did RC last year through my husband's work so we didn't get a choice on room. They booked it, paid for it, and we were happy with what we got because it was FREE! We were on the 5th floor front and it was just fine for us. I can't remember where we are this coming trip. I know 8th floor, I think towards the front. I guess I didn't realize it mattered! Insight please!

The lower decks are the place to be if you get seasick

YIKES!!!!!!! So they don't have signs when you get off with buses to know where you are going? Our trip last year we only did one excursion and it was in Labadee Haiti which was so small there was no cars or buses. All was walking distance and you followed the signs. This time around, we have excursions at every stop, we have kids (didn't bring them last year), AND all excursions include a bus ride.......now I'm worried!

Every Carnival-sponsored shore excursion I've taken has had people with signs right outside of the ship that lead you to where you're supposed to go

:cool: We have taken many excursions through Carnival and other cruise lines and always have had plenty of directions to the location of our tour. Some times you need to walk off the pier to get there but they were always easy to find.

For sea sickness the lower the better and in the center of the ship is the best spot to be.

I wished I'd know that even if you book an excursion through Carnival they basically dump you off at port an expect you to figure out how to get to where you are going. I still hate that part even though I've been able to figure it out each time. It is stressful not knowing what is going on and if you are in the right place.

Not sure what you talking about but EVERY excursion we have done on any cruise line has been very good about letting you know where to go or who to follow.

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Do you mean the elevator?

This is what they're talking about and to be honest, I've been on Elation three times and I'm still not 100% on it. I assume it takes you to the the deck below but first cruise I definitely thought it was some chamber that dried you off or it took you to some changing room because I only saw people with swimsuits on and towels go in it.

Do you mean the elevator?

No, it's an enclosed staircase near the pool. Lands just aft of the Casino.