CRUISERMOMX3

I recently read a great tip for extra storage space. This would come in especially handy if you have multiple people in a cabin because floor space is a premium. You can get extra “drawer” space by sliding an open suitcase under the bed. You don’t have to pull it all the way out to open it.

We learned from friends to bring Fun Size candy bars.

We handed them out to crew members, from those who wipe down railings to Guest Services, all over the ship. It was amazing how little pieces of chocolate elicited such big smiles. We even gave candy to the senior officers after the VIP party. The captain was so excited to have chocolate. (Crew has to buy treats, like candy, chips, popcorn, etc. On port days, They return to the ship with bags full of snack foods purchased at local stores.)

We also learned from the same friends to bring a battery operated tea light for the bathroom.

We turned it on at night and off in the morning. It provided just enough light to find the commode but not enough to wake us or blind us. Packages of two or three are just $1.00 at Dollar Tree.

I love the fun sized candy idea. I’m planning to stay on the ship for one of the port days so I might just go around and hand out chocolate and smiles. Maybe leave a box of full size bars for the room steward.

If anyone is taking their first cruise, there is a clothes line in the shower that you can use to dry your bathing suits or something you need to wash out. A few clothes pins are helpful.

Also, you are allowed to bring a small soft sided cooler. This is awesome for going ashore for a beach day. Just fill with ice and take some of the drinks you carried on or accumulated while on the ship.

This isn’t a new tip, but bring some chair clips for attaching your towel to your chair. They have silly fancy ones, or you can get them at the Dollar Tree. They keep your towel from falling down or blowing away.

I am no chog. I go up around 8:00, put my things on my one chair and go get some buffet breakfast that I will now use my tray for and return to my chair where I will sit until lunch.

This isn’t a new tip, but bring some chair clips for attaching your towel to your chair. They have silly fancy ones, or you can get them at the Dollar Tree. They keep your towel from falling down or blowing away.

We take pool noodles for the beach. I like to just hang on them in the water. The are very bendable and cheap enough that you can just heave then if you want.

I’ve done this with rafts or rings from the dollar store. Easy to blow up and relaxing to hold on to. I just deflate them and throw them away at the end of the day. They were only $1.00!

I read somewhere that the carpet is actually different on port and starboard sides. Does anyone know if this is true? They said it was easier to know which side of the ship your cabin was on. :confused:

I like the tray idea, but as for muster, is Carnival still doing outside muster drills? I thought cruise lines did away with that! But, then again, I haven’t cruised Carnival since 2007, Cruising RCCL and NCL, where we did muster in different locations, like the theater. I have 2 Carnival cruises booked, and I sure hope I’m inside, as I have issues with syncope when standing a long time, especially in the sun.

 

 

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I have been revisiting the smaller ships the past few years and the muster drill has been outside. My comment about showing up last just meant not to rush. I would rather been last in and first out because I prefer not to be in the middle of the group standing in the sun. I believe the larger/newer ships might meet inside.

They don't have tortilla chips unfortunately, but they do have the new taco salad tortilla bowls. Last cruise I asked for an empty one, broke it up and used it as chips. Worked well!

This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing.

With the change to the TV channels, does anyone download movies from Netflix? Any other ideas for downtime entertainment?

I also forget you can get a deck of cards from Guest Services.

Bring crappy clothes that you can throw away.

 

But this might just be a guy thing. I save various t-shirts, socks, swimming trunks, etc that I would otherwise trash...and wear them one more time on a cruise. End of day...trash they go. Opens up space in the suitcase, reduces laundry at home, and less stuff in your cabin. We have an upcoming cruise in August. I already have 3 shirts, one swimming trunks, a pair of old tennis shoes (great for excursions) and a stretched out pair of crocs that won't be coming home with me. I won't wear them in the MDR, but any other time is in play.

😂😂😂 so you’re THAT guy, lol! I’ll stick with my sundresses. Do you leave the suitcase behind too?

There aren't trays.

We've wondered why for years.

Lol this old dog learned that tip just 2 cruises ago, last Halloween.

The one a couple below it about putting your procured tray in the closet so room steward does not take it away while cleaning, is gold. Excellent idea!

 

[emoji924]️ Cruisin Trkrs [emoji597]

I didn’t think about hiding it but you’re right. Room steward would think he needed to take it away.

I agree we should be able to take 2 bottles. Also get double the points.

I don’t think OP was advocating being late to the point of holding up the show, just to be among the later. We’ve learned that as well. It also means you are among the first to leave. [emoji56]

 

 

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TrinaLC is right. I just meant bring up the rear. I would never hold anyone up. I know it’s a manditory maritime law, but I’ve been on ships where you get to stay in the comfy AC. If I have to be outside with 2500 other sweaty, semi drunk people, I would rather be in the front row with a little fresh air.

If you like Guy's, go over to Blue Iguana to get guacamole on your burger. Guac, Pico, Bacon, Chipotle Mayo is my favorite combo

I know it’s hard to believe, but I have never had a Guys burger😳. Maybe in October. Are there any “tortilla chips” to be found or will the Blue Iguana fry up a few tortillas to go?

I consider myself an experienced cruiser with 15 under my belt. I’ve recently read some tips I’ve never thought about. Like showing up last for the muster drill so you’re not the sardine in the middle of the can. Or ordering room service the first day and keeping the tray to use on lido. As a solo cruiser, this is a game changer so I don’t have to leave my food to fend for itself while I go get my teenie tiny cup of joe. Anyone else out there that’s an old dog who’s learned a new trick?

I’m not seeing it is there a special code

No code. I just went to the website.

Can I ask where you booked it, is it directly through Carnival? I have been waiting for this, can’t do $1000 deposit right now

I booked directly through the Carnival website. They usually don’t include Vista, Horizon, Alaska or Hawaii.

I'm not sure if it's advertised, but I just booked yet another vaca for December 2019 with $50.00 deposit and an on board credit!! Feeding the addiction, lol

Change up the menu in the MDR. It seems that every ship has the exact same menu for day 1, day 2, etc. A little creativity would be appreciated.

And if I can throw in #2, designate someone on each ship to be the Chair Hog Police to enforce their own rule about saving chairs. Start tagging them at 7am and make a lap every 40 minutes to actually remove belongings. You'd only have to do this till 10:00 or so when people will start actually staying in their chair.

I checked with the major social media site and nothing there either. I either have the whole ship to myself or they cancelled the sailing and I’m the only one who doesn’t know.

Several years ago I was on a very active Roll Call for the Breeze. I now have 2 sailings booked and there is a virtually nonexistent one for October and there isn’t even one set up for February. Does anyone still try to meet people on a roll call before their sailing?

From the pictures of them on Carnival's website, it looks like they range from $5.00 to $20.00.

That's good news. Finally something on the ship that isn't overpriced.

Are the prices for the lottery tickets outrageous like the bingo cards are?

Better prices for solo cruisers....at least once in a while...

 

I got hooked on Carnival in 2014 when I sailed on Splendor from NY and went 5X that year....$500 for a balcony for 8 days.

 

I'll snag a good casino offer every so often and pay port charges only but would love to see some more offers like the original ones that got me hooked in the first place....LOL

I would love to see solo cabins or no single supplement. If they can’t or won’t do that, give us twice the VIP points for paying double.