A couple of planning questions

[koolkat327]

Hi all,

 

I am sailing on the Elation on July 31st & have been trying to read up.

 

I have cruised once before (well, really twice but the first boat caught on fire & our cruise was cut short after being stranded for two days at sea - but that's a story for another day). This was when I was a teen. Fast forward 15 years and I am finally going on another cruise. So, I basically consider myself a first timer as it has been a long time & I didn't do any of the planning the first time around.

 

Anywhoo, we are driving from Chattanooga to Mobile & hoping to get to the ship by noon. I have read that it is ok to bring some non-alcoholic drinks on board, so I was planning on bringing some bottles of Coke packed in my checked bag. Is this ok? I would prefer not to carry it on since I don't want to lug it around with me until we can get into our cabin.

 

Also, for carry-ons, are there any must bring things? I have read bathing suit, but is there any other must bring on items? I was not planning on carrying much on, but putting it in my checked bag.

 

Is there anything I should specifically carry on instead of putting in my checked bag?

 

Also, can someone brief me on bingo. I remember doing this with my mom & having a blast, but don't remember much else. Is it daily? What is the cost, what do you get (# of games/boards) & how long does the session last? Also, is their an age requirement to play?

 

Casino question - does anyone know anything about the Elation casino? I'm a penny slot player and am wondering if there is much in the way of penny slots and what type of penny slots they have. Is the casino open 24/7?

 

Did I see that there was a mini-golf course on the Elation? Is there a charge for this?

 

I think that is all the questions I have for now, but I know I will have more as I keep reading & prepping. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[firefly333]

You might read thru some of the threads (I saw one just yesterday) on what people carry on.

 

Non alchoholic drinks must be carried on (not in your checked luggage), same if you bring your allowed bottle of wine.

 

Ecstasy has mini golf way up on top, so Elation probably has it too.

 

I didnt find a way to play less than 16 cents on the 1 cent slots. I might not be the one to ask though ...

[Oompaland]

Hi all,

 

I am sailing on the Elation on July 31st & have been trying to read up.

 

I have cruised once before (well, really twice but the first boat caught on fire & our cruise was cut short after being stranded for two days at sea - but that's a story for another day). This was when I was a teen. Fast forward 15 years and I am finally going on another cruise. So, I basically consider myself a first timer as it has been a long time & I didn't do any of the planning the first time around.

 

Anywhoo, we are driving from Chattanooga to Mobile & hoping to get to the ship by noon. I have read that it is ok to bring some non-alcoholic drinks on board, so I was planning on bringing some bottles of Coke packed in my checked bag. Is this ok? I would prefer not to carry it on since I don't want to lug it around with me until we can get into our cabin.

 

Also, for carry-ons, are there any must bring things? I have read bathing suit, but is there any other must bring on items? I was not planning on carrying much on, but putting it in my checked bag. Sometimes your bags may not come until after dinner. I usually pack a sweater and a change of clothes plus swimsuit.

 

Is there anything I should specifically carry on instead of putting in my checked bag?

 

Also, can someone brief me on bingo. I remember doing this with my mom & having a blast, but don't remember much else. Is it daily? What is the cost, what do you get (# of games/boards) & how long does the session last? Also, is their an age requirement to play? It is very expensive for a few games. All games vary in price. We played last cruise $25 for 3 cards for 3 games and of course lost. :(

 

Casino question - does anyone know anything about the Elation casino? I'm a penny slot player and am wondering if there is much in the way of penny slots and what type of penny slots they have. Is the casino open 24/7? No, the casino is not open 24/7.

 

Did I see that there was a mini-golf course on the Elation? Is there a charge for this?

 

I think that is all the questions I have for now, but I know I will have more as I keep reading & prepping. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

Not much help...enjoy your cruise.

[mexicobob]

They sell Coke on the ship. Why do you want to being some with you from Tennessee? Not sure if I understand the logic there. You may save a little but for all that hassle it is not worth it.

Also.......if you smuggle something in your checked luggage and it breaks and leaks it will ruin everything in your luggage. Good and you deserve it. Unfortunately, it also leaks down and soaks everything below your luggage. The rest of us do not deserve this.

 

MexicoBob

[DALSAL]

I think all of your questions have been answered, so I will just say, the ship casino will NOT be open in port. I hope you enjoy your cruise!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Hi all,

 

I am sailing on the Elation on July 31st & have been trying to read up.

 

I have cruised once before (well, really twice but the first boat caught on fire & our cruise was cut short after being stranded for two days at sea - but that's a story for another day). This was when I was a teen. Fast forward 15 years and I am finally going on another cruise. So, I basically consider myself a first timer as it has been a long time & I didn't do any of the planning the first time around.

 

Anywhoo, we are driving from Chattanooga to Mobile & hoping to get to the ship by noon. I have read that it is ok to bring some non-alcoholic drinks on board, so I was planning on bringing some bottles of Coke packed in my checked bag. Is this ok? I would prefer not to carry it on since I don't want to lug it around with me until we can get into our cabin. We are no longer allowed to check our sodas or water. I think the new rules state that we can carry on a twelve pack of soda or water.

 

Also, for carry-ons, are there any must bring things? I have read bathing suit, but is there any other must bring on items? I was not planning on carrying much on, but putting it in my checked bag. Is there anything I should specifically carry on instead of putting in my checked bag? I always put medications and anything of value in my carry on bag.

 

Also, can someone brief me on bingo. I remember doing this with my mom & having a blast, but don't remember much else. Is it daily? What is the cost, what do you get (# of games/boards) & how long does the session last? Also, is their an age requirement to play?

 

Casino question - does anyone know anything about the Elation casino? I'm a penny slot player and am wondering if there is much in the way of penny slots and what type of penny slots they have. Is the casino open 24/7? I think it closed around 2 or 3 AM.

 

Did I see that there was a mini-golf course on the Elation? Is there a charge for this? Yes, there is a mini-golf course and there is no charge to play.

 

I think that is all the questions I have for now, but I know I will have more as I keep reading & prepping. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

I hope you have a great cruise. We had a really good time on the Elation.

[okwriter]

Don't bring a bunch of pennies for the slot machines. They will take currency (not coin) or you can play off your Sail & Sign card. Casino personnel will show you how to set up your account on board. It's very simple!

 

I can't remember how much bingo costs. You can buy one card, or it's cheaper to buy three cards. Each card (or group of cards) is good for that bingo session only. I *think* they have bingo every day. May be different on different ships, though.

 

ENJOY!

[SummerXU]

They sell Coke on the ship. Why do you want to being some with you from Tennessee? Not sure if I understand the logic there. You may save a little but for all that hassle it is not worth it.

Also.......if you smuggle something in your checked luggage and it breaks and leaks it will ruin everything in your luggage. Good and you deserve it. Unfortunately, it also leaks down and soaks everything below your luggage. The rest of us do not deserve this.

 

MexicoBob

 

Wow! A little judgmental there, don't ya think? Lots of people bring non alcoholic beverages on board with them. You really think it would be a hassle to put a 12 pack of Coke in your car before you leave TN and then carry it on to the ship? Doesn't sound like much of a hassle to me!

 

And the OP wasn't talking about "smuggling" anything onboard. She was simply asking whether it should be placed in her checked luggage or carry on luggage.

[Normal 1]

Regarding Bingo.....

 

There will be many opportunities to play. Prizes vary... Price is typically $20 for 3 cards. Sometimes play only 1 game...sometimes more. Free Cruise Bingo will be a single game. There may be a day where there are 1/2 price games. There may also be a day where they play 7 games ($20 for 3 cards used for 7 games in a row). Prizes for this are typically $100 per game. Warning.... If multiple people all get bingo on the same game....they will split the $100.....

 

I was fortunate to win twice on different days last March ($100 each time). I basically broke even (I was buying cards for my Daughter too). She 'almost' won $1,000 on the last night.... she needed just 1 number for 8-10 calls......someone else got it though!!!

 

Have fun. Play some bingo but realize it is pricey. The slots are reported to be very tight..... early on in the cruise is reported to be a bit better than later on.

[Propellor1969]

I always carry a 12 pack of coke for myself. Well, actually my pack-mule (aka my dbf) does. :) The only down side is carrying it through the line. But, if your carry-on has wheels the problem is solved. You're allowed one 12 pack of sodas per person.

[koolkat327]

And the OP wasn't talking about "smuggling" anything onboard. She was simply asking whether it should be placed in her checked luggage or carry on luggage.

 

That's exactly what I was trying to find out. I didn't know it made a difference. I can't find anything on Carnival's website concerning bringing on non-alcoholic drinks, and I would never have thought they should only be carried on, so I am glad I asked.

 

Thanks for all the responses to my questions - they really helped. I am bringing my 11 year old niece and she will think it is so cool to do all the different things for "free" like playing mini-golf and ordering room service. I also think she will really enjoy bingo (if she is old enough?) because I remember having such fun doing it with my mom. Just wanted to get an idea on price before I suggested it to her. I want to make sure to have my ducks in a row, as this is her first cruise.

[Propellor1969]

Aaah, that's so sweet of you to take your niece. I bet she will have a great time. I'm taking my 6 year old daughter next week. It's an all girl cruise--hopefully it will be fun for her, too.

[conchead]

They sell Coke on the ship. Why do you want to being some with you from Tennessee? Not sure if I understand the logic there. You may save a little but for all that hassle it is not worth it.

Also.......if you smuggle something in your checked luggage and it breaks and leaks it will ruin everything in your luggage. Good and you deserve it. Unfortunately, it also leaks down and soaks everything below your luggage. The rest of us do not deserve this.

 

MexicoBob

What the heck kind of response is that???:eek:

 

The OP was asking a legit question.

Nothing was mentioned about smuggling.

 

 

To the OP..Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I hope your future visits will be much nicer.;)

[drivemecrazy]

We always bring a 12 pack of diet dr pepper and 12 pack of diet coke. We just put it in our rolling carryon bag along with meds, cameras and other valubles. We also pack a small soft side ice chest and have the room steward fill it with ice everyday. Lots of fun free stuff to do with kids. Mini golf, shuffle board, b-ball, ping pong etc. Have fun!