Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about #2

[WagonPower85]

Thank you for restarting a new thread. The old was was too long and out dated.

 

The thread evolved from "Carnival Secrets" to alos include tips and ideas from seasoned cruisers. I found those actually more helpful than the "Carnival Secrets"

 

Heres one i started doing on my last cruise. With Digital cameras, we all end up taking hundreds of pictures. My problem was that after the cruise when I got home, I would go through my pics and have a hard time remembering where a pic was taken, when, and what it was!

 

So now each morning, before I leave the cabin, I take a picture of the front page of the Fun Times. It has the date and port of call on it. I now know that every pic taken after that one is in sucn and such port and taken on such and such date. Makes organizing our photo albums much easier.

 

Great tip. On my last cruise I would spend the time to transfer all the pictures from the day over to my computer.

[WiCruiseDreamer]

Thank you for restarting a new thread. The old was was too long and out dated.

 

The thread evolved from "Carnival Secrets" to alos include tips and ideas from seasoned cruisers. I found those actually more helpful than the "Carnival Secrets"

 

Heres one i started doing on my last cruise. With Digital cameras, we all end up taking hundreds of pictures. My problem was that after the cruise when I got home, I would go through my pics and have a hard time remembering where a pic was taken, when, and what it was!

 

So now each morning, before I leave the cabin, I take a picture of the front page of the Fun Times. It has the date and port of call on it. I now know that every pic taken after that one is in sucn and such port and taken on such and such date. Makes organizing our photo albums much easier.

 

Great idea. I have printed out papers that would state the date, day of cruise and port or location, but taking a pic of the Fun times is so much better.

[OnePsychLynne]

Not sure if I missed it already typed here, but you can get free Carnival branded playing cards at the Guest Services desk :) No need to buy them at the gift shop!

[Zoedokey]

Not sure if I missed it already typed here, but you can get free Carnival branded playing cards at the Guest Services desk :) No need to buy them at the gift shop!

 

Not always, they do tend to run out quickly.

[pinkmaija]

On our last cruise they did not take the booze we bought at one port - it really depends who is at the re-entry!:)

 

Exactly! :)

[pinkmaija]

Great idea. I have printed out papers that would state the date, day of cruise and port or location, but taking a pic of the Fun times is so much better.

 

Here's another way to do it - not sure if CCL does this (RCCL does) but on the last 2 cruises we were on, every day they changed a sign in the floor (really articulate, aren't I?) - it was like a stone inlaid in the elevator - that had the day of the week on it. So, we'd take a pic of that. :D

[caro1998]

The best tip I learned from the past thread was to go to the spa to take a shower. They are much bigger and some boats have rain shower heads, some have 5 shower heads and it is sooo much nicer than in the stateroom. Every cruise I go to the spa for a nice hot, comfortable shower. :)

YES!!!!!!! Best advice I ever took for cruising! I also love this thread.

[cruiserabcxyz123]

 

Heres one i started doing on my last cruise. With Digital cameras, we all end up taking hundreds of pictures. My problem was that after the cruise when I got home, I would go through my pics and have a hard time remembering where a pic was taken, when, and what it was!

 

So now each morning, before I leave the cabin, I take a picture of the front page of the Fun Times. It has the date and port of call on it. I now know that every pic taken after that one is in sucn and such port and taken on such and such date. Makes organizing our photo albums much easier.

 

Love this idea!!

[bluekrush]

Regarding those of you mentioning the idea of bringing alcohol from the ports...

 

So when you come back from a port, the ship personnel go through your bags? Like customs?

Edited July 3, 2012 by bluekrush

[firefly333]

So when you come back from a port, the ship personnel go through your bags? Like customs?

 

No, not usually. Its usually just laid on the conveyor belt and goes thru the xray machine. .. comes out the other end. They can tell by the shape of the bottle what it was .. lmao .. said go take your tequila over to the check in table.

 

PS here is my secret. Buy TWO bottles of whatever .. and when you go over to the check in table .. just pull one out. They wouldnt check. .. then you have one bottle left in your bag, you just take to your cabin.

Edited July 3, 2012 by firefly333

[waiting4acruise]

No, not usually. Its usually just laid on the conveyor belt and goes thru the xray machine. .. comes out the other end. They can tell by the shape of the bottle what it was .. lmao .. said go take your tequila over to the check in table.

 

PS here is my secret. Buy TWO bottles of whatever .. and when you go over to the check in table .. just pull one out. They wouldnt check. .. then you have one bottle left in your bag, you just take to your cabin.

That is a good idea.

 

Of course you can just walk past that table and go straight to the elevator until they catch you.

[w53097]

Some of my favorites tips I have learned from Cruise Critic over the years:

 

• You are allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine per person and up to 12 20oz sodas on board in your carry on (saved me $$$)
  
• If you don't want to smuggle liquor and risk the embarrassment of getting caught, buy a bottle of liquor from the Bon Voyage dept before you set sail (I heard room service is an option too)
  
• You can order multiple entrees, including several lobster tails
  
• Search CC for shore excursion discount codes if you want book them in advance...I have saved 10-20%, still not as cheap as booking it independently yourself but you will always be refunding if ports change/get cancelled and you are guaranteed the ship will not will not leave without you
  
• Take advantage of the Future Cruise Certificates..an easy way to double you money!
  

Edited July 4, 2012 by w53097

[the_monkey]

So now each morning, before I leave the cabin, I take a picture of the front page of the Fun Times. It has the date and port of call on it. I now know that every pic taken after that one is in sucn and such port and taken on such and such date. Makes organizing our photo albums much easier.

 

Also make sure the date is set up correctly. All of the photos from our last cruise are a day ahead. :confused:

 

In a similar vein - and not just for cruising, might I add - take a clear picture of your name, address and phone number, and leave that as a photo on your camera. That way, if you lose it, your contact information will be right there on the camera, and with any luck it will make it easier to get your camera back. (If you switch memory cards, make sure you do it on each card.)

[firefly333]

That is a good idea.

 

Of course you can just walk past that table and go straight to the elevator until they catch you.

 

I've done that twice, shhhh.

 

Hi ya.

 

I also walked on with 5 airline sized bottles of rum creme they didnt even say I needed to check, as have others. Airline size bottles cost more of course for what you get, but unless things have changed, they dont bother with asking you to check these little bottles.

[Tiffany18]

Can anyone use the spa showers? even if you don't purchase anything there?

[bzpilot]

Can anyone use the spa showers? even if you don't purchase anything there?

 

Yes

[trizzou]

If you drop your fork on the floor, the waitstaff will bring you a clean one at no charge.

 

At least, this was the case in the MDR on Sensation for lunch. I cannot vouch for this practice on other ships, venues, or times.

 

Does this go for spoons too? I'm trying to figure out how many spoons to pack :rolleyes:

[lgbteacher]

I always take a battery operated alarm clock. I like to see what time it is if I wake up in the night. I know weird. I also take a large cup or mug to put coffee in. I hate those little cups and I have to go refill too often. I also use it for tea or to mix adult beverages in while sitting looking at the ocean. Last cruise I used it on an all inclusive excursion. They have the smallest cups ever at those places.

[RedbirdFL]

Fill a coffee mug with soft serve ice cream, then fill it with coffee. You have a yummy, free frappucino-type drink.

[SmogMonster]

Also make sure the date is set up correctly. All of the photos from our last cruise are a day ahead. :confused:

 

In a similar vein - and not just for cruising, might I add - take a clear picture of your name, address and phone number, and leave that as a photo on your camera. That way, if you lose it, your contact information will be right there on the camera, and with any luck it will make it easier to get your camera back. (If you switch memory cards, make sure you do it on each card.)

 

I like this idea too. Doesnt guarnatee you will get your camera back but it cant hurt!

[kew1031]

On the Magic, instead of going to the Lido buffet for lunch when you board, go up to Cocina del Capitano, the Italian restaurant. There will be very few people there. Lunch is free, there is a $12 charge for dinner.

 

or else the place will be packed when we board on 9/30:D

Hopefully, all the NON-Cruise Critic passengers will be clueless and it will be M-T!!:D

[karenh1127]

I am about to sail on my 11th cruise and these are my favorite tips.

1. My son gets a soda card (sticker) but doesnt want to haul around the endless bubbles glass you can purchase so I get it. It is alot cheaper than the ones in the gift shop.

2. I am an iced tea snob and not crazy about the lido tea. So I bring my own tea bags (Tazo) and make hot tea, then pour it over ice in my endless bubbles glass. If your not picky about tea brand, they have lipton tea bags in a box near the hot water dispenser in the buffet area.

3. We pack a simple hole punch in our carry-on and bring our own lanyards. While waiting to board we punch our S&S cards and usually everyone sitting around us...lol

[Musky Ike]

Thank you for restarting a new thread. The old was was too long and out dated.

 

The thread evolved from "Carnival Secrets" to also include tips and ideas from seasoned cruisers. I found those actually more helpful than the "Carnival Secrets"

 

Heres one i started doing on my last cruise. With Digital cameras, we all end up taking hundreds of pictures. My problem was that after the cruise when I got home, I would go through my pics and have a hard time remembering where a pic was taken, when, and what it was!

 

So now each morning, before I leave the cabin, I take a picture of the front page of the Fun Times. It has the date and port of call on it. I now know that every pic taken after that one is in such and such port and taken on such and such date. Makes organizing our photo albums much easier.

 

Great idea! I have been bringing them home, but taking a pic seems so much easier. Why didn't I think of that. Gotta love CC!

[TampaCouplePDB]

Fill a coffee mug with soft serve ice cream, then fill it with coffee. You have a yummy, free frappucino-type drink.

 

Great idea.

 

We ordered two bottles of liquor before boarding... vodka and irish cream. We would add either one to our coffee, add vodka to our soda/lemonade/tea/etc. Saved us a bundle on bar bills and made for great evening drinks on our balcony. Or early morning pick-me-ups after said late night drinks.

[Ducktape003]

3. We pack a simple hole punch in our carry-on and bring our own lanyards. While waiting to board we punch our S&S cards and usually everyone sitting around us...lol

 

You can go to the casino cashier and they will punch a hole in your card. They will also give you a lanyard.