Please Help!!!!! A 1st Timer With ????'s

[SPANKY79]

Okay I have been at work trying to get as much info as possible for my first cruise---------and boy is my brain overloaded:eek: I seem to have all kind of questions in my head that I don't know where to start.......so here goes! FIRST-about the s and s card do you have to use a credit card as a "deposit holder" or can you use cash?! I was planning on using my debit card, but I have read where there may be a problem with that method. (Anybody out there who has/hasn't used a debit card I would greatly appreciate you sharing your experience!) SECOND- Is there a limit to the size of your luggage even if we aren't flying?!? We are leaving July 21st on Carnivals Ecstasy and just driving down to Galveston the day before. THIRD- Where does everybody keep their money, id and ss card while out on excursions?! We are only planning on hanging out at a beach and doing some shopping while in Cozumel but I don't really want to have me or DH watching our stuff while the other is splashing in the water;) Also while in Cozumel should we bring some shorts and tees to put on over our swimsuits or go back to the ship and change?! We are only in port from i think 9am to 5pm and I want to make the most of my time:) Fourth or Fifth ( I'm beginning to lose count here) What are some must haves/ convient things that I shouldn't leave home without?! I've read alot of threads so I know about the basics but I was just wondering if there was anything that made you say Aaha I'm glad i brought-----------! Well since it is almost 4 am I suppose I should get back to work:rolleyes: Hopefully I will get alot of replies Thanks in Advance:)

[Big Al B.]

You can use a credit card, debit card, or cash to back up your sign and sail card. I have read of some people having no trouble using a debit card, but others have said that the "hold" the bank put on a portion of their card lasted a while. I personally have always used my credit card.

 

Check on Carnival's website for luggage requirements. A lot of lines will state you are limited to 200 pounds per person :). Also you have to put the luggage somewhere (usually under the bed), so keep that in mind (there is a lot of room under bed amazingly).

 

You can buy waterproof pouches that you wear like a fanny pack or there are waterproof containers that hang around your neck. I know there is a thread on this subject that is very recent with places to buy these things. I got my first one on an RCI cruise and also one from Magellan's.

 

Wearing something over DRY swimsuits is a good idea, but I don't know how comfortable it would be over wet ones :). I think it would depend on what beach you visit as to whether there would be changing facilities or not.

[ROCruiser]

We went on the Carnival Elation last year, they had a safe inside the closet. You just use your s/s card to open or close it.

 

I don't think you want to go back to the ship and change. We thought about doing that last year and went shopping first. After we went back to the ship nobody wanted to go back out again.

[Nliedel]

Cash works. I do it all the time. The debit card is a bad idea for the reasons the poster mentioned above.

 

I keep it all in the safe and am happy with that arrangement.

[CaptData]

If you use the cash method, you will need to make a deposit as soon as you board (Front Desk/Purser's Desk). Phone to find out the amount you need to deposit per person. (usually around $200.00 - $250.00). The credit card is a security, you can go after and pay it off with cash or debit card.

 

 

Water wallets are available on line or at Wal-mart. You can also buy them on board for about $5.00. They are large enough for your Sign and Sail card, a credit card and some money.

 

Bring a underwater camera. Bring a smile and a good attitude. Yes, something will go wrong but you can get around it if you think.

[Lou_70]

The great thing about the sail and sign card is that it can fit into a small pocket in your swimsuit and does not matter if it gets wet. Yes most cruise ships have safes in the room that only open with either a key from the front office or your sail and sign card. DO NOT OVER PACK. Bring a couple suits so one can dry while you wear the other one. One dress for formal nights (or suit) no one will notice you wore it twice. 3 pairs of shoes, one formal, one confortable and flip flops. Believe it or not you might want to bring a sweatshirt or sweater cause it is a little chilly at night.

 

Best advise I can give you is bring SOFT toilet tissue and baby wipes because the cruise lines tissue can chaffe you up major,especially after the TONS of eating you will do.

 

Bring some of that spray wrinkle remover, your favorate conditioner and shampoo (they have some but prolly not what you use). IF you can pack a smaller suitcase and put it in a larger one so you will have an extra suitcase for trinkets and liquor.

 

Bring about 200 in cash anything else in travellers checks or credit card. All the islands take cash or credit (unless it is a little outdoor shop, then cash or travelers checks). Keep it simple, go on the cruise to relax and have fun.

 

suggested itenary

 

day one drink until you cannot walk

day two repeat

[LV2COOK]

My luxury item is always a big coffee cup with a lid aka "my sippy" it is fabulous if you are an early riser and enjoy coffee, the ships cups are the size of a thimble. Later in the day it can hold ice tea sitting by the pool or even a bootleg adult beverage. We use those water wallets you can wear around your neck everywhere, you can buy one on the ship and Carnival has the best, it will hold your SS card, a credit card and a small amount of cash when you leave the ship. Hope this helps.

[BEAUFOEHEAD]

Ihave always used travelers checks, that is the safe way to go. Bring a bottle of dewrinkle, it comes in handy

[SPANKY79]

Thanks everybody for the info. I'm going to Walmart tomorrow (or i should say later today ) to get those waterproof wallets! I'm still debating over whether to use cash or my debit card:confused: Perhaps I'll call my bank and see if they have any idea how long it would take to reverse a hold on my funds. If anybody else has any advice feel free to drop a couple lines, I'll be checking back often!:)

[okiemom]

Don't worry about the debit card. Just call your bank and let them know you are traveling and they need to up your limit for the days you will be gone. Don't worry too much about the little things. Everything will fall into place and you will have a great time. I would recommend bringing air freshner or matches for the bathroom. Trust me it will come in handy.:) Have a great time and enjoy your sailing!!! Let us know how things went when you return.

[MamaParrotHead]

1.) I put some money ahead of time on my S&S account (just calling the number given on the Carnival gift webpage) and that cut down a lot on worrying about expenses and how to pay them. Though upon check in, we gave them our debit card and had absolutely no problem with neither the charges, a "hold" put on the card, or an unreasonably long time before the charges actually went through.

 

2.) i don't know, we flew into port.

 

3.) we just put our things in a backpack for excursions. kept an eye peeled when we wanted to go in the water on the beach. don't waste time getting on and off the ship, most places we went to had more than adequate changing facilities.

 

4.) an alarm clock, $30 in $1 bills for tipping, a large backpack for excursions, band-aids.

[Happy ks]

Not knowing how long your cruise is, I will have to say, don't overpack. Most people do on their first cruise.

 

We have always opened our sail and sign account with a credit card, then settled with cash or travellers checks the last full day of the cruise. If there are any charges the last evening, we just let it ride on the card.

 

Please don't take the above advise regarding the toilet paper. The toilet paper isn't the greatest, yes, but a different TP may clog the plumbing system. When the plumbing system is clogged, it backs up into the cabin and not just the offenders cabin.

 

Leave home anything you have to question why you should take it along. Cruise ships are quite sophisticated and will provide most of what you need for the duration of your trip. We do take our own toiletries, some are provided, but not a good quality. If you care what your hair looks like and what you smell like, you need your own stuff. We do not take along cups, clocks, bungee cords, electric cords, night lights, highlighter pens, or many of the items you read about here. We have never had any use for most of the "junk" and it is a pleasure to travel light.

[SPANKY79]

Thanks again for the advice. We got our docs yesterday--so of course I'm doing that silly ole DOC DANCE (and will be until 7/21)!!:) --------By the way Happy KS we are going on a 4 day cruise, and I was figuring on about 2-3 outfits a day?!?:confused: 1 for hanging out, 1 for eating dinner in the dining room and maybe another outfit that could be worn twice( like for watching a show or playing in the casino) I have a BAD tendency to overpack and I'm really trying hard not too......But we will see......

[slomotion]

Spanky,

 

I think you're a female. right?

 

OK before you go (this goes for the DH as well) go through your wallet (DH goes through his as well and take out all but one or two credit cards, your drivers license, medical insurance card etc.

 

Leave your library card, extra credit cards, old photos etc. etc.

 

Then take the FEW things that you are actually taking with you and go to Kinkos or other copy joint, and place all of them face down on the glass and make two copies. Have the DH do the same. You hold one copy (take it with you), and give the other to the DH. Have the DH give you one of the copies he has made. Take the copies with you.

 

Take only what you will need to drive etc.

 

You both (everyone does) have a lot of stuff in your wallet that you do not need on your trip.

 

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[Lou_70]

Or just keep your important documents on you when you fly down, and put them in the safe when you get on board..

[celbercrz333]

Spanky,

Big AL B gave most of the answers that I would have given you. So here's some extras. I like to take a zippered pouch with a keyring on it and attach a wristband (telephone cord like springy kind is good). That way if you are only going up to dinner, up to the pool, etc. you don't always have to take a lot with you. A cellphone pouch with a wristholder works fine too. Keep in mind that your S&S card is probably your room key too. I like to buy a cheap watch from Walmart, KMart,etc. to wear in the ocean. I like it if it has an alarm on it because we are golfers and we needed to make our tee time while in Bermuda. We had to be up at 6 am. Yes, they do have a wake up call, but the alarm was what we wanted. I like to pack things in those space bags where you roll them up to get all the air out (not use a vacuum cleaner). I did find you can take more and if you are packing to go home and have a wet bathing suit, it will keep all the other clothes dry. A waterproof disposable camera might be better than taking an expensive one out to the beach. Hope I have given you some more to think about. 8-)

[LonW]

Here is a link to a printable list of items to take on cruise

 

http://www.geocities.com/Calgon1/UPL-2_Adults_Warm.html

[LonW]

Here is a link to a printable list of items to take on cruise

 

http://www.geocities.com/Calgon1/UPL-2_Adults_Warm.html

 

Cut and paste the list in to a program like Microsoft Word