Boy have I got questions for you???

[blnorman]

Okay... . I know "Have Fun" and "Relax" are the top to things to do on any cruise, but outside of those two things what are some things that most people tend to forget to do?

 

First timers here and cruising on the fascination and we have anytime dining.

 

What are some things I need to make note of to do once I board, or after we are on the cruise?

 

I have read things about getting playing cards from guest services, and I read something about Fish & Chips on embarkation (not sure if this applies to my ship though), etc.

 

Room service pros and cons? It is included - so I can order if needed correct? Of course I need to make sure to tip the room steward so I need to bring some dollar bills to provide tips.

 

I also seen post mentioning MDR? That is Main Dining Room - I suppose?

 

Bring the wine and the 12 pack sodas in my carry on luggage correct? Which also makes me what to ask what other little snacks to people bring on? I know i will bring some gum, but what other little snacks are great to just have in your room? I can bring bottled water too right? Do i need to leave the water and drinks in the package they come in or break them down so they fit into my carry-on luggage?

 

I want to get some things from my local dollar store to decorate our room and the door. What can i get that will easily come off the door?

 

Come one .. .I know you have suggestions!!!! Give um to me!!!

[irishnyc]

Room service is just cold items like sandwiches, cereal, cake. No hot meals. Yes, you should tip cash for that.

 

You can carry on one bottle of wine per adult over 21, and 12 sodas or water total per person. Bring whatever snacks you like. There are no chips/pretzels on board (unless you order a sandwich from room service - they come with chips).

[Bunkie103]

You're trying too hard! Sounds like you have nailed most things already. There is no charge for room service and you already have $1s for a tip. As far as snacks we sometimes bring some chips or pretzels or maybe some nuts because those are things you don't usually see.

 

When I decorate my door I use regular scotch tape made into a little circle because it doesn't leave residue on the door.

 

Be open to trying new things including new items on the menu because if you don't like them you can ask for something else and that doesn't happen in any restaurant.

 

Relax and have fun!

[WELDON]

I like to go find my cabin once it is ready and to drop off my carry on bags. I also try to meet my cabin steward. Since you have never been on a Carnival ship, you can look for the theater, MDR, buffet, pool area (that's where the action is) and just walk around the ship to get your bearings.

 

For snacks, you can take cans of nuts, candy, dried fruit, goldfish crackers, prepackaged snacks in case you want to take them off the ship when you go ashore.

[mzloolue]

We have never needed snacks for the cabin, but it is good to have some things to take on excursions or for emergencies.

You will not want to take large packages onshore as you may not be allowed to bring the extra back with you.

 

They are probably going to shake all your water bottles, so it does not really matter if they are in the case or not.

 

I noticed on one trip that they had a whole bin of confiscated water bottles that did not contain water.

Apparently a lot of people don't get that they actually do check.

If I was trying to smuggle booze in a water bottle, I would not put it in my carryon bag.

Edited October 6, 2014 by mzloolue

[Mutumbojimbo]

I'd leave water and soda in the original packages, if at all possible. Port security will probably look at everything loose, but in my experience, has not bothered with bottles that are in the original packaging. I've never brought snacks, but I would go for small individually wrapped items.

 

 

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[Herbaltees]

I bring little snack packs of granola bars, raisins or nuts. I carry 2-3 in my bag as we go to port as a little snack, JIC.

 

Some other little things I pack are shower shoes, a poncho/umbrella, & little bottle of wrinkle release. (the line to use the iron can be long on formal night).

[blnorman]

Awesome guys - great tip about the chips. Love me some Doritos Cheez its!!

 

 

This is helpful.

[golfadj]

Awesome guys - great tip about the chips. Love me some Doritos Cheez its!!

 

 

This is helpful.

 

and most importantly have a great cruise:):):)

[pjhootch]

#1 in my book:

 

Don't over pack or try to bring something to cover every possible situation you might encounter. :-) It can cause anxiety.

 

A small selection of over the counter meds is good to have. (headache, diarrhea, whatever you may be prone to). Those are expensive on board if needed. Same with sunscreen.

 

But really, anything you need can be purchased either on the ship or in a port so try to keep it simple.

[092306]

Bring a power strip or multi outlet as there is only one outlet in the cabin. Also, bring a night light, it gets very dark at night. As for the door, we use fun tak and it doesn't leave marks on the door. Also I believe those window gel-like decals stick to the door and easily peel off. Enjoy your cruise!

[topguy]

I always pick up one of those 2 for a $1 cheap ponchos and take with me. It saved the day in Greece.

[serene56]

Cabin stewards are off duty from 1pm til 5pm.

and 11pm til 6am

 

if you need something use a note-- leave it on the mirror or on the bed

Edited October 6, 2014 by serene56

[grandmacani]

I take a few clothes pins to hang wet suits on the in shower clothes line. For door decorations I found that command strips work great. They sell just the strips without the hooks. Comes off in a snap. Have fun.

[Karebear98]

You will have great time I loved the Fascination already booked it again lol its so close to my home...15 mins to port! :D:p

My advise is relax don't try to do everything the 1st day also anytime dining is good we didn't have that last time late night and didn't work out for us so you've done right also tip tip tip it makes you experience beautiful trust me!!!

Enjoy!!!!

 

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[GaMtnMom]

Looks like you have gotten some great answers so far! To add my 2 cents:

 

Room Service - We use this for coffee and a danish in the morning while we are getting ready. They have the tags to mark and hang on your door the night before. You select what you want and indicate the time you want it delivered and they are usually pretty prompt.

 

You can also call and order sandwiches and cookies, cake etc any time. There should be a room service menu in the cabin.

 

We always usually head to lido after we board (if cabins aren't ready yet) and grab some lunch. In addition to the buffet most ships have other options like a grill or Guy's burgers, deli, pizza, mongolian wok, fish and chips or itallian. After lunch we go drop our carry-ons in the cabin and walk all over the ship and explore.

 

There will be waiters walking around with trays of "welcome aboard" drinks. This is a great way to start your cruise - just know that you will be charged for them.

 

Most importantly - go with the flow, don't let little things bother you and have a WONDERFUL time! Hopefully it will be the first of many cruises.

[Aunt Sue]

I bring a hilighter to mark things we want to do on the daily schedule. One time I forgot a hilighter so I asked the steward and he brought me one without mentioning a cost. Then I see later I was charged several dollars so, like the poster said above about welcome drinks, not everything is free! yes nite light is good idea and I bring a few extra hangers and sunscreen. ladies don't forget a small evening bag for just your seacard and a lipstick! but don't overpack - at sea days you may be wearing your swimsuit a lot and you won't need as many outfits as you think. I always seem to have too many tshirts/tops - don't be afraid to wear them more than once if not dirty - no one will notice. have fun! :cool:

[Honolulu Blue]

A few things of note:

 

* I'm not sure if you can still get cards from Guest Services for free, but you can get used cards from the casino for a buck a pack.

 

* Fish and Chips, if available (not all ships have it), is on the deck above the main buffet.

 

* The biggest con to room service, IMHO, is that the menu is limited. I usually find it's worth my while to head to Lido deck or the MDR to eat, because there is better food there. And the exercise doesn't hurt either. Your mileage may vary.

 

* MDR=Main Dining Room. There's actually more than one - they're often split into two floors with separate entrances for each floor, and besides that there are separate rooms midship and aft. The correct name and location will be printed on your Sail & Sign card.

 

* One piece of advice is to be careful with that Sail & Sign card. It's not only the key to your room, it also functions as a charge card on the ship.

 

* Your cabin door is metal, so magnets work very well as decorations.

[Karebear98]

No fish n chips but the wok is good go embarkation day to avoid the lines rest of the cruise also if you order room service order cheesecake or chocolate cake :)

Also the pool & hot tubs are less populated on port days we liked coming back early & relaxing port days

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[Remus2010]

BLT & chocolate cake from room service are very good. Also coffee and Danishes in the morning, sitting on my balcony watching the sun come up is my happy thought through out the rest of the year. Have a great time and DON'T try to do everything, find time to relax.

 

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[cruisefirsttimer24]

Has anyone ever brought walkie talkies on board? We have a 12 yo and would like to be able to communicate with them if they leave the kids club.

 

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[Davey Wavey]

Don't forget to wave goodbye to all the poor wretches watching you pull away. Standing high on the ship looking down on creation, it's a rare time it is totally okay to feel smug and superior.

 

And don't forget to not look back when you have to leave the ship. There will surely be some smug superior troll waving at you from the top of the ship.

[Swampbaby]

Has anyone ever brought walkie talkies on board? We have a 12 yo and would like to be able to communicate with them if they leave the kids club.

 

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They do but I will let you know the squawking away of them is annoying to others.

[adriennerm]

Don't forget to pack a mini emergency kit. Items like Aspirin, Tylenol and Pepto Bismol are expensive on the ship. Also, and don't laugh at me, do go to the Sail Away party. It's a lot of fun.

 

On my first cruise we missed it. We were so excited to be on a cruise that we went exploring immediately after the Muster Drill. We didn't even know there was a party up on the lido deck. :o It wasn't until my second cruise that I went. It was a lot of fun.

[bsw620]

Bring a watch, I never wear one and use my cell phone but out to sea your cell phone changes time and will not stay on ship time.