Boy have I got questions for you???

[Ehpride]

You may want to bring an alarm clock (battery operated) although you can also set a wake up call on the phone.

 

 

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[vamartha]

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. Congrats on your first cruise! You will have a blast, as long as you remember the two things you started out with - Have Fun and Relax!! :D

 

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. There are no cons to Room Service! Highly recommend the chocolate cake!! And, yes, a couple of dollars to your server every time!

 

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? We leave them in the package inside our carry-ons. They will most likely open them anyway and it is hard as heck to juggle the packages once they have been opened! Either way is fine really!

 

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? It isn't so much the items themselves but the way you attach them. We try and use command strips so they come off with no mess or aggravation to the Room Stewards.

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

 

Couple of small chip clip thingys for the shower curtain. Makes it stay on the floor and not tend to ride up.

[babsee101]

Someone may have already mentioned this but a cheap plastic over the door shoe holder comes in very handy for storing and organizing all your small stuff.

 

There is nothing like your first cruise. Have a blast! :)

[Sqwii]

Be specific when ordering condiments with room service (ex. 3 creamers, 2 jelly etc) especially for breakfast.

[Anyislandwilldo]

I always bring a thank you card along with us and stick some extra cash in the card at the end of the cruise for our cabin steward. Then I write a very long thank you on how appriciative I am of their service. It's so nice to have a clean room all the time and someone to turn down my bed everyday. It's my way of saying an extra thank you for the hard work they do.

 

Stop at the back drops and have your pictures taken. You are not required to buy any photos but you may end up with a very nice portait to display in your home.

 

Have a great cruise!

[blnorman]

Okay Ladies and Gents –

I have one another question: What is the Sail Away party and where is it located?

Here is a simplified list of the collected material so who ever may read this post later may not have to read every single post. Everyone I really appreciate your tips and advice. It’s people like you who make the cruising planning experience a little more enjoyable.

- Brings ones and fives to tip the room stewards

- Bring scotch tape or 3m strips, or fun tak, window gel-like decals if decorating the door

- Try to meet your cabin steward once boarded

- Bottle water (make sure it’s the correct size requirements)

- Shower shoes, a poncho/umbrella, & little bottle of wrinkle release.

- Small selection of over the counter meds (headache, diarrhea, etc)

- Power strip or multi outlet, night light

- 2 for a $1 cheap ponchos

- Few clothes pins to hang wet suits on the in shower clothes line.

- Highlighter to mark things we want to do on the daily schedule.

- Ladies don't forget a small evening bag for just your sea card and a lipstick!

- Bring a few extra hangers and sunscreen.

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

Snack list can be cans of nuts, candy, dried fruit, goldfish crackers, granola bars, chips, crackers, raisins, prepackaged snacks in case you want to take them off the ship when you go ashore.

 

Other tips for a great cruise experience are:

1. Relax, have fun, and don’t try to do everything- it’s a vacation. Remember that!!

2. BLT & chocolate cake from room service are very good.

3. Order room service order cheesecake or chocolate cake.

4. Pool & hot tubs are less populated on port days

5. Go to fish n chips (if available)or the wok go embarkation day

6. Get cards from Guest Services for free if available, or you can get used cards from the casino for a buck a pack

7. Sea days you may be wearing your swimsuit a lot and you won't need as many outfits as you think.

8. Head to lido after you board and grab some lunch.

9. 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.

10. For coffee and a danish in the morning 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.

11. Cabin stewards are off duty from 1pm til 5pm and 11pm til 6am

12. Meds can be expensive if purchased on board if needed.

13. They are probably going to shake all your water bottles If I was trying to smuggle booze in a water bottle, I would not put it in my carryon bag.

14. Room service is just cold items like sandwiches, cereal, cake. No hot meals.

 

Interesting Fact: There are no chips/pretzels on board (unless you order a sandwich from room service - they come with chips).

[travler27]

Turn off your cell phone. I've heard horror stories about roaming charges.

 

If you order room service over the phone it can take as much as an hour for delivery. Use the hang tag and you get it right on schedule.

 

We always over pack but what the heck. We drive to the port so we never even have to handle our baggage once we load it in the car at the house. If you fly I guess that could be a problem.

 

Get a room with a balcony.

[cruisefirsttimer24]

Our first cruise we brought all the remedies we could find for sea sickness but nothing did the trick. My wife went to the cs desk and they sold her something at 2.50 a pill that was great. Our second cruise we found the same stuff at target from the pharmacist at target for 3.00 a pack of 8. Can't remember the name but it was behind the counter.

 

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[MotheringInstinct]

Thanks for all the great advice!!!! October 26 is our first cruise!!!

[Terre]

Most everything I would suggest has already been mentioned. Being a first time cruiser, I would (after lunch) find all the necessary places, dining room, theater, lounges, etc. The BLTs from room service are very good. I don't think you will need snacks as pizza is available 24 hours and room service is always an option, and trust me, you won't go hungry. You may want snacks if you're flying or driving to the port, but once on board, you won't need snacks.

 

One tip I like to give, especially to the ladies, is that you can shower in the spa for free, so find the spa. The showers are larger than the ones in the cabins and the towels are usually larger and softer.

 

After this cruise, make a packing list for future cruises because you will be addicted.

 

Have a great time, see everything, try everything and eat everything! Write a review when you get back.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Terre

[sewut]

When you first board and every night at turndown the room steward will leave a Carnival Fun Times on your bed. This tells you what's going on when and where and how to dress for dinner. There is a tear off portion that you can take with you.

There are numerous papers and advertisements included with the Fun Times. Look carefully through these the first day. One of them is the Room Service Menu. Keep that handy for ordering. We keep it by the phone.

I don't use a purse on a cruise, except for a small evening purse. Most people do not lug a big purse around. I just wear a lanyard for my sail & sign card. I have a small drawstring backpack that I use for camera, sunscreen and other essentials.

Turn off your cellphone and lock it in the safe. You don't want a hefty phone bill when you get home. Like a previous poster said, don't rely on it for a watch while in port, it will automatically change to the timezone of the port and you might miss the ship when she leaves. Ship time stays the same on short cruises.

Try different things in the MDR. If you don't like it, ask for something else. This is the time to try new things without having to pay for it.

Have a great first cruise!

[Cruise life]

Going on a cruise is kind of like Christmas...the potential is there to spend, eat and drink way too much and then regret it later. Over the years we have learned to budget and not gorge (including alcohol) ourselves to avoid a surprisingly large bill on our S&S card and heartburn every evening, not to mention the scale numbers going off the charts when we get back home. Yes, we spend, eat and drink more than usual, but we are mindful not to let it become an issue at any time. Showing some restraint with your S&S card, meals and bar tab is what I recommend you do while having all that fun! If you do this, you may find you take more cruises;)

 

 

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[cruse2loose]

take a tervis tumbler, or lidded coffee mug for more coffee or lemonade as their cups are small. Also take small sewing kit if something rips or needs repair. I also take a picture of the towel animal each night with the Fun Times showing, so I can keep up with date and location of where the pictures were taken.Things get confusing on a cruise :) Enjoy

[GeorgiaMomof4]

First of all let me say you've picked a wonderful ship for your first cruise! We sailed the Fascination this past February and it's one of our favorites so far.

 

The Fascination has some of the best crew that we have encountered and they are there to give you a wonderful vacation. Don't hesitate to ask them if you need anything.

 

You've received many great tips here and I don't know that I can think of any others to add except this -

 

If you've read reviews here and some were on the negative side - take them with a grain of salt. This is your vacation and it will be what you make of it so go with an open mind and then decide for yourself.

 

Also, try something you wouldn't normally do at home - slide down the slide, do some line dancing - have fun - no one will know you and you'll never have to worry about seeing any of those people again.

 

If you're a drinker - try a Kiss on the Lips one time - you'll want another one after!

 

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

[mosaic_mom]

Don't overpack and take too much. For those little things like Tylenol or bandaids, go to Walmart and check out the little sample rack and get the tiny versions of some of these things. Like others have said, it's expensive onboard.

 

If you are taking a camera, be sure and take extra SD cards, extra batteries and/or charger.

[tandemcruzr]

Our first cruise we brought all the remedies we could find for sea sickness but nothing did the trick. My wife went to the cs desk and they sold her something at 2.50 a pill that was great. Our second cruise we found the same stuff at target from the pharmacist at target for 3.00 a pack of 8. Can't remember the name but it was behind the counter.

 

Over the counter is Meclizine (it may make you drowsy.)

Edited October 8, 2014 by tandemcruzr

[cruisefirsttimer24]

If you are driving to the port and want to park your car at the ship then you should stay in Titusville. We always stay at the Fairfield and get a 40% off port parking coupon.

 

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[onebzemom]

M & M's peanuts are my choice of snacks. It's got the crunch, the salty and the chocolate. Satisfies all my cravings. I pour some in the wine glasses supplied in the room. Instant candy dish.

 

I also bring some protein or granola bars for a quick hunger headache cure when I go off the ship.