Carnival Sercrets

[TXRed]

We are going on our first Carnival cruise in 10 years.....booked the Conquest for March 2006.....what are the Carnival "Secrets" we needs to know before we go? and while sailing?......freebies? don't do's? must do's? and didyaknow's? ;- ) What do you take that you would be lost without? How 'formal' are the formal nights? LOL...TELL ME ALL!!! BIG QUESTION - how's the coffee? ;-) TIA

[cheshyrkat]

Try this link...It's got tons of stuff!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=48388&highlight=secrets

[LRene]

Lots of info on here about the coffee too but in a nutshell - it stinks except for the coffee bar(s) on the ship. Prices about the same as Starbucks.

[Cotton]

quote=TXRed.......

 

freebies?

Comp champagne at the art auctions

Ship's postcards at the purser's desk

Carnival logo playing cards at purser's desk

Lanyard from the casino

Cappuccino and espresso w/meals in formal dining room

 

don't do's?

Don't bring an iron, heating pad, or candles for your cabin - not allowed and huge fire/electrical hazards.There are passenger laundry rooms if you need to iron.

 

must do's?

Don't miss either of the big production shows in the main showlounge. Also the Captain's Welcome Aboard Party

Tea time in the afternoons of sea days are nice.

 

What do you take that you would be lost without?

An alarm clock with a lighted dial. No clocks in cabins, and I don't wear a watch. Also, nice to be able to see the time during the night.

 

Also - a small highlighter pen to mark all the activities you don't want to miss each day. There are so many things going on, you might miss something if it isn't highlighted.

 

How 'formal' are the formal nights?

Ladies wear anything from nice church dresses to full length sequined gowns. Men wear at least a sport coat and tie, but preferably a dark suit or tux.

 

how's the coffee?

Contrary to most folks, I don't mind the coffee. Hey, it's coffee and it wakes me up in the mornings. I order a carafe when I first wake up and it's there before I can get my robe on! It's not the best coffee I've ever had, but I'm on vacation, and I can put up with any coffee for a few days, y'know?:) Oh, and although room service food is comp, don't forget to tip the delivery person $1-2 each time he/she makes a delivery.

[serene56]

Cotton- I dont think the post card and deck of cards are free anymore. At least they werent on the Miracle last year. They do give a free place mat on the last night at dinner. We get it laminated and hang it on my great vacation wall.

 

Coffee- I dont mind the coffee either. But all coffee onbaord is not the same. The lido coffee compared to the coffee in the dining room or room service all taste different. Take a insulated mug. THe cups they give you are very small.

[Cotton]

Hi Serene. I was on the Paradise a few weeks ago, and the free postcards were still available at the purser's desk. I picked up several. I didn't ask about playing cards, but on the Sensation last year, they gave me a deck. So - who knows - different ships or maybe they were just out? As usual w/Carnival, you just have to ask?:)

[misfit cruiser]

Lots of info on here about the coffee too but in a nutshell - it stinks except for the coffee bar(s) on the ship. Prices about the same as Starbucks.

 

Not surprising - they want people to buy coffee from the specialty shops, not drink it for free. :rolleyes: Gotta love capitalism! Luckily, I'll drink just about any coffee in the morning - it's amazing what a little flavored creamer can do for a cup of engine sludge!

[Sablerose]

Not surprising - they want people to buy coffee from the specialty shops, not drink it for free. :rolleyes: Gotta love capitalism! Luckily, I'll drink just about any coffee in the morning - it's amazing what a little flavored creamer can do for a cup of engine sludge!

 

Yup, I took my FF/SF Coffee Mate (vanilla caramel) with me and did up the room service coffee just right. STRONG coffee, it was, though. Whew!

 

We found the coffee in the dining room to be smoother and less high-octane than the one you got in room service.

 

Stang said, "I know why the room service coffee's so much stronger -- they figure if you can't get your azz out of bed to go get your own coffee and need someone to bring it to you, they'd better give you a jump-start." :D

[bachstrad]

One of the many small things I enjoyed on our first cruise was the coffee. Granted, it was stronger than three rows of garlic, but it was good. We drank a bunch of it and never had a bad cup.

[GayleR]

We are going on our first Carnival cruise in 10 years.....booked the Conquest for March 2006.....

 

 

What week are you going?

[Cotton]

One of the many small things I enjoyed on our first cruise was the coffee. Granted, it was stronger than three rows of garlic, but it was good. We drank a bunch of it and never had a bad cup.

 

:D I've never thought about it before, but maybe because I'm from N.O., I never noticed how strong it is on the ships. We are notorious for drinking very strong black coffee (usually w/chicory) that you can stand your spoon in the cup.:D