I Wish Someone Had Told Me On My First Carnival Cruise.....

[Laney219]

What a great thread. Thank you all for the invaluable tips. Poppin' the Carnival cherry later this summer.

Couple questions have come up after reading this thread:

 

Casino.. Do you have to use to the S&S pass or can I still put cash on the table/into the slot machine?

One post mentioned matches in the bathroom...another a scented candle... Aren't these items on a banned list somewhere?

Carnival gift cards... From what I gather..these can be used to pay for your S&S account and cruise. Do the kiosks allow the gift cards to be applied or must you stand at GS? Anyone have experience with using the gift cards to pay for the cruise while using a TA? Can you call and have it applied or does the TA need to handle it?

TIA!

[nhsails]

Correct Laney, some very good advice, however, alot of dated and just plain wrong advice. No Candles, no open flames. cruise tip: read cruiselines FAQS. Tons of up to date info.

Dee

[Laney219]

Correct Laney, some very good advice, however, alot of dated and just plain wrong advice. No Candles, no open flames. cruise tip: read cruiselines FAQS. Tons of up to date info.

Dee

 

Of course. Just struck me as odd that it was mentioned as tips on here.

 

Still looking for redemption info for the gift cards... I (cautiously) assume the eGift cards are not a problem on board?!

Anyone use a TA but call Carnival directly to pay with the gift cards or do they have to go through the TA for payment too? (Booked w/ a TA for Carnival, but I usually book directly w/ RCI)

[Warm Breezes]

Of course. Just struck me as odd that it was mentioned as tips on here.

 

Still looking for redemption info for the gift cards... I (cautiously) assume the eGift cards are not a problem on board?!

Anyone use a TA but call Carnival directly to pay with the gift cards or do they have to go through the TA for payment too? (Booked w/ a TA for Carnival, but I usually book directly w/ RCI)

 

I booked with a TA for our Carnival Sunshine cruise and I just called him with my gift card numbers and he applied it to my Carnival balance due on my cruise. I believe you need to go through your TA to make all payments on your cruise.

[happytogetherj&j]

I called Carnival directly and prepaid our gratuities with Carnival gift cards. Just tell them the 16 or so digits on the back of the card. It makes it so easy. I also read that there are kiosks aboard the ship and you can use the gift cards, but don't hold me to that.

 

 

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[simplyjustnoel]

What a great thread. Thank you all for the invaluable tips. Poppin' the Carnival cherry later this summer.

Couple questions have come up after reading this thread:

 

Casino.. Do you have to use to the S&S pass or can I still put cash on the table/into the slot machine?

One post mentioned matches in the bathroom...another a scented candle... Aren't these items on a banned list somewhere?

Carnival gift cards... From what I gather..these can be used to pay for your S&S account and cruise. Do the kiosks allow the gift cards to be applied or must you stand at GS? Anyone have experience with using the gift cards to pay for the cruise while using a TA? Can you call and have it applied or does the TA need to handle it?

TIA!

 

When I went on the Glory last January (2016) I was able to add gift cards at the kiosk to my S&S account. Anything I purchased deducted from that balance first, then my CC when I used up my GC. Hope that helps!

[nhsails]

I booked with a TA for our Carnival Sunshine cruise and I just called him with my gift card numbers and he applied it to my Carnival balance due on my cruise. I believe you need to go through your TA to make all payments on your cruise.

Hummmm, since TA owns your booking believe you can just call them with data.

[Laney219]

When I went on the Glory last January (2016) I was able to add gift cards at the kiosk to my S&S account. Anything I purchased deducted from that balance first, then my CC when I used up my GC. Hope that helps!

 

Perfect. Thanks :)

[chilly1470]

I wish I had known that as a suite guest I had certain bonus rights. I did learn this in lines and a staff would say "Right this way, sir." I felt guilty passing up a hundred people in line. But at guest services I did not know I could jump ahead. I also wish I had know to just relax and enjoy myself, as I was always wandering and stressing about what to do and where to go. Hey self, sit down and chill!! I learned in time, but then my cruise was over. Listen to me, CHILL AND ENJOY YOURSELF

[Warm Breezes]

Hummmm, since TA owns your booking believe you can just call them with data.

 

Ummm....that's exactly what I said I did.

[Laney219]

With the wine package...can one buy the deluxe package but choose a wine in the lower package?

 

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[spleenstomper]

That does not seem fair, since they won't actually be doing anything for my grandson. His mother and I take care of all of his needs. He may say hello to a crew member, but he won't be asking them for anything, they won't be serving any of his needs, I or his mother will.

 

How old is he and what will his sleeping arrangements be?

[JaedensMimi]

How old is he and what will his sleeping arrangements be?

 

He is 9 and he will sleep in the king bed with his mother and I or in the pullman in our stateroom, whichever he prefers. I did find some other information and see that the gratuities for him, may be fair, even though if there are services for which we have paid gratuities that we do not utilize that we can have the gratuities changed onboard. I don't see this as much of a problem. Thanks

[AmeliaAtSea]

I saw that bottled water isn't covered on the drink package. I also saw someone say they pre-ordered a case of bottled water at $2.49 per 12. Where do you do that? We're all big water drinkers. We do buy the 12 pack of 16 ounce bottles to have delivered to our room when we arrive. The first cruise we accidentally chose the larger bottles.. they are huge and impossibly bulky to carry on excursions or up to the sun decks so the second time we learned to do the smaller ones. There are just two of us and we put several in the fridge and restock as we go through the week and still had a couple left to take to the airport. You can find them listed on the carnival site under MANAGE - In room gifts and shopping - In stateroom beverages - 12 pack purified water for $4.50

So if we buy bottled water from the Fun Shop (can we buy any after embarkation, or does it all have to be in advace?), we can take it off the ship at ports? I assume we can't bring it back on board?

[Laney219]

He is 9 and he will sleep in the king bed with his mother and I or in the pullman in our stateroom, whichever he prefers. I did find some other information and see that the gratuities for him, may be fair, even though if there are services for which we have paid gratuities that we do not utilize that we can have the gratuities changed onboard. I don't see this as much of a problem. Thanks

Do you deduct the cost of his food when calculating the tip for a server at a land based restaurant?

 

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[Little Mary Sunshine]

Some tips I gave a co-worker of mine going on her first cruise next month on the Carnival Magic:

• Some of the tables for 2 in anytime dining are extremely close to each other. To avoid these tables ask for a booth for 2.
  
• You may bring 1 - 750ml bottle of wine/champagne per person and up to a 12 pack of pop CANs per person in your carry on. No BOTTLES of pop or water allowed.
  
• There will be an empty refrigerator in your room for your use. Hang a wash cloth over the cupboard door it is in by the hinge to allow air to circulate around the refrigerator and keep everything in it cooler.
  
• You can ask your room steward for a bucket of ice and he will keep it filled for the week.
  
• You can ask your room steward for robes if they are not already in your room.
  
• Room and Beach Towels are provided. They will give you fresh ones if you leave them on the bathroom floor.
  
• In the main dining room you can ask for the cheese plate as an appetizer or you can ask for an appetizer size portion of the entree pasta they are serving.
  
• In the main dining room you can ask for as many appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, deserts as you want. If you don't like what you get ask for something different at no charge.
  
• In the main dining room you can also order of the kids menu.I've gotten the banana split a few times.
  
• You can bring your own water bottle to fill up with ice and water in the buffet to carry around the ship or take with you on an excursion.
  
• You can not take unpackaged food or fresh fruit off the ship with you in Port. Only Pre-packaged foods. (like a box of cereal).
  
• Make sure to bring suntan lotion and bug spray (for excursions)
  
• Bring a 3 plug outlet with a nightlight (only one plug in room by the desk)
  
• There is a hair dryer in the desk drawer for you to use.
  
• At ports you will need your Sail & Sign Card and Photo ID to get back on the ship.
  
• If going to the Comedy Show get there at least 20-25 minutes early. Seats go fast.
  
• Avoid the crowds in the buffet on debarkation morning by eating breakfast in the main dining room and then finding a place on Deck 5 to wait for them to call your zone to debark.
  
• Bring a travel first aid kit with some band aids, tylenol, cold medicine, allergy medicine, eye drops, sea sickness pills, tums, pepcid, immodium, ear plugs, prescription meds, clippers - expensive to buy on the ship if you need to get some and don't have it.
  
• If you over 50, use AARP point to purchase Carnival Gift Cards at 10% off.
  
• Tip luggage handlers $1-$2 per bag, tour guides 10-20%, room service deliverers $1-$5 depending on how much you ordered, spa workers 10-20%
  
• Bartender tips are automatically added to your bill
  
• Waiters/Room Stewards tips are included in the gratuities charged to your onboard account
  

 

Thank you for such an informative list! Very helpful!

[richstowe]

Well I made my way through almost 400 posts . :eek: There are many great tips here but I am surprised that nobody mentioned the value of Cruise Critic . Don't roll your eyes at me - I am not trying to be the teachers pet . CC is a great resource for the newbie cruiser especially for the mass market cruise lines . Certain info, especially booking hints , I was completely ignorant of on my first cruise .

[grandmarnnurse]

Well I made my way through almost 400 posts . :eek: There are many great tips here but I am surprised that nobody mentioned the value of Cruise Critic . Don't roll your eyes at me - I am not trying to be the teachers pet . CC is a great resource for the newbie cruiser especially for the mass market cruise lines . Certain info, especially booking hints , I was completely ignorant of on my first cruise .

 

This is true. I don't know why none of us mentioned CC. I have turned to CC many times for valuable information. Thank you, for mentioning it.

[Florida Beach]

Well I made my way through almost 400 posts . :eek: There are many great tips here but I am surprised that nobody mentioned the value of Cruise Critic . Don't roll your eyes at me - I am not trying to be the teachers pet . CC is a great resource for the newbie cruiser especially for the mass market cruise lines . Certain info, especially booking hints , I was completely ignorant of on my first cruise .

 

Sometimes we miss the obvious :)

[KevnSue]

Well I made my way through almost 400 posts . :eek: There are many great tips here but I am surprised that nobody mentioned the value of Cruise Critic . Don't roll your eyes at me - I am not trying to be the teachers pet . CC is a great resource for the newbie cruiser especially for the mass market cruise lines . Certain info, especially booking hints , I was completely ignorant of on my first cruise .

We've cruised before (albeit 10 years) ago and this place is a constant source of great info.

 

I've spent more time on CC researching the details of our cruise than all other sources combined (and we booked through a TA).

[JaedensMimi]

We've cruised before (albeit 10 years) ago and this place is a constant source of great info.

 

I've spent more time on CC researching the details of our cruise than all other sources combined (and we booked through a TA).

I absolutely agree. I have spent much time here as well.

[JaedensMimi]

I have seen posts on bringing a power strip but I don't remember if it was mentioned about the type of plug. Does it need to be a three prong plug or no? I have a couple. One is a surge protector and the others are power strips with on/off switches. I believe they are all 3 prong plugs. Help is appreciated. We leave next Sunday for open water.

[momof3cruisers]

I have seen posts on bringing a power strip but I don't remember if it was mentioned about the type of plug. Does it need to be a three prong plug or no? I have a couple. One is a surge protector and the others are power strips with on/off switches. I believe they are all 3 prong plugs. Help is appreciated. We leave next Sunday for open water.

There is some technical reason that you can't use a surge protector on a cruise ship, so just bring the regular one. Three prong or two is fine.

[Curleegirl]

Ear plugs! Cabin walls are not well insulated and other parts of the ship can be noisy as well.

[4cookiesrwe]

We just got off our our first cruise on the Breeze a week ago. I am so thankful for this forum....I felt that we were very well prepared for the cruise and had lots of answers to my family's questions. :)

 

That being said, the one thing I wish I would have known is that there would be very little time to shop if you take a shore excursion. We did excursions in all three ports. We had a little bit of time in Mahogany Bay, but in Belize and Cozumel, we had about 10 mins in each port, which was just not enough to find good souvenirs. While that may not be important to some, it was important to us. Granted, we are glad we were able to see the areas, but would probably choose shorter excursions to allow more time to see the ports/shops. Otherwise, our experience was a wonderful one, and I think a lot of that was because I was prepared and had lots of knowledge. Happy cruising!