travellerin1984 Posted March 1, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Hi! We have booked a Christmas cruise on Carnival Magic because of the interesting ports. It is our first time on Carnival (cruised with other cruise lines, mostly Royal and Celebrity). I started to hesitate and wanted to cancel but unfortunately it is not possible because of the high cancelling fees (we live in northern Europe so we have a different kind of cancellation policy). Now I am thinking we have to make the best of it. Do you have any suggestions for the cruise? How to make a Carnival cruise extra special? I have made a steakhouse reservation for the Christmas Eve. We booked a spa inside cabin so we can escape the crowds. Something else? I appreciate any comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdsgu Posted March 1, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Definitely get the Cheers package. Make the most of the thalassotherapy pool. Utilize the Serenity deck whenever possible. If you have younger kids traveling, use the Camp Ocean benefit. Go to the sea day brunches and turn it into a 2 hour affair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timc.jb Posted March 1, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 1, 2018 To me if it up to you if you want to make it special. I always try to be positive and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famof4togo Posted March 1, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 1, 2018 To me if it up to you if you want to make it special. I always try to be positive and have fun. Totally agree...special is in the memories...so make them...enjoy that you are not at work but on vacation and be happy and have fun... Personally for me what makes my cruise special is just being with my family....not being at work....having a whole day full of a multitude of options/activities available to me....(ok and the Cheers package too...lol). I truly believe the worst day on vacation is still always better then the best day at work and I never let the little things get to me....someone else's attire, lack of table cloth etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaxsMama Posted March 1, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Dinner at cucina del capitano is also very good. You could make reservations there. Sent from my SM-G928V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted March 1, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 1, 2018 if you are foodies, don't miss the Chef's table. I think you really snoozed on an inside cabin. Our balcony is our sanctuary. Every morning we have room service as our wake up call, coffee, juice, fruit and danish. What a way to start the day. We always get a Spa balcony where available. It's the quietest deck on the ship, love it. Steps from the Spa and the Serenity area, aaaah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kona_wahine Posted March 1, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Relax and enjoy. Personally I stay away from lido during the day, I'd rather have a quiet place to relax. There are plenty places to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsotm73 Posted March 2, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Definitely get the Cheers package. If the OP doesn't drink this is only going to make his cruise more expensive. :cool: I would recommend the Behind the Scenes tour especially if this is your first Carnival cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin 4 Ever Posted March 2, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Upgrade your cabin to a balcony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpagejr Posted March 2, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Why did you start to hesitate and think of cancelling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louanne93 Posted March 2, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Why did you start to hesitate and think of cancelling? That's what I would like to know. Maybe someone told them that Carnival is the "Walmart" of the seas? I was just told that a few weeks ago, of course by people that have never cruised. I LOVE Carnival for the fun atmosphere! We have been on RC and Princess (several times), I choose to go with Carnival. I think the food is better (more free options) and the service is better. JMHO :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keys2Heaven Posted March 2, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Definitely get the Cheers package. Make the most of the thalassotherapy pool. Utilize the Serenity deck whenever possible. If you have younger kids traveling, use the Camp Ocean benefit. Go to the sea day brunches and turn it into a 2 hour affair. You don't have to get the Cheers package to make it special. That is soooooooo subjective and should be out of scope for this discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshhawk Posted March 2, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 2, 2018 What I do to make each cruise special -plan. Research the ports I am going to, and choose excursions that both the DH and I would enjoy. We do not stay on board, and think we are seeing the world that way. The stewards used to put chocolate on the pillow when they came in at night and did the nightly turn down, they don't anymore, so I bring chocolate and put a Dove on DH's pillow-we call it the chocolate chaser-for after his meds at night. We order water so we can have cold water at night, and since we are not big into the dance/party thing, we find quiet places on the ship. We like going to the back by the Waterworks to spend late afternoons, and relax. We watch movies together (which we never seem to do at home). My DH has cancer, and any day with him is special. Our vacation time together is even more special. If you want special, remember the crew on Christmas. Thank them that are working on your holiday. Enjoy the decorated ship, the ugly Christmas sweater contest, and most of all each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comiso13 Posted March 2, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 2, 2018 That's what I would like to know. Maybe someone told them that Carnival is the "Walmart" of the seas? I was just told that a few weeks ago, of course by people that have never cruised. I LOVE Carnival for the fun atmosphere! We have been on RC and Princess (several times), I choose to go with Carnival. I think the food is better (more free options) and the service is better. JMHO :) I have cruised on Princess the past 2 years and thoroughly loved it. But when I went looking for an Hawaii cruise, especially at 2 weeks long, I felt Princess might not keep my interest all of the time. I have read and heard many things about Carnival, and the most common word I hear is FUN. So I am going to Hawaii in December on Carnival. I have really enjoyed reading people's opinions, good and bad, but it is my cruise to enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackjack22 Posted June 29, 2018 #15 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Bring a tablecloth for the MDR on night when they don't have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etta1213 Posted June 29, 2018 #16 Share Posted June 29, 2018 I read somewhere recently that we bring the weather to our picnic! For me super true. I had to learn and choose flexibility, from my spouse. just won't let stuff ruin a cruise for me. Love cruising too much. Also treasure time with my husband. Nobody knows when opportunities might end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keys2Heaven Posted June 29, 2018 #17 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Bring a tablecloth for the MDR on night when they don't have them. As long as YOU are the one responsible for washing it afterwards. Really, folks.....do all threads have to disintegrate into what everyone perceives is wrong with Carnival? :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crooooze Posted June 30, 2018 #18 Share Posted June 30, 2018 I would book the week after also and make it a B2B Christmas / New Years cruise.... It don’t get more special than that. [emoji23] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackjack22 Posted June 30, 2018 #19 Share Posted June 30, 2018 BJ22 is one of those posters. I'm hardly a Carnival apologist, but bringing up a 4-month old thread just to post what he did is asinine. I see you're one of those posters who assumes the gender of another member. I'm a female with kids (and stretch marks) to prove it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted June 30, 2018 #20 Share Posted June 30, 2018 "How do we make our cruise special?" We board the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth2 Posted July 2, 2018 #21 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Just be yourself and remember that you will probably never see any of your fellow passengers again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballarinamom Posted July 2, 2018 #22 Share Posted July 2, 2018 As long as YOU are the one responsible for washing it afterwards. Really, folks.....do all threads have to disintegrate into what everyone perceives is wrong with Carnival? :rolleyes: Agreed. We have cruised many times and enjoy fine dining restaurants often at home. And to be honest, one day off of the Dream, I didn't even realize there was no table cloth. If that's your only gage for fine dining.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballarinamom Posted July 2, 2018 #23 Share Posted July 2, 2018 For the OP, order chocolate covered strawberries to be delivered the first day. Bring a small tree in your luggage. Being an extra converter for the electrical outlets 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterwatcher Posted July 3, 2018 #24 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Hi! We have booked a Christmas cruise on Carnival Magic because of the interesting ports. It is our first time on Carnival (cruised with other cruise lines, mostly Royal and Celebrity). I started to hesitate and wanted to cancel but unfortunately it is not possible because of the high cancelling fees (we live in northern Europe so we have a different kind of cancellation policy). Now I am thinking we have to make the best of it. Do you have any suggestions for the cruise? How to make a Carnival cruise extra special? I have made a steakhouse reservation for the Christmas Eve. We booked a spa inside cabin so we can escape the crowds. Something else? I appreciate any comments. The first thing we do is turn off our phones and put them in the room safe. We do no internet plans. We are on vacation and do not have to keep in touch. For emergencies they can call Carnival with our Ship name. Then we relax, enjoy, and try not to find fault with anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spleenstomper Posted July 3, 2018 #25 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Book chef’s table now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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