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What did you learn on your last Carnival cruise?

marshhawk

By marshhawk,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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firefly333

firefly333

Posted
Posted
This surprised me. Can you elaborate?

 

Ive only done this once or twice, and once was pretty god awful. Im priority but they went by cabin #;s, not even when you arrived in the hc assist room. Ill say we waited hours, and were one of the last ones to be assisted off.

 

From now on we will find a way to manage and I have sworn to never go with 2 hc cruisers again on the same cruise.

 

Im actually the opposite of posts on here, i love the port hole cabins that are quite large. Ive done balconys and suites and to me a balcony is just a bigger window, ive had 4 skin cancers removed, so i cant sit out in the sun, and its either too hot or too cold, never seems to be a good time i want to sit out on my balcony. if its a good price ill take it and then just have a bigger window, but Im just as happy with the port holes. In fact Im thrilled to have a port hole next cruise and told my pvp to mark it to not change me.

 

Last time i booked a port hole, someone decided to surprise me with a free upgrade to i think they are called 4Js. it was a handicapped teensy 4J and it rained and the walkways outside were locked. the port hole cabins are much larger than what i got and i was pissed that carnival changed my cabin without even sending me a email. This time mine is marked please do not upgrade without nofifying me and asking.

 

I like the extra space in the port holes or ovs more than i like the balconys. So far I seem to be the only one who prefers having more space inside the cabin than some outside the cabin. (i.e. the regular balconys are the same size as a ov, if you include the balcony itself).

 

Did most of you know (I havent read the whole thread), that you can order home made Indian food in the MDR if you order 24 hours ahead of time thru the maitre d? last time i asked about it and the maitre d kept aaking every night if i wanted it. its a hard choice, i love the indian, but has to be ordered 24 hours in advance. they give you more than you can possibly eat and its not mass produced. the main cooks are indian and cook for themselves and you get whatever all they make for their own dinner, its wonderfull.

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firefly333

firefly333

Posted
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How can someone cheat on music trivia? The internet on the ship is way too slow for an app like Shazam to work.

 

Well, i can think of one way. I did a back to back and they had the same trivia both weeks. I actually won and then said but i was on last week and they gave the ship on a stick to someone else.

 

We also knew the weight of guess the diamond weight or whaatever, and my sister won a bracelet.

 

Is that exactly cheating? maybe. well i wasnt sure about the weight, i just thought i sort of remembered but didnt write it down.

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firefly333

firefly333

Posted
Posted

I learned that at the alchemy bar there is a non publicized class where they teach you to make a drink, i think some kind of martini and you get a certificate for the class.

 

You have to ask the bartender to get in because it always fills up and its not advertised anywhere. Its not in the fun times, you have to ask to get in and ask early, it fills up. secret class, not free, but reasonable. at the alchemy bar only.

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audcc77

audcc77

Posted
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I'm a little embarrassed to say this... but I learned that I was entitled to the Drinks on Us Card in the casino last cruise.

 

I've been cruising with Carnival since 2009 and have 17 cruises with them. Goodness only knows how many times I've been entitled to that. Ugh.

 

I'm not even sure what the total points is, but I guess I will need to look into that before next time.

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firefly333

firefly333

Posted
Posted
Truncated your post. The shops right at the port in Cozumel won’t sell you anything without scanning your ship card either.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I’d think Carnival knows how much each cruiser spends at their port shops in including alcohol purchases.

 

.

 

My last cruise i bought 4 expensive bottles of scotch onboard and saw a few of them cheaper in cozumel.

 

there are two liquor stoes in the port of cozumel, the one further away had cheaper prices, but wouldnt let me take pictues of the prices so carnival could price match them.

 

I might have erased them by now but the guy stood between me and the bottle i wanted to take a picture of and moved and waved his arms around like a madman. i think i finally snunk in a picture, but it was like pulling teeth.

 

he says the mgr of the liquor store in port has a policy of no pictures of the prices there. its not the one you walk thru when you first get off... its further over to your left the other liquor store in the port of cozumel.

 

When i got home to Texas the guys said the scotch was excellent but cheaper here at the stores here in texas, dont buy on the ship again.

 

another thing i learned my last cruise and unhappy about is you used to be able to bring home i think a gallon of liquor with no fees added. now every single bottle has a fee coming in to the port of Galveston. like $3.25 per bottle. for sure dont do any of those buy 4 for $25 deals, thats almost $15 on top of what you paid unless you lie to the customs agent, i plead the 5th.

 

btw i asked in the onboard stores and was told i could bring in a gallon ...i asked the gm or whatever the head guy is and he told me to refer to the form that would be delivered, he had no idea. so it came as a surprise that every bottle had a added fee coming into galveston.

 

there is no limit on cigars, only on cigarettes bringing them back thru customs.

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cvanrys

cvanrys

Posted
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The difference between Carnival excursions and independent excursions is typically like night and day. I wouldn't go on a Carnival excursion if you paid me.

You can get a really personalized tour and excursion from the locals...until their vehicle breaks down or something goes wrong and you miss your boat.:rolleyes::D

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Mrsdub

Mrsdub

Posted
Posted
I'm also a first timer - to answer your question' date=' Yes....everyone can bring 12 cans of sodas & those of age can bring 1 bottle of wine. Two adults & one child= 2 bottles of wine & 36 can drinks :D[/quote']

Do you pack it in your luggage? Thanks!

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pspercy

pspercy

Posted
Posted
My last cruise i bought 4 expensive bottles of scotch onboard and saw a few of them cheaper in cozumel.

 

there are two liquor stoes in the port of cozumel, the one further away had cheaper prices, but wouldnt let me take pictues of the prices so carnival could price match them.

 

I might have erased them by now but the guy stood between me and the bottle i wanted to take a picture of and moved and waved his arms around like a madman. i think i finally snunk in a picture, but it was like pulling teeth.

 

he says the mgr of the liquor store in port has a policy of no pictures of the prices there. its not the one you walk thru when you first get off... its further over to your left the other liquor store in the port of cozumel.

 

When i got home to Texas the guys said the scotch was excellent but cheaper here at the stores here in texas, dont buy on the ship again.

 

another thing i learned my last cruise and unhappy about is you used to be able to bring home i think a gallon of liquor with no fees added. now every single bottle has a fee coming in to the port of Galveston. like $3.25 per bottle. for sure dont do any of those buy 4 for $25 deals, thats almost $15 on top of what you paid unless you lie to the customs agent, i plead the 5th.

 

btw i asked in the onboard stores and was told i could bring in a gallon ...i asked the gm or whatever the head guy is and he told me to refer to the form that would be delivered, he had no idea. so it came as a surprise that every bottle had a added fee coming into galveston.

 

there is no limit on cigars, only on cigarettes bringing them back thru customs.

 

Yup, one gallon of spirits:

https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/poe/how_much_can_i_bring_back.asp

 

Cruiseport gangway rates: https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/poe/tax_rates.asp

 

I've found most routine brand stuff is likely cheaper at your local Total Wine or Spec's store, but it might be worth it for some specialty stuff from the islands.:D:D

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PaperSniper4

PaperSniper4

Posted
Posted
CCL rookie here! So we are allowed one bottle of wine AND one 12-pk of soda to bring aboard? :cool::cool:Thanks in advance!

 

You are encouraged to verify the synopsis I made on this subject last year:

 

 

From CCL: Guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. ….A $15 USD corkage fee, per 750 ml bottle, will be charged ONLY should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, steakhouse or bar. So no charge is consumed in cabin, on deck, shows, etc.

 

 

From CCL: $4.50 USD for a 12-pack of bottled water (16.9 fluid ounce per bottle) for pre-cruise purchase. Please visit The Fun Shops at http://www.carnival.com/FunShops/in-stateroom-beverages/water to place your order before your cruise to ensure we have an ample supply onboard.

 

From CCL: Guests may bring on board distilled water for use with a CPAP machine or nursery water for families with babies and packed in carry-on luggage. Distilled water may also be purchased onboard at $3.00 USD per gallon by contacting Room Service. The CPAP machine must be packed in carry-on luggage.

 

 

Guests are prohibited from bringing large coolers onboard since screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security process. However small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12” x 12” x 12” are okay for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage.

 

 

The above is off Carnival's web site, but it takes some digging to find it..................

 

Doug

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LibratPDX

LibratPDX

Posted
Posted
On our last two Dream cruises, I've learned Serenity does not mean quiet and peaceful. More like lido deck minus the littles .��

 

 

Hah, always true on Sea Days.......I call the pool "people soup", not that the pools are big enough for a real swim; it gets so noisy it feels like you're at a frat party!

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BallFour4

BallFour4

Posted
Posted
Hah, always true on Sea Days.......I call the pool "people soup", not that the pools are big enough for a real swim; it gets so noisy it feels like you're at a frat party!

 

100% true on warm days at sea. The music is turned up with bursts of sound over 100 decibels, people have drinks in the pool including beer in buckets and it’s no place for families. It can be a bawdy mess.

 

.

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samiam0403

samiam0403

Posted
Posted

Just off of Fantasy on Monday, and I learned that the Drinks On Us card from the casino now has the same restriction as Cheers - 15 drinks a day. And no, I never maxed out, although certainly not from lack of trying. :')

 

I also learned that Carnival has at least one shore excursion that is as good as a private excursion (booked through the cruise line since I was sailing solo) - Elite Champagne Sail and Snorkel in Cozumel. 12 people, 4 crew and an all around amazing day. :)

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  • 4 weeks later...
MLJS

MLJS

Posted
Posted
I learned from cruise critic that if you order room service, to keep the tray for times when you need to carry multiple plates at the buffet. This came in handy for me because I had a sick husband this cruise and he could not carry his own food and I was fetching food for him and myself every day. Sometimes he ate in the cabin but sometimes he made it upstairs but could not stand in the lines. Also a good idea if you have small kids.

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

 

What I have done in the past is take an additional plate and turn it upside down over the plate to cover your food and then you can stack another plate on top and also cover it

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SkyMaster

SkyMaster

Posted
Posted

I learned NOT to sail on any Carnival ship that has Skip Lyons as the Entertainment Director. He couldn't care less about the guests, or listening to what they would like to see, entertainment wise, aboard the ship.

 

 

"SKY"

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