Things You Learn with Experience

[mattmdv]

Hello All!

We haven't cruised for several years, but always thinking and hoping, Someday!!!

We do have some family members that have a Carnival cruise booked in several months. I had compiled a list of things that we, and other cruisecritic board members had learned over numerous cruises. Examples like:

You can ask for seconds, and more, in the MDR.

Use the Spa/Gym showers.

Saunas & Steam Rooms are free.

Ask your Cabin Stewart if you forget something, ie, toothpaste, sometimes they have samples.

Bring a travel mug, with a lid. You can use all day, coffee, juices, etc.

These are some that I remember. Trying to make another, newer, updated list for niece & nephew.

Any bits of wisdom, things that you have learned over your cruising times will be appreciated.

 

Matt

[bury me at sea]

Don't overpack.

 

Keep all meds and cruise related documents in your carry on.  Double check it when ready to leave your house.  Triple check it when you get in the car.

 

Relax and enjoy.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

We have cruised for over 25 years and now have a check list that covers about everything to pack and do before leaving. No matter how many cruises we that there is always something on that list I would have forgot to do or take every time. Some major items, passports, boarding passes, cash, cell phone and charger, for me hearing aid and batteries, believe it or not socks, reading glasses. Things to do at the home before leaving. Once each and every one is checked off. We are ready to go and no need to turn back for forgetting something important.

[Joe817]

Packing: I don't know where they are going, but if taking a Caribbean cruise, pack some blue jeans, and maybe a long sleeve polo shirt. I know for me, I got quite chilly at nights walking around the ship. Also, take a pair of compact binoculars. I took mine and so glad I did. They were in constant use. So much so I carried them 24/7, except when dining.

Meds: We planned for every contingency. Small first aid kit, containing band-aids, antibiotic ointment, etc. Also imodium, antacids, antibiotics, etc. Lanyards. You'll need them, unless you want to keep the S&S card in your pocket. 

 

Take a look through Amazon's cruise accessories. Good stuff to browse through:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cruise+accessories&lo=list&language=en_US&crid=3R0UA2XV7RDB&linkCode=ll2&linkId=82a3626649a0d741a5ddb9e22f4e8c19&qid=1562019848&sprefix=cruise+access%2Caps%2C434&ref=sr_pg_1

 

Enjoy your trip!

[bplazo]

Cross pack in case of missing luggage and my best travel product is a cleave over the door shoe holder .

[Cruiser_1977]

Biggest travel lesson, I learned early. BE PREPARED! If it can go wrong, it might! Late flights, cancelled flights, car trouble, etc. Have credit/cash available for emergencies and be ready to roll with the punches.

 

Second, RELAX. Once you are on the way everything else is pretty much out of your control. There may be a screaming baby next to you on the plane. Try to smile through the pain. There will be people that try to cut in line for the buffet/elevator, smile and move one. Reservations for a show made for the wrong time, eh catch the next one. Missed or changed ports, praise the Lord you're still not at work 😋

 

I hope they have a great time!

Edited August 21, 2019 by JennyB1977

[mattmdv]

twodaywonder, Thank You, Any chance you could scan and send me a copy of your list?

 

[Schoifmom]

Two weeks before traveling, double-check that your documents (passport or ID/BC) are in order.  

[ObstructedView2]

 

 

 

☺️

[PhillyFan33579]

2 hours ago, mattmdv said:

Saunas & Steam Rooms are free.

 

 

On Carnival ships that have a Cloud 9 Spa, steam rooms are not free. They are still free on ships without a Cloud 9 Spa. 

[amyotravel]

1 minute ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

On Carnival ships that have a Cloud 9 Spa, steam rooms are not free. They are still free on ships without a Cloud 9 Spa. 

What about just using the showers?

[PhillyFan33579]

13 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

 

 

☺️

 

That’s a pretty impressive/detailed checklist. My checklist below is a little simpler.

 

1.  Make sure you have both passports (wife and I). 

2.  See step 1. 

 

 

[Joebucks]

Similar to what has already been said:

 

2.) Checklist: No need to bring the whole house. Compile a list of necessities and save it for future vacations. It makes packing less stressful and saves you money vs going in the expensive shops.

 

1.) Have a good time: Unless I am told I can't get on the ship, there are few things that are going to bring me down. I don't have to work. I am going to go to warmer weather. I am going to places I rarely visit. There is entertainment everywhere. I don't have to cook or clean. Lots of others are having fun. All of the stuff people complain about is trivial. Enjoy yourself.

[PhillyFan33579]

2 minutes ago, amyotravel said:

What about just using the showers?

  

They are still free and available in both locker rooms. 

[Garth2]

Bring duct tape, in case your lanyard breaks.  You can either repair it or just tape your S&S card to your body.

[Green Boy]

Don't overpack... I learned that after the 1st cruise.... 

 

[coevan]

44 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

On Carnival ships that have a Cloud 9 Spa, steam rooms are not free. They are still free on ships without a Cloud 9 Spa. 

 

 

Yes there are other steam rooms, not co-ed, but in the men and womens restroom and they are free

[c-boy]

If possible plan to arrive a day ahead and depart the day after. Give yourself some some breathing room don't rush, be relaxed before boarding.

[XBGuy]

1 hour ago, Schoifmom said:

Two weeks before traveling, double-check that your documents (passport or ID/BC) are in order.  

 

Certainly prudent advice, but I would recommend that you perform your first check two months prior to departure.  If, in fact, you find that you have a problem (e.g., passport is expired or birth certificate can't be found) it's, probably, going to take more than two weeks to get replacements.  Then, as Schoifmom suggests you can double-check two weeks prior to departure so that you can remember where you put them.  

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, mattmdv said:

twodaywonder, Thank You, Any chance you could scan and send me a copy of your list?

 

Adjust to your needs. How water at the sink. We have a how water dispenser there.

Many will remove or even add to this list. I have it in excel with blocks to check off.

 

THINGS TO CHECK WHEN LEAVING FOR A CRUISE
	TURN OFF THE HOT WATER AT THE SINK		2-SMALL SIZZORS
	TURN OFF BREAKER HOT WATER		NAIL CLIPPERS
	LOCK SLIDING DOOR		NIGHT LIGHT
	LOCK FRONT DOOR		CLIPS FOR CABIN CURTINS
	SET THE TIMER FOR LIVING ROOM LIGHT		PEN
	TURN ON THE COMPUTER LIGHT
	TURN ON THE WORK ROOM LIGHT		TIDE STAIN REMOVER
	TURN ON THE BEDROOM LIGHT		ABREVA FOR COLD SORES
	TURN ON FLA. ROOM LIGHT		WIFE RAZOR
	LEAVE OPEN THE MASTER BATH DOOR		TWEEZERS
	SET  A/C TO 83 WHEN LEAVING		NASAL SPRAY
	PLUG THE DOG IN		TOOTHPASTE
	TAKE READING GLASSES		MOUTH WASH
	TAKE SUN GLASSES		MY DEODORANT
	TAKE A HANDKERCHIEF		WIFE DEODORANT
	TAKE THE ALARM CLOCK		FIBER TABLETS
	SHUT OFF THE GENERATOR		ANTI-DIARRHIA
	PUT CHLOR TAB IN POOL		2 FLOSS & PICKS
	MY BATHING TRUNKS		ANTI ITCH SALVE
	WIFE BATHING SUIT		ALEVE
	HAND MIRROR		CHAP STICK SPF 15
	TURN ON THE ANSWERING MACHINE		HAND CREAM
	TAKE HEARING AID		SEWING KIT
	TAKE HEARING AID BATTERIES		BANDAIDS
	SHUT OFF THE WATER TO THE HOUSE		DANS SHAVER
	TAKE THE CELL PHONE & CHARGER		ZIT
	PASSPORTS		TRIPPLE ANTIBOTIC SALVE
	PARKING RECEIPT		BINGO MARKERS
	BOARDING PASS		PJs
	TAKE SOME MONEY (CASH)		HAIR JELL
			PRE-SHAVE
			MEDICATION
			COTTON BALLS
			COTTON SWABS
			MOSQUITO REPELLENT SPRAY

 

 

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

Yes there are other steam rooms, not co-ed, but in the men and womens restroom and they are free

 

Carnival ships with a Cloud 9 Spa like Splendor, Vista class and Dream class ships DO NOT have a steam room in the locker rooms. 

[retiredgram]

5 hours ago, twodaywonder said:

We have cruised for over 25 years and now have a check list that covers about everything to pack and do before leaving. No matter how many cruises we that there is always something on that list I would have forgot to do or take every time. Some major items, passports, boarding passes, cash, cell phone and charger, for me hearing aid and batteries, believe it or not socks, reading glasses. Things to do at the home before leaving. Once each and every one is checked off. We are ready to go and no need to turn back for forgetting something important.

On your check list, I noticed you had "Plug the Dog in" . What is this??

 

[getting older slowly]

As JennyB1977 said RELAX

 

Don't worry about things like missing a port ...

You are on a cruise ship where everything is done for you....

 

Packing take two of most things so one can be in the wash...

Drying smalls coat hanger on the A/C vent in the ceiling.

Dine in MDR      to have somebody wait on you is great...

 

Do not rush   enjoy and stop to smell the roses....

 

Watch the sunrise from the top deck.....

and watch the sun set with a drink.....

 

And the big one.... Cruising can be Addictive

 

Cheers Don

 

[bonsai3s]

Lose weight before cruises...☺️

[Mike981]

A lot of good advice above so I won't reiterate anything. Just think of things backwards.

 

Flying? What do you need to get TO the ship? What do you need to get ON the ship? Do you need passports at anytime? What ship credit card are you going to use (and do you have a big enough limit)? Did you properly enter in all of your information when filling out the cruiser information online?

I'm sure I missed some, but you get the idea. The non sexy stuff that if you don't have it, you can't replace it and often won't go on the trip. Or a very hard time fixing it. Do your research and you will be fine.