We’re going on our first cruise in over 20 years! I’m sure everything has changed!

[BamaMomRollTide]

We’re going on the Carnival Valor after Thanksgiving.  

We’re fully vax’d, have our cards, and have ordered covid tests to demonstrate covid free.

 

I assume that we hand-over our “checked baggage” when we arrive and hold onto our carry-on day-pack luggage.  We’re using backpacks for carry-on/day packs. 

 

What do we first do when we get on ship?  

 

I know that there’s now eMuster and have read about that process.

 

Thanks for your tips!!!

 

 

[BamaMomRollTide]

Also wondering what to wear.  Never cruised in late Nov/early Dec before.  The cruise leaves NOLA and goes to Cozumel and another stop.  

 

Will the inside of the ship be cold?  Will the outside weather be cold?

[ontheweb]

14 minutes ago, BamaMomRollTide said:

We’re going on the Carnival Valor after Thanksgiving.  

We’re fully vax’d, have our cards, and have ordered covid tests to demonstrate covid free.

 

I assume that we hand-over our “checked baggage” when we arrive and hold onto our carry-on day-pack luggage.  We’re using backpacks for carry-on/day packs. 

 

What do we first do when we get on ship?  

 

I know that there’s now eMuster and have read about that process.

 

Thanks for your tips!!!

 

 

Speaking of tips, they are now automatically added to your cruise card, no more envelopes. You can if you wish tip extra in cash.

[txgal08]

Very excited for you venturing out on another cruise. Everything is managed through the Carnival HUB, no more daily newsletters. I think you may be able to get one at guest services but it’s just easier to do it on your phone. It allows you to save events that you want to go to and it will send you reminders so you don’t miss it. Plus I like having my phone for pictures! 
 

You are correct on handing over your luggage to a porter, which is what I recommend. Your boarding pass will be used to buy drinks and to do muster when you get on. 
 

I am normally always cold inside the ship but I was not this past weekend with the exception of one event.  I typically cruise in November and December and outside, it will be typically warm - 80’s but I recommend a light jacket or pull over just in case. I wore sandals the entire time. 
 

Be sure you buy a lanyard to hold your phone around your neck so you can be hands-free. I found mine on Amazon and it held my sign and sail card as well. 
 

if you don’t want to do the Cheers package, you can order a bottle of liquor to be delivered to your room on the first day but you have to do it before you board. It’s very overpriced compared to shore prices but it allows you to make your own drinks. 
 

A lot of people use yeti cups on board but I don’t because I’m too lazy to wash them!

 

You can also have bottled water delivered to your room before the cruise starts and I always do this even though I have the cheers package. 
 

Formal night is really not very formal. Some people wore jeans and some people wore church clothes and I saw very few people in gowns. 
 

Buy the messenger app for $5 on the Carnival HUB. I traveled by myself on the last cruise and found people I wanted to hang out with and this was the only way we could find each other. 

Happy to answer any other questions.

[firefly333]

The weather can be warm or cool. I'd bring a hoodie or a sweater for dinner on the ship. First day from NOLA and back in will be the coolest. Could easily be hot in your ports .. or cool lol.

 

Before you could carry on soda or water, now it has to be canned, plus your wine. Too many tried to get booze smuggled so only canned soda or water. I throw 4 or 5 Pepsi in my carry on for myself.

[BamaMomRollTide]

15 hours ago, txgal08 said:

you can order a bottle of liquor to be delivered to your room on the first day but you have to do it before you board. It’s very overpriced compared to shore prices but it allows you to make your own drinks. 

 

Wow!  Found it.  A bottle of vodka is like 75$

Edited November 14, 2021 by BamaMomRollTide

[BamaMomRollTide]

15 hours ago, txgal08 said:

Very excited for you venturing out on another cruise. Everything is managed through the Carnival HUB, no more daily newsletters. I think you may be able to get one at guest services but it’s just easier to do it on your phone. It allows you to save events that you want to go to and it will send you reminders so you don’t miss it. Plus I like having my phone for pictures! 
 

You are correct on handing over your luggage to a porter, which is what I recommend. Your boarding pass will be used to buy drinks and to do muster when you get on. 
 

I am normally always cold inside the ship but I was not this past weekend with the exception of one event.  I typically cruise in November and December and outside, it will be typically warm - 80’s but I recommend a light jacket or pull over just in case. I wore sandals the entire time. 
 

Be sure you buy a lanyard to hold your phone around your neck so you can be hands-free. I found mine on Amazon and it held my sign and sail card as well. 
 

if you don’t want to do the Cheers package, you can order a bottle of liquor to be delivered to your room on the first day but you have to do it before you board. It’s very overpriced compared to shore prices but it allows you to make your own drinks. 
 

A lot of people use yeti cups on board but I don’t because I’m too lazy to wash them!

 

You can also have bottled water delivered to your room before the cruise starts and I always do this even though I have the cheers package. 
 

Formal night is really not very formal. Some people wore jeans and some people wore church clothes and I saw very few people in gowns. 
 

Buy the messenger app for $5 on the Carnival HUB. I traveled by myself on the last cruise and found people I wanted to hang out with and this was the only way we could find each other. 

Happy to answer any other questions.

 

Yes, Im having water delivered to the room.  I was surprised to see one video of formal night and many were very casually dressed..  

[ontheweb]

6 hours ago, BamaMomRollTide said:

 

Yes, Im having water delivered to the room.  I was surprised to see one video of formal night and many were very casually dressed..  

I forgot the term  they now use, but I don't believe they even call it formal night any longer.

[txgal08]

8 hours ago, BamaMomRollTide said:

 

Wow!  Found it.  A bottle of vodka is like 75$

Yes but 1mixed drink onboard is over $10 each.  I spent $90 on beer the first night because Cheers doesn't start until the 2nd day when I sailed out of Texas.  Also, I am sure you know you can bring 1 bottle per adult in the cabin onboard but put it in your carry on and don't forget a wine opener (some get confiscated if they are fancy).  They charge $15 to open a bottle of wine if the bartender does it.

[txgal08]

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

I forgot the term  they now use, but I don't believe they even call it formal night any longer.

They call it elegant night.

 

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, txgal08 said:

They call it elegant night.

 

Thank you. I knew at least one cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation calls in Gala Night, but I was pretty sure it was not Carnival.

[obnancy]

I took my Auntie on a cruise and she had not been in over twenty years.  She showed up with all glam outfits, expecting to dress every night.  That is how it was when she cruised.  I would say the thing that surprised her the most were the flip flops and shorts in the main dining room. 

[OCruisers]

On Carnival "Elegant Nights" most people dress very casually.  

[Roscoe13]

20 years ago there used to be a tops optional deck way up high by the funnel...they have now moved that to the lido deck, so if that's your thing then sun bathe away!!

[DB2VA]

On 11/13/2021 at 8:03 AM, BamaMomRollTide said:

We’re going on the Carnival Valor after Thanksgiving.  

We’re fully vax’d, have our cards, and have ordered covid tests to demonstrate covid free.

 

I assume that we hand-over our “checked baggage” when we arrive and hold onto our carry-on day-pack luggage.  We’re using backpacks for carry-on/day packs. 

 

What do we first do when we get on ship?  

 

I know that there’s now eMuster and have read about that process.

 

Thanks for your tips!!!

 

 

Hi! Not sure what you mean eMuster.?You go to your station and in a small group they will demonstrate how to use the life jacket.

[txgal08]

39 minutes ago, DB2VA said:

Hi! Not sure what you mean eMuster.?You go to your station and in a small group they will demonstrate how to use the life jacket.

I think she is referring to the new system.  

[nlktx49]

Congratulations on your decision to cruise after 20 years! There have been so many changes in that period of time I doubt anyone could remember them all. Small things like no table cloths in the MDR, rarely if ever see the Maitre d', there will be a slot on the wall just inside the door to your cabin to put your Sail and Sign card or something similar into to make the lights come on, your room steward will only visit your cabin once a day, no more turn down service with a chocolate on your pillow!

 

As others have said, pretty much everything is through the HUB now. This is very new. Our first cruise since the shutdown was last month and it took a little to get used to but once I did I loved it. Also nice not to be inundated with all the paper - no Funtimes, no spa specials, no jewelry sales, nothing to clutter up your cabin.

 

Room service has the usual items that are free but now also offer some dishes there is a charge for. There are a lot more options for food than just MDR and Lido - Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy's Pig and Anchor, Pasta Bar, Mongolian Wok, all free at lunch. At night Steak House - very nice! - Sushi, Asian Grill, Cucina del Capitano, Chef's Table. Coffee Bar is very popular all day.

 

In the casinos you can put cash in the machines to gamble on, or use your Sail and Sign card and charge your play to your account, or access what you've won from "Your Bank" - you can also see how much you have in your bank and how many points you have. Wins go into your account via your card, no more buckets of quarters! Slot machines will have a small sticker on them designating either smoking or non-smoking.

 

Bathrobes are no longer in your cabin closet, you have to request from your room steward or guest services. Towels will be changed out if they are on the floor of the bathroom, if hanging on a towel rack, they won't.

 

Disembarking you have the option of putting out your luggage the night before and getting it in the terminal, or keeping it and carrying it off yourself the next morning, when you'll be able to get off first.

 

My first cruise was in 2008, so there are probably some other things that have changed that I don't know about.

 

[CoolOne56]

Hi, I'm so excited for you! Among the things that have changed, you now have to select a boarding time.

As for the first thing to do, I would suggest the eMuster drill, get it done and out the way. 🙂  You will only be allowed 2 or 3 drinks before they cut you off until you do the drill.

 

Download the Carnival HUP app before you get on the ship. Look for the app on Google Play and iTunes to download. It's free and you do not need the internet to use it.

 

Happy sails! 🚢

[sharon&family]

You will notice that the buffets are nowhere near what they used to be.  There are no midnight buffets and no ice carvings on the buffets.  

[hapytobehr]

On 11/14/2021 at 6:47 AM, ontheweb said:

I forgot the term  they now use, but I don't believe they even call it formal night any longer.

It's called "Cruise Elegant"

[klfhngr]

A lot less classy/fancy/elegant. Missing that vibe. I started cruising in 85.

Edited November 16, 2021 by klfhngr