If you. Good advice, Jenn. Before embarking (stepping on board) your ship, know a few terms to make your first-time cruise more comfortable. Bring water shoes You may want to throw a bathing suit and a pair of non-slip boat shoes that provide good traction into your suitcase and call yourself packed. Note: this McCool Travel tip does not work when the ship is docked (lights will be on) or winds are high (it can be dangerous). We think this one is a nice size for cruising. For as little as $39.95, you can have early access to your cabin and have priority delivery for your luggage to your stateroom. It was time to revisit cruising. #ChooseFun. McCool Travel tip: Tea lovers will also want to bring their own tea aboard Carnival sailings. This way, mom can charge herphoneat the same time that Dad is charging his camera battery,while one of the kids is chargingatablet. At a time where I didnt have to color these grays Im gettingsay circathe dawn of the new millennium. We asked, and were able to switch to that booth for the rest of the cruise. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Your lanyard will hold your Sail & Sign card, which functions as a cabin key and your primary purchasing method while onboard. McCool Travel tip: We used a Roaming Man device on our 15-day Viking Cruises Into the Midnight Sun voyage. Typically formal night isn't as formal as you might think. 5. Information about Carnival Cruise Ships, cruise reviews, cruise essentials, cruise ports, cruise ship reviews, cruise food and more. Dont miss the shows, comedy club, and of course folding towel animals. 5. If you can disconnect from the demands of emails and online life during your cruise, do it. Carnival usually has a ship tour in the afternoon of embarkation day just look for it on your Hub App! This tip is simple: download and use the Carnival Hub App. We were on board the Carnival Vista and we really enjoyed our cruise. A daughter and husband who loved boats and me, the girl who loves to travel. Guys Burgers Joint is another good lunch choice with a fast-moving line. These are great for first time cruisers. And no matter what stage of the planning process you're at, there's a lot to know in order for you to make the most of your time and money while onboard. For U.S. Citizens You Can Use Other Forms of Travel Documents 2. Seriously! Your email address will not be published. For example, you'll find a brewery on board the new Carnival Vista, but this may not be the case if you're traveling on an older ship. Want a free bottle of wine? No flights. Noise, smoke, and walking distance are factors to consider when choosing your Carnival room. It's fun. We do enjoy the casino fellowship on our cruises. This is one of my essential cruise packing items! However, most deck areas are well lit, so you will need to find hidden spots for the best views. Ships time rules on the high seas. Past cruisers get discounts or upgrades or even free vouchers for a few free drinks. Room service on Carnival ships is typically free, so go ahead and order breakfast in bed! We developed these Carnival Cruise tips on a two-week Panama Canal cruise from Galveston, Texas aboard the Carnival Freedom. You really only need your room key the entire time you are on the boat. You don't want to over pack, but you'll want all the necessities. This is a shore excursion that's available for the day 1 and speeds up your embarkation process. Lovely list. Bottom line: if you have must-do or must-see venues and excursions on your list, book them early! The track is fairly shortit takes about 30 laps to complete a 5Kbut it is a nice open area. Carnival typically boards through a staggered check-in. Breakfast meals were always great and for lunch ( 12:30- 2:30) the Mongolian Wok is the best, hands down! A classic in the lists of tips for a Carnival Cruise, but still an important one. Haven't started planning your cruise yet? But I digress. Here are 26 of the best Carnival cruise tips that will help you plan, pack, dine and relax like a pro. 05/18/2019, Such a nice note. Still on the fence about whether a cruise vacation is right for you? Please read my disclosure.These 26 items are my must have items for any cruise so I'm sharing my essential Packing Tips for a Cruise with y'all. Carnival Cruise Tips And Tricks. You'll find these quiet spots at the very front of the ship, though the exact deck will vary depending on which ship you're traveling on. Usually, these doors will be unmarked as to where they lead. I'll even remind you at the end. Dont rely on your cell phone, which may switch to local time if you are in port and take your phone off airplane mode. Carnival Cruise stateroom toiletries are very minimal. Throw on a sundress and a collared shirt for guys and get your lobster on. I dont use elevators while cruising. 18. Especially the doors. You might have the hot tub all to yourself. However, it is inconvenient to bring these liquids with you if you fly to your departure port. While the Cheers and Bubbles packages are popular (and I think get more popular with each sailing), the truth is they are also expensive. Bring Wine and Soda On Board Passengers can bring two bottles of wine and a 12-pack of canned soda on board at the start of a cruise. One thing that I have found that helps burn off some of those vacation calories is to opt to take the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Here's what you'll want to make sure is inside your bag before you set sail on your Carnival cruise: It might take some time before the stewards are able to get your luggage to your room, so packing a carry-on with these items helps you begin enjoying the ship as soon as you step on board! This app is useful before and during your cruise. They are easy to stow in your cabin closet and will keep all of the dirties corralled in a designated area. You can usually also find a quiet spot on the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. I have to tell you I agree with your breakfast choice. It solves the whole Ill be on 10 aft until 4:45 then Ill go downstairs to change and then Ill be in the casino until dinner time. Pay the $5 for the chat. We have been on several cruises (read our cruise reviews and recommendations), but the Panama Canal journey was our first experience with the Carnival brand (we have since had others!). Last minute deals Almost every cruise I have been on has been at a discounted rate. Your favorite pair might be perfect for kicking around on the beach, but be sure to take a look at their tread while you're packing. Required fields are marked *. The best spots for star-gazing on the Carnival Freedom are at the front of decks 6, 7, and 10. Carnival cruises are cashless your onboard account balance is attached to your Sail & Sign card. Thats the beauty of them. ), Want to fly with your bottle of wine? It is fun to explore, and Carnival Cruise Line offers many, many ways to Choose Fun while on board. Choose FUN! These Carnival Cruise tips and tricks will make your journey more fun and friendly, no matter which cruise itinerary or destination you choose. No lines. A few rules different from casual dining (like no flip flops or sleevless shirts) but many people really dressed up. Article by Julie McCool, whose Northern Virginia travel siteFuninFairfaxVA.comhelps locals and visitors find funplaces to explore, dine, drink, and play in the Virginia, Washington DC, and mid-Atlantic area. 2. Always pay attention to SHIPS TIME You dont want to be the knucklehead running down the dock as the ship is throwing off tie-lines to sail away. Last minute cruise deals can save you over 50percent! Check out this insulated water bottle with a wide enough mouth to fill with ice! Don't try to board before your allotted time though, you'll be asked to wait. If you're a wine lover, this is a chance to try that high-end wine you've been eyeing at 50% off! This app is useful before and during your cruise. The deck can be extremely windy at times, but we considered this as extra resistance training. Pack your favorite little black dress and call it a day. Keep your watch set on ships time. Sign up for McCool Travel updates. We were impressed with the loyalty and love our fellow guests have for the Carnival Cruise brand. This allows you to select a 30-minute window for your boarding and gets you on the ship smoothly and controls the total flow of passengers arriving at once. Those can be paid in advance through the Carnival Hub App. It's so much cheaper to drink in port Since I'm preparing for my first cruise, I did some research on must-have items for We are onboard Carnival Panorama, and we thought it would be a great time to go over some of our favorite Carnival cruise hacks while we take you to a few different spots on Carnival Panorama. Use cautionthough apower strip with six or seven electronic devices charging all at once might cause unforeseen problems. Dinner is at a certain time, excursions are at a certain time, the show you want to get to, etc. Additionally, those white sandy beaches may be rocky once you get out past the waterline. Especially on a Caribbean cruise vacation. These doors lead to a balcony area below or above the bridge that is dark and peaceful. Like this article? Thank you for the note, Heidi. You'll sometimes find complimentary meals at Cucina del Capitano and JiJi's Asian Kitchen. This a la carte pricing means it is easy to customize your cruise experience to meet your preferences. See also8 Great Tips for Selecting a Cruise. You might even get the poolto yourself! They cook, they clean and you enjoy all the deliciousness. Please note, Im not advocating that you leave your towel on a chair with the clips for hours at a time, but if you have gone for a dip in the pool they can help you find your way back (or help someone else not mistake your chair for theirs). Most cruise lines will allow for you to bring at least one bottle of wine onto the ship. Again, the Carnival fleet sails large ships and there is always limited capacity. Carnival ships are big. There is nothing wrong with booking a cruise for 2022 or 2023, but be sure to book refundable cruise fare. Also, once you have one cruise under your belt you will qualify for a return-cruiser rate. You can select your arrival appointment time as soon as you see the online check-in option in your Carnival dashboard (usually 90 days before departure). Two fun Carnival cruise tips we learned from VIPs are: This sailing was part of the Carnival Journeys program which are tailored to adult passengers desiring a richer and deeper cruise experience. That said, understanding what is covered with your automatically applied service gratuities can feel a little confusing. We only link to products and services we recommend. That breakfast sounds inspired Charles. May 9, 2022 by admin 0 Comments. I like a plate of cheese cubes and olives. This tip is simple: download and use the Carnival Hub App. So much funness on Carnival. I like the flip flops myself. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, I'm Lisa! You will need cash if you are gambling and its also nice to have some while in port. Purchase an internet package through Carnival. The clock we have also has a couple of USB ports to help with all your charging needs, especially on older ships. (Keep in mind TSA requirements if you are flying to the port. Each person over 21 can bring a bottle of wine on board in their carry-on luggage. If time allows, eat breakfast in the Posh dining room to enjoy a broader menu and more relaxed meal. The locker room showers are also larger than the ones in the stateroom, with water that gets both hotter and colder than the room shower. Thank you. From getting to know your ship, to knowing how to skip the lines, these are some of the best ways to make the most of your time onboard your Carnival cruise. Some Carnival cruise ships have a SkyCourse, which is a super fun ropes course andclosed-toe shoes are required. To search for the best Carnival cruises, click here. Order a taco with eggs (we ask for ours to be prepared fried, over hard), or skip the taco, and get cooked-to-order eggs with little wait. We found the entire Carnival Cruise team to be friendly and helpful throughout our cruise. We always pose a question of the day on the board to encourage othergueststo interact with us. You can save 15% on your Wi-Fi package if you purchase it before boarding the ship. We decided it's about time to share a few Carnival tips and tricks. Most cruise ships now automatically add a gratuity to bar bills, often in the amount of 18% to 20% of the total. Contact your cell phone service provider and let them know where you will be traveling. Book onboard. Be sure to try the yummy arepas! You are going to have to carry that on with you and not put it on your checked luggage. On arrival at the port, make sure your luggage is properly tagged and in the hands of the porters. https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx, 12 Things To Know Before Your First Cruise. 7. This area of the ship is 21 and over and has lots of space for lounging while you watch the waves---and a bar to get your frozen drinks.