New tips for this experienced cruiser.

Just to warn you about Cozumel I put sandwiches in a ziplock and when I got off they have a dog sniffing to see who has food and I was caught and very embarrassed they made me leave the sandwiches in a bin they have there. So I have not done it again. You can take cereal boxes with you and no problem. That only happen in Cozumel.

Good to know. I'm sorry you had that embarrassing experience. At least it was food you got busted for. On our last cruise, my teenage daughter and I witnessed the dogs get really interested in a couple of female passengers we recognized from passing by in our hallway. I don't think they were hiding sandwiches, though. Earlier in the cruise, my daughter told she smelled weed in the hallway on her way back to our room one night.

I read somewhere that the carpet is actually different on port and starboard sides. Does anyone know if this is true? They said it was easier to know which side of the ship your cabin was on. :confused:

Some lines have blue on port/red on starboard, and at least one has fish 'swimming' forward.

The way I've learned to remember is port, left, and even all have 4 letters. As you are facing forward (the front of the ship), port side is on your left and the even numbered cabins are on the left.

I have used the baby powder to remove sand and it works like a charm! They sell small travel size baby powder so it doesn't take up much room.:)

Interesting! Just sprinkle the baby powder on your feet, etc. and the sand drops off easier??

The way I've learned to remember is port, left, and even all have 4 letters. As you are facing forward (the front of the ship), port side is on your left and the even numbered cabins are on the left.

Genius! I will always remember it this way! Thanks for the tip!

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More than likely someone has already posted this, but I thought I would put it out again.

Before I take any cruise, I always have a list of about 30 different items, mainly what to take, but a few are what to do, just before I leave the house. Since I travel ever so often, I always have at least 10 copies, so i don't have to keep typing up the list each time. As I put the items in my luggage, I then mark them off.

Also, since there generally are not many outlets for phones, hair dryer, etc. I always take an outlet to plug in, where I can plug in 3 items at the same time.

Does everyone have luck with using baby powder to remove sand at the beach? I’ve never tried it.

I have used the baby powder to remove sand and it works like a charm! They sell small travel size baby powder so it doesn't take up much room.:)

This did not work for me when I tried it. I simply ended up with a mixture of sand and baby powder on my feet, lol. Perhaps it depends on the texture of the sand and/or level of moisture? Or maybe I didn't use enough powder. I wonder if corn starch would work better?

Some lines have blue on port/red on starboard, and at least one has fish 'swimming' forward.

 

The way I've learned to remember is port, left, and even all have 4 letters. As you are facing forward (the front of the ship), port side is on your left and the even numbered cabins are on the left.

Yes, port is four letters and star-'Board' is five letters. Very easy to remember.

Interesting! Just sprinkle the baby powder on your feet, etc. and the sand drops off easier??

I like to use plaster of Paris. It's more effective if you also apply a little salt water in addition to make a good paste. Wait three or four hours before trying to remove it. Very effective!

if you play in the casino, i have a come up with a great way to practice. About a week before the cruise, while driving down the highway, every now and then i will roll the window down and throw a twenty out. It then hurts less when i lose in the casino.

lol!

I've seen some funny and interesting stuff while in the Muster Drill lines. Added "free" entertainment!

Just thankful we don't have to bring our life vests and have to return back to the cabin. Take your time...no rush...enjoy!

Does everyone have luck with using baby powder to remove sand at the beach? I’ve never tried it.

I do this all the time when we go to the beach. You have to be dry first (hence why others mentioned getting pasty. :D

Before I take any cruise, I always have a list of about 30 different items, mainly what to take, but a few are what to do, just before I leave the house. Since I travel ever so often, I always have at least 10 copies, so i don't have to keep typing up the list each time. As I put the items in my luggage, I then mark them off.

I make all my travel lists (and grocery lists, Christmas lists...) in the "AnyList" app on my phone. I can check them off and use them over and over again. Saves paper (plus I would always misplace my paper lists!) I will also uncheck the entire list and use it again when we're packing to go home. Added bonus is it helps me not forget anything in a hotel room or cabin.

I do this all the time when we go to the beach. You have to be dry first (hence why others mentioned getting pasty. :D

 

 

I make all my travel lists (and grocery lists, Christmas lists...) in the "AnyList" app on my phone. I can check them off and use them over and over again. Saves paper (plus I would always misplace my paper lists!) I will also uncheck the entire list and use it again when we're packing to go home. Added bonus is it helps me not forget anything in a hotel room or cabin.

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I love the ColorNotes app

 

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Same concept but I use Evernote. Just check them off, then uncheck everything before the next one! I’ll usually copy and paste all my flight info and any port/ excursion research I’ve done into the same note. That way it’s all in one place.

Same concept but I use Evernote. Just check them off, then uncheck everything before the next one! I’ll usually copy and paste all my flight info and any port/ excursion research I’ve done into the same note. That way it’s all in one place.

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Did you read #5?

That entire post got me too until I read #5 then I was like "oh they got me" haha

I'm glad I'm not by myself. Numbers 1 and 4 pissed me off until I got to 5 then I started cracking up.

Hold onto a couple of wine glasses. You can carefully rinse them out. Put them in the closet with the tray from RS. Then, you don't have to pour your carried-on wine into water glasses. It looks a bit classier. :)

I had to laugh when I saw this.

Put in glasses? We carry our bottle and drink it at dinner!;p

I had to laugh when I saw this.

 

Put in glasses? We carry our bottle and drink it at dinner!;p

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Lots of good tips here

Show up ON TIME for muster....it's rude to make everyone wait on you.

Agree. IF everyone takes the advice to wait until last you will still have the same crowding problem and the whole process is delayed as well.

I've seen some funny and interesting stuff while in the Muster Drill lines. Added "free" entertainment!

Just thankful we don't have to bring our life vests and have to return back to the cabin. Take your time...no rush...enjoy!

THIS. Muster is the best people watching, ever. Someone funnier than I should make a Muster Drill People Watch Bingo card.

Just to warn you about Cozumel I put sandwiches in a ziplock and when I got off they have a dog sniffing to see who has food and I was caught and very embarrassed they made me leave the sandwiches in a bin they have there. So I have not done it again. You can take cereal boxes with you and no problem. That only happen in Cozumel.

Same. I took a banana for my one year old son and had to toss it.

One tip I learned after my first Carnival cruise in 2005 is that they'll let you order any pasta on the main entrees as an appetizer. I can be a picky eater but there is usually a pasta entree a few nights that I will ask for but as an appetizer. It usually comes in a smaller portion, too. This is especially helpful on the first formal night when I want both the spaghetti carbonara and prime rib. :)

Another tip is that there is an excellent banana split dessert on the kid's menu in the MDR, and they'll let adults order it too. It's great when you want something small for dessert or just want a good banana split.

Something else I do at Guy's Burgers is I'll ask them to put chili on my fries. Guy's chili is different--kind of sweet and spicy. I don't want it on my burger as that'd be messy, but they're more than happy to put some on my fries or on the side. And, it just occurred to me that you can take your chili fries to the Blue Iguana salsa bar to load them up with cheese and sour cream. Mmm loaded fries!

One tip I learned after my first Carnival cruise in 2005 is that they'll let you order any pasta on the main entrees as an appetizer. I can be a picky eater but there is usually a pasta entree a few nights that I will ask for but as an appetizer. It usually comes in a smaller portion, too. This is especially helpful on the first formal night when I want both the spaghetti carbonara and prime rib. :)

 

Another tip is that there is an excellent banana split dessert on the kid's menu in the MDR, and they'll let adults order it too. It's great when you want something small for dessert or just want a good banana split.

 

Something else I do at Guy's Burgers is I'll ask them to put chili on my fries. Guy's chili is different--kind of sweet and spicy. I don't want it on my burger as that'd be messy, but they're more than happy to put some on my fries or on the side. And, it just occurred to me that you can take your chili fries to the Blue Iguana salsa bar to load them up with cheese and sour cream. Mmm loaded fries!

I forgot all about the banana split! Not on the adult dessert menu but you can always order one.

Great tips. This is a great cooler to bring beverages shore for a beach day. I believe this one would be small enough for the ship's standards. We have the largest one for parties and to take to the pool in Mexico. They are water tight and hold cubed ice for 24 hours or more. You squeeze the air out of them and can roll them up to take up minimal space in your luggage.

https://www.amazon.com/ICEMULE-Classic-Insulated-Backpack-Cooler/dp/B0170TVS7M/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1532656123&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=ice%2Bmule&th=1&psc=1

Show up ON TIME for muster....it's rude to make everyone wait on you.

This is so true. People are sitting and waiting for everyone to show up to get this over with. It can be a bit long and boring waiting for the stragglers. Everyone is anxious to get their vacation started, especially when you are standing on the sunny side of the ship and it is hot and crowded. Be considerate.