"I wish I knew before..."

[Martini Mom]

Some of my must-haves:

*Post it notes (great for leaving each other notes. DH likes to get up on deck super early while I sleep in)

*Highlighter- for marking which activities I want to do on the daily schedule

*OTC meds (Pepto, Immodium, Bandaids, Motrin...)

*Clothespins- to hold the shower curtain down at the bottom and for hanging up wet swimwear

*Conditioner- Carnival does not provide any and I have long hair

*Nightlight- it can be a very dark walk to the bathroom at night

 

I could go on and on, but those are the ones I use the most. :)

[Oshawapilot]

*Nightlight- it can be a very dark walk to the bathroom at night

 

On that note (and somewhat off topic, sorry), on Allure (presuming Oasis as well) there was a nightlight built into the overhead lighting in the bathroom - when you flipped off the main lights, an uber-dim glow took it's place. It was barely noticeable at first, but if you went into the bathroom after the stateroom lights had been off for a while it was actually perfectly navigable with just the night lighting alone.

[DevilDogsWifey215]

Water shouldn't have a taste. Some people forget that. ;)

 

The only problem some people have with desalinized (distilled) water is that sometimes the PH gets out of whack, and unless corrected it can cause stomach upset in people susceptible to such.

 

I got a laugh when investigating the subject and I came across a website where someone said that "Distilled water tastes horrible!". To the contrary - regular water tastes "horrible" (to some)....distilled water has NO taste, and it's the lack of taste to some that is perceived as "bad". To the contrary, IMHO - I find a tall cold glass of distilled water quite refreshing.

 

 

that's why i said the 'flavor' comes from the minerals as pure water taste like nothing. I can drink it but I prefer 'flavored' water instead.

[Marian Paroo]

*Nightlight- it can be a very dark walk to the bathroom at night

 

 

I brought a tap light for the wall against my head.

 

Took it off and scraped the wall clean of the sticky traces before disembarking, of course. The cabin cleaners have enough to do to get the room ready for the next person.

[Killington]

Smokers, nobody has mentioned this. Bring a small portable ashtray if you want to smoke on your balcony. There is nothing provided for butts and ashes and it's not nice to leave a mess for the steward to clean up.

 

(Militant non-smokers: please just don't reply...we've heard it all before.)

 

Use an empty drink can with a little water in, totally safe, ash can't blow around. Just don't use the same brand as you are currently drinking:D

[DevilDogsWifey215]

Use an empty drink can with a little water in, totally safe, ash can't blow around. Just don't use the same brand as you are currently drinking:D

 

 

yes mark it!! nothing taste worst than ashtray soda! :eek:

[Cruising-Solo]

I brought a magnifying glass to read the Fun Times, as even with bifocals, I had problems reading some of the smaller print. An good ear plugs are a must to drown out the chair dragging above my state-room on the lido deck, as well as the late night revelers up there.

[Cruising-Solo]

Oh, and another essential I could not do without that I was happy I brought with me. A Brita Filter Bottle that I filled up with tap water the entire Cruise. It really saved me money from purchasing their spring water, as I drink a lot of water(not soda)

[paisley_17]

So it says no flip flops in the dinning room, I live in flip flops I am just wondering what people wear in the dining room? Are a nice pair of capris okay to wear on casual nights? would the shoes in the attachment be appropriate for dinner wear and not considered flip flops??

[Curlin]

Found this out by accident and wanted to share... Sailed on the Glory last month and when we got on the ship began checking things out. 5 waiters around the casino area with trays full of glasses of champagne! The casino was not open of course so there was no one around but us. Awesome. Didn't see any waiters serving champagne on the very crowded Lido deck.

 

Wish i knew...

 

Milk is out only at breakfast at the buffets. If you want it any other time, just ask one of the buffet line servers. They'll give you whatever you want. Only found this out towards the end of the cruise from another passenger.

 

Rooms on the Upper deck (ours was balcony 6316) hear casino noise from the deck below til wee hours of the morning. it was annoying, but we learned to ignore it. Would not book a room there again.

 

Anytime dining line/wait for dinner was outrageous at 6:45. Hostess advised to get there before 6:30 or arrive around 7:45. We followed her advice and were seated in about 5 minutes after that.

 

What a fabulous vacation a cruise would be.... Would have done it a looong time ago!

[Curlin]

Flip flops were worn by many in the dining room with a sundress or capris - even shorts. Your shoes pictured are downright beautiful! No worries.

[T.O.cruisers]

So it says no flip flops in the dinning room, I live in flip flops I am just wondering what people wear in the dining room? Are a nice pair of capris okay to wear on casual nights? would the shoes in the attachment be appropriate for dinner wear and not considered flip flops??

Those shoes are fine for dinner wear. They aren't flip flops. There are sandals.:)

[paisley_17]

Thanks for the input....Also I hear the two twin beds are pushed together to make a king.... Is there a problem with them sliding apart It is mine an my boyfriends first anniversary... I dont want to sleep apart.

[Oshawapilot]

Thanks for the input....Also I hear the two twin beds are pushed together to make a king.... Is there a problem with them sliding apart It is mine an my boyfriends first anniversary... I dont want to sleep apart.

 

We didn't have problems on Allure, similar bed setup. There is, unfortunately, a noticeable "dip" in the bed in the area where they join. We laughingly referred to it as the "crevasse" all week long.

 

As for shoes in the MDR, I thought it was "no open toes"? We listened to one couple in one of the solarium hot tubs complain to no end one evening because (god forbid!) they couldn't go to the main dining room in their tank tops and shorts. Sheesh, if you can't be bothered to put on proper attire there are PLENTY of other dining options aboard the ship where you can go in a banana hammock and little else if that's what you desire.

[Underwatr]

When they push the beds together they make it up like a King-size bed with big sheets that go over both beds. As Oshawapilot observes there's a noticeable ridge or dip in the middle that could be uncomfortable to sleep on but the beds won't slide apart.

[Cruising-Solo]

When they push the beds together they make it up like a King-size bed with big sheets that go over both beds. As Oshawapilot observes there's a noticeable ridge or dip in the middle that could be uncomfortable to sleep on but the beds won't slide apart.

 

I never had a problem with the two singles pushed together while only sleeping, but if there is other activity going on in the bed, I would be a little careful;)

[Eris0303]

As for shoes in the MDR, I thought it was "no open toes"?

 

I doubt a rule like that could really be enforced. Look at how many dressy shoes are "open toe". All of my evening shoes are. In fact other than my sneakers all of the shoes I'm bringing are "open toe".

[dtb55]

Open toed shoes are allowed in the MDR. They are not allowed the the galley if you sign up for the Chef's Table.

[Upshaw]

Oh, and another essential I could not do without that I was happy I brought with me. A Brita Filter Bottle that I filled up with tap water the entire Cruise. It really saved me money from purchasing their spring water, as I drink a lot of water(not soda)

 

I am considering a Brita Bottle, I too drink a lot of water.

Also does anyone have any helpful hints on staying in an inside room? Do I need a night light for in the washroom? - No I'm not afraid of the dark ha ha just thinking it must be dark all the time!

 

[peacelove]

I agree, we are going on our 1st cruise & I need to know as much as possible & these tips are going to be invaluable! Thanks! peace.

[Curlin]

I am considering a Brita Bottle, I too drink a lot of water.

Also does anyone have any helpful hints on staying in an inside room? Do I need a night light for in the washroom? - No I'm not afraid of the dark ha ha just thinking it must be dark all the time!

 

 

There is a light on in the hallway all the time. This will come into your room under the door. I kept a book light in the bathroom so I didn't have to turn on the glaring bathroom light at night. Worked out great.

[Oshawapilot]

Do I need a night light for in the washroom? - No I'm not afraid of the dark ha ha just thinking it must be dark all the time!

 

Not sure about other RCI ships, but Allure (and probably Oasis as well I'm assuming) had a night light built into the main lights in the bathroom - as soon as you turned off the main lights the nightlight came on. Very dim (which is good since even with the bathroom door open it didn't flood the cabin with light), but more than enough to fully light up the bathroom once your eyes adjusted - we never needed to turn on the main lights through the night.

[Eris0303]

I recommend those little battery operated tea-lights. They come in a three pack at the local dollar store and don't take up an outlet that you may need for something else

[suzyed]

I recommend those little battery operated tea-lights. They come in a three pack at the local dollar store and don't take up an outlet that you may need for something else

 

Got 'em!

[Marian Paroo]

All this talk about pushing twin beds together reminds me of years ago, how when I was at a conference with my ex- we pushed the twins together and lashed them together as soon as we came in, but later that night heard our side neighbors and the upstairs neighbors doing that also after the dance party!