Cabin and Cabin Steward - Updates Needed

[sea_u_onboard]

I like to share info with my family and friends but I know the information I have is in desperate need of some updating (went back to school and haven't had much time to spend on here). Please look through and tell me what has changed as it relates to this subject. I will post “other sections” separately. Thanks in advance - everyone here is always so helpful.

CABIN & CABIN STEWARD

· When you arrive to your room you should find your first copy of the Carnival Caper welcoming you aboard. You will get a new Caper every night for the following day. Bring a yellow highlighter to mark activities in the “Day at a Glance” section on the back that you want to attend. Tear off the Day at a Glance section so you can carry it with you wherever you go. You can get additional copies of the Capers from the Purser's desk for others in your party or for souvenirs. You don’t need to stand in line. They are usually placed at the end of the counter.

· Depending on the preference of the people in the cabin before you the twin beds may or may not be pushed together. If the cabin is not configured to how you want it then just let the steward know. You may not see it changed until you arrive back in the cabin that night. The steward may be very busy switching other cabins around.

· If you have connecting cabins with family and/or friends this is the time to request it is unlocked. Connecting cabins are indicated on the deck plans as a diamond shape between cabins.

· If you are sailing with 3 or 4 in your cabin and IF there is a convertible sofa in your cabin expect this to always be made up as a bed. The steward will put the back cushion on during the day and remove it at night but usually they do not remove the sheets and blankets. If you desire for the bedding to be removed each day this is something you can discuss with your steward but personally if I made this request I would tip with the request as this does consume more of the stewards time. They may tell you that they prefer to leave the sofa make up as a bed.

· Some stewards will replace the bunk into the wall/ceiling each day. Some leave them out. If you prefer it one way over the other you need to discuss this with your steward.

· You can order excursions through the television. You may find it cheaper to book some excursions on your own before the cruise.

· Ask the room steward to show you where the pantry is. This is where you can freshen up your ice bucket anytime. Yes, that’s what you pay the steward his tips for but they can’t always be found (they have a lot of cabins to clean). Depending on the steward they may tell you guests are no allowed in the pantry.

· We tip the steward a little up front (on top of the tip they get on the S&S) since we always seem to have something special that needs to be done. Some disagree with this practice. Do as you please.

· Carnival has a reverse gratuity system, meaning that the gratuities will be placed on your S&S account. If the service is great leave it the way it is. If the service is poor then I can go to the purser’s desk and ask them to adjust the tip for the steward. You can adjust the tip for anyone – up or down – by going to the purser’s desk. Do this before the day of debarkation, as they will be very busy.

· If you are having issues with service please take the opportunity first to speak to someone regarding the issue. If the issue is not resolved then yes, adjust the tip. If the issue is addressed to your satisfaction then I suggest you leave them be. This is only my opinion so do as you please.

· If you pre-pay your tips through your travel agent or Carnival then you can not adjust your tips down. If you want to give additional you can do so in cash directly to the cabin steward.

· Warning – the bathrooms are small and the toilet makes a loud sound when you flush it.

· Unless you have a suite the showers are small. All come with a detachable hand held showerhead.

· The showers have dispensers filled with shower gel and shampoo/conditioner combo. You may want to bring your own conditioner. Saltwater can do a number on your hair.

· There is an AC control is your cabin. Usually it is located overhead on the vent.

· You can ask the steward for extra pillows and blankets.

· Take a night light if you have an inside cabin – it can be very dark. A travel alarm clock isn’t a bad idea either. An inside cabin can be very confusing to your internal clock. The phones can be set to give you a wake up call. Other leave there TV turned to the bridge cam.

· If you are traveling with others you can leave and retrieve messages through the cabin voice mail system on the phone. Some ships still do not have this option.

· If your cabin has a refrigerator most likely it will be stocked. You must request that it be opened. Anything you use – you buy. You can ask the steward to remove the items so you can put in your own but be cautious doing this as the steward may not remember and you may get charged for items you did not use. Also some stewards will tell you they are not allowed to remove items.

· If possible take a soft-sided cooler. Just ask the steward to keep ice in it (another good reason to tip up front). Your drinks will be colder and you don’t run the risk of being charged for items you didn’t use. Size is limited to 12” x 12” unless you take a collapsible one and that way you can pack it in your luggage.

· If you have more than a couple of things to plug in you may want to take a power strip. There is only one outlet in the cabin area.

· The cabins have a hair dryer (usually located in the vanity drawer) but you have to hold the button for it to work. If you have long hair, you may want to bring your own.

· The cabin steward will turn down the bed every night (some do not provide turn-down on the first night) and return after you leave in the morning to make the bed, replace towels, and generally clean the cabin. You can contact the steward by phone. Check the directory in the cabin.

· If you are done with a towel, throw it on the floor. If a towel is hanging it will not be replaced. As you can imagine there is a lot of laundry on a ship so anytime a towel can be reused they request you do so.

· There is a retractable clothesline in the shower. You can bring some clothespins or just hang things over.

· Purchase a shoe organizer – the type with the hanger and pockets. Some use it for the bathroom – but I find there is lots of storage in the bathroom. I prefer to use it to store small items such as highlighters, post-its, pens, disposable cameras, sunscreen, corkscrew, and tips for room service. Hang it in the closet area. We use the bottom outside pocket for our S&S cards when we retire for the night so we know where to find them in the morning.

· There will be a cabin book that talks about the ship (and filled with advertising). This is yours to take. If you would like a new one just ask the steward.

· If you have a balcony room, bring bungee cords to hold open the balcony door at night. You will be able to hear the ocean and get a nice breeze. Do turn down the AC – as it would be wasteful to run it at full blast.

· The balcony doors can be opened between the staterooms. The Room Steward will unlock the door, upon request. You may need to go down to the Pursers desk with one of the other parties in the adjoining cabin. Some ships limit the number of door that can be opened so be sure to do this as soon as you board.

· All staterooms have an amenity basket in the bathroom. The amenities are subject to change and are only sample sizes. The basket may include such things as: his/her razors; shampoo and conditioner; body wash; Tylenol; deodorant; hard candies. Supplies will be replenished by the room steward, upon request.

· A safe is provided in every stateroom and is located in the cabinet under the TV. On some ships the safe requires any type of card with a magnetic strip on the back to lock/open while some of the older ships have a keypad that you can assign your own code. Suggest a grocery reward card or something that won’t cause a burden if it is lost. If you do lose the card, the purser desk can send someone to open it for you.

· Please be considerate of those around you. The cabin walls are not thin but loud music carries.

[MamaParrotHead]

Would you maybe want to put something in there about the mini-step up into the bathroom? I only mention it because I stub my toe on the dang thing atleast a dozen time throughout the cruise, LOL.

 

You may also suggest that as an alternative to the nightlight, the bathroom light be kept on and the door left open just a crack.

 

Maybe reword the part about the power strip and include a link to the recently published "banned items" section on Carnival.com.

 

Mention where the room service menu and life vests are located?

 

Mention that there are robes and beach towels (that they can take off the ship) provided?

[Fairhope]

Capers is now called Fun Times

[okwriter]

Mention where the room service menu and life vests are located?

 

Good idea. On my first cruise, I never did find a room service menu. :confused:

[firefly333]

Capers is now called Fun Times

 

You beat me to it.

 

Must more optimistic than the service Iv gotten. I have not gotten hangers and the missing pillow the day I arrived (we only had 3 hangers total and one pillow and should be two).

 

Have requested the beds be separated and not done the day we boarded either.

 

Have discussed service with a problem cabin steward who had lots of excuses.

 

If you get the things you mentioned above great, but the stewards are very much more overworked than they were in years past.

[okwriter]

Is the entry about ordering excursions through the TV true on all ships or only some?

[firefly333]

Is the entry about ordering excursions through the TV true on all ships or only some?

 

Ecstasy tvs didnt have a menu button, or my remote was defective.

 

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If you pre-pay your tips through your travel agent or Carnival then you can not adjust your tips down. If you want to give additional you can do so in cash directly to the cabin steward.

 

Host Mach has posted about this that it isnt true... showed on the FAQs where it said all tips can be adjusted... I would check this one too.

 

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I also dont like the part about purchasing a over the door organizer stated as a fact. With just two of us, it would be worthless. Might be fine if you have more people in your cabin. I cant imagine wanting one and have heard many people posting how they bought one for nothing.

[iowagirl411]

Not all cabins on all ships have hair dryers.

 

Not all balcony dividers on all ships can be opened. Some ships require a maintenance person to open them.

 

I don't remember which ship, but we were escorted from the pantry & told we could not get our own ice.

 

Although it is a fine idea, I have never seen or heard a request to reuse your towels.

 

Although a lot of us do, "bungeeing" the balcony door open is frowned upon.

 

Don't want to get your friends off to a bad start.

[CJinFLA00]

Just wanted to mention that I really enjoyed your site. Great information there and glad to see you are updating. Keep up the great work!

[sea_u_onboard]

Thanks everyone - great ideas / suggestions and updates.

[MSRussell]

There was a sign in the bathroom on the Sensation to reuse your towels, to save water and electricity. If you want them washed, just leave them on the floor.

The PVP I booked with from Carnival actually suggested a bungee cord, as a lot of people on the forums did..

Melanie

[pmc7704]

Ecstasy tvs didnt have a menu button, or my remote was defective.

 

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I also dont like the part about purchasing a over the door organizer stated as a fact. With just two of us, it would be worthless. Might be fine if you have more people in your cabin. I cant imagine wanting one and have heard many people posting how they bought one for nothing.

 

 

I disagree with this, we're only two of us, but we use the over the door organizer on every one of our cruises. Actually, we have TWO of them, one with eight clear pockets that I use in the cabin, and a smaller one with four clear pockets that I use in the bathroom. It really nice to have everything organized and not laying all over the counters and getting lost. It takes up very little space in the suitcases, and is invaluable.....

[pkrchkr]

Thank you so much for your post. It is incredibly helpful I look forward to reading more helpful hints from the CC members

[Rosefloater]

· If you pre-pay your tips through your travel agent or Carnival then you can not adjust your tips down. If you want to give additional you can do so in cash directly to the cabin steward.

 

You might want to mention that besides the cabin steward, there are 2 assistants. A morning and an evening asst. Not that many people realize that. I always make sure to tip them as well and always mention them by name in the comments section of the satisfaction survey.

[luckycruzer]

the shoe holder OTD is a great help for me..I even use it for shoes too!!!..clothes pins..for small wash-y things (long voyage) and 3/4 clothes pins clipped down the edge for butt flap-y shower curtin!

[I Luv Crusin]

There was a sign in the bathroom on the Sensation to reuse your towels, to save water and electricity. If you want them washed, just leave them on the floor.

 

Melanie

 

I always try to reuse my towels and they are always replaced.....:rolleyes:

[kmilanes]

Not only when you flush it makes a loud sound, but you can get sucked in :D

[sea_u_onboard]

You might want to mention that besides the cabin steward, there are 2 assistants. A morning and an evening asst. Not that many people realize that. I always make sure to tip them as well and always mention them by name in the comments section of the satisfaction survey.

Good point.

[idec 102]

Thanks for all the great info. My wife wouldn't know what to do in the morning without a powerstrip for all her diff irons and her "own" hair dryer. We have been on 4 cruise and are leaving out of NOLA next saturday and we always bring the shoe organizer for the bathroom door. Great idea! Never had a balcony but I would def bring a cord for the door. Would love going to sleep with the sound of the ocean! Last time we were on the Conquest our room steward showed us the pantry but we never had to use it because she was so awesome.

Reading your list is making me wish I were leaving this Saturday.

[flounder315]

You didn't mention - Door Decorations. Makes it easy to find the correct door, (all doors look the exact same). And fellow passengers around our cabin have thanked me every cruise, telling me that it helps them find their door.