What are your....

[1trip&Ifell]

So we are about to cruise on our first cruise in just under 30 days!! :D We are sailing on the Elation out of N.O. What are your tips, secrets, traditions ect.? What is the one thing that you wish someone told you BEFORE you set sail?

[christmas]

So we are about to cruise on our first cruise in just under 30 days!! :D We are sailing on the Elation out of N.O. What are your tips, secrets, traditions ect.? What is the one thing that you wish someone told you BEFORE you set sail?

 

Do online check in get a porter before and after you get off or on the ship

Bingo is pricey photos are pricey when you get off in Cozumel you are in a Carnival made area of Shops if you have any specific questions please email me at cruiser2008@live.com and would be happy to anwser them Have a great cruise I loved the Elation.

[alphakitty]

so many things....

 

only one outlet in the rooms

it's not an all inclusive vacation

tips are extra cost at end of cruise if you have not prepaid

medicines, suntan lotion, etc cost a lot on ship, bring what you need

you can safely do independent tours in most ports

note the location of your cabin, look at what is above and below, avoid bars, pool decks, theater, etc for better sleep

[cruisenanny]

Don't try to do everything that is available, you will be exhausted.

Since it is your first cruise, do get a nice photo taken & buy it!

Enjoy free cappuccino, espresso & hot chocolate in the MDR complimentary on your particular ship at B, L & D!

You can order more than 1 app at dinner, or any combo of app, soup & salad, you are not limited to just 1.

Room service is free 24/7, so is pizza, self serve ice cream, coffee, tea & lemonade on the lido.

The room service menu will be mixed in with all the papers you find on your bed the first day, hang on to it!

Bring a flashlight & keep it handy during the night.

Take half of the clothing & shoes you thing you will need.

You MUST put the lid down to flush:D

Oh, ENJOY:p

[marshhawk]

You can order seconds in the MDR(main dining room). Found that out on the second night. Our table mates told us.:)

Don't be afraid to make an arse out of yourself-play a game, toss the bean bags, or do a trivia game. Just don't try to do everything.

Go to tea on your sea day, and for the whole cruise allow your self to be spoiled!

Explore.

[1trip&Ifell]

Thanks we are super excited! It will be 4 families total 3 of us have boys between 12-13yr in the same grade so it will be a great group. What about any tips for traveling with teens? How close of tabs do you keep on them? I do know we are planning on getting a soda card for him since I know he is addicted to DP.

[Mizzouaholic]

Bring a smal alarm clock for your room instead of relying on Carnival's wake up call. Not to mention its nice to be able to see the time in your room, since there is no other clocks. You can order seconds and even thirds or fourths in the MDR if you want.:D I have made a habit of ordering the chocolate melting cake along with another desert every night at dinner.

[1trip&Ifell]

I have made a habit of ordering the chocolate melting cake along with another desert every night at dinner.

 

I am actually kinda scared to try this since I heard it was sooo good! LOL

[maldenmusic]

Just relax and enjoy the Elation-we will be on it again in 20 days or so-it's our favorite ship so far. Take binoculars so you can use them while you cruise down the Mississippi River.

[K.T.B.]

If you have a balcony cabin, bring bungie cords! You can keep the door open that way, especially when at sea.

 

No need to decide between 2 or 3 different entrees in the main dining room, you can order the whole menu if you want. And someone also mentioned you can order seconds, you can also double or triple order something you like. (Personally speaking, I always get 2 pumpkin soups. :) ) And if it's not on the menu and you have a picky eater, you can always order a steak for dinner.

 

If you have people who have more than 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks a day that's not beer, buy drink coupons via Carnival's website. 30 days out and should still be able to do so. Using the coupons for beer causes you lose money, but if you're a margarita person, you'll be thankful for them!

 

For kids, buy drink cards on board!! Well worth the cost!

 

Since this is your first cruise, do buy the "Welcome Aboard" picture they take right before you get on the ship. Especially if it has all your group in it. It's worth it for a first cruise, IMO.

 

Take extra batteries for whatever electronic devices you have, especially cameras.

 

In Cozumel especially, be warned that the people who work in the store stand outside to try to get you in their store. And they're not shy. If you're not interested, just ignore them. If you engage them, then walking away is difficult.

 

Also in Cozumel, and this is MY personal favorite thing to do, get a massage if you have no excursions planned. Check out Barefoot in Cozumel. My wife and I have had massages done by Sally numerous times. And she's far more reasonably price that whatever you get on the ship! ;) Oh, and let her know I sent you her way... Seriously.

 

Finally, just have fun.

[rnvattes]

So we are about to cruise on our first cruise in just under 30 days!! :D We are sailing on the Elation out of N.O. What are your tips, secrets, traditions ect.? What is the one thing that you wish someone told you BEFORE you set sail?

 

Don't try to do it ALL! I came home from my first cruise SO EXHAUSTED because we were go-go-go the whole time, trying to do everything there was to do. It's just not possible! Hit the highlights, and do some more on your NEXT cruise (because 30 days from now, you'll be an addict too ;) )

[rnvattes]

Bring a smal alarm clock for your room instead of relying on Carnival's wake up call. Not to mention its nice to be able to see the time in your room, since there is no other clocks.

 

This! We just had a wake-up call fail on our most recent trip. Wasn't a big deal, and we woke about 30 minutes after the scheduled wake-up call. But it could have been a disaster if we had a scheduled excursion or had slept even later than we did!

[rudechuck]

Bring a highlighter and go through your Fun Times each night for the next day to pick and choose what you want to do.

 

Any pasta entree can also be ordered as a starter.

 

Also, you can bring on 1 bottle of wine or champagne per adult and up to 12 (20 oz. or less) non-alcoholic beverages per person at embarkation (carry-on only)

[crewsweeper]

You MUST put the lid down to flush:D

 

Most IMPORTANT tip, often only learned the hard way, LOL

[ChefSusan]

There's only one outlet in the cabin, so make sure to pack some sort of mini adapter that will allow you to charge using USB as well as traditional plug-in. Belkin makes a really good three outlet adapter for around $15 - can be bought at Staples or Office Depot.

 

Room service is available 24/7 daily, and it's FREE! Continental Breakfast tags are hanging in your cabin, lunch and dinner menu will be in the papers left in your cabin when you enter. DO NOT lose this! Make sure to bring singles with you if you plan on ordering from room service, as the staff for this area is not included in the daily tip pool.

 

Take advantage of the various food selections nightly in the Dining Room. If you see something that you have never tried, or have wanted to try for a while, DO IT! If it doesn't appeal to you, it can always be replaced. Same goes for the sushi available nightly - it's the perfect time to try it as it's included in the price of the cruise.

 

If your party wants to bring wine, soda, juices, or water, remember it MUST be in your carry on bag. Each person is limited to 1 750ml bottle of wine and 12 cans/bottles of soda, juice, or water. If you pack any of this in your checked bags, you will run the risk of having it confiscated, and the items will not be returned until the night before you arrive at your home port.

 

Definitely take advantage of the various activities on board - trivia, bean bag toss, etc.

 

There are many places on board for you to escape to if you want some peace and quiet, and do not have a balcony.

 

Strike up a conversation with people you meet on board.

 

There is a rubber stopper under the closets. Use that as a way to keep the balcony door open. Bungees are dangerous!

 

Make sure to have breakfast (and on sea days lunch) in the dining room. It is a luxury that is so worth while!

 

Definitely take advantage of the drink coupons that are available thru the Bon Voyage department. They have no expiration date, and if you don't use them on this cruise, save them for the next one.

 

Hop onto your sailing's roll call to meet some of the other people that will be on the ship. This is good if your children's friends want to meet other. Most likely you will only see your kids at mealtime. And by all means give them a curfew if you want to!

 

When you pack, take out half the clothing as you will not wear it! There are laundry areas on each deck, and the ship does offer a "fill the bag with as much clothing as possible" for $15.00 at some point during the cruise.

 

Don't be afraid to do independent excursions. Ask on the roll call what everyone is doing, and if something interests you, ask if you can tag along - the worst they can say is no!

 

Have a BLAST and remember to not try to do everything - Rome was not built in a day!

[mikel24m]

So we are about to cruise on our first cruise in just under 30 days!! :D We are sailing on the Elation out of N.O. What are your tips, secrets, traditions ect.? What is the one thing that you wish someone told you BEFORE you set sail?

 

heres a great but old thread.Some may not apply but a good long read:)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=48388

[RMLincoln]

Bring a 1-to-3 outlet adapter so you can plu in at least 2 things to charge.

 

DON"T BE LATE getting back to the ships!!! It may leave without you and that's a nightmare. So realize that some ports are on different time than the hsip so always keep a watch on ship time and be back on board half hour before sail away time.

 

Bring an easy attitude, nothings perfect but it's hard to have a bad day on a cruise ship. If something's not to your liking, ask nicely and they will try to correct it, they really want you to have a good experience.

 

Keeping the balcony doors open screws up the AC for the rooms nearby so don't it!

And just smile and say no thank you to vendors wherever you are if you're not interested.

 

With teens we have a couple of rules: Don't fall overboard! So absolutely NO climbing on the railings, not to get a better view, a better picture not for any reason.

 

And no going into other peoples cabins without one of us. People you meet on a ship are usually really friendly but kids going into someone else's private "home" behind locked doors can be inviting risk.

 

You may want to investigate putting spending limits on your kids sail and sign cards.

 

There's a 15% tip charged on drinks, all drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, so if you have to pay extra for it, it will have a tip added on.

 

The odds in the casinos are bad. It's not like land casinos.

 

The pools are salt water including the slide. But lots of fun so do it but be aware it's salt water.

 

I use a tote bag on the ship to carry my water bottle, book, mini-flashlight, etc.

 

I get my sail card hole-pumched att he front desk and wear it on a lanyard duirng the day. For evenings I use a small purse on a shoulder strap for my essentials.

 

I bring Sea Band wrist bands in case the rocking of the ship is bothersome. They work great, no drugs, use as needed, available at your local drugstore or WalMart.

 

Have a fabulous cruise. m--

[mclinns04]

Most IMPORTANT tip, often only learned the hard way, LOL

 

I warned my sister about this before her first cruise. The look she gave me was priceless. For other newbies, it works on a suction system. If you are seated (which would actually be very difficult to do) you would definitely notice--and might possibly get stuck.

[Cruise, J.D.]

You don't have to eat every time you are near food. I way overdid it on my first cruise!

[DebBrown]

Pack your clothes then take half of them out. Get the money you intend to take from the bank and then go back and get the same amount again. You will ALWAYS need a lot less clothes and a LOT more money.

[1trip&Ifell]

DON"T BE LATE getting back to the ships!!! It may leave without you and that's a nightmare. So realize that some ports are on different time than the hsip so always keep a watch on ship time and be back on board half hour before sail away time.

 

Yeah, I have read a few threads about Pier runners...LOL. Don't plan on being the entertainment.

 

Thanks for all the great tips!!! Def. writing these down.

[BeagleOne]

Don't put anything down the toilet except the toilet paper and the...well, you know...if anyone puts tampons, Kleenex, etc. in the toilets they can clog, which screws up the plumbing for multiple cabins. PLUS, if the staff finds out where the object came from, they can/will make you pay for the repair. The toilet tissue is designed to fall apart in water almost immediately so the system doesn't clog.

 

Not sure about the facial tissue the cruise line provides. I think it's probably flushable, since so many people dispose of it in the toilet after blowing their nose or whatever. But I don't know.

 

Bring half as many clothes and twice as much money! :)

 

Don't forget the phone, iPod, laptop, etc. chargers. If you can stand to be offline for the entire cruise, do it. It's very decompressing and the ship internet packages tend to be pretty expensive, and the connections are slow. If you want to find an internet cafe in port, follow the crew!

 

Bring books you don't mind leaving behind. There's probably a book exchange shelf in the library where you can leave and find books.

 

If anyone is susceptible to seasickness, consider a scopolamine patch, and put it on the morning you sail, before boarding the ship so it has time to start working. Seasickness is miserable and much better to prevent it than try to fix it. The patches are prescription only. I saw a couple before my recent cruise running around trying to get them OTC, to no avail.

 

At departure you might be handed a form asking if anyone in the party has vomited or had diarrhea within the past several days. They're worried, and rightfully so, about norovirus and other contagious diseases, but if you check "yes", even if the vomiting was from motion sickness on the way to the port, the cruise line can send you to their doctor onboard, confine you to your cabin for several days, or even deny boarding.

[cruiser fanatic]

Thanks we are super excited! It will be 4 families total 3 of us have boys between 12-13yr in the same grade so it will be a great group. What about any tips for traveling with teens? How close of tabs do you keep on them? I do know we are planning on getting a soda card for him since I know he is addicted to DP.

 

When travelling with my teens I have rules we have a meeting place

No one else in the room without someone there

No going in someone elses room unless traveling with family

Check in with us every hour

Meet at 12 every day for lunch

No more than 10$ a day in arcade

No running in guest areas

And stay in public areas

 

And if security or another adult tells me you are misbehaving your Vacation is now with me the WHOLE rest of the time.

[1trip&Ifell]

If you are seated (which would actually be very difficult to do) you would definitely notice--and might possibly get stuck.

 

 

:eek: OK, the visual I just got made me LOL.

[1trip&Ifell]

When travelling with my teens I have rules we have a meeting place

No one else in the room without someone there

No going in someone elses room unless traveling with family

Check in with us every hour

Meet at 12 every day for lunch

No more than 10$ a day in arcade

No running in guest areas

And stay in public areas

 

And if security or another adult tells me you are misbehaving your Vacation is now with me the WHOLE rest of the time.

 

I will def. be using some of these tips!! We use a lot of these when we go to the beach for the week and let them have a little freedom...Only go into rooms that belong to our group, only people in our group allowed in our rooms. If you find a new 'friend' you can hang out outside of the rooms in a public places.