Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[blueslily]

 

A Lanyard is the curly rope thing they provide in the casio for your Ship Card.

 

You do have to have it Punched with a hole and put the keyring on it.

 

 

So much easier instead of reaching into your pockets for that each time.

 

If you do buy one on land make sure it does have an easy disconnect so as for safety sake too.:cool:

 

 

 

are the lanyards still available for free?

[afcj1]

are the lanyards still available for free?

 

In September they were. We did need to wait until the ship left port and the casino opened.

[cruzinnluvinit]

are the lanyards still available for free?

Get on the ship and go to the front desk and get your card punched and ask for a deck of cards (some still give them to you to play in your room) then when the ship leaves port and the casino opens go to the booth where they change your money and ask for one. You will see a whole bunch of them. I got to pick my red instead of blue one.

 

I think this may have been answered but formal nights are free in the dining room. If you go to a "specialty" restaurant, there may be a 30 dollar charge per person. I have never gone to the specialty restaurants but hear the steaks are a better quality and service is better (I can't believe this because I have always had wonderful service). I'm sure someone that has been to the restaurant can give you their opinion of the food and service.

[wanderlust402]

If you go to a "specialty" restaurant, there may be a 30 dollar charge per person.

 

Does anyone have a current list of the ships with specialty restaurants?

[atlrockergirl]

thanks so much for the tips. my cruise is this saturday (7th) and it will be my 4th. so excited

[Sunny AZ Girl]

I have cruised before on RCI & Princess but am a Carnival newbie. I have a question that has probably been asked and answered, but the search feature did not give me the results I was hoping for.

 

My question is about tipping at the end of the cruise. Are we able to place our tips on our onboard account as we do on RCI and as Princess does automatically - or should I plan on bringing cash for the major tips? I do bring extra cash for room service tipping, etc.:confused:

[wanderlust402]

I have cruised before on RCI & Princess but am a Carnival newbie. I have a question that has probably been asked and answered, but the search feature did not give me the results I was hoping for.

 

My question is about tipping at the end of the cruise. Are we able to place our tips on our onboard account as we do on RCI and as Princess does automatically - or should I plan on bringing cash for the major tips? I do bring extra cash for room service tipping, etc.:confused:

 

The info below is from the "Know before you go" brochure.

 

Tipping

How much you tip is purely a personal matter and

completely up to you. However, we do have many guests

who ask for some guidelines in regard to what is

appropriate. For your convenience, we automatically add the

gratuities for your dining and stateroom services to your

onboard Sail & Sign charge account.

The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our

recommended guideline) as follows:

$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other

kitchen and hotel service staff

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations

in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the

service you receive, we encourage you to contact Guest

Services while onboard.This will allow us to address your

concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion.

At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is

automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service

staff may be tipped as service is rendered.Tipping your

Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service

you receive.

[cruzinnluvinit]

You will have to do a search on each ship.

[FireMonkey]

Ok I have finally read all 133 pages of this, wow!!

 

First off, on the military discounts, I found out today from my PVP that the early bird saver or whatever they call it is actually a better deal than the military discount. Since it's already heavily discounted they wont add the military discount on top of it. Fair enough since we got a 7 day ocean view on the Splendor for just over $400pp.

 

I found out that some hotels that are close to ports will offer discounts to Carnival passengers if they fly in the night before and need a place to stay. They don't advertise this so you have to call the hotel directly and ask. I know for a fact the Hilton Long Beach in southern Cali offers it, but when we called today they were already sold out of the rooms so it seems to be a limited type deal.

 

Those that have kids that use Camp Carnival, don't forget to tip the staff! They are not included in the $10/day mandatory tips.

[jobster71]

In some Mexican Ports like Progresso, to use the restroom they sell the toilet paper to you for 25 cents for about 5 sheets. If you give them 1 dollar they will not give you your change back. So bring coins with you or bring your own Toilet paper. I was laughing so hard when I found this out I had to buy extra toilet paper to blow my nose.:eek:

[goofygal531]

If you have kids 12 or under, they can order soda or "pop" free of charge with dinner in the assigned dining room at night only (not in the buffet areas). You may have a waiter/waitress attempt to charge you for it, as it seems they are not all aware of this policy. A smile and a reminder that Carnival offers free carbonated beverages to children at dinner was all it took for us, our waitress returned later and apologized, while informing us that we were indeed correct.

 

Is this still available?? Can anyone confirm for the Pride???

 

Thanks.

[bobsfamily]

Is this still available?? Can anyone confirm for the Pride???

 

Thanks.

It was that way years ago... but since kids are well over 12 now I don't know anymore. I'd get it, see if you are charged and if so.... well it $2 or so.

[cah14522]

It was that way years ago... but since kids are well over 12 now I don't know anymore. I'd get it, see if you are charged and if so.... well it $2 or so.

 

My experience has always been that the kids get charged for pop - even during dinner. If they ask for you S&S card, you are getting charged - guaranteed!

[bobsfamily]

I think it was that way before soda cards but now they want to push the card... in fact I remember someone posting that after the kids had shown their card the first night a soda was always waiting for them each night.

[Kill@B3E]

Hello All,

 

I've read through who knows how many pages of this thread and near the beginning, I read that you can order several items off the main menu in places like the Supper Club where you pay $30 for dinner. Those posts were from several years ago, and I haven't seen anything mentioned about this being mentioned recently. Has anyone that has been to the Supper Club (on Conquest) ordered the steak and also the lobster (or two deserts, etc)? My wife and I are sailing Conquest on 12/06/09 and are getting very excited.

 

Thanks for your help,

[AAAAmerican]

jobster71,

 

Maam it is such a truism.

 

In Asia , Europe, Africa and S.America too.

 

They do not even use most of the time hankerchiefs either..:eek:

 

That custom of using hankerchieves was started by Flandarian Gentlemen in the Kingdom of Flanders and aboard the ships.

 

Antwerpen was the Largest World Port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In some Mexican Ports like Progresso, to use the restroom they sell the toilet paper to you for 25 cents for about 5 sheets. If you give them 1 dollar they will not give you your change back. So bring coins with you or bring your own Toilet paper. I was laughing so hard when I found this out I had to buy extra toilet paper to blow my nose.:eek:

[AAAAmerican]

Kill@B3E

Since the arrival of Pay as you Float places on the ships they have added good amounts of new revenues.

 

The quality lax has come in the the MDR. As they used to provide the better quality cuts of Beef and Seafoods gratis.

 

 

On your meal paid for in addition to your cruise ...You have to Ask for another Main Plate etc... if they don't then ask for your monies back after you finish the meal you paid for in addition to the cruise ...:eek:

 

Are you a Shareholder yet of CCL/CUK :NYSE/LSE ?

 

A nice OBC is a Shareholder Benefit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello All,

 

I've read through who knows how many pages of this thread and near the beginning, I read that you can order several items off the main menu in places like the Supper Club where you pay $30 for dinner. Those posts were from several years ago, and I haven't seen anything mentioned about this being mentioned recently. Has anyone that has been to the Supper Club (on Conquest) ordered the steak and also the lobster (or two deserts, etc)? My wife and I are sailing Conquest on 12/06/09 and are getting very excited.

 

Thanks for your help,

[cathyz]

Hello All,

 

I've read through who knows how many pages of this thread and near the beginning, I read that you can order several items off the main menu in places like the Supper Club where you pay $30 for dinner. Those posts were from several years ago, and I haven't seen anything mentioned about this being mentioned recently. Has anyone that has been to the Supper Club (on Conquest) ordered the steak and also the lobster (or two deserts, etc)? My wife and I are sailing Conquest on 12/06/09 and are getting very excited.

 

Thanks for your help,

All the steakhouses (they're not supper clubs anymore, the music is gone) are the same fleetwide. You may get away with ordering 2 appetizers or substituting one for the salad or soup, but you cannot order 2 entrees (they are so huge, not sure why you'd want to), and only one desert, but by that time, I don't even want desert! I always get the surf & turf, so get steak and lobster anyway.

[Kill@B3E]

only one desert, but by that time, I don't even want desert! I always get the surf & turf, so get steak and lobster anyway.

 

Cathyz and AAAAmerican, thanks for your replies. You're right Cathyz, after all that food, you probably don't need to entrees, but it's good to know you can get a two deserts or appetizers if I'm extra hungry or just want to try other stuff.

 

Thanks Again!!!

[Jabee]

I do hope everybody realizes that this thread was first begun in 2004!!

 

Do realize that some of the things discussed might have changed in five years.

 

However, it is a neat threat and one of the first ones I read back when I started cruising four years ago, and there are some nice tips. But, when you read about something (for example free softdrinks for kids at Dinner) be aware that the policy might have been changed.

 

So, if you wonder...post a question or a new thread...so you can get your answer.

[Krystal Kleer]

I have a question regarding the dinner menus. I have seen that the escargout is offered in the Sun King on the Freedom. Is this also offered sometime during the week in the MDR?

[navybaby1113]

A lot of the tips are still relevant even if it was started in 2004.

[Froufie]

I have a question regarding the dinner menus. I have seen that the escargout is offered in the Sun King on the Freedom. Is this also offered sometime during the week in the MDR?

 

Yes it is - I think it's on the 2nd formal night? or last night of the cruise! Something to look forward to!;)

[Hazelnutt46]

Several have mentioned giving your steward a lil sumthing extra other then money. I've heard mention, left over alcohol, phone cards, laundry detergent etc. Are the crew really not allowed to drink after hours, use the laundry service, or call home? :(

Do they prefer these gifts over cash? If so, any other suggestions as to what else they may like?

[lazydayz]

Several have mentioned giving your steward a lil sumthing extra other then money. I've heard mention, left over alcohol, phone cards, laundry detergent etc. Are the crew really not allowed to drink after hours, use the laundry service, or call home? :(

Do they prefer these gifts over cash? If so, any other suggestions as to what else they may like?

 

 

I believe they prefer cash but certainly don't mind if you leave your extra alcohol, laundry detergent, etc. To learn about life onboard a ship as part of the crew, pick up a copy of "Cruise Confidential." It is a fun read and will probably give you a new appreciation for how hard the crew works.