Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[jinxnb]

Maybe someone here can answer this question. I've heard that Carnival now charges for the cakes/singing for special occasions now. Is that true? If so, that really stinks. What about the other cruise lines? Any one know?

 

My husband and I married last February. As teachers, we had to honeymoon in the summer, which we did on the Miracle. Once we told them we were honeymooners, our wait staff reminded us nightly when we should notify them as to when to bring our cake out.

 

Mind you, this was July. It was a delicious cake, and the singing and applause that came with it was a real kick! :)

[jinxnb]

If you bring your own crockpot, I definately reccomend bringing a powerstip.

 

I gotta ask...what do you use the crockpot for on the ship? :)

[jinxnb]

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,

 

My hubby and I honeymooned on the Miracle and had a ball. We went to the supper club, loved the ambiance, love the appetizers, and then our surk and turk entrees came. We both ordered medium rare and they were well-done. We should have been vocal and requested new steaks. However, We got our entrees 90 minutes after we sat down, and frankly, we were tired. If I can advise anyone about the supper club, it would be this: be vocal! They will nto mind. We were tired and dumb about it, and we paid cash for food that we didn't like. Next time, I'll get the gargantuan lobster tail instead.

[Cruise-Crazy]

I gotta ask...what do you use the crockpot for on the ship? :)

 

Okay, I gotta know this too... :)

[Hazelnutt46]

Somewhere on here i read about the captain's party or something, i think it said it was on the first night you're on the ship? ..free drinks? meeting the captain? Is this accurate? What's the 411? :D

..we are cruising on Fascination if it matters.

[cathyz]

Somewhere on here i read about the captain's party or something, i think it said it was on the first night you're on the ship? ..free drinks? meeting the captain? Is this accurate? What's the 411? :D

..we are cruising on Fascination if it matters.

The Captain's Party is the hour before your dining time on the first cruise elegant night, which is usually the second night on board. The party used to be in the large showroom and included free drinks and appetizers. Recently, they changed the plan and the captain's party is at several bars (or could be in the showroom on some ships), but the drinks are no longer free, but are discounted in price and there are no more appetizers. You can meet the captain and the other head officers. So, on the last night of the cruise, they have the 'farewell party' which is an hour of free drinks at several bars.

[Alaska-forget-me-not]

So, what is the OBC bonus for being a shareholder? And do you need to be a shareholder prior to booking the trip, or can I still buy the stock now to get the bonus? I think I posted this earlier, but it may not have taken...thanks!

 

Most cruise lines offer OBC of $50 - $250 OBC, depending on the length of your cruise. Most of the websites have a link to shareholder benefits. You have to purchase the shares prior to your cruise. Just show a stockbroker statement showing how many shares you have when you check in at the pier and get your S & S card. The S & S card is a different color than non-shareholders, which distinguishes you as a shareholder. Not only do you get OBC, you also get extra attention when you flash the special S & S card on board.

Have a great trip!

[Cruise-Crazy]

Most cruise lines offer OBC of $50 - $250 OBC, depending on the length of your cruise. Most of the websites have a link to shareholder benefits. You have to purchase the shares prior to your cruise. Just show a stockbroker statement showing how many shares you have when you check in at the pier and get your S & S card. The S & S card is a different color than non-shareholders, which distinguishes you as a shareholder. Not only do you get OBC, you also get extra attention when you flash the special S & S card on board.

Have a great trip!

 

I have done a LOT of cruises where I got the shareholder credit and I have never received a special S&S card. It's the same as the others and does not mention shareholder anywhere on the card.

 

To get the credit you will need to fax the info (brokerage statement) to Carnival prior to the cruise to get the credit approved and setup.

[sunnykb19]

The Captain's Party is the hour before your dining time on the first cruise elegant night, which is usually the second night on board. The party used to be in the large showroom and included free drinks and appetizers. Recently, they changed the plan and the captain's party is at several bars (or could be in the showroom on some ships), but the drinks are no longer free, but are discounted in price and there are no more appetizers. You can meet the captain and the other head officers. So, on the last night of the cruise, they have the 'farewell party' which is an hour of free drinks at several bars.

 

I've read a lot about the "elegant nights" but nothing specific. Is there a schedule available to review before cruising? How would a first timer find this information if not for these boards? :confused:

 

TIA!! :)

[Froufie]

I've read a lot about the "elegant nights" but nothing specific. Is there a schedule available to review before cruising? How would a first timer find this information if not for these boards? :confused:

 

TIA!! :)

 

Hi Kacee,

 

Each night on the cruise (and upon embarkation) you will receive a copy of the Carnival Capers delivered to your cabin - this lists the daily activities/events including times/locations, etc. Many cruisers bring along a highlighter (or 2 - different colors) so you (and others in your family) can highlight the activities they want to participate in. (There is also a handy tear off strip on the Capers you can easily carry with you).

 

That is where you will find information on the Captain's party and farewell party and well heck any party on board!

 

Many cruisers do keep their Capers and post them online so if you do want to try and see some recent Capers in advance you might try to do a 'search' on capers for your particular ship/itinerary and or ask on the boards if someone has some to post (look for recent cruise reviews of the ship you are sailing on).

 

Capers are also available around the ship (e.g. purser's desk, lido deck/buffet, some of the bars, etc).

 

P.S. If you are bringing your kids they will also be provided with a weekly Camp Carnival schedule (for their specific age group) when you go to register them.

[ladyj3641]

Make sure that you check your SS frequently. On Destiny in June I witnessed a waiter tell someone to go ahead and "take another beer" implying there was no charge, but as soon as he took it and left, the waiter pulled out his charge slip and added it on. Remember, nothing is free!

[WilliamK99]

Make sure that you check your SS frequently. On Destiny in June I witnessed a waiter tell someone to go ahead and "take another beer" implying there was no charge, but as soon as he took it and left, the waiter pulled out his charge slip and added it on. Remember, nothing is free!

 

How is that implying he gets another beer for free?

 

Common sense tells you that you have to pay for your drinks. I have NEVER seen a bartender on a cruise ship give out free drinks unless it was the reception. Normally if I tip well I get an extra shot , or if I have my son with me, he gets a Shirley Temple for free, but I never have seen someone get an alcoholic beverage for free on board any cruise ship.

[Traveler353]

How is that implying he gets another beer for free?

 

Common sense tells you that you have to pay for your drinks. I have NEVER seen a bartender on a cruise ship give out free drinks unless it was the reception. Normally if I tip well I get an extra shot , or if I have my son with me, he gets a Shirley Temple for free, but I never have seen someone get an alcoholic beverage for free on board any cruise ship.

 

Just because you have never seen it happen doesn't mean it does not happen. Bartenders are not going to advertise or make a big deal of giving away free drinks. In the case mentioned the bartender should have made out a new charge slip and had the passanger sign it. The passanger would have had every right to protest the extra charge, when his copy of the charge only had one drink on it.

[Ashleyyy]

Sorry for the delay in posting the list I've compiled for my choice of everyone's secrets and tips...I hadn't checked the boards in a couple of days. My sister saw others' requests for my list and told me about it yesterday afternoon. I've simply copied and pasted the tips that are of interest to me and put them in a Word document. Hope this list helps someone out !

p.s.- my sister's (pyropatty) tip (last one on my list here) worked fabulously for us !!

 

If, by chance, you don't like anything they have on the menu, ask them to bring you a steak. No problem. Definitely not a secret but it's not listed anywhere on the menu.

 

Any pasta dish on the main entree section of the menu is also available as an appetizer. In my opinion, it's a good way to try it without gorging on pasta. Then you still have room for some of the other delicious looking entrees that are available that evening

 

If you need post cards, go to the pursers desk... they have those with the picture of the ship for free!

 

On some of the Carnival ships, you can get a deck of cards w/Carnival logo, just by asking at the purser's desk.

 

In the casino, they'll give you a lanyard, as well as punch a hole in your S&S card for you.

You can also ask your Room Steward for the book that is in your cabin. I got one from the Pride. Just ask and they will give it to you.

 

When you board, go directly to the casino (it will be closed) and get the free lanyards that are in the slot machines. Sometime during the cruise go to the pursers office and have your sign and sail cards hole punched and attach them to the free lanyard. Best to get a lanyard from the casino cashier, and they will also punch the hole in it. [much shorter line than at the Purser's desk] You can also join Ocean Players Club at the cashiers cage. [no charge]

 

The pizza place also makes a very good Ceaser salad to order, 24/7.

 

On Spirit class ships visit the deli early on. It will get more and more crowded each day. Sandwiches are excellent and they will make anything you want if they have the ingredients.

 

Regarding tips, bring a travel clock since there are no clocks in the room as well as a power strip.

 

At the Captains cocktail party (and after your second cruise, at the past guest party), avoid what the waitresses are carting around drink wise, and order directly from the bar.

 

Casino tip:

If you play blackjack, one secret to keep in mind is the Fun21 table - there are NO QUEENS in the decks - They will tell you this IF YOU ASK but what they won't tell you, and 98% of the players do not realize, is that this forces a change in the way you play.. check out wizardofodds.com and read about SPANISH21 !

The Purser's Office will carry stamps of the different countries that you are going to. I like to buy my stamps ahead of time so I don't have to find a post office in each port. Makes it much easier to send the postcards home from the different ports.

 

The "Fun 21" game has some other good attributes as well. If you read the rules before playing, you will see the need to change strategy. It pays all 21's. You can also get even money on a BJ if the dealer is showing an ace. You can also double at any time and also surrender. It also pays 2 to 1 on certain combinations: 7-7-7, 6-7-8. Because there are fewer face cards, you have to hit anything lower than 17. The "Fun 21" game is not a rip-off.

 

Get one of those plastic shoe holders you hang in back of the doors and all you do is fill them with all your little things that clutter up the bathroom! Walmart or KMart for $5.00 or less. Dollar store sometimes.

 

For all the deck drinkers - Order all your drinks from the same barserver during the week. By mid-week they usually slip you a free one now and again. In our case, a bucket or two. At minimum, you can make sure there's a little kick in your mix drinks.

 

the one thing we have a great sucess with is buying wide ribbon or large bows (red, green, yellow, etc) any color that stand out and tying them on the handles of your luggage just before you put them outside of your room on the last night of the cruise.

 

There are steam rooms and saunas in the SPA that people may not realize are free to use, they are seperated so men and women can't go together, but nothing like a good steam after a hard day of drinking... also, (really true on Destiny class)...there are showers in the Spa, big deal you're thinking...these aren't the normal cabin showers, they are like the 'rain' showers that you find in some higher end hotels, I believe the destiny class actually have multiple shower heads...regardless, it is a very refreshing shower...we found this one year when we were only one deck away from the SPA...its a great place for a guy to go shower while the wife is using the cabin bathroom for a formal night or something...

 

I bring the glade night light plug in. I will put that on it and leave it in the bathroom at night. Those rooms tend to be dark. Just that lil light keeps you from bruising a shin. And, it makes it smell nice. Also, the large lidded insulated cups are great to keep things cold. I love shrimp cocktail. They dont tell you - but - I told out waiter this and got 2 of them every night.

Also the Bunjee cord for the cabin slider if you have a balcony. If you have 2 shopping saver cards with a magnetic stripe, you should use them for the safe as they will be both the same and both of you can open and close the safe

 

If you want a balcony room on a Spirit class, look at the deck plans. It isn't a mistake or misdrawing--some really do have very large balconies for the same price as others in the same category. 8's, where there is an employee only room between two cabins, and 11's, where some have huge wrap-around balconies. For a family reunion cruise, we got two of the extra-long 8's. They're enormous, bigger than the penthouse balconies, for an 8 price!! They're great for groups traveling together who want to spend time together on the balcony.

 

Bring some hangers from home if you can. There are never quite enough hangers in the closet. Also bring laundry clips with you so you can hang your wet stuff in the shower. They have a line but no clips to hang the clothes with.

 

On some ships, the balcony door frame has a button on the inside of the door frame. When you leave your balcony door open, the air conditioner in your room will not work while the door is open. Simply put a small refridgerator magnet over the button and your air will continue to run while the door is open. went to Home Depot and bought a package of 8-10 nickel sized magnets. They were under $3.00.

If you do this, keeping the door wide opened at night is going to be very windy inside the cabin for sleeping. However, having the door opened about 6 inches was perfect for the sound effects. During the day it didn't really matter. One more thing, be sure your balcony door is closed when you open the door to the hallway. It creates a helluva wind tunnel.

 

One thing that came in handy our last couple of cruises was a Beach bag. I had many people tell me that they did not even think about bringing one. We had a mesh bag from Old Navy. I carried our towels in it - to the pool, to the shore etc. I kept the kids water shoes in it too (the deck can get hot!).

 

Instead of using the hole-punch lanyard, buy one that has the clear pocket thingy (sorry--don't know what it is called...) That way, you can keep you ship ID card AND your driver's license AND your credit card together while on shore. I would strategically wrap mine around the strap on my beach bag so that I wouldn't lose it AND so that the thieves couldn't grab it. And yes, you just need to store your cards opposite and upside down from one another so they don't demagnetize themselves.

 

Clothespins are very useful! Use them to clip curtains closed (on balconies or room dividers). Or, use them to hang bathing suits or clothing to the clothing line in the bathroom or chairs on the balcony.

 

Check Ebay for valuable Carnival coupons. (search: carnival coupon) I paid $1.50 to someone selling a $100 off coupon. I received it, called Carnival (I booked through them) and they applied it to my stateroom.

 

First, this will potentially work on any ship. We bring laundry detergent so that we can do laundry during the week. We have left over laundry detergent, give it to your room steward the night before you get off, and you will be amazed at how many times those towels, or robes don't appear on your bill.

 

They have two types of debarkation. 1) self assist - where you take your luggage off the ship. 2) They take your luggage the night before. Self assist gets off the boat first.

Let them take your luggage the night before, but carry a bag and blend in with the rest of the self assist guests upon exiting. As soon as you get off, your luggage will be waiting for you. This avoids the long wait of being called by floor/colored luggage tag.

 

Get some miniature bottles at the liquor store and pack them in your toiletries. These hold one drinks's work, and you can fit a couple in each pants pocket. Use them to spike your beverages on deck. Refill from a larger bottle in your room. They have 100% plastic bottles now, which is great for passing through the metal detectors.

 

If you like to check your email, most ships now have wireless and you can bring your laptop. Compose email in notepad before you connect to save money. Best bet is to NOT use a web-based email like Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo, GMail, etc. Use Outlook Express or something like that and you can connect and receive you mail in a minute. At $0.75 a minute you don't want to be writing letters online!

 

If you have a fridge, and if it has mini-bar stuff in it, and you want the room for your own own stuff, ask the steward to remove the mini-bar stuff. DO NOT do this yourself or you may be charged. If the steward balks, take it up at the purser's desk, it will be removed.

 

 

We filled out our room service cards each night and wrote on it to send ASAP. Each morning the order would be delivered before the designated start time - we'd have a tip ready and it was like a great wake-up call. We'd grab the coffee and head up on deck to watch the sun rise each morning.

 

 

 

 

This is awesome! Thanks for posting your list. I'll be saving it!

 

DH and I are leaving for our first cruise in 8 days! Woohoo! ;):p:D:):cool::eek:

[Ashleyyy]

Please don't make a generalization about the people lying. I am under 35, and I would never dream of lying just to get off the ship. I'll wait my turn like I should, thanks. I have seen people in their 60's and 70's be rude, lie and assume because they are older, that gives them dibbs on everything. BUT- let's not lump it into age groups- I personally think it has nothing to do with age, I think it is the personality of the person. The people that are jerks at 30, are usually still jerks at 70, know what I mean?

 

Well, enough of that! I wanted to say that this is a great thread! My first cruise is in 9 weeks and 4 days (but who is counting) so this has been a great thread! I have takena few notes, and am so glad I am not sailing "blind". Thank goodness I found this board!!:D

 

I totally agree with you. Hell, I'm 22 and I would never lie to cut in front of people in line. Some people just suck. Regardless of age.

[sstich79]

I can think of a thousand other things that would be more useful on a cruise than a flashlight. If I were going to take a flashlight, I'd need 4 suitcases for everything else.

 

I'm more of a light packer.

Sounds more like you are NOT a light packer! LOL.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the great tips! I now feel well-armed for my maiden voyage... two weeks till the Inspiration! One question... I saw many posts warning about people taking your towel if you leave it on a deck chair. Well, then where should I leave my towel, bag, S&S card etc. while I'm in the pool? Would hate to lose my things due to a short swim!

[nutley chick]

Well it took me a few days but I did it!!!!

I finally finished reading this thread. Great thread and feel better knowing that I have learned a lot about my up coming (although not soon enough) cruise.

[VACATION IS MY LIFE]

Sounds more like you are NOT a light packer! LOL.

 

I saw many posts warning about people taking your towel if you leave it on a deck chair. Well, then where should I leave my towel, bag, S&S card etc. while I'm in the pool? Would hate to lose my things due to a short swim!

 

Good question ..... I'm waiting to hear what the expert cruisers do.

[Crazy4Koko]

If you have your S & S on a lanyard, just wear it around your neck in the pool. I didn't notice a lot of folks moving towels and bags in order to take over chairs...

 

 

We had a situation where a cruiser thought we had taken one of his towels.Well, somebody had actually moved one of mine from a chair to an un occupied one. He accused us of stealing it...to the point that he was YELLING at us that we stole his towel. I was willing to concede the $22 just to shut him up..turns out his WIFE had taken it with her. Did he apologize? Nope.

 

 

Next cruise, I'm bringing my own towel. Sad thing is, I actually HAD them with me and didn't bother to use them...

[SkyMaster]

I

We had a situation where a cruiser thought we had taken one of his towels.Well, somebody had actually moved one of mine from a chair to an un occupied one. He accused us of stealing it...to the point that he was YELLING at us that we stole his towel. I was willing to concede the $22 just to shut him up..turns out his WIFE had taken it with her. Did he apologize? Nope.

 

 

Next cruise, I'm bringing my own towel. Sad thing is, I actually HAD them with me and didn't bother to use them...

 

I suggest that you simply use the white bath towels from the cabin, and forget about those blue Carnival ones. The steward doesn't care if you use the white ones at the pool, and you don't have to worry about the silly $22 charge if one of them gets lost, or misplaced. No Problem Mon.

 

"SKY"

[WetFeetTheNovel]

Wow, I am learning so much about cruising, I can't imagine anyone taking their first cruise without these boards, Thanks for all the helpful hints, and please keep them coming!

 

Carnival has different sized balconies, and that was important to us...

 

Sometimes a higher deck means that you will feel more movement and a lower deck is more stable. Depends on the seas, but...we always assumed that the more expensive higher deck would be the smoothest ride. Not so, we have found. If the sea sickness concerns you, try for a cabin mid ship for less motion in our opinion.

 

Bill and Debra

B.D. Anderson

 

 

[yfoogjen]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and thanks to everyone else who's had something to add, whether I find it useful or not, someone might. I've found alot of interesting tips and tricks along the way. I'm excited about my first cruise in May 2010.

[cruzinnluvinit]

Have a great cruise. There are so many helpful hints on here. When you see the ship for the first time, it is amazing. When you find out they will take care of all your needs that is priceless.

[agmakar]

The port hole rooms with interior prices.. :D That is a secret. Very nice..

[Crazy4Koko]

The port hole rooms with interior prices.. :D That is a secret. Very nice..

 

And lets not forget the 4k rooms on some ships! Gotta love french doors with an obstructed view at interior prices, too!