Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[LeavingVernon]

WOW!!! My eyes hurt so bad after reading all 65 pages of this thread! Just want to say a BIG THANKS to everyone for this wealth of information. DH and I are taking our first cruise on the 17th out of Galveston - we are so excited and will definitely be using these tips/secrets!! I have so many lists made up, I'm not sure how I'm going to fit everything into our suitcases ... :p

[tessky]

I'm on page 23, don't know if I'll make it to the end by the time I cruise!

[Kajunswty]

Well, I read till page 54 and didn't see this one..Hopefully someone will take advantage of it

 

The ships spa chooses several passengers to demonstrate some of the spa services. I've seen the body wrap, a facial and some kind of de-cellulite thing that was applied to a ladies legs. Anyway if you are chosen, the treatment is free all you have to do is be the "model".

 

I can't remember how soon after sailing the demonstration takes place but I would head straight for the spa once you board to get a spot.

 

good luck ;)

[2ndcruiser-destiny]

Can someone tell me how to get to the secret door on the Destiny?

[TCF]

When you go to the onboard "art auctions" remember.....

1. They aren't really "auctions"

2. Buy only what you like.

3. Buy only what you can afford.

4. If you do buy, have it shipped in a mailing tube...frames don't do well during shipping and it will cost you no more to have it framed when you get home. Remember framing is very expensive...so buying a framed print may not be such a good deal.:eek:

5. If you are NOT an art expert...better still an art expert regarding the specific artists you are buying...DO NOT pay a lot of money for a piece. There is digital reproduction equipment available today that tests the abilities of even the most experienced art experts. :eek: Paying several thousand dollars for what amounts to a fancy photocopy would really ruin your vacation!

6. Go back and read 2 and 3 again!:D

The "art auctions" can be an exciting and fun part of the cruise...you'll see all kinds of interesting art by some very good...even great artists. Just don't get carried away with "the pitch" of the "auctioneer" unless of course you really know your art and you really know your artists!:D

Tom:)

[Hot Hockett]

somewhat of a bump... though those are illegal

 

all new cruisers, if you have the time over a long period of time, alot of these are really helpful

[kutty77]

I will be going on the carnival Miracle in June can someone please tell me if there is a secret room and where on this ship. I WANT TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO ON THE THREAD. I have learned soooo much Thank you in advance for all the info everyone has and who give me :) kutty77

[blueslily]

I love this!!! Keep it coming....

[Hot Hockett]

kutty, there are no actual "secret rooms"

 

The secret areas are the front of the ship. It's is insanely windy and there are different ways to access it on different ships. For instance, some you can just walk to the end on deck 6 or 7. On the Elation, you go behind the showroom and open the doors back there. It depends on what ship you're on

[kutty77]

I was just thinking of these 2 I am not sure if they were posted already sorry if they have. 1. A dry erase board for your cabin door. 2. On my last cruise I took those new plastic plates that have the edges that lock together. That is how I was able to bring foor back to my cabin without and messes.

[playfulgen76]

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

[CarribbeanTina271]

Suction Hooks to hang in the shower to hang your wet bathing suits on, Not sure if was in the first 80 something pages but we used these on our last cruise and it worked great and saved space in the bathroom!

Tina

[cruisin_fanatic]

I found me a clear holder at Walmart in the section with the wallets, it had the ziplock on it and the string attached. I just had to put my sign and sail card in it and hung it around my neck..

[cruisin_fanatic]

I've seen these types at Wal-Mart for like $2 or so. Found them in the area of the clocks, jewelry, etc.

 

 

Found mine at Walmart as well..very cheap and it was very handy

[cruisin_fanatic]

Okay, I have a tip, but don't flame me for this. I admit it's a little sneaky. And you can blame my husband, it was his idea. He goes to the galley of pictures and finds ours. Then he gets up real close to our picture and takes his own picture of it. That way he doesn't have to pay for our picture. I know. We're bad. Real bad.

 

 

LOL:rolleyes: ..funny you should mention that, we tried doing that on our last cruise in May on the Ecstasy and they caught us and made us delete the pics out of our cameras. Yes they stood there and made sure we removed them. We almost got away with it..until my husband got greedy and wanted me to take shots of all our poses..lmao! How dare we let our husbands talk us into doing that...;)

[mcbc]

Don't know if these are secrets as much as "little known facts":

 

1. Book early and deal with a reputable travel agent. Make sure you have an agreement with your TA that any price adjustments to the fare will be passed along to you. Carnival ( and alll cruise lines) frequently change the fair for market conditions. Watch these boards for fare decreases. Carnival lowered the fair on our cruise and offered a room upgrade AND and onboard credit. We declined the upgrade (see number 2) in favor of a larger credit. My family started out our 1 week cruise with and onboard credit of over $1,000.

2. Upgrades are not what they are cracked up to be, unless it is to a balcony or an outside room. All other cabins are exactly alike. You will pay about $80-100pp to move up each floor. I've done both the higher and lower floors and the lower floors get the same service, same amenities, same everything, just at a lower price. Consider how many Pina Coladas the extra $100 will buy you. Book a lower floor and save you money of if you are offered an upgrade, take the on board credits.

3. Cruising in not an "all-inclusive" vacation. Plan on spending about 20-25% of your cruise cost onboard. About 22% of Carnival's revenue comes form cruisers buying drinks, photos, gambling, playing bingo, shopping, etc.

4. Do not book shore excursions through the cruise line. Do a little homework before you go and book your excursions directly. you will save 25-30% by doing this. The excursion companies pay a hefty commission to the cruise line which is passed on to your through higher prices. Cruise critic boards are an exellent source of infomation and many excursion companies live or die based on cruise critic reviews. We booked a helicopter tour directly in hawaii and saved over $250 from the cruise excursion price. Ther is a risk of doing this, but in all of my years of cruising, we have NEVER had a bad experience.

5. If you gamble, avoid the ship's slots and electronic card games. The payouts on slots are significantly lower than ANY other place. Las Vegas is regulated and must payout 97%. A ship in international waters is regulated based on where it is registered which may not have any gaming laws. Payouts for ship slots are estimated to be around 85%. The odds for craps, blackjack, roulette, etc are the same as other locations.

6. 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.

7. Carnival puts the fear in everyone about lost beach towels. They say you are issued 1 and you must return it or be charged for it. Every cruise, Carnival looses about 100 beach towels and very few cruisers are charged. Why? the room stewards pick the beach towels in your room and replace them with clean ones. Get to know your room steward. tip him a few dollars during the week for the good job he is doing and a little something extra at the end. Do you think he will risk making you mad tracking beach towels and collecting $22 from you for Carnival or keeping you happy to get a big tip? Worked for us (we lost at least 2 beach towels on our last trip and never had to pay)

8. Drink cards: not such a good deal for adults, unless you are a big soda drinker. Drink cards for adults are $38 and $28 for kids. The card allows you to get a glass of coke, which is about 2/3 can . A can of coke costs $1.50 for the whole can. That is about 30 cokes over a 7 day cruise (not including the time you are off the ship) or 4-5 per day. Alternatively consider getting one card and using it to "buy" sodas for your significant other (you must be descreet about this). As you move through the ship, order one soda at one bar and another soda at the next bar. That way, you only have to drink 2 per day to break even.

9. the books in the cabins are free, if you ask your room steward.

10. there are free post card available at the pursers desk.

 

that is all for now

 

WOW!! Thanks for all of the information!! We are first timers, cruising in February. This really helps!

[MrLee]

LOL:rolleyes: ..funny you should mention that, we tried doing that on our last cruise in May on the Ecstasy and they caught us and made us delete the pics out of our cameras. Yes they stood there and made sure we removed them. We almost got away with it..until my husband got greedy and wanted me to take shots of all our poses..lmao! How dare we let our husbands talk us into doing that...;)

 

What amazes me is that anyone would post on a public board that they were stealing! :rolleyes:

[funship freddy]

With the prices the cruise lines are now charging for photos and cocktails....who is stealing from whom ??

[emdia43]

I'll be on my first Carnival cruise in March with 3 18yr old boys- for Spring Break....... LOL

I'm just a wee bit nervous about it all...... LOL

I plan to read all 64 pages of this thread. Great stuff.:)

[snorkelman]

Well, I read till page 54 and didn't see this one..Hopefully someone will take advantage of it

 

The ships spa chooses several passengers to demonstrate some of the spa services. I've seen the body wrap, a facial and some kind of de-cellulite thing that was applied to a ladies legs. Anyway if you are chosen, the treatment is free all you have to do is be the "model".

 

I can't remember how soon after sailing the demonstration takes place but I would head straight for the spa once you board to get a spot.

 

good luck ;)

 

 

Don't get too excited about that. My wife was such a model twice and she says it's not worth it. You have to stay there for over an hour and instead of exploring the ship, you have to listen to the spa person give her sales pitch 30 times. My wife was excited because she was selected to be a model for the seaweed wrap, which is normally really expensive, but she said all they did was do part of it and it got cold, because rather than getting the real treatment, they just made it look like she was completely covered in it.

[direfun2000]

Thanks!!

On a serious note though, on my last cruise, I wanted to get off and go on the first tender, so we went into the showroom lounge where all the people who booked there excursion through Carnival were waiting. As they dismissed the groups to go on the tenders, we simply went and stood in line. Now it got a little intense when a the officer was asking everyone in line what excursion they were in line for, so (blush) I just repeated what the woman in front of me said "I'm going on the shopping excursion". Long story short, I was off the boat early early, where my poor folks, who didn't want to get up early didn't get off timm 11:30!! So it's kind of devious but I'm not the first person to lie myself off the ship.:D

 

That's hysterical!:D

[tessky]

Wow done, thanks for the tips, now need to read the posts I copied & pasted & compile my list of questions!

[mamamo65]

If there isn't a scheduled galley tour, is there some way to get one? We are on Inspiration and from what I read on the boards, it doesn't offer a galley tour.

 

Here is a link to a list that Dr. C was nice enough to compile of quite a few of these tips.:D

 

http://home.comcast.net/~dr.crash/HomePage.html

 

You all are only joking about the topless deck, right? If not, any ideas on how to make sure the 11 and 14 year old DS(s) don't find out about it?:eek:

[MarciaD]

This may sound stupid, but giving tips to the people who have played such a huge part in making my vacation memorable was always fun. I understand why it had to be done, but it took away some of my fun. Here is what I have done the last two cruises. Before leaving home, I purchase several post cards. After a few days of receiving awesome service, I write a short note telling how much they are appreciated and exactly what they have done that makes them so special. Then I include my tip, not much, maybe $10, with the post card. I did this for my room steward plus our waiter and bus(person). I'm sure they threw the card away, but the only investment was my time. I've also found that these folks love to talk about the families that they are so far away from, so ask them. I learned a lot about their countries during one short week and treated to many baby pictures. Marcia

[bamakathy]

1.) It's much easier to find your luggage if you buy it brightly colored or patterned, or decorate it with bright stickers or ribbons, etc. Saves a lot of time digging through the pile at debarkation if you don't carry your own off.

2.) Always pack one of the large tote bags flat in the bottom of your suitcase. You will need it for the extra stuff you don't think you'll buy but do.

3.) You can bring a large insulated water bottle, put ice from your ice bucket and water from the bathroom tap. (C'mon, it's purified and you don't have a problem putting it in your mouth to rinse out toothpaste, now do you.) Or if you have a major problem with that, you can take your water bottle up to Lido deck and fill it there at the beverage bar (Also, apple juice, yum.)

4.) Always take a power strip with a long cord. There is a pitiful amount of outlets. We use C-Paps for sleep and needed it, also hair dryers, etc.

5.) Order all the food you want. Order steak AND lobster if you want. Order one of each dessert if you want. C'mon, you won't ever see these people again, so live it up. And if they have GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE on your menu, order as many as your tummy can hold.

6.) The pursers desk gives out free aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers. They may give out other stuff but that's all we asked about.

7.) Pack sun shades! Pack sunscreen!

8.) Ditch all clothes that aren't comfortable, and only take your favorite shoes for walking around. You can get by with casual shoes on formal night, believe me. You won't wear that stuff that is too tight, too short, or too binding, no matter how good you think it looks.

9.) We bring a "sound machine" to mask any and all noises at night and sleep like babies.

10.) If you have children or oldtimers disease like us, stick a bright magnet on your cabin door and you'll find it quickly.

11.) If you have a constant complainer, leave them in the room and say you're going out for a brief stroll. They won't find you for hours.