Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[mprucha]

Here's another tip for those of you computer savvy. I have a really good printer/scanner/copier and a decent photo program. You can buy the couple of pictures you want, let's say you find a really good 8 by 10, buy it, take it home, scan it into your computer and print pictures on good photo paper and you can't tell the difference at all. Just keep in mind that if you buy a small picture, you can't always make bigger ones because of the dimensions blurring but you can take a bigger one and make impressive smaller ones.

[mprucha]

Ok, I've now made it through all 69 pages of tips.....lolol....my eyes are slightly blurred but I actually picked up quite a few tips. This will be our first cruise with Carnival. I did do a cruise about 20 years ago but that was a whole different ball game then. Anyway, thanks for the tips!

[mattn]

Here's a link to some beverage menus:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/548175318AxQXIL

What's that restaurant menu? I thought all the food was free :confused:

 

And I think the drink prices are very expensive. I'm used to paying around $3 for 16 or 20 oz, so $4.50 for 12 oz of an import is pretty pricey.

[MikeyP]

What's that restaurant menu? I thought all the food was free :confused:

 

And I think the drink prices are very expensive. I'm used to paying around $3 for 16 or 20 oz, so $4.50 for 12 oz of an import is pretty pricey.

 

 

The restaurant menu is a place in Costa Maya, not on the ship. Most of the food on the ship is free, but there are premium restaurants on most ships as well as some snack counters such as ice cream, premium coffee or pastries that charge. You should be just fine going on a cruise and not paying a penny extra for "premium" food (besides beverages, of course). We usually do every time.

 

As for the drink prices, they're fairly decent for a cruise ship, I think. They actually beat the price of some of the restaurants around my home, with the exception of specials and what-not.

[phlydude]

Here's the deal on the drink prices:

Cruise lines don't make their profit on your base fare, they make their money on the extras you buy.

Dinner in the dining room, buffets, sleeping accomodations, shows, crew cost, etc. is bascially covered by your base fare (generally, you will pay about $100+/- pp per night).

Drinks, merchandise, excursions, casino, etc. make up the profit.

 

They aren't cheap on the prices but they aren't as expensive as other places I've been to either (the Inn at Spanish Bay @ Pebble beach comes to mind...$6.50 for a regular 12 oz. domestic last week).

If you don't want to pay it, don't. I personally could care less whether I drink or not on vacation, but I do have a beer here and there and don't mind the prices as long as I keep it in moderation.

[mattn]

Here's the deal on the drink prices:

Cruise lines don't make their profit on your base fare, they make their money on the extras you buy.

Dinner in the dining room, buffets, sleeping accomodations, shows, crew cost, etc. is bascially covered by your base fare (generally, you will pay about $100+/- pp per night).

Drinks, merchandise, excursions, casino, etc. make up the profit.

 

They aren't cheap on the prices but they aren't as expensive as other places I've been to either (the Inn at Spanish Bay @ Pebble beach comes to mind...$6.50 for a regular 12 oz. domestic last week).

If you don't want to pay it, don't. I personally could care less whether I drink or not on vacation, but I do have a beer here and there and don't mind the prices as long as I keep it in moderation.

I have no problem with it. I usually like to have a beer or two when we go out to dinner and eating on the cruise will be like going out to dinner, but for those prices I probably won't drink at every dinner.

 

And we've gone to AI's the last couple summers and I think I will prefer that more where you just pay one set price upfront and all the drinks are included. But I can see how if you don't drink that much, it might be a better deal to do a cruise.

[GoinCruisin]

Have a question. I have never used the drink coupons.....are they good for the drink of the day also.

 

What if your drink costs more than the value of the coupons? Or, are the drink coupons good for any drink regardless of price?

 

Thanks,

Lynn

 

On the coupone, it states "good for drinks up to $x.xx" I am thinking my last ones said $4.75 or $4.95... they are technically supposed to charge you the overage... I tend to tip pretty well upfront and during the week, and have never been charged the overage... many others have.

[manhattenup]

Or then again you could compare to prices at the Super Bowl....$5 for soft drink or water; $10 for a 12oz Coors and [drum roll.....] $12 for a drink, but you could get a double for $18 !!!!

[GoinCruisin]

Or then again you could compare to prices at the Super Bowl....$5 for soft drink or water; $10 for a 12oz Coors and [drum roll.....] $12 for a drink, but you could get a double for $18 !!!!

 

Yeah.. same as most prices here at sporting events... $15 for a large beer. Paid $5 for a bottled water at the circus last week :eek: LOL! I'll take the bar prices on the ship WAY over any of the event prices or resort prices!!!

[manhattenup]

Yeah.. same as most prices here at sporting events... $15 for a large beer. Paid $5 for a bottled water at the circus last week :eek: LOL! I'll take the bar prices on the ship WAY over any of the event prices or resort prices!!!

 

 

Lucy, hey to someone in my "old" stomping ground. Graduated from Duke in 1968....

[GoinCruisin]

Lucy, hey to someone in my "old" stomping ground. Graduated from Duke in 1968....

 

Well hey there!!! Yup, right down the road! Great school!! Small world :D

[mprucha]

the prices of the drinks is really all based on the person and where they currently or have lived......I grew up in a small town so back then, these prices would have seemed high........however, my husband is a new york city boy so all the times we've been up there, we've paid $30 a piece cover charges to get into some clubs and an easy $10 per beer so compared to that this is cheap......

[terraweb]

On the coupone, it states "good for drinks up to $x.xx" I am thinking my last ones said $4.75 or $4.95... they are technically supposed to charge you the overage... I tend to tip pretty well upfront and during the week, and have never been charged the overage... many others have.

 

We bought ourselves 20 drink coupons for our Liberty cruise last year, and they never charged us the overage. Like you, we tip well; don't know if that made a difference, though, or if it just varies by ship.

 

Jeri

[suziehmkr]

(the Inn at Spanish Bay @ Pebble beach comes to mind...$6.50 for a regular 12 oz. domestic last week).

 

Ah - you were in for the A T & T... sorry about the rain.... again! ;)

 

To keep on topic. I found the drink prices fairly reasonable, especially compared to the drinks that I bought while in Orlando. :eek: And I never had a problem with a weak drink on the ship.... that was not the case in Orlando. :(

[phlydude]

Ah - you were in for the A T & T... sorry about the rain.... again! ;)

 

Actually, no I was in to visit a client in Salinas and since there are really no decent hotels there, we fly into and stay in Monterey. We arrived too late on Sunday to catch any of the tournament though (although 1 guy from my company was there for the entire deal and met up with us later that night). We took our clients out to Roy's and had drinks before hand...it was an expensive night...let's just say I could have easily paid for 2 cruises (balcony) with airfare with that tab! (see, I tied it into cruising!) :rolleyes:

[suziehmkr]

We took our clients out to Roy's and had drinks before hand...it was an expensive night...let's just say I could have easily paid for 2 cruises (balcony) with airfare with that tab! (see, I tied it into cruising!) :rolleyes:

Ouch! I don't doubt that one bit... oh, and wise choice to stay in Monterey ;)

[addictedtothevr6]

this is an amazing thread

[J&GKats]

On Miracle cruise 2/11/07, found out the hot tub is open until 12:00 p.m.

 

It was great for us late night dippers!

[J&GKats]

On Miracle cruise 2/11/07, found out the hot tub is open until 12:00 p.m.

 

It was great for us late night dippers!

[addictedtothevr6]

This is a GREAT thread. It would be even better and more people would read and reply if others would stop messing it up with

 

* How do I get the clock?

* Testing

* Gee, are you from Atlanta?

* When will I get my docs?

* How does sail and sign work?

* etc. etc. etc.

 

It sure would be nice if folks could stay on TOPIC.

 

A little tip if you have a computer, cell phone or anything else that needs power. Take a small extension cord since most cabins have ONE plug, usually far from where you might need it.

just posting to keep this thread in my control pannel

[diathoney]

Whew! I made it to the end. It took a week, but I enjoyed almost every post. My tips/secrets have already been covered, but I'll second the recommendations.

I bring cheap, lightweight beach towels for two reasons. 1) Carnival uses dark blue (at least they were on my last two Carnival cruises) which gets really HOT in the sun and 2) the are thick and heavy - especially when wet! The cheap ones are much easier to carry for shore excursions no one messes with the Sesame Street gang (or Minnie Mouse).

Power strip with a long cord or extension cord. The plug behind the TV is a long way from the counter. You need the length.

Insulated cups! The small plastic ones don't stay hot or cold very long. Plus they as SO small. I hate to keep running back to the cabin or lido for a refill.

Coolies - I don't like my beer warm either.

Shoe holder - best idea ever! I hang it over the closet door for portable fans/walkies/sunscreen/etc. keeps the small counter clear.

 

Find out where the ice machine is. They are usually at the end of the hall. Ice goes quickly in our cabin.

[coachrains]

what are capers?

[mattn]

what are capers?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capers

 

It's something you eat, though I've never had them.

[kcantrell]

Capers are the unopened green flower buds of the Capparis spinosa (Capparidaceae)

[dromMOM]

what are capers?

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/514861282pdUIaB