Carnival Secrets they Usually Don't Tell You About 2

[kruzgal72]

I am so confused! I have read another version of this thread and it has 109 pages! So I am guessing there are 2 of the exact same threads of this topic going around. Great now I gotta catch up on this one, sheesh!

[RizzoLee]

I love the big mugs, I buy one from walmart that I am willing to throw away at the end of the cruise.

 

A handful of Ice, a cup of coffee, and icecream = FREE FRAPACHINNO

 

 

Old post, but that sounds awesome! I must try that! (with a bit of kahlua and irish cream too!)

[hililyhilo]

I went through the original secrets thread and compiled the tips I found most interesting.

 

 

Wow, that was comprehensive. Thanks for putting it together!

[Loungealot]

Fabulous Info - Loads of Praise and Thanx for taking the time!!!

 

Loungealot - Loves to Cruise

[solle1]

I wondered if ANY card would work to unlock my safe and guess what ?!!!!!

[WHENNEY]

I will be going on my second cruise in a few weeks (Carnival Liberty, Oct. 25). My first cruise was many, many years ago. The advice given here is GREAT. Even being on a cruise, I forgot the things that I wish I would have had -- I only remember all the fun! I've gone out and bought an over the door shoe holder, duct tape and post-it notes. I'm also bringing scissors. One suggestion I have, bring a cheap shower curtain. I bought one at Target for $2.00. It is great for the beach. It folds up so small it takes no room to carry on, the sand shakes right off, and it dries quickly over nite. When you are at a beach you can sit on it and keep towels and other things off the sand. I use this all the time at the beach here at home. Plus, if you don't want to bring it home, you can just throw it out and not worry about the expense! Another tip (from a friend) wear dresses. Casual, throw over a bathing suit dress. They travel well, you can wear it at least twice and it cuts down on packing matching shorts and tops. With having to pay extra for luggage, this helps to keep the cost down. Especially if you are just doing "water type" shore excursions. My friend did this on her last cruise and it worked great!

[muffyn]

There was a similar thread a few years ago and I collected, edited and removed the duplicates of the tips I found on that thread, put them in a booklet and mailed it out to the other Cruise Critic members on our roll call before our Europe Cruise. I've finally made it a .pdf file and posted it here if anyone is interested. Scroll down to the bottom to get it. The back has some Italy information too, that we used for our trip. Help yourself and enjoy!

 

love your booklet.

but I have one question

under food & Dining

 

why on earth would you ask the omlette station to "FLY" your eggs?

 

(giggle..... trying to picture exactly what that is)

[Gold Star Gunner]

Thanks for the great tip. I just ordered a liter of whiskey for my room for $38.00. Beats the drink prices.

[SoFLCruiser]

i have this little vinyl 6pack cooler thingy that i pack.

great for packing beverages for the beach or wherever you're off to.

 

and what secret door is elaine talking about?

[40yearcruiser]

I FINALLY made it all the way through this thread and, although I've cruised a number of times, I've picked up a few new tips. Thanks to all who posted. On the clock issue, I always carry a battery-operated travel alarm clock but also carry a small plug-in digital clock so that if I wake up in the night I can see the time without having to fumble around to turn on the display of the travel clock. The digital display is especially helpful in an inside cabin where you don't have daylight to let you know its morning. An extension cord is also handy if there are no outlets where you need power. I use rechargeable batteries for our digital cameras, take a couple extra sets and a small charger, and keep them charged as we travel so I never run out of batteries. It's a lot less expensive than always buying batteries.

We sail on the Glory in two weeks so it's time for me to start assembling all the things suggested here!

[leadout_kv]

i have this little vinyl 6pack cooler thingy that i pack.

great for packing beverages for the beach or wherever you're off to.

 

and what secret door is elaine talking about?

 

Ya know, I think this "door" that everyone refers to should be referred to as a hidden door and no longer a secret door. Believe me, it's not really secret anymore. Anyway, sorry, this door is usually around the front of the ship a couple levels down that puts you out in an outside deck that is usually empty.

[NYGirl1002]

Get a box of Shout wipes. They are small and compact and you can carry them in your purse of pocket to clean anything spilled onto your clothes.

 

These tips are great.

[elainmir]

We are taking our kids on their first cruise ever, so we don't want alcohol clouding our judgement. I want to take non alcoholic beer with us, you know you feel like your having a cold one but without the "effects" lol. Can I take this in my small carryon cooler on board?

[fargodakota]

So, I can bring a small cooler with soda and water onboard?

That is a good idea to use it for taking off some of your purchases afterward. We have a nice sized one on our boat we can take.

 

 

Thank you all for the ideas and secrets thus far. It will sure help out.

[J-Wo]

If you want to do laundry on board bring a trial size box of luandry detergent. Get the quarters from the casino or purser's desk. You can find the laundry rooms on the deck layout brochure you get from the purser's desk. They sell laundry detergent in the laundry rooms, but do not provide change. I usually end up doing at least one load on board, I know a boring household chore, but sometimes necessary even on vacation.

Do they take liquid laundry detergent or powder only?

[SoFLCruiser]

i never thought to do laundry on my cruise..

but when you think about all that laundry you're bringing home..

it's not a bad idea, at all!

 

thanks! this may be a great consideration.

 

 

also, that little vinyl cooler i mentioned;

it folds flat for great packing.

and i really like the idea of the rum rummer bags for bringing on a couple of bottles of wine.. great idea.

 

:D

[jenseib]

Forgive me please... I have read so much about 3 different cruise lines that I sometimes get them mixed up. Does Carnvial have do it yourself laundry facilities. I swore someone told me no, but maybe it was another cruise line. I do know Disney does have them.

[Perfect Stranger]

Yes they do, it's $2.00 to wash and $2.00 to dry.

[huxlemo]

Forgive me please... I have read so much about 3 different cruise lines that I sometimes get them mixed up. Does Carnvial have do it yourself laundry facilities. I swore someone told me no, but maybe it was another cruise line. I do know Disney does have them.

 

Yes, Carnival does have laundry rooms with washers and dryers. You can bring your own detergent or they have a vending machine you can purchase it from. Sometimes I get those sample packages in the mail. I save those for vacations. We pack half what we would normally take and do laundry. The detergents in the vending machine are liquid packages.

[Name game]

One suggestion I have, bring a cheap shower curtain. I bought one at Target for $2.00. It is great for the beach. It folds up so small it takes no room to carry on, the sand shakes right off, and it dries quickly over nite. When you are at a beach you can sit on it and keep towels and other things off the sand. I use this all the time at the beach here at home. Plus, if you don't want to bring it home, you can just throw it out and not worry about the expense!

 

What a great idea. As someone who has been on over 20 cruises, I never thought of this.

[LPDTactical]

i have this little vinyl 6pack cooler thingy that i pack.

great for packing beverages for the beach or wherever you're off to.

 

and what secret door is elaine talking about?

 

On the Triumph Class, the "hidden door" is actually on every deck that has balcony staterooms (except for verandah). Go all the way to the front of the ship and on either side there should be a door. going through that door takes you to another door which will lead to an outside deck which is usually empty.

[mcwebber]

Haven't read through all the posts yet so I don't know if this has been offered as a tip.

I bring a soft cooler. It serves two purposes. I put it in the outside zipper compartment on my suitcase so it serves to protect breakables in the upper middle of my suitcase. I bring a few large Ziplock bags and the steward will fill them with ice. I am then able to chill any drinks that I have brought with me. The small amount of ice in the bucket melts too quick.

If you're going on a beach excursion, you can bring it with you. Whether you bring drinks with you or not, you can buy beer or whatever you want and have it cold at the beach.

Just be sure to test the cooler at home for leaks. I keep it under the desk.

The cooler I bought at Walmart for about $10 was canvas with a rope tie on top instead of a zipper and has a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Works very well.

[twotogoanywhere]

A great thread...keep it going! No matter how long a person has cruised there are still things we can learn!

 

How right you are! Thanks to Elaine we all are sharing the secrets. We have been cruising since 1968 , but I learned some new and very valuable tips. One to add, or do you all know this one already? To keep your clothes from wrinkling, layer them in the suitcase alternating with dry cleaner plastic bags.

I agree about the early and extra tips for cabin stewards--works very well in the dining room also!

 

Looking forward to the Miracle in 7 days,

Helen

[zirka]

Just got off the Valor and laundry was $2 to wash and $2 to dry. Also--$1 for powder All or Surf detergent. Wasn't bad and it was nice coming home with clean clothes. I just used the last two sea days to spread it out. It took 26 minutes to wash and the dryer lasted 48 minutes.

[Attack Dog]

On the...

 

LPDTACTICAL,

 

I know this has nothing to do with the conversation, but I was curious if your in SWAT? Be safe.