Carnival Secrets they Usually Don't Tell You About 2

[GeekyMom]

Thanks for the tips, to the things I am already bringing, I am now adding:

 

1. Shower curtain (Dollar store)

2. Folding cooler (got one here somewhere)

3. Detergent (thanks for the reminder)

 

A suggestion of my own: Folding sissors, that you can hang on a key chain for general use.

[mjl1960]

Why don' they just automatically take your S&S card and punch it when they make it for you, so you don't stand in a line at the pursers desk? Giving out a lanyard would be so sweet too...even if it cost them a buck or two.

[Attack Dog]

In light of mjl1960 post I hope this doesn't sound sarcastic. I don't mean to sound sarcastic.

 

Bring a lanyard and a hole punch device with you on your next cruise so you wont have to worry about lines.

[fargodakota]

I know Carnival says I can bring a 12x12x12 cooler onboard with me, but do they really get that picky when you bring one a little larger on with you?

[afcj1]

Thanks for the tips, to the things I am already bringing, I am now adding:

 

1. Shower curtain (Dollar store)

2. Folding cooler (got one here somewhere)

3. Detergent (thanks for the reminder)

 

A suggestion of my own: Folding sissors, that you can hang on a key chain for general use.

 

I just pulled a shower curtain liner out of the closet...it's been there for years, since the color in no longer what I'm into.

 

IThanks for reminding me. I have all of the other items, including the scissors to cut my zip ties from my suit cases:)

[NCTribeFan]

You don't have to stand in line at the pursers desk for a lanyard. Just go to the casino when it opens. They'll take care of it for you there.

 

And you don't need to carry a huge wad of $1 and $5. Just take what you need to get you on the ship. Then, when I go to the casino for my lanyard, I put a $50 or $100 into a slot machine, play for about 30 seconds, cash out, and ask for small bills. Those then go in the safe and are used as needed for shore trips.

 

Rather than keep adding things to my packing list, I'm removing the things that I was told I "must pack" and found I didn't need after all.

 

You don't need a power strip if you only take a camera and phone. Just recharge overnight on different nights.

 

I like the idea of the shower curtain on the beach, but new ones stink way too much. Besides, many, many beaches have chairs available for no charge.

 

I haven't yet done my laundry on board (cruises are too short to spend time in the laundry room), but have washed out a few items in the cabin. I bring a little sample-sized bottle and just refill it when I get home.

 

And, yes, they are picky about the size of the cooler these days. When they say 12x12x12, they mean it.

[fargodakota]

 

 

 

And, yes, they are picky about the size of the cooler these days. When they say 12x12x12, they mean it.

 

Thank you sir. I have one that fits that size rather well. :)

[Drew B]

And you don't need to carry a huge wad of $1 and $5. Just take what you need to get you on the ship. Then, when I go to the casino for my lanyard, I put a $50 or $100 into a slot machine, play for about 30 seconds, cash out, and ask for small bills. Those then go in the safe and are used as needed for shore trips.

 

:confused: Is that really necessary? Can't you just go up to the cashier with the $50 or the $100 and ask them to change it for you?

[Irie]

i've used a credit card in many safes with no problem.

 

all these cruise tips have been good. i'm trying to think of

my favorite.

 

definitely agree captain's party and repeat cruiser party are

good place for free drinks, although the appetizers usually

are not very good.

 

best general tip i can think of is to be patient

[NCTribeFan]

:confused: Is that really necessary? Can't you just go up to the cashier with the $50 or the $100 and ask them to change it for you?

 

Not if I want to use that an my excuse to visit the slots for a few minutes! ;)

[Drew B]

Phew! I hate the slots, and I pretty much always lose everything I put in within a minute or two. It would really suck to insert $100 just to get change and end up losing the whole darned thing! (I much prefer to lose it at a blackjack table)

[CruisinCarleen]

I've read 13 of the 21 pages here...learning lots, and enjoying the dscussions...however I thought I would just ask if anyone out there has a word document packing checklist that they might be able to e-mail me?

 

carleen_mc@hotmail.com

 

if so great? and perhaps another day when I have some more time I'll get to read the other 7 pages :)

 

thanks a bunch

[frogfuzz]

stuff shoes with socks and undies and stuff like that. My sandals fit in hubs shoes,

 

use 1 empty suitcase for "laundry" basket. Keep zipped except for about 12 inches put dirty clothes in it as you go. repacking done.

 

for balcony rooms, get friendly with someone on other side of ship so you can share views , like in case Glaciers arent on your side

 

A mini bottle of Febreze , anti bacterial wipes, comes in handy for me,

 

Don't look for faults, relax, have fun.

[dorioty]

I have talked about this on the Family Board but I will add it here for those with young children....

[nursebubba]

Hi,

I thought I would add our tip as I haven't seen it here. We bring a tray to use for the buffet. They just have plates, bowl etc and a tray really helps if you want a salad in a bowl besides your plate. It becomes to much to carry. The tray is also good for carrying snacks back to the room or if one wants to stay in the room and one person goes up and brinjg back some drinks, snacks etc.

 

We also bring a picture and some crystal light to make diet lemonade etc. They have free punch, leomonade etc but none is sugar free.

You can also just order room service and its delivered on a tray. I always like to get a coffee carafe that has a screw on lid and refill that up on deck before I find that quiet spot to read. Then you will have fresh hot refills

[AnDeNo.UK]

I've read 13 of the 21 pages here...learning lots, and enjoying the dscussions...however I thought I would just ask if anyone out there has a word document packing checklist that they might be able to e-mail me?

 

carleen_mc@hotmail.com

 

i

 

 

You got mail. ;)

[cruise crazy64]

The three ships I've been on before all had the lido deck buffet open for breakfast and you could have a sit down in the dinning room. The thing about the dinning room is they seat you at tables instead of using the same one you've used through out the cruise. This way they only have a few tables they need to clean up before the next cruise starts. The last cruise I took we decided to do the buffet and just sit and relax while the rest of the cruisers "rush" to get off the ship. Unless you have a flight to catch or have to get off early, that's what I would suggest. It also makes finding your luggage a lot easier!

Karen, FL

[CruiznWithHubby]

WOW,,,these tips were wonderful,,,,DH and I going on a cruise in 9 days, so many of them are extremely helpful,,,

 

One tip I got years ago, and have used multiple times (on a cruise and for land vacations) is this:

 

Pack a gallon size ziplock as your first aid kit. This makes it easy to toss into your day bag when you go to the beach or on an excursion,,

 

Pack trial sizes/extra small sizes inside,,

 

pain relief/fever relief

Pepto Bismol

seasick pills/ginger root pills

bandaids

neosporin

prescription drugs (you might want to take these out before going to beach in case your kit is stolen)

small plastic bottle of vinegar for jellyfish stings/great for sunburn too

aloe vera gel

hydrogen peroxide

anti-dihreal

etc

 

Also, a couple tricks I've learned the hard way,,,

 

Pack TWO sunscreen bottles,,,in case you lose one,,it happens,,,pack one in your carryon so you'll have it before luggage arrives,,,the spray on is so much easier, and though it costs a bit more, you actually use less, so it lasts longer,,,

 

Pack extra sunglasses,,,invariably someone loses a pair, and winds up with a whopper of a headache. And sunglasses cost a fortune on a ship or at a resort,,,

 

Fanny packs can replace purses,,,,and your're hands free, without the worry of forgetting or losing or having the purse stolen.

 

Split money/credit cards/travelers checks between you if you're traveling two or more,,,,if one person's wallet or purse is lost or stolen, at least you'll not have ALL the money gone,,,

 

Men should carry their wallet in their FRONT pocket,,,they make smaller wallets that are much more comfortable for this purpose,,,

 

Holly

[ThePatientOne]

I have not seen this idea as yet so I will add my 3 1/2 cents worth..

Bring a bungee cord or two.. If you have a balcony you can use it/them to hold the door open for that "sea breeze" also if they are long enough, you can sling up a low clothes line to dry your wet suits etc.. Just remember to run the cord through the leg or arm hole so they don't blow overboard.

[hililyhilo]

To add to NCTribeFan's reply

And, yes, they are picky about the size of the cooler these days. When they say 12x12x12, they mean it.

 

There's a recent thread about Carnival confiscating coolers that were larger. :eek:

[Debster2Cruz]

You can ask your room steward to bring you extra hangers. Those few they put in the closet isn't eough for one let alone two people. We asked for 15 hangers and he brought us 20, we used them all.

[mcwebber]

I know Carnival says I can bring a 12x12x12 cooler onboard with me, but do they really get that picky when you bring one a little larger on with you?

 

If it's in your checked luggage they don't care. If you try to carry it on that's a problem.

[tgray69]

great tips, thanks

[lovetodream]

Even though we have a balcony, we also use the "secret doors" sometimes. They were great leaving San Francisco and sailing out under the Golden Gate Bridge. Also when we were entering the Panama Canal. Even if you can see from your side balcony, these open deck areas make for great shots straight on. But, as someone pointed out, they are very windy!! Leave your hats in your room. We found out about the deck for Panama on CC. It also put us directly under the Captain and the person doing the narration through the canal. However, I have read on CC of people who want the "secret" for other reasons, but I'll have to leave that to someone to post (boast) about!

 

The suitcases ARE getting packed today!!

 

LOL~~Yes...these "secret" doors and the "secret" decks that the doors lead onto are no big "secret," as the doors are on either side (usually port-side) of the two modified and 1 non-modified cabins on Lido deck (9), deck 7, deck 6 (I think), etc, etc.

 

DH & I just stayed in Cabin #9201 on Freedom and we're booked for Cabin #7201 on Liberty. Cabins ..01, ..03 and ..05 look out onto this secret deck...not those numberred cabins on all decks but some...at least they do on Conquest Class ships :rolleyes:

 

LOTS of people crowd these decks when rolling into/outta ports, etc. No secret at all...

 

I don't know about doing the hippity-dippity out there on these decks either 'cause it's might scary and VERY windy late at night...kinda creepy...no lights at all :eek: just complete darkness...like trip overboard darkness. And during the day, well...what can I say :confused:

[tgray69]

AnDeNo.UK - please send list to me too. tgray69@sbcglobal.net

thanks