I just returned from my first Carnival Cruise and sharing tips I wish I had known before hand.
1. Pack your swim suits in a carry on bag so you can swim when you get onboard.
It might take a while for your bags to show up in your room.
2. You’re allowed to bring a 12 pack of soda and a bottle of wine per adult. Do it!
3. Find a map right away when you get on the ship. Study it. I got lost a lot!
4. Don’t pay full price at the spa.
Take advantage of the great spa treatment specials while at port. Also the last day they will announce major discounts.
5. Be prepared to be in LOTS of photos!
I had no idea there would be photographers set up everywhere. It was a little crazy. Anytime you get off or on the ship a photographer is waiting. You don’t have to take the photos, we just walked past them most of the time. Believe me… if you skip once, they will find you again. ha!
Carnival had rows and rows of backdrops set up everywhere on the first formal night. If it’s packed, you don’t need to wait in line that night, because they will do this several times throughout the week. We didn’t pose for any pictures, but I had a great time watching all the families dressed in the same colors for family photos. I even saw one family all wearing the brightest orange and white stripped shirts!! The dad did not look thrilled at all. ha!
6. The main lobby deck is a wonderful, quiet spot to lounge and read. It’s shaded and a great place to get away from the crowds around the pool.
7. Come in early from a shore excursion and enjoy the ship to yourself.
8. Get sea sick? Try Sea-Bands.
9. If you want a good seat by the main pool, be sure to bring towels and save your chairs on the way to breakfast.
10. Wear elastic waist pants and order Carnival’s Chocolate Melting Cake every night! ha.
You might even order two… they will bring it… just ask my husband. I like what our cruise director Chris said on the first formal night: Be sure to wear your good outfit on the first formal night because you might not be able to wear it by the end of the trip!
11. Formal night is really not that formal.
Business casual is fine. I found some really cute inexpensive dresses at Charming Charlie.
12. Be prepared to walk up and down a lot of stairs.
Stairs are everywhere on a cruise ship and also WAY faster than waiting on the elevators. I don’t think I gained any weight from all the food because we walked so much! At least I’m telling myself that since I don’t dare get on a scale:-)
13. Great advice from one of my readers: Bring a power cord to plug in more than one item and a nightlight.
I would add air freshener to that list as well. Sharing a tiny bathroom in a tiny room with your family… you’ll be glad you have it!
14. Get a room with a balcony.
It’s worth the extra money, especially if you have kids who need to nap. I enjoyed reading and napping myself on our balcony!
15. Take advantage of the kid camps. They are SO worth it! Having time alone with your spouse is priceless.
Do you have any questions about cruising with Carnival or my recent excursions?
I haven’t had time to talk about my excursions yet, but would be happy to answer any questions in the comments below. Thanks!
Be sure tollow Carnival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on their ships and booking, visit them at Carnival.com!
Disclosure: My seven day cruise was paid for by Carnival as a part of their Brand Ambassador program. All opinions and photos about the trip are my own.
I Heart Faces
Just Something I Made
Pizzazzerie
Tatertots & Jello
The motion sickness bands are a great idea. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the room all trip because you are sea sick.
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Sheryl Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 9:11 pm
@Motion Sick,
Our Dr. prescribed us a sea sickness patch to wear behnd the ear. Dr. thinks they are the best…. Will see in a week when we take off on our first cruise….
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Writing EVERYTHING down for our cruise in OCT.
2 bottles of wine, check. Diet Dr Peppers.. check!
YAY!
Amy, these rock! Thank you for sharing with us
xo
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Love this post, Amy! We loved our Carnival Cruise over Mother’s Day. We visited Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Martin, etc. But you are so right – heading back to the ship early from excursions is so worth it!
I’m glad you had a great trip!
(I’ve stumbled this list! It’s great for first time cruisers – or repeaters who need reminding!)
Robyn
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I took a Carnival Cruise years ago w/ my mom and my aunt and it was a blast. We had so much fun that I’ve been wanting do it again ever since. This makes me want to start planning one! Thanks for all the great advice!
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RT @livinglocurto: 15 Tips for First Time Cruisers: Here is what I learned from my first @CarnivalCruise http://goo.gl/fb/tAtNz
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Only the Carnival Corp lines (Princess et al)
allow you to bring wine/cokes on! RCCL and others do not!
I’m glad you enjoyed your first cruise! They are addicting, so watch out!
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Looks like a great time! One day we hope to take the kids on a cruise! Thx for the tips!
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Dessert was always my favorite part of cruising. By the end of the week, I figured out which desserts I could only get in the dining room. Then after dinner, we’d change clothes and I’d have (the other) dessert and coffee in the buffet restaurant.
Shameful, huh?
After our first cruise, I came home and ALL of my clothes were tight! I thought it was all the food I ate. But it wasn’t. We had a little blonde haired, blue eyed souvenir to always remember that week!
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amy Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 11:58 am
@MarshaMarshaMarsha,
Ha! What a fun memory/souviner:-)
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15 Tips for First Time Cruisers http://bit.ly/9pTk0Z Design.alltop.com
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One thing to mention is if you can go to the port city the day before. My husband and I were so exhausted we just slept until dinner at 8:15. Another tip is we kept our luggage getting on and off saved so much time literally walked on and off the boat with ease this suggestion is if u r traveling without children.
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Amy Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 10:22 am
@Gina Dease,
Great tips! Yes… I SO wish we had walked off with our bags instead of checking them. They called our floor first for self depart and we were bummed! ha. It was 2 hours later before we were able to get off.
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There is a rule about “closed loop cruises” that start and end in the US allow you to use you birth certificate instead of a passport. Here’s a link to the info in case you really want to cruise NOW and not wait for the passport. http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206635771151.shtm about mid-way down under “Traveling by Sea”
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Amy Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@Lisa Anderson,
Thanks for the info:-)
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I am avid criuser, I go on several cruises each year. LOVE them. Your tips are RIGHT ON!
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I’ve never been on a cruise! looks like you had a fabulous time…so I am guessing you have to have your passport to cruise?
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Amy Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 9:42 am
@Screwed Up Texan,
My passport had expired, so a birth certificate was fine for me and my kids. But I think they are going to be changing that soon and everyone will need a passport. I’m going to renew my passport ASAP because getting them last minute is really expensive.
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Here’s another tip we’ve learned…don’t book your excursions through the cruise line. Do some research before you go and book yourself. The groups are much smaller and it’s always cheaper! Thanks for the other tips Amy! I’ve been on a few cruises and I still picked up some things I didn’t already know. BTW I think I need to wipe my keyboard clean of my drool..that cake? Yum.
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Amy Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@Danielle,
I know! I’m craving that cake!! Yum!
The cruise online booking had shut down by the time I got around to deciding our excursions. I booked 2 excursions through other companies, but they were not cheaper. Less crowded… yes:-)
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