Pre-Cruise (Packing Tips)

⚓ If you are prone to motion or seasickness, please check with your doctor beforehand. What may work for one person may not for another. We have great success personally with sea-bands, but also take over the counter medication just in case (non-drowsy Dramamine which is mainly ginger).

⚓ Pack for the various activities of the cruise including casual clothes, formal wear, swim wear, exercise wear; and same for shoes (sneakers, sandals/flip-flops, water shoes, formal).

⚓ Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, and please look for “Reef Friendly sunscreen”, which are ones that don’t have any of these chemicals (oxybenzone, octinoaxte, butylparaben & 4-methylbenzylidine camphor) that are harmful or toxic to coral reefs and other marine life.

⚓ Other packing tips: Own mug/tumbler, plastic over the door-shoe organizer, night-light, watch, first-aid kit/pain med, hair dryer, chargers, highlighter for FunTimes, air freshener, lanyard, own shampoo/conditioner (if you like specific brand, since they supply a generic one), bags for dirty clothes, towel clips (if have balcony), bottle of hand soap for bathroom (we bring a bath and body foam, since prefer that than the supplied bar of soap).

⚓ No need to bring your own towel from home… Carnival supplies them. Just make sure to bring it back to your cabin or expect a $22/towel charge.

⚓ Prohibited items to bring: irons/steamers (iron board in laundry room if need), surge-protector, candles, heating pads, coffee maker.

⚓ Bring a light-jacket/sweater with you, as it gets cold inside especially in the lounge/theatre and Main Dining Room (MDR).

⚓ If you are a soda drinker, Carnival allows you to bring 12 pack per person (non-alcoholic beverage) in cans, carry-on only, no greater than 12 ounces each.

⚓ If you are a wine drinker, Carnival allows you to bring one bottle of wine/champagne per adult (750ml), also carry-on only. Don’t forget bring corkscrew (in checked bag) if bringing wine.

⚓ Include in your carry-on—phone/charger, camera/charger, swim wear (in case use pool or slides before checked bags delivered), medication, jewelry (if any), money and other valuables in your carry-on bag.

⚓ Plan on using a carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise (unless you carry your own luggage off the ship) for toiletries, sleeping clothes, etc; as on last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by 11pm or so they can take it to staging area to offload the next morning.

⚓ Make sure that you have a passport, OR the documents required to cruise (including your original or copy of your birth certificates with or without a raised seal and a photo ID). While passport is not required for closed-loop itineraries from the U.S., it is highly recommended.Make copies of your passport and drivers license and take with your paperwork (just in case).

⚓ Highly recommend to get Travel Insurance, especially not through the Cruiseline (cheaper and better coverage elsewhere). Covers trip cancellation/interruption/delay, baggage delay, emergency medical expense/evacuation, etc. Good site to compare is InsureMyTrip.com . We usually go with one of these three: Travel Guard, Allianz, Nationwide.

⚓ If you have motion issues, the best placement on a ship is lower decks and midship.

⚓ Recommend getting hotel stay the night before (vs driving there morning of); just in case any issue & also for stress-free embarkation day. And please make sure to get to the port a minimum of 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time (not your check-in time) as the ship has to send a complete passenger manifest to Homeland Security ~60 mins before departure.

⚓ Parking at cruise terminal is typically the most expensive option. Can pre-book cheaper elsewhere (either walk and/or free shuttle).

⚓ 90 days before your cruise (Carnival), you can do your online check-in, selecting your desired check-in time. First/morning slots typically go first as most want to board early.

⚓ Make sure to print and tag EACH piece of luggage (both checked & carry-on just in case). Suggest also put one inside bags as well (if outside torn).

⚓ Setting up Sail & Sign account during online check-in: do not recommend using Debit card, due to holds. Either use Credit-card, or Cash account.

⚓ If have kids, you can apply non-authorize/no-charge ability during check-in process, and on the ship can apply max $/day usage.

⚓ Bring enough cash with you… use cash only at ports (safest). All Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexican ports accept US dollars, so no need to get local currency. Bring lots of small bills ($1, $5) for lots of tipping & exact change. Tipping porters (at least $1-2/bag) is customary.

⚓ Very limited plugs in the cabin… I would suggest bringing a power strip (without surge protector, as that’s not allowed).

⚓ Carnival: Download the Carnival HUB App beforethe cruise. Free & very useful. You won’t be able to use it until onboard (via Ship’s Wifi).

⚓ Call your cell carrier to ask call/text/internet rates at ports will be visiting (if interested to use once at port).

⚓ Stop (Hold) your mail, notify bank & credit card companies that will be traveling out of country (otherwise they can flag/freeze your account).

⚓ Do your research/have a plan for what excursion/want to do once at ports (either thru the cruiseline, local companies, or on your own). Check Tripadvisor and ShoreExcursioneer sites for local companies/booking options. Know that the cruiseline prices are almost always more expensive than local companies/guides. You do NOT have to buy tours to get off the ship in port stops. You can get off on your own and find cheaper tours on the pier, or simply take a taxi to a beach. The cardinal rule of going on your own is do NOT be late getting back to the ship, as they will not wait for you if you’re late getting back.

⚓ If you’re celebrating something (Birthday, Anniversary), let the cruiseline know before you leave home. They usually sing Happy Birthday/Anniversary for you in the MDR, along with a small cake with candle (no charge). Sometimes your steward will include a few freebies too.

⚓ Your S&S (Sail & Sign card) is your room key as well as any purchases you make onboard.

⚓ If any crew member asks to see your S&S card, there is a good change you will be charged for something. If you’re not sure, ask first! “Welcome Aboard drink” is not free.

⚓ Once you get on-board, pick up a ship map, and familiarize yourself with ship, especially non-cabin decks.

⚓ Don’t worry if your bags don’t show up right away. Pack items you’ll need first day in your carry-on. 1^stnight dinner is cruise casual.

⚓ Once room is ready, unpack. Bag fits nicely under the bed. Double-check # of life-jackets. No need to bring it with you to Muster drill.

⚓ Right after muster drill, head to lido deck for hearing the departure ship horn, wave bye to your home-port, and enjoy the Sail Away Party!

⚓ You can order water (12 pack bottles for $4.50 + 15% gratuities) via your cabin steward, if you didn’t pre-order via the FunShops.

⚓ If you’re not sure what order to wear your clothes… wear your tight clothes the first days and save the loose ones for the last! J

⚓ Slides are fun (kids & adults), but can get busy esp during sea days. If non-winter, we wear swimwear under clothes on embarkation day.

⚓ If utilize the pools on the ship, do not be surprised, they are actually salt water.

⚓ Each morning, take a picture of the FunTimes. This way, all of the pictures in your camera after that one are from that day.

⚓ Read your FunTimes of daily activities – highlight things you’re interested in. Tear off & carry with you (and/or use HUB App).

⚓ Take the FunTimes (tear-off part) with you to shore, as it has the emergency phone numbers on it in event you need it while ashore.

⚓ Make sure to try the Sea Day Brunch in Main Dining Room (MDR) at least once. It’s fantastic! Get there early before line gets too long.

⚓ If you brought wine during embarkation, avoid corkage fee by pouring your own wine glass in cabin, & carry it (the glass) to MDR.

⚓ No clock in your cabin/few around ship, and everything is based on a time. Wear a watch, and stay on SHIP (home port) time.

⚓ Make sure to put all phones in Airplane / Flight mode and leave it there!

⚓ Ship has 3 internet tiers/rates (via Wifi) if interested in purchasing (can be bought pre-cruise, or during cruise).

⚓ HUB App is awesome… Free for FunTimes schedule, S&S Activity, Deck Maps, etc. $5/device for chat feature (best way communicate).

⚓ If get sea-sick during cruise and sea-band and/or meds not helping… go to Aft, get fresh air, get in pool, have green apples or ginger(-ale).

⚓ If you have inside cabin, put the TV onto the lido/bow camera channel, and leave it on all night. It’ll gradually wake you up as sun comes up.

⚓ Room service – some foods are free (e.g. continental breakfast), some have a charge (listed). Tip few dollars per tray as extra work for them.

⚓ Free beverages (lido): Water, milk, coffee, tea, lemonade/juice, hot chocolate. The iced-tea is NOT sweet…. Mix with lemonade (yum).

⚓ You can make your own milkshake by using all free items in lido deck: Ice-cream, coffee, milk. Can bring/use your own mug.

⚓ In MDR you are not limited to only 1 appetizer/entrée/dessert!! If see more than 1 item you like, feel free to order it (no charge)! I’ve had 4 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 3 desserts once, in one seating.

⚓ There is a “Rare Finds” appetizer section, which changes daily (examples: Escargot, Alligator fritters, Braised frog legs, etc).

⚓ If you like dark chocolate, you must try Chocolate Melting Cake!! And try the Banana Split (off the kids menu)!

⚓ If you get hungry in-between buffet/dinner hours (late afternoon, late night), utilize the Pizza as it’s open 24/7.

⚓ Cruise Elegant: 1 on a 3-5 day; 2 on a 6+ day. Anything from business casual to full-blown tux/gown. Just no shorts/Tshirt/jeans.

⚓ Don’t wait until last day to check Pixels Photo Gallery area (they take pics down for space). Check Wall of Fame daily!

⚓ In the shower there is a retractable clothes line, good for hanging your bathing suits to dry (or spread by window if have an OV cabin).

⚓ Additional charge items: Specialty restaurant, alcohol/coffee bar, Camp >10pm, Arcades, FunShops, Spa, Pics, Internet, Shore Excursions.

⚓ Stairs sometimes can be lot faster than elevators, especially during peak times. Utilize stairs especially if just one/few floors.

⚓ Tip lot of people don’t know: One “ding” is for Up, and two “dings” are for down!

⚓ Carnival gratuities at this time is $13.99/person/day ($15.99 for suite). If you didn’t pre-pay, it’ll automatically be added to your S&S. These gratuities cover your cabin steward (who will clean your cabin twice a day every day, if you so choose), multiple waiters, along with behind the scenes people you may never see. You don’t have to plan to tip anyone else; but each drink order will have a 18% gratuity added to the check. Remember the service workers on ships get the vast majority of their income from tips, so please don’t try to short them, unless the service is really bad. If you do have a problem with service from your steward or waiter(s), just go GuestServices to inform them, and they will take care of it. That is also where you can adjust your gratuities (up or down) if needed.

⚓ Lines at Guest Services can be long at times. Utilize the Kiosks (there’s typically two on the ship) for account activity, adding $, etc.

⚓ Understand Port time (time in location of the port) vs SHIP time (current time where departed from). Usually ship stays on SHIP time, just know what time the ship refers to when they plan to leave the port.

⚓ You can buy liquor bottles at port (or on ship), but they’ll safekeep it until end of your trip (debark morn) which is when you’ll pick-up.

⚓ Ship will price-match port prices for liquor bottles. However, must show pic (proof) of exact same. Tax’d at some home cruise ports.

⚓ Make sure to take your S&S card along with photo ID (preferably passport) with you to ports to be able to re-enter port area/ship.

⚓ Do not miss: SeaDay Brunch, Serenity area, Love & Marriage show, Punchliner comedy (adult-only typically >9-10pm).

⚓ You are not stuck where food/drink is served in open space… example: can take drink from bar to anywhere, buffet food to cabin.

⚓ You cannot take (non pre-packaged) food off the ship. There is a Banana Sniffin’ Dog… I’ve seen him!

⚓ Blue Iguana Cantina (breakfast burritos/taco’s) and Guy’s Burgers are the bomb! Must try.

⚓ You can take the Carnival blue towels out of your cabin (around ship or excursion), but make sure to return it (otherwise $21 charge).

⚓ Movies under the stars (aka Dive-in Movies) is great. On most ships. Free popcorn. Towel hut has Carnival blankets (free rental).

⚓ There will be lots of “sales” onboard. We personally never buy any jewelry or Watches onboard. If you are considering it, know land prices before getting on, or if you have internet search for internet price before buying. Lot of people bought something thinking it was a good deal, only to find out same price if not cheaper on land or Amazon for example.

⚓ If you want a Tshirt, wait for the last day. There WILL be a sale!

⚓ Don’t be afraid to take lots of pictures onboard with the professional photographers. They don’t charge you to take the pic, only if you buy it. You never know when one of them will be a family favorite for years to come.

⚓ If cruising with kids and worried about them racking up a big bill in the Arcade for example, you can put a spending limit on their S&S cards.