30 Carnival Cruise Tips
Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel. I have been on several cruise lines but this post is all about Carnival Cruise tips.
If you planning a Carnival Cruise or if you are just a cruise addict looking for more tips this is the place for you! We have gathered 30 of the best Carnival Cruise tips and hacks for your next cruise.
By Kavonda L. Rogers
Embarkation/De-embarkation Tips
Don’t Forget Your Documents
When you arrive at the port make sure your boarding passes, and Identification (passport or birth certificate and id) are on your person and ready to show to any employees who might ask.
Explore alternatives to Port parking
Port Parking is pricey. Some ports charge as much as $40 a day. Yikes. There is hope. Make sure you research off site parking for the port you are traveling to and save some money. Also, most offsite parking areas offer free shuttles to the port.
Tip the Porters. Yes, really!
The porters are a lot more connected than you may think. Obviously, they load your luggage onto the carts to be put onto the ship. Which is why you want to tip them so you can make sure you get your luggage early. Secondly, they also know the best doors to enter and which lines you should get in for best service. So, tip them at least $1 a bag.
Flight delays can cause you to miss your cruise.
Don’t cut it too close on your flight. If you end up with a delay you can miss your cruise entirely. If you are worried about this happening; fly in a day early.
Self-service your luggage.
When it’s time to exit the ship carry your own luggage. People who take their own luggage get off the ship earlier. This is especially important if you are pressed for time or have an early flight.
Beverage Tips
Leave the Bottle Water at Home
Bottled water is not allowed on cruise ships (cue terrible video of man demonstrating how to smuggle liquor via water bottles). You are allowed to bring on a 12 pack of can soda or juice boxes for the kids. Just limit it to one pack per person.
Wine, anyone?
You cannot bring beer and alcohol onboard a Carnival cruise ship with you, but you can bring one 750ml bottle of win person. If you choose to do this make sure you bring a cork screw to avoid the corkage fee.
Carnival’s Cheers Program
Carnival’s alcoholic beverage program is called Cheers. It includes alcohol, mock-tails, juices, sodas, and premium coffees. Currently, it is priced at $52 per person per day. The cost allows you to have up to 15 drinks per day. The only down side is that all adults in a stateroom have to purchase the plan.
Alcohol Alternatives
If you aren’t an alcohol drinker there are plenty of options onboard. Some are free and others not. Free options include: filtered water, tea (iced and hot) and coffee. Paid options are: sodas, mocktails and premium coffee drinks. If you are big on sodas don’t miss Carnival’s Unlimited Bubbles program that allows you to get unlimited sodas and juices.
Drink of the Day
Every day there is a drink of the day on the ship. They usually come in some type of souvenir glass. That glass allows you to refill the drink at the various bars throughout the day at a lower cost. If you want to keep your drink tab low then check out this option.
Big Water Drinker?
If you are a big water drinker then consider pre-ordering bottle water from Carnival. Currently, a case of water can be ordered for $4.50 a person and they will be delivered to your stateroom the first day of your cruise.
Pack a Re-usable cup.
Bring a re-usable cup and fill it up with your free beverages and sip away throughout the day. It’s a great way to save some money.
Dining Tips
Try specialty restaurants on day one.
The specialty restaurants (steakhouse etc.) offer specials for cruisers who chose to eat there are on the first night. So, if you are flexible for dinner try one of the specialty restaurants on the first night.
No Limits
If you are eating in the Main Dining Room (MDR) you can order food with no limits. If two entrees catch your eye…order both. Want two desserts? Order two. Just make sure you order everything at the same time so all your food will be piping hot.
Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly
If you are Vegan or Vegetarian this is a great cruise line for you. There are menu items, buffet items, and casual restaurant items for Vegans and Vegetarians. You can also go visit the Maître D and let him know you are Vegan and your servers will offer your alternatives. Carnival is also gluten free friendly as well.
Kid Faves
Kids and Big kids love the unlimited ice cream and pizza onboard all Carnival ships. Recently they have even added frozen yogurt to their ice cream machines.
Sea Day Brunch
If your cruise has a sea day (a day you are not at a port) then make sure you go and partake of the sea day brunch. During the sea day brunch there is a special menu in the dining room and there is everything from a mimosa bar to filet mignon and eggs. It’s worth the trip.
Cabin Tips
They are called staterooms.
Your room on the ship is not a cabin it’s a stateroom. Whenever you go to Guest Services, call room service etc. you will be asked what is your stateroom number? SO, remember it’s not a cabin it’s a stateroom.
Motion Sickness Worries
If you are concerned about motion sickness your stateroom location can help. If you are prone to seasickness then choose a room in the lower part of the ship and in the middle of the floor. The ship has less movement here.
Night Lights
If you choose an interior stateroom make sure to bring a night light as your room will be totally dark. You also may want to set an alarm on your phone so you don’t sleep the day away.
Need Extra Comfort?
If your bed is not quite soft enough ask your Room Steward for an egg crate mattress pad to make your bed softer.
Use the Safe
Use the safe for your valuables such as cash, jewelry and other items. You can even use a gift card with a stripe to open it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Are you diabetic?
If you are insulin-dependent diabetic, then be sure to request a sharps container for your room. Most carnival cruise ships have refrigerators to store your insulin.
Entertainment Tips
Movies
If your ship has the movie screen by the pool, then don’t miss the free movies that will be shown there most nights. We are not talking movies that came out 3 years ago these are current in theater blockbusters. So, grab some free popcorn and enjoy a free movie.
Arrive Early for Shows
Make sure you arrive early for shows. Seating on Carnival ships is first come first serve. This means the best seats go fast. Arrive especially early for comedy shows as they are in smaller venues with less seating.
Extra Tips
Carnival Hub App
Make sure you download the Carnival Hub app before your cruise. The app allows you to keep track of your bill, chat with other cruise passengers (for a $5 per person fee). The app also has a digital version of the Carnival Times so you can keep track of activities.
Power Strips Only
Make sure you bring a power strip with you to plug in additional electronics. Make sure it is a power strip and not a surge protector. Surge protectors are banned on Carnival cruise ships.
Oh, the Photos!
Carnival has amazing photographers and the resulting photos are amazing. Put aside money because there will be a photo you will want, and they are pricey.
Use the Hand Washing Units
Carnival has super cool handwashing units where you just insert your hands and the machine does the work. It’s especially fun for the kids and makes hand washing fun.
No cash needed.
Carnival like most cruise lines is a cashless society. No need to carry around cash as your card will do it all. If you do need cash avoid the high atm fees and go buy chips at the casino and then go cash them out.
I hope you enjoyed these 30 carnival Cruise tips and tricks. Did you learn anything new? If so let me know in the comment below and look forward to the next blog in this series.
