CmdrLeChat

So, we've been on multiple cruises, but I've always just worn normal dress attire for formal night. This year I'm considering actually taking and wearing my ASU for our first formal dinner. My only concern is how to pack to avoid excess wrinkles. I usually carry in a garment bag, but I do not want to have to carry that around the ship until our room is open, as we are typically early arrivals. Any suggestions on best ways to pack uniforms.

Maybe just pack it flat at the bottom of your suitcase, and hand it to your steward the day you embark. They'll iron it for a few dollars and deliver it to your room before the end of next day.

Cruise are a fun experience and a place to enjoy yourself and create memories. If you feel underdressed, just go for more. You'll look great because you'll feel great and you'll both be proud of each other.

Just one thing... Don't be late for dinner! ;)

I have seen several posts on various boards about a military discount offered by Carnival, but when I booked our cruise on their website I never saw it.

 

How do I get this discount?

 

Thanks,

Tamara

You don't. Try to book a cruise, then see what kind of pricing is available. Out of 5 cruises, I got a rebate once. 2 more times the rebates were there but were actually more expensive than regular price for people who choose to let Carnival pick their room, or returning guests, or, wait for it, special foreigner rates. You could simply consider their military rebates as non existent. On my first solo cruise, 4th overall, I saved a fortune by choosing the "let Carnival decide" rate. Military rate was only available for upper decks with balcony and I don't care for those. $1300 vs $239 for a quiet room midship, I'll take the room without windows any time. When I want to see what's outside, I go outside.

I was in M5 (3 rooms from the front) on the Ecstasy, porthole cabin several years ago (2007). It would never be my first choice of rooms as it was very noisy and shook like an earthquake when pulling in and out of port. Certainly didn't ruin our trip as we weren't in the room much. But that will be the last time I let Carnival pick for me.

See what I mean, it's a matter of preference and experience. I'm OK with the movement, some prefer when it doesn't move too much, and I take the vibration and noise from docking as a signal to get out. What's funny is that I chose my cabin 3 times and I went to the front, and I let them choose twice and they put me midship. The only place I'm not sure about is aftship, because of the engines.

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Somebody stop me (in my Jim Carey voice)!!!!!! Seriously..... anybody out there who can advise? (before I call to pay for any upgrade) ... lol

Hi,

I've had the "most forwardest" cabin 3 times, on purpose. 2201 on the Valor (first cruise), 2202 on the Victory and 2203 on the Valor again. There really are a few advantages.

End of the corridor means nobody walks in front of it. Nobody disturbs you, you don't disturb anyone. Q-U-I-E-T. Some people mentioned the noise of the anchors going down... Yeah, ok, and I appreciated it because it is even better than a clock. I like to be the first out of the ship and the last onboard. I travel for the multiple destinations, not to sleep on the ship. It depends on what you are looking for.

2202 on the Victory has no window but still has an outside wall. My girlfriend did not appreciate it but it was because of an extraordinary, extreme circumstance. We were faced with a tropical storm (in 2012, can't remember the name of the storm) and the captain decided it was better for the ship and the passengers to face it and go right through it, than going around it and not knowing how long it would take nor if we wouldn't be catched by the storm anyway. The sound of the waves on the outside wall while we crossed the storm and the many shocks on our cabin were incredible. I absolutely loved the experience and felt safe from A to Z, my GF thought it was way too extreme and scary. People on top decks and midship didn't complain a lot.

I've had a mid ship cabin on my 4th cruise, and it is very true, way less movement from the sea, but more people walking in front of the door, more noise, steward was not always preparing the room at the same time (not like the end of the corridor, which was where they started their shift :) ). I was able to sleep in if I wanted to (which was much appreciated on July 5th ;) ) and it was close to stairs and elevators.

There's a place for everyone and a way to appreciate every place. Just don't worry and see for yourself how it is.

On my last cruise, I saw a member of the USN wearing a different uniform... every... single... night. Except on the last night, where he wore a t-shirt stating facts about the US Navy. This may be a little too much, but nobody cared and everybody was nice to him, his wife, his kids, and he always had the same table for his family of 8 at the karaoke bar!

However, on formal nights, I'd say.... really... do what you want. You will see all kind/types of uniform, formal, service, mess, anything. Everybody will be nice, everybody will thank you. And no you won't be judged for being less formal than the other guy or wearing less medals. I am a cadet instructor... I'll be lucky if I finish my career with 2 medals under my "desk" pilot wings but any service, long or short, is respected.

Just wearing any piece of clothing with a regiment badge or your name/rank embroidered on it is well enough for many people to express gratitude. I never wore my uniform on a cruise, but still the 6th sense comes into effect pretty easily for many people. Last year, an old Marine spotted me by the way I kicked the straps under my back pack after placing it next to a wall (with my hat on top of it). And that's how I ended up drunk with new friends.

I've always travelled with Carnival, I don't know how it is with the other lines, but just having served is a big deal for them. Before every show on formal nights, the cruise director goes on stage, and asks every serving or retired member of any armed forces to stand up, waits a few seconds so the rest of the passengers get to look around, then asks policemen to stand up, then firemen, paramedics and first responders. Then the CD asks for a round of applause, and THEN he presents the show.