Lea.B

Was just on Spirit two weeks ago.

Our TA was able to get us our preferred timeslot of 1:00-1:30pm - we were all first time Carnival cruisers. The whole process went very smoothly.

 

If you don't mind me asking, how was your cruise? Would you travel on a Carnival ship again?

12 - 12.30 is the first available slot then last slot is 4 -4.30.......

Make sure you download your boarding pass.........

 

Thank you. Have downloaded the boarding passes, so time is locked in now.

We chose our check in time by logging in online at carnival.com.au.......I think 12.30 was the earliest available.

We've already done that, but the earliest check-in window was 2-2.30pm. As a first time cruiser, I wasn't sure how they allocated times so thought I'd ask some experts. I want to book tours as soon as possible after boarding in case they get booked out. Also, do you know if food (lunch, afternoon tea or snacks) are served when people are boarding, or just dinner that evening?

We have paid our deposit only for March 2016........I'm pretty sure it's first in best dressed.

Yes, it probably is. Do you know what time boarding finishes? Not concerned at all, just interested.

Just interested in knowing what time Carnival Spirit starts boarding passengers. Already been allocated a boarding time, but the earliest we could choose was 2pm. How does Carnival organise boarding? Is it done deck by deck, or from when you book and pay deposit, when you pay balance outstanding, return passengers, or just random?

Hello

Can anyone tell me if the doors to the balcony on Carnival Spirit are sliding or hinged and if they can stay in the open position, or do you need to use an occi strap or something?

If you are arriving first at Noumea.....

 

....... What are you planning to do, private tours in Noumea? The other ports are mainly beach days. Will you be buying food and drinks, souvenirs?

Planning to do tours through the cruise line, but not sure if food and drink is included. Probably wouldn't be interested in souvenirs, but would like to have a bit of cash just in case. I'm thinking $50 per person?

Hello, What currency is needed for Noumea and the islands of New Caledonia? How much money do people take ashore? Travelling to Isle of Pines, Mare, Lifou Isle and Noumea on Carnival Spirit. Thanks.

Cabins above and below you so should be quiet, no lifeboats to obstruct the view and close to the middle of the ship so you won't feel much movement.

Quiet and not much movement, sounds good to me.

Thanks!

Thank you all for your replies and advice. Another question, if you were prone to seasickness, would you normally feel sick for the entire cruise or would it only happen when seas were rough or at the beginning/end of cruise, close to land? If I purchase travel medications, I'm probably going to need many packets as the instructions on some meds say to take four a day (and come in packs of ten).

Carnival Spirit, cabin 5209. What do you know? What's good/what's bad?

Hello

Has anyone used Sea-Bands/wristbands to stop seasickness? Do they really work? Only ever used Kwells as a preventative on day cruises to Barrier Reef. Not sure if we even get seasick, but when there's been a lot of people turning green onboard, we've been fine. Don't like the idea of taking medications that cause drowsiness for the whole cruise. Travelling on Carnival Spirit. Thanks.

Above replies are my experience too. From observing others who have the package. So long as you're not blatantly handing a drink to someone else and reordering another, the bartenders aren't overly strict, they just have to stick to the 5 minute window on the till before they can give you another. You can wander off and do as you please.

Thanks. I wasn't sure how it worked. I thought people would have a glass of drink brought to the table.

Forgot to clarify on your second and third points...

 

Once you have your drink, you can go where-ever with it... I did take drinks back to our room, or into other areas of the ship........

 

I'd not expect to end up in the brig if you are caught sharing a glass of lemonade :)

Thanks Matt

I'm not sure whether to even purchase the bottomless bubbles for my girls but if I don't, there might be mutiny onboard, or at least tantrums and tears.

People are not allowed to fill drink bottles (or thermos flasks) directly from water dispensers. You can fill water bottles from your own bathroom sink. If you want to fill from the public dispensers, you must use a cup or glass as to take the water from the dispenser, then pour into your own bottle/flask/insulated mug.

Oh that's good to know as it would help stop the spread of viruses. Do you think everyone follows that rule though?

Hi, can anyone tell me if the bottomless bubbles package is cans of drink, or premix syrup served in glasses? Are you allowed to walk to other areas with your drinks or take drinks back to your room? Also, how do they enforce the no sharing rule, are you kicked off the ship or made to walk the plank?

I always take first aid box stocked with Imodium Panadol ginger tablet, ginger tea and anti bacterial wipes and go over every door handle, handle, remotes, taps in the cabin, just don't want to get that dreaded noro, so paranoid about washing hands before eating, yep sounding a bit OCD but that's what I do every cruise!!! enjoy your cruise, I know you will:)

I read noro can spread when people rest the neck of their drink bottles against the taps when refilling. Don't quote me though, I'm no expert!

As a first time cruiser, friends have told me to bring large beach towel pegs which attach to deck chair to stop towels from blowing off balcony; a hanging shoe bag with lots of pockets, to hang on bathroom door; a hanging ring with pegs attached to hang up swimmers to dry; laundry bag to carry clothes to laundry and a couple of laundry tablets; highlighter pens to highlight activities in the cruise paper, post it notes, & small first aid kit. So, as first time cruisers, would love to hear if these things would be a good idea, from people who would know.

Guess I can stop dreaming then?

Hi, I hear about people getting upgraded from inside cabins to outside, or from window cabins to balcony rooms, but is anyone ever lucky enough to get an upgrade from a balcony stateroom to a suite?

Personally its a thing I pack regardless of my destination or trip style. No matter how well laundered they are I still picture that I am washing my face with something that thousands of other people have washed their privates with !

There has always been a face washer everywhere I have stayed and I have never used it on my privates! Don't think I'll ever use one on my face now either. Thanks for sharing! lol

Hi. Does anyone know how much Carnival charge to use the Internet onboard Spirit? According to their website, "Pricing plans vary by ship based on itinerary. Some ships offer pay as you go per minute rates and bundled time plans. Others have daily and per cruise plans. The full list of available pricing options can be accessed once on board the ship". The cruise leaves Sydney for New Caledonia?

Coles sell their own brand of water 24 x 600ml for $6.80. Buy those and split it with someone. :)

Maybe I should do that, and then try to sell them at inflated prices onboard:p

If you don't usually drink bottled water you'll probably have no problems with the ship's water but may want some bottles to take ashore on port days. I'm not sure what Carnival charge on board but, yes, buying it before you go will be much cheaper. Coles have 12 packs of the 600ml Mt Franklin which for $8.79 and that is as good as any. Print out an extra luggage label and stick it on to the pack with clear packing tape and it will be delivered to your cabin with the rest of your luggage.

I didn't know you could have it taken to your cabin, I thought it had to be part of the carry on luggage. Also, I've heard that some people think the ship's water tastes disgusting and has a strong chemical taste, so better safe than sorry.

They have the Bottomless Bubbles drink package on Carnival Spirit but it doesn't include bottled water, so I just assumed you would either need to buy bottled water onboard (which would be even more expensive), or bring your own.