broadwaybaby123

First of all, arrive to the port a day early! We usually drive to the port, so my job is to purchase some Dunks (Dunkin Donuts) and a Coolata for the drive. Second (and maybe this should be first), make sure you have all your travel documents with you and pack them in your carry-on when you leave. You'll need them several times during the embarkation process, so DO NOT put them in your checked luggage! Third, fill out your check-in questions before you leave for the ship on the app. Fourth, pack your carry-ons! Things to include: medications, travel docs, bathing suits, electronics, cameras, books, etc. Fifth, do your E-Muster Drill in the app on your way to the terminal (assuming you're not driving) or while you wait in line. Everyone must do this as it's maritime law, and it only takes 5 min. Once you get onboard, report to the station listed in your app, show the crew member your phone, and they'll send you on your merry way. Sixth, check your luggage with the porters while waiting at the terminal. Your bags won't be left behind: they're going through security and will be delivered to your room usually later that afternoon. Seventh, hit the buffet or any open restaurant for some food. You can also use this time to make sure your dinner reservations are all set. Eighth, reserve any shows you want to see in the app. Ninth, assuming you bought the drink package, claim it at any bar and you'll be given your reusable cup. Go to any bar or Freestyle machine at any point with it throughout the cruise to get free drinks! If going to the bar, unscrew the top so that the crew knows to come get your order. Your card will work too if you forget your cup! Tenth, hit any attractions you've been dying to try or hit the pools, as they'll likely be open. Your room likely won't be ready until around 1:30PM, so you'll have to carry your carry-ons with you until then.

A few tips from someone who's been on Royal and Carnival quite a few times: 1.) Go to the Solarium Bistro for free breakfast and lunch. While kids aren't allowed in the Solarium itself, they are allowed to dine there with their families. 2.) If you want to see an awesome Solarium, next time you book a Royal cruise, book on Anthem Of The Seas, they have a 5 layer Infinity Pool. 3.) Go see "CATS" and sit in the front...best seats in the house! 4.) Slide down my new favorite attraction, The Ultimate Abyss on Deck 16 Aft. No drinks or cameras are allowed, so leave those with a non-slider. It's the tallest dry slide at sea. They give you a mat to ride on, which helps slow your descent. Also, you get amazing views of the AquaTheater when you look down while in line. 5.) Try the Rising Tide bar, which floats between the Promenade on Deck 5 and Central Park on Deck 8. 6.) Head to Johnny Rockets for a free breakfast on The Boardwalk. While they're open for lunch and dinner as well, they charge for those meals. 7.) Stop by "Spotlight Karaoke" the venue is quite unique! 8.) Like to dance? Head to Bolaros! 9.) Check out the Music Hall, it's quite breathtaking. 10.) Head to Central Park at night...it's fabulous all lit up. 11.) Watch out for the Pop-Up Piano Player! 12.) Check out the Aqua80's and Ice Shows, you won't regret it! 13.) Ride the Carousel on The Boardwalk 14.) If you're a movie fan, check out Zoltar on The Boardwalk and get your fortune read! 15.) Ever had a drink made by a robot? Go to the Bionic Bar on the Promenade! 16.) Ride the zipline on Deck 16

I think it all has to do with how Carnival handles the fights. This problem isn't just limited to Carnival. I saw the one of the Venezia from last week on YouTube, and while I certainly agree with the direction that Carnival is taking in terms of consequences, it's more or less the ineffectiveness of the security staff that has me re-thinking my cruise on the Venezia next year. I'll be travelling with my 11 year old niece, I can't risk her safety if the crew acted like they did in that video. For now, I'm not making any rash decisions and want to wait and see how Carnival addresses this (if they do) situation this coming week.

Well, whoever posted those reviews CLEARLY didn't go on the same "Oasis Of The Seas" that I did! There was plenty to do and we loved the ship. Pro tip: try The Ultimate Abyss.

I haven't been on Ovation so I can't speak for that ship, but the attraction is also on Anthem and they have free versions that are shorter than paid versions. From what I saw in the Cruise Compass, the free ones were available once onboard and offered on Port Days. I haven't tried it yet, but I know someone who has, and they loved it. They do it whenever they sail a Quantum class ship.

Yes, there's a huge difference. I know someone facing this very issue right now, getting ready to go on her first cruise with someone who is prone to motion sickness. I told her to get a cabin on a lower deck, as there tends to be less motion on the lower decks. There's also less motion in cabins that are closer to the center of the ship, as those cabins tend to limit motion as well. If you wind up getting a room where you have a window, tell him to look out at the horizon. We basically get motion sickness from the inability to have our eyes and inner ears communicate with our brain. Looking out at the horizon visually sends the message to the brain that we're steady. It would also allow his body to anticipate the behavior of the waves.

I've never seen a cruise line demand that you ask to be changed for dinner by a certain time. That said, we usually start to change about an hour before dinner because there's 4 of us in the cabin, so it takes us longer to get ready.

Then you have 2 choices: 1.) Upgrade your phone to a smart phone 2.) Change cruise lines to one that does in-person drills

If someone in your party has one, you can watch it together.

Not sure if this varies from how Carnival does it but on Royal you complete the entire drill on your app and then report to your Muster Station to have the app scanned saying you completed it.

Excellent question, and as @mom says points out, there could be two or three scenarios at play. I'd read through each of the scenarios mentioned. In addition, you mentioned that you'll be going to the Med. Since the time zones are different than what we have here in the US, it's suggested that you stay on ship time. Ship time is usually based on the time that port you embark on has. Crew will remind you of this the night before you cross time zones, it will be broadcast on the TV in your cabin, and it will be announced on the ship's PA system. It will also be noted throughout the ship, stated in your activities schedule, and clocks will be displayed to help you keep track of time. Also, @mom says noted the time frame to be onboard the ship on Embarkation Day. Instructions for this can be found in the Celebrity app, where you'll also be able to complete your check-in and sign up for an Arrival Time to embark the ship. Please note that just because you sign up for an Arrival Time doesn't mean that you'll be able to embark the ship at that time, It simply means that you plan on arriving to the terminal at that time. The time you embark on the ship is dependent on things like staffing issues, cleaning the ship (terminal clean), and getting the passengers from the previous week debarked.

Which is why if you saw what I posted above, I corrected myself and I apologized for the confusion.

They do: https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages It's the "Zero Proof" package.

Source: https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages I think everyone is confused with the verbiage I use: mocktails are another term for non-alcoholic drinks. Yes, I may have been confused with having the soda package, that's available on Royal, so I apologize for the confusion on that part.

Yes, in fact, there's at least 2 Drink Packages for non-alcoholic drinks: the Soda package and the Mocktails package.

This should have been made as soon as your booking was made. We book through a TA for this reason. They can mark it right in the reservation.

I'm not sure what the cruise level has anything to do with credit card charges, but regardless, it sounds like there's a charge that needs to be disputed with the credit card company.

It's a breeze!

2 years here!

I can't say for sure as I'm not Elite yet but I will be after my next cruise. I've heard that there is no more Elite lounge, however the drinks can be redeemed at some bars.

Update the app and clear the app cache to see if that helps.

Yes, it's correct. I've had to do it 3 times with my niece (twice on Royal and once on NCL). Your TA will have that form, if not, Carnival I believe has the form on their website. It needs to be notarized as well. You'll also need copies of the birth certificates for the grandkids if they don't have passports.

I'd re-book flights for the day before. Seasoned cruisers know that anything can happen with flights, especially when flying in on Embarkation Day, so many of us fly or drive in the day before.

Neither have I.

No, but the crew will alert you of any time changes.