Buffettfan 225

The only issue may be an emergency and having to fly out of Mexico requires a passport.

If anyone sailing in your family has VIP level, print extra luggage tags and have all luggage sent to that cabin (assuming her cabin is near yours.) That way should arrive earlier at same time. One cruise my mom drive me nuts asking where her bag was when ours had arrived earlier. Now when they travel with is her luggage goes next door to our cabin.

We have always sailed balcony since we were sailing in Caribbean with so many views to see. We tried an interior when a 3-5 day itinerary to test it and had no issues. However- location- recommend one that many people do not have to pass by your door such as away from elevators and near end of a hall. Also watch out for cabins near those empty little squares on deck maps- often it can be a stewards pantry. This means lots of noise early, talking etc. Ever since the “great poop” cruise my spouse said prefers a room that can offer ventilation from outside. (we were not on that cruise but can only imagine)

Sorry can’t help on them being picky on cooler size.I think most soft side if fit thru xray ok, but two small foldable would be better imo, maybe one hard size so it wouldn't leak. . they do not want rolling coolers. I can say they made us throw out an empty water bottle that was on outside of my backpack “for ocean safety”. (ok- explain that I ordered a flat of water from Carnval for in cabin use?). But they never checked any of hydroflask beverage cups. 😉

These are from Carnival Radiance sailing Feb 28-March4. The last full cruise of mask requirements, and water temps were pool activity prohibitive,and vaccinated (mostly.) Passenger count approx. 1190. So may affect changes in future, perhaps our crruise was scaled back. Camp Ocean:

We are in Ensenada, using my internet thru hot spot on my cell thru Verizon. Mexico no extra charge with Verizon. I will type more later have all menus and first two days fun times. #1- BRING A COOLER - see website of Carnival for size limit. The refrigerator in room is a glorified “cooler” but our cups of ice in it melted as a test. I would call it a bread box cube. There is only a vented fan, no longer has a condenser type. We brought three hydroflask bottles and put ice in them and asked attendant for an ice bucket. - the ice stations on lido best ones are the sides by iguana and guys. Lido Buffet one often slow or empty. Same goes for ice cream stations, the best one is a by stairs across from Bok Bok chicken (Shaq’s chicken.) It is less melty as gets less traffic. #2- 1100 passengers this week, they said a lot more next week. Walking around especially at night feels like last night of cruise, eerily quiet. #3 Embarkation security pretty lax. we carried our hydroflasks full of water and they took them and walked around handed back. I had put an empty plastic water bottle in outside to fill later, “no plastic on board miss …ok but missed one in bag already. I have always used Container store nalgeen travel bottles for liquids as never leak. I had a whole one of Dimetapp as moisture can cause me to cough. But others were full of “special” suntan creme from the Irish ☘️. I did wrap all cosmetics and items like that in a vacuum bag - just in case, and makes it annoying at security if have to open. None of bags were opened. Same with getting back on from Catalina- just handed hydroflasks back. #4 Ensenada today just announced to get off & on need Gov ID, Carnival room key & VACCINATION CARD. I happen to find for $1.50 a vinyl holder meant for vax card at Walgreens at register. Can attach vinyl holder to lanyard if wish. I am just zipping all mine in for security in bag as have seen lanyards on cruises in wind flip off people. Going to breakfast now- will post later, or look for any questions here. Menus from first day: