More Questions, Sorry...

[newlife_2010]

I am not a big souvenir person (I think a lot of it is gawdy). Nonetheless, I do want to purchase a few trinkets from the Carnival gift store. Towards the end of the cruise, are things discounted in the store or does it stay regular price throughout the entire cruise?

 

The bingo cards seem to be ridiculously priced but I do want to play. Is it true towards the end of the cruise, they are cheaper?

 

I am only bringing one pair of swimming shorts, do I need at least 2?

 

What is the typical cruise wear late night? I am going in January and have no idea how the ship will be weatherwise at night

[Traveler353]

I am not a big souvenir person (I think a lot of it is gawdy). Nonetheless, I do want to purchase a few trinkets from the Carnival gift store. Towards the end of the cruise, are things discounted in the store or does it stay regular price throughout the entire cruise?

 

The bingo cards seem to be ridiculously priced but I do want to play. Is it true towards the end of the cruise, they are cheaper?

 

I am only bringing one pair of swimming shorts, do I need at least 2?

 

What is the typical cruise wear late night? I am going in January and have no idea how the ship will be weatherwise at night

 

Last week on the Trimumph almost everything in the store was 50% off all week. That made most of it only a little over priced.:rolleyes:

[yogi2929]

The only time I have seen a true sale on a ship was on a repositioning cruise. We were on the Amsterdam in 2003 going from LA to Vancouver. The Amsterdam had just finished a World Tour. I figured things were a good price when the crew was buying multiples of shirts and such.

[firefly333]

Last week on the Trimumph almost everything in the store was 50% off all week. That made most of it only a little over priced.:rolleyes:

 

None of what I wanted was 50%. The only women's tee shirts 50% off were size X- Small. Yep, only in one size. The men's shirts on 50% were only wife beaters and Large. They did have those carnival jackets outside all week for 50% off. No tee shirts in my size, were 50% off, except the ones they had the last sea day for 2 for $20. Many of the sale tees are also men's because they have that pocket.

 

I would have bought a tee shirt if I could have found one in my size for 50% off. We looked because both of us would have gotten tee shirts if they were available at 50% off.

 

The clearance purses, were the same price they were on Conquest last Sept. ....

 

... just my observations from looking for a tee shirt on sale on Triumph, the 50% off was very select sizes and items.

[mrpayroll]

They call it a SALE, but if you don't know the TRUE price, is it Really?? If it is overpriced to start and reduced a little, does that make it a bargain?? Me thinks not..:rolleyes:

[zellers]

The only time I have seen a true sale on a ship was on a repositioning cruise. We were on the Amsterdam in 2003 going from LA to Vancouver. The Amsterdam had just finished a World Tour. I figured things were a good price when the crew was buying multiples of shirts and such.

 

 

Same here! I was on the last ship to Alaska and they had amazing deals on board! 75 - 80% off! The ship stores were getting their Caribbean wear ready. Not only that, but the ports also had amazing deals in their stores. I did all our Christmas shopping that year in one shot! :)

[newlife_2010]

Does the gift shop have shirts for men in 5x size?

[pcvtmom]

I am not a big souvenir person (I think a lot of it is gawdy). Nonetheless, I do want to purchase a few trinkets from the Carnival gift store. Towards the end of the cruise, are things discounted in the store or does it stay regular price throughout the entire cruise?

 

The bingo cards seem to be ridiculously priced but I do want to play. Is it true towards the end of the cruise, they are cheaper?

 

I am only bringing one pair of swimming shorts, do I need at least 2?

 

What is the typical cruise wear late night? I am going in January and have no idea how the ship will be weatherwise at night

 

There are generally some items discounted (certain t-shirts, a Carnival tote, liquor, for instance) the last couple of days.

 

They have some Bingo special games near the end of the cruise. I don't play, so I'm not sure how much!

 

Depending on the activities you choose to do, and the length of your cruise, you may need another pair of swimming shorts. (For a 7 day, my husband packs 3. We like beaches and snorkeling, and the drying time in the cabins is not fast!!)

 

Late night wear (after dinner) for us is very casual. On winter cruises, jeans and t-shirts or sweatshirts if we are going out on deck. Also, depending on the ship, the public rooms may be very chilly at night. We've experienced too warm as well as too cool in the lounges! Pack for layering. Enjoy your cruise!

[LemurCat]

Since the pools are salt water and it's sometimes difficult to get stuff to dry in the cabins, you might want to pack a second pair of swim trunks.

[frayedend]

Since the pools are salt water and it's sometimes difficult to get stuff to dry in the cabins, you might want to pack a second pair of swim trunks.

 

Interesting. Does salt water take longer to dry? Does the salt hold onto the water? That seems strange. Anyhow if that is the case I would suggest rinsing them in the shower and wringing them out.

[Kurbanfan]

If you are cruising to the Caribbean I would bring lots of swim shorts...........we practically live in swim suits all week........one for each day....

[newlife_2010]

Packing for a cruise is sooooo hard.

[Max Circus]

I concur with what has been posted. On recent Inspiration cruise, they had some T-shirts 50% off on the last sea day. Didn't go in the store to see since I didn't need any.

 

They also had a "Watch Blowout". Exactly what that meant as far as price, I don't know. My guess is that the same watches that were "discounted" near the end of our cruise, were back to full price for the beginning of the next one. :)

 

I agree having at least two bathing suits is a good idea.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I am not a big souvenir person (I think a lot of it is gawdy). Nonetheless, I do want to purchase a few trinkets from the Carnival gift store. Towards the end of the cruise, are things discounted in the store or does it stay regular price throughout the entire cruise? They have sales each day on certain items. If you see something on display at a discount, snag it up then cuz you won't get it again at that rate. I love my womens Carnival shirts and when I saw a display table, I wasn't ready to buy and didn't get it. Later in the cruise I stopped by and they not only didn't have them on sale, there weren't anymore to buy. They put them in the storeroom to sell at the next cruise special day. I had to wait until my next cruise to get my shirt. Valuable lesson for me. The day of their alcohol tasting is when they have great sales on certain stuff. I go that day to get my flavored rums for cheap.

 

The bingo cards seem to be ridiculously priced but I do want to play. Is it true towards the end of the cruise, they are cheaper?

 

I am only bringing one pair of swimming shorts, do I need at least 2? You can get by with one but they don't dry well in the cabin so be prepared to put on a wet suit. If you want them to dry out, bring 2.

 

What is the typical cruise wear late night? I am going in January and have no idea how the ship will be weatherwise at night

It can get chilly in some of the rooms onboard so I typically wear or bring along a light jacket or coverup just in case. In January, it could be pretty chilly on deck even in southern regions. I usually get cold the last day on deck returning to San Diego or Los Angeles from a Mexico cruise and at night when sailing.

 

Have fun.

[newlife_2010]

I also read a post where they have giveaways and freebies during the cruise. when are these?

[LemurCat]

Interesting. Does salt water take longer to dry? Does the salt hold onto the water? That seems strange. Anyhow if that is the case I would suggest rinsing them in the shower and wringing them out.

 

It doesn't take any longer, but the salt can stay in the fabric even if rinsed out well and irritate the skin, depending on how sensative one's skin is. Also, you can wring them out all day long, if there is no air flow in the cabin they simply will not dry in an expeditious manner.

[LemurCat]

I also read a post where they have giveaways and freebies during the cruise. when are these?

 

There's usually a free liquor tasting your first night on-board. Most of the give-aways are usually in connection to a sale or something else the ship's stores or spa are pushing, so it will be pretty hard to miss, between the notices in the Capers and the overhead announcements.

[serene56]

The bingo cards seem to be ridiculously priced but I do want to play. Is it true towards the end of the cruise, they are cheaper?

 

 

Bingo- sometimes there are bingo games that are cheaper- you will have to check your capers for the time and day.

Look for Gringo Bingo where you get to play numerous games for the same amount of money.

[crusinpsychRN]

Packing for a cruise is sooooo hard.

 

Yes, it is, so send me your tickets and I'll pack!:D

 

On one ship I was on the last sea day they loaded tables in one of the lounges with dozens and dozens of shirts from many different Carnival ships in piles. 3 for $10. Wonder how fast they shrank?

 

But I do love the $10 store. They have very nice evening bags and wraps.

[newlife_2010]

Yes, it is, so send me your tickets and I'll pack!:D

 

On one ship I was on the last sea day they loaded tables in one of the lounges with dozens and dozens of shirts from many different Carnival ships in piles. 3 for $10. Wonder how fast they shrank?

 

But I do love the $10 store. They have very nice evening bags and wraps.

 

LOL... I am not giving up my cruise, lol. But thats why everything is junk. But its all part of being a tourist.

[elaineb]

Hi - Hope you have a wonderful first cruise!

 

As for the souvenir issue - I buy a Christmas ornarment on every cruise. We love putting up the tree and remembering something special about each cruise when we hang the ornament!

Also we buy a mug which has the ports of call listed on them. On Sunday mornings when we have a leisurely coffee, my DH and I decide what island we would like to be on and select the mug with that island! Silly, I know, but a way of remembering some wonderful cruise island days!

 

As for the T's - The nice T shirts don't seem to be the sale ones. Seems they dig out some cheap ones for the 50% off sale.

 

Keep asking away - your new friends here will be glad to help you!:)

[newlife_2010]

I have read bring along an alarm clock. Can someone explain to me why? What is the difference between ship time and shore time? What is shore time? I will likely buy a very cheap digital clock at walmart.. Or if not that, any other suggestions? I presume the rooms do not have alarm clocks.

[GlendaleCruiser]

I have read bring along an alarm clock. Can someone explain to me why? What is the difference between ship time and shore time? What is shore time? I will likely buy a very cheap digital clock at walmart.. Or if not that, any other suggestions? I presume the rooms do not have alarm clocks.

 

 

The problem with time is that the ship always leaves on its own time, so you need to consistently stay with it. Shore time will change as you leave and enter time zones (and your cell phone time will change accordingly) so don't depend upon it.

 

I have a cheap travel alarm that uses a double A battery and you can push a button at night to see the time without turning on a light. It has an alarm and I always take it for excursion days.

 

There are no alarm clocks on the ships, but you can use your phone to set a wake-up call just like most hotels.

[newlife_2010]

You guys are great!!

 

What is the slot tournament? How much is it? Is it worth it? I love slot machines and know I will be in the casino a few times.

[LemurCat]

You guys are great!!

 

What is the slot tournament? How much is it? Is it worth it? I love slot machines and know I will be in the casino a few times.

 

Slot Tournament is a competition that runs several times during a cruise and usually ends on the last day. It costs (I think) $20 to enter. For an allotted amount of time, you spin away to accumulate as many points as you can before time runs out. The people with the highest scores go on the leaderboard. On the last sea day, there is a finals round where the high scorers face off for a cash prize. It's a lot of fun and Carnival runs it very, very fairly.