Splendor Quickies (Questions, that is)

[chipnchair]

Hello,

 

Was hoping the board experts could answer/confirm a few quick questions. This is our first time on Carnival.

 

• If a member of our party is in a suite, can they take family members with them for priority boarding? I'm not talking about the whole famn damily ;), but maybe just their non-suite elderly parents? For some reason I thought I read they can do that as long as they are using the same credit card for incidentals.
  
• I noticed there are self service launderettes, but I was wondering how crowded they can get -- if a lot of guests tend to use them? Do they also sell the detergent/dryer sheets on board or do we need to bring our own?
  
• I also read about the laundry special, does anyone know what the current cost is and which day of the cruise it lands on?
  
• How strict are they in the dining room about wearing flip flops?
  
• Do guests who want to do self assist debarkation have to wait in a specific area beforehand or can they just leave from where ever they are when they announce it?
  

Thanks for reading, I totally appreciate any information you may have. :)

[big_duck]

• VIP's can take anyone in the same cabin, minor children in another cabin or anyone the are paying the expenses for.
  
• It all depends on who is cruising ... sometimes they are never used and sometimes they are in constant use. Laundry supplies are available from vending machines in the laundry rooms.
  
• Not sure of the price for the laundry special anymore.
  
• It's a Carnival rule, with Carnival enforcement (or lack of).
  
• You can depart from any designated waiting area. You just can't wait in the attrium lobby.
  

[SadieN]

VIP boarding is a hit and miss in Long Beach. One time we had two cabins tied into the same CC and had to get the second cabin processed in the regular lines. But the whole party was able to get into the Dome and thru security fast.

 

We haved used the Purex sheets with great success. You can get quarters at the casino or at Guest Services. The laundry rooms can get crowded on the last sea day, etc. Do not wander off. If a machine hasn't been cleared out within 5 minutes others will take it upon themselves to unload your machine. Happens on all lines, not just Carnival. Actually witnessed a yelling match on HAL.

 

The Laundry Bag special is $15-$20 and is midweek. Only send out your tougher pre-washed clothing- jeans, underwear, socks, tshirts. The clothes are washed on hot and dryed on hot. They are not pressed but sent thru a mangle that smooths out most of the wrinkles.

 

Flip Flops-- don't wear the $1 rubber flipflops to the MDR for dinner. 'Dress' flipflops are OK. But I don't think that you will be kicked out.

[firefly333]

Anyone who is not in the same cabin, and marked VIP boarding, their cards will be held in a separate place... so someone has to go get them and hold up others trying to check in VIP.

 

If they are elderly and ask, they can check in the Handicapped line, which probably is better often times than the couple of people checking in VIP.

 

HC boards before VIP anyway, or they can hang back and then board together.

 

Laundry room is more busy on formal nights, empty the rest of the days usually. (I have a cabin almost next to the laundry room)

[chipnchair]

Thank you so much Don, Sadie and Firefly!! :)

 

I especially love the tips about where to get the quarters and using the Purex sheets.

 

I think my father in law might have a folding wheel chair with him, so maybe that will help him qualify for the handicapped boarding line.

 

My flip flops have sequins on them (lol) so maybe those can be dressy ;)

 

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One more question? Seems logical, but just making sure. Guests with shore excursions get priority tendering? Do they have to go somewhere special to get their tender tickets?