The one thing I wish I knew before my first cruise...

[travler27]

Everything runs on "ship" time and not local time. Use a watch set to the same time as the ship and not your cell phone which changes based on local time.

 

I've heard stories of high cell phone roaming charges due to automatic email checks etc. while roaming at sea or in a foreign country. We just turn ours off for the duration.

 

My wife says bring bath salts if you have a tub. Apparently they are very costly in the ship's store.

[Daveman_1973]

When is a good time to start heading to the pool decks before the chair hogs start scooping up chairs.

[TakeMeAway1001]

When is a good time to start heading to the pool decks before the chair hogs start scooping up chairs.

 

DH & I are early birds, we are usually up on deck by 8 or 8:30 the latest on sea days and we get our chair of choice, however even at that time there are saved chairs. We usually get two and I will read and DH will go get breakfast and bring it back to a table nearby, when he's done I usually grab my juice and danish and we settle in for the day. It is quite interesting to watch how quickly the chairs are snagged by savers and I would say most of them will remain "saved" for hours starting in full force usually by 9. It's definitely people watching at it's best, the creativity is pretty impressive too :)

[jennb101]

My first cruise was in 2001 on the Triumph and I went with three other girls

 

We went on the Triumph in 2001 too, when did you go? That was our first cruise too, we are only doing our second this November on the Liberty-can't wait! :)

[GlendaleCruiser]

When is a good time to start heading to the pool decks before the chair hogs start scooping up chairs.

 

 

The night before, apparently. I can never beat the hogs to the chairs.:mad:

[momof3cruisers]

 

If you buy liquor pick up one of those sheets in the gift shop that say the type, size and price. Put it in your purse or whatever you take into the islands, that way when you are in shopping in port you know if it really is a good deal. Never want to buy any liquor and realize you can get it in the gift shop cheaper. And, yes I have seen it cheaper on the ship before.

 

Also agreed with the downey spray!

 

not my first cruise but that is a great idea.

 

It's not a new idea but I really like the over the door clear shoe holders for keeping little stuff organized.

[tcw92]

.....don't start cruising in the first place.

 

If I knew how addicting it would be, I might never have started.

 

;)

 

wasiii

LOL! it is very addictive. We never even looked at cruises as I always thought that they were toooooo expensive. And then my sister asked us if we wanted to go with them and the first question out of my mouth was "how much is that going to cost"?

Glad we went and we are going on our second cruise in 28 days. This cruise critics is alot of help for new cruisers.

[pjspin]

Don't sweat not losing those last few pounds before the cruise. Wait til you get a load of your fellow passengers. :eek: Very few super models on any cruise. :D

Go. Eat. Enjoy. Life is short. ;)

[keysjohnson]

I agree about the over-the-door shoe holder, it comes in so handy. The bathrooms don't have tons of storage plus the desk in our room would get all littered with "important" stuff. With the over-the-door holder we put all our toiletries and misc. stuff and it's easy to find and keeps clutter down.

 

Packing light is also important. We live in our bathing suits from after breakfast to dinner time. The poster who recommended white and/or black slacks was right on, just a few different tops. My DH brings a camel colored pair of dress pants and several different shirts, the rest is shorts and T-shirts.

 

Use ship towels, as mentioned. First cruise I took our own beach towels and what a stinky mess that was!

 

Most important is read these boards daily. There's always new stuff to learn no matter how many cruises you've been on.

[STPETE1]

When we go with a large group we choose a bank of tables in the restaurant on Lido. Anytime anyone from our group goes to eat they sit there. We just head there whenever we are there. We run into someone no matter what time we go. No waiting for anyone else to go when we want.

[Melismass]

I hate to admit I still have no idea what a FCC is (well I know what it is) but can someone tell me the process? I thought I had read they have to be purchased with the Carnival Credit Card, is that true? I ask because I would like to plan my platinum cruise and if FCC are worth it I will look into it. I know we've walked by the desk before but we have never stopped.

 

FYI~For those of you who have points reward programs on your credit cards check to see if they offer any cruise certificates. I just recently realized that our Citi card has Carnival cruise certificates as a reward for points, for years we've been getting gas and Home Depot gift cards not knowing about the cruise ones. I was able to use two on this cruise, after I booked even though it says for new bookings. I also just ordered two more for $200 off my next cruise :)

 

TakeMeAway, I have a CitiCard and see those certificates for 10% off. If I bought the $500 one for $450 could I use it for my deposit? Then if I bought others after that could I apply them to my balance? Do you think it would be combinable with a Future Cruise Certicate? If this all works well I have been really, really missing the boat (so to speak);)

[mariamherrera]

that you don't have to book excursions through carnival! it's often cheaper and you get more one on one attention when you book through local tour companies

[TakeMeAway1001]

We went on the Triumph in 2001 too, when did you go? That was our first cruise too, we are only doing our second this November on the Liberty-can't wait! :)

We went in Oct of 2001, not sure what the date was though :)

[Rob&Bonnie]

1. Don't judge people by outward appearances. You'd be surprised by the friends you can make!
   
2. I love the Command strip hooks that you can put on the wall, then remove at the end of the week. They are great for hanging snorkel bags, beach bags, etc. They also work great (if you get the right ones) for holding up the clear pocket shoe holder.
   
3. Don't overplan. On a port intensive cruise, we alternate active days with beach days so we get some relaxing in.
   
4. Show your appreciation for the crew. A good morning, please, thank you go a long way in making the crew happy. And a happy crew makes for a much more pleasant environment for all.
   
5. Guest services is packed on the first day, so if you want to have your S&S card punched and get free lanyard - head to the casino
   

[TakeMeAway1001]

TakeMeAway, I have a CitiCard and see those certificates for 10% off. If I bought the $500 one for $450 could I use it for my deposit? Then if I bought others after that could I apply them to my balance? Do you think it would be combinable with a Future Cruise Certicate? If this all works well I have been really, really missing the boat (so to speak);)

 

I am not sure about the 10% off certificates, I haven't seen or used those. The ones I found are via "Thank you/Citi Rewards, is that where you are finding the % off certs? We use our Citi card a lot for business purchases/gas etc and while it takes a lot of points to get one $100 off cert they are the one thing available that I can gets some good use out of. I have always been able to apply these on existing bookings even though they say new bookings only, you can't use them if you book through a TA but my PVP just applies them and I mail them in :)

[Melismass]

I am not sure about the 10% off certificates, I haven't seen or used those. The ones I found are via "Thank you/Citi Rewards, is that where you are finding the % off certs? We use our Citi card a lot for business purchases/gas etc and while it takes a lot of points to get one $100 off cert they are the one thing available that I can gets some good use out of. I have always been able to apply these on existing bookings even though they say new bookings only, you can't use them if you book through a TA but my PVP just applies them and I mail them in :)

 

It must be a different rewards program. I just saw them today. You can purchase them through the Citi Rewards Center. It takes you to a third party to purchase them. They come in demoninations of $100 or $500. $100 for $90 or $500 for $450. I sure would like to know if these are what they seem. I think I will call Carnival tomorrow and ask some questions! Sorry for the sidetrack everyone!

[GRTKJ]

Great tips from everyone so far!, here is our tips:

 

1. Bring a tervis or some sort of tumbler mug type drink....great for mixing your own drinks, carrying in ports, or for a one trip drink at breakfast on the lido!

2. If you like casion action & win a decent amount of $ playing cards or whatever, you will have a free bottle of wine EVERY night at dinner! :)

3.Do LOTS of research on where you are going, there is always so much more to do in ports than what the ship offers!

[MissRabbit]

1. Don't judge people by outward appearances. You'd be surprised by the friends you can make!
   
2. I love the Command strip hooks that you can put on the wall, then remove at the end of the week. They are great for hanging snorkel bags, beach bags, etc. They also work great (if you get the right ones) for holding up the clear pocket shoe holder.
   
3. Don't overplan. On a port intensive cruise, we alternate active days with beach days so we get some relaxing in.
   
4. Show your appreciation for the crew. A good morning, please, thank you go a long way in making the crew happy. And a happy crew makes for a much more pleasant environment for all.
   
5. Guest services is packed on the first day, so if you want to have your S&S card punched and get free lanyard - head to the casino
   

 

words to live by.

[Avril]

If you could offer once piece of advice to a first time cruiser what would it be?

 

If I could offer advice to a 1st time cruiser, I would try to save them from the embarrassment that belonged to me on my 1st cruise. I sailed on the Imagination on a 4 day Western Caribbean cruise in January 2003. :D When Mom and I got up to the Lido Deck for lunch, I saved our table while Mom went to get food, then I went. I loaded up my plate and proceeded to do about 6-8 laps of the buffett (all the way around, both inside and out) looking for where to pay for my food!! :o When I got back to the table and told my Mom I couldn't find where to pay, she said "You don't have to, it's included". OMG, I was soooooooooooooo embarassed, I wished I could have sunk into a hole in the deck and never be looked at again!! :o I'm sure all the experianced cruisers having their lunch thought I was crazy/nuts to keep walking around the buffett in circles with a full tray of food (that never got fuller)!! :eek: Mom was a 1st time cruiser as well so I don't know how she knew this and I didn't. :confused: So, I would make sure the 1st time cruiser knew that all the food is included. :D

 

Oh, and I would let them know (make sure they knew) that the DODs the waiters are carrying around on Lido Deck on Embarkation Day (or any other day for that matter) are NOT free (I've seen newbies make that mistake)!!

[JerseyshoreBruce]

i wish i knew to bring lots of underwear and bathing suits....main things you will need! I changed clothes and showered 2 to 3 times a day!:D

[gagirl96]

This is probably a stupid question, but if any card with a magnetic strip will open the safes in the rooms, how does it protect your stuff?

[Twibbs]

This is probably a stupid question, but if any card with a magnetic strip will open the safes in the rooms, how does it protect your stuff?

 

Any card opens it the first time...and then it's programmed to that card.

[dustyroad]

to buy future cruise credits for the next cruise. i should have known i would not take just one cruise.

[soccersharon]

This is what I learned

 

Bring an extension cord or 3 prong plug

Bring your own hairdryer

Bring your own toiletries esp conditioner

Seasickness meds

Pack everything you need for 2 days and 1 evening in your carry on plus bathing suit flip flops and cover for first day out.pjs cap and sunscreen

Always have a cheap raincoat in side pocket of suitcase

Meds with you

Bring a jogging suit for seadays and hoodie

WEAR running shoes when handling suitcases NEVER flip flips TRavel in them protect your feet My sister had her toenail ripped by the wheels of a suitcase ...MAJOR OUCH

Bring a sweater for indoors

Make a list before you pack

 

Enjoy your cruise ...most important

 

 

I don't go ANYWHERE without my hairdryer and shampoo/conditioner...just my thing :)

 

Thanks for the great advice!

[KentuckyKat]

- That the butter is hidden above the first section of the buffet - at 5'0" it took me nearly three days to find it!

 

- To order cappuccino in the MDR after dinner - much better than the coffee IMO.

 

- How great an over-the-door shoe hanger is for saving space and organizing toiletries, hair and sun products.

 

- That sushi is available on the Lido buffet at the same time the sushi bar is open elsewhere.

 

- To pack "regular" clothes for hanging out after dinner, not just bathing suits and more dressy dinner clothes.

 

- How much I would like late dining.

 

- To take a few large cheap plastic cups that can be carried around (and off) the ship with a drink and thrown away when empty -- to avoid having to run back to the cabin to return a nicer travel cup.

 

- That I could order 2 or 3 appetizers/soups/salads and no main course in the MDR; that I could order french fries as a side in the MDR.

 

Also, as to the discussion of cabin safes -- our cabin safe on the Fantasy last month had an electronic combination lock. We set the numerical password the first time we locked the safe and that was the password the rest of the cruise. No magnetic strips involved. Don't know if that something new or is unique to the Fantasy or Fantasy class ships.