A Few Questions For Carnival Veterans

[Raxter54]

DW and I are considering sailing on the Dream next January. Our first cruise was on the Serenade of the Seas, so we have a few questions about how Carnival does things.

 

1) Can you purchase OBC ahead of time? Or do you just add to your shipboard account when you board? Would love to do it ahead of time, just put some dollars on it during the year.

 

2) Are you allowed to bring your own sodas on board? If you buy the Bubbles package, what flavors of soda are on the Dream?

 

3) Is there a self-serve laundry on board? I've heard that some cruiselines have them.

 

4) Which Itinerary should I choose? Key West/Freeport/Nassau or Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel? And why...

 

Thanks in advance for any information you might give...

[sunlovingirl]

DW and I are considering sailing on the Dream next January. Our first cruise was on the Serenade of the Seas, so we have a few questions about how Carnival does things.

 

1) Can you purchase OBC ahead of time? Or do you just add to your shipboard account when you board? Would love to do it ahead of time, just put some dollars on it during the year.

 

I'm not really sure on this one, but I'm sure your personal vacation planner or travel agent could help you!

 

2) Are you allowed to bring your own sodas on board? If you buy the Bubbles package, what flavors of soda are on the Dream?

 

Yes, one 12 pack each. (at least thats what I've been able to do). If you search this website I'm sure someone has a list of what is on the Bubbles, but I know Coke, Dt Coke Sprite, Shirley temples, are all good with the bubbles card.

 

3) Is there a self-serve laundry on board? I've heard that some cruiselines have them.

 

So far all the ships I've been on with Carnival had them, but they aren't on every floor. You just have to look for them.

 

4) Which Itinerary should I choose? Key West/Freeport/Nassau or Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel? And why...

 

I don't like the Bahamas, so I would say Mahogany Bay, Belize, and Cozumel.

 

I love Cozumel for the snorkeling. And we did a cruise sponsored tour to a kayak the marshes thing in Belize and ended up spending all day at the resort and having so much fun. Never been to Mahogany Bay... Have fun!

Thanks in advance for any information you might give...

 

 

Have so much fun!!

[nchikk]

DW and I are considering sailing on the Dream next January. Our first cruise was on the Serenade of the Seas, so we have a few questions about how Carnival does things.

 

1) Can you purchase OBC ahead of time? Or do you just add to your shipboard account when you board? Would love to do it ahead of time, just put some dollars on it during the year. Can't help you with this one.

2) Are you allowed to bring your own sodas on board? If you buy the Bubbles package, what flavors of soda are on the Dream? Yes, you may take a 12-pack in your carry-on. They have Coke products.

 

3) Is there a self-serve laundry on board? I've heard that some cruiselines have them. Yes there is.

 

4) Which Itinerary should I choose? Key West/Freeport/Nassau or Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel? And why... Key West is nice and funky...I like it. Nassau is...I've been there too many times and it's...I've been there too many times. Freeport is meh. Even though you'd miss KW, if it were me, I'd do the other one. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks in advance for any information you might give...

Edited April 1, 2015 by nchikk

[blondietink]

As PP said, itinerary B all the way. Much better than Nassau/Freeport, but we did love Key West when we went.

[ready2cruzagain]

1. No you can no longer purchase OBC in advance. Carnival now has Cruise Cash which you can buy on the website...but it is use it or lose it...you should be able to cash out on the last night of the cruise in the casino though. Also they have Carnival Gift Cards you can purchase.

 

2, 12 sodas pp under 20 oz each.

 

3. Yes

 

4. Lots more to do in Western ports...would pick Cozumel over Freeport and Nassau everytime!

Edited April 1, 2015 by ready2cruzagain

[ancfun]

1. No. You can purchase gift cards in advance if you would like and apply those once onboard.

 

2. Yes. Pretty much all your basic soda flavors & more: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Coke Zero, Orange Fanta, Mr. Pibb, Root Beer

 

3. Yes.

 

4. Depends on what you'd like to do. I'm headed back to the Bahamas again, but my preference of your two, would be the second itinerary. ;)

[cruiser fanatic]

DW and I are considering sailing on the Dream next January. Our first cruise was on the Serenade of the Seas, so we have a few questions about how Carnival does things.

 

1) Can you purchase OBC ahead of time? Or do you just add to your shipboard account when you board? Would love to do it ahead of time, just put some dollars on it during the year.

 

2) Are you allowed to bring your own sodas on board? If you buy the Bubbles package, what flavors of soda are on the Dream?

 

3) Is there a self-serve laundry on board? I've heard that some cruiselines have them.

 

4) Which Itinerary should I choose? Key West/Freeport/Nassau or Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel? And why...

 

Thanks in advance for any information you might give...

 

1: You can buy giftcards in advance and apply them as OBC onboard.

2: Yes, a small quantity. Carnival uses the Coke products.

3: Yes

4: Neither. I don't like Freeport or Belize. I prefer the Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel itinerary. If I was picking between the too, I would go with Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel.

[ATLCruiseJunkie]

DW and I are considering sailing on the Dream next January. Our first cruise was on the Serenade of the Seas, so we have a few questions about how Carnival does things.

 

1) Can you purchase OBC ahead of time? Or do you just add to your shipboard account when you board? Would love to do it ahead of time, just put some dollars on it during the year.

 

 

2) Are you allowed to bring your own sodas on board? If you buy the Bubbles package, what flavors of soda are on the Dream?

 

3) Is there a self-serve laundry on board? I've heard that some cruiselines have them.

 

4) Which Itinerary should I choose? Key West/Freeport/Nassau or Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel? And why...

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for any information you might give...

1. I would say buy Carnival gift cards. You can then have them applied to your account once you're onboard.

 

2. Yes - sodas, water, and don't forget your 750 ml bottle of wine per person! I never really buy sodas on the ship, but they are the basic Coke products, I believe (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Coke Zero, etc.). If you do a search for drink menus, I'm sure there's one posted somewhere on the forums.

 

3. Yes, every ship has self-serve laundry. You can bring your own detergent or purchase it in the laundry room for $1 I think. Location depends on the ship layout. Never used it for washing, but definitely for ironing.

 

 

4. I would go with the Mahogany Bay/Belize/Cozumel itinerary. Nothing really against the Bahamas, but after going there 2 or 3 times, I don't need to stop there any more. Never been to Mhogany Bay, so I can't speak to that port, but I think there is a greater variety of things to do in Belize and Cozumel. Great beaches and water sports in Cozumel. Ruins in both Belize and Cozumel. GORGEOUS water in both places!

Good luck with your decision!

Edited April 2, 2015 by ATLCruiseJunkie

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

You can now purchase Carnival Gift Cards and a variety of stores. You could purchase some each payday and then use them when you get there. We received a $100.00 gift card from our daughter and son-in-love for Christmas.