asked this on my roll call but no one answered

[sharpasice]

I asked these questions on my roll call but no one replied. I am hoping someone can help me. I typed this once, then hit the wrong button and it disappeared...so if this is a duplicate, I apologize. This is our first time on Carnival, usually we are on RCCL and I am sure some things are different.

 

1. I noticed there are laundry facilities on the ship (Dream). Do they cost $ and if so, do they take coins or room key?

 

2. I set up a cash acct on line. Does Carnival require cash up front? Rccl does not but calls your room if you hit $500 so you can pay or use a credit card. One person did reply to this question, which I really appreciated but they told what they usually do. So it didn't really ans the question. At least they tried

 

3. I purchased FTTF, is it worth it? Kinda late for me to ask that now, right? LOL

 

One last question, NOT on the roll call, but I was thinking of purchasing on board credit. If I do, can it be used anywhere, since I am the one purchasing?

 

I did ask also if there was a meet and mingle as on RCL ships and no one answered ....BUT I found that just as I was typing this and signed up. Please say people on a Carnival cruise are not like the people on my roll call! Maybe they just don't realize it but no one helps anyone else out. I've never had that problem before. Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for any help you can give. I do really appreciate it.

[evandbob]

I asked these questions on my roll call but no one replied. I am hoping someone can help me. I typed this once, then hit the wrong button and it disappeared...so if this is a duplicate, I apologize. This is our first time on Carnival, usually we are on RCCL and I am sure some things are different.

 

1. I noticed there are laundry facilities on the ship (Dream). Do they cost $ and if so, do they take coins or room key?There are laundry facilities, washers/dryers/irons, but I can't tell you how to pay for them. I've only used send out laundry, $15 a bag on the sale day.

 

2. I set up a cash acct on line. Does Carnival require cash up front? Rccl does not but calls your room if you hit $500 so you can pay or use a credit card. One person did reply to this question, which I really appreciated but they told what they usually do. So it didn't really ans the question. At least they tried

 

3. I purchased FTTF, is it worth it? Kinda late for me to ask that now, right? LOL FTTF gets you on the ship faster, can be a lifesaver for 1st timers. You also get priority tendering and a dedicated guest services line, both save time and are quite useful.

 

One last question, NOT on the roll call, but I was thinking of purchasing on board credit. If I do, can it be used anywhere, since I am the one purchasing? You can buy Carnival gift cards and use them for your S&S onboard account. If you purchase them through AARP or Verizon Wireless you get a 10% discount. Purchases through Carnival are at face value.

 

I did ask also if there was a meet and mingle as on RCL ships and no one answered ....BUT I found that just as I was typing this and signed up. Please say people on a Carnival cruise are not like the people on my roll call! Maybe they just don't realize it but no one helps anyone else out. I've never had that problem before. Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for any help you can give. I do really appreciate it.

CC and Carnival have set up a procedure for registering yourself for M&G. Edited May 13, 2016 by evandbob

[RuthlessBoss]

I've heard you can start charging, but to what limit, I don't know. As for cash upfront, most give an amount at check in or use a kiosk on board. With the kiosk, the directions on the screen are simple and somehow that kiosk knows what you've put in the slot:eek: You'll get a printout as a receipt. Saves going to DS and waiting in line (though you said you have FTTF so you'll have your own short line)

With FTTF you can check in without waiting for an assigned time. You'll be directed to a special waiting area, so you'll essentially be bypassing the general waiting line. Only 1 required per cabin, not per person. Even if another cabin is travelling with you, they are not covered.

[RuthlessBoss]

CC and Carnival have set up a procedure for registering yourself for M&G.

 

I'm reading that not all meetings are going well because now Carnival is announcing when it is and putting it in the Funtimes and many don't see it. Without knowing ahead of time, many don't have it built into their game plan.

[Cr2zCr8zy]

Love Faster to the Fun, the most important aspect for me is having the room ready once I board, followed closely by the designated line at guest services. :p

 

As for purchasing OBC, I use the cruise cash faithfully. You just have to conservatively estimate your expenses because if you don't use it you lose it. It works for me.

[Kel040]

I've used the laundry and YES, you use your room key. Just a heads up, I found the ship's launderette to be more busy close to dinnertime on elegant night. There was a lineup waiting to use the iron and all the dryers were in use - I had to wait o get my stuff dried - luckily it wasn't stuff I needed that day.. :)

[kgb46]

I asked these questions on my roll call but no one replied. I am hoping someone can help me. I typed this once, then hit the wrong button and it disappeared...so if this is a duplicate, I apologize. This is our first time on Carnival, usually we are on RCCL and I am sure some things are different.

 

1. I noticed there are laundry facilities on the ship (Dream). Do they cost $ and if so, do they take coins or room key?

 

2. I set up a cash acct on line. Does Carnival require cash up front? Rccl does not but calls your room if you hit $500 so you can pay or use a credit card. One person did reply to this question, which I really appreciated but they told what they usually do. So it didn't really ans the question. At least they tried

 

3. I purchased FTTF, is it worth it? Kinda late for me to ask that now, right? LOL

 

One last question, NOT on the roll call, but I was thinking of purchasing on board credit. If I do, can it be used anywhere, since I am the one purchasing?

 

I did ask also if there was a meet and mingle as on RCL ships and no one answered ....BUT I found that just as I was typing this and signed up. Please say people on a Carnival cruise are not like the people on my roll call! Maybe they just don't realize it but no one helps anyone else out. I've never had that problem before. Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for any help you can give. I do really appreciate it.

The last time I saw a picture of the laundry rooms they used your sign and sail card. There is a recent review showing the Breeze and pics of the laundry room by MITSUGIRL or MITSUGAL (sorry I can't recall right now) and it is very detailed about the laundry room.

 

Any money you put on the sign and sail account can be used anywhere on the ship.

 

And as far as people on Carnival cruises, I have never had an encounter with anyone that is rude or nasty. Lots of fun!

[SadieN]

Laundry should be $3 wash and $3 dry.

 

Could buy gift cards at many retailers. We can buy ours at our local Safeway affiliated market.

 

Cash up front. Presented at check in, Kiosks or Guest Services. Can do cash/gift cards and have a credit card as back up. Conversely, you can set up with a credit card and pay off your statement towards the end of your cruise.

Get a receipt, there has been one reported incident of the cash going to the wrong account. Quite possibly the folio numbers were mixed up.

 

 

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[cocoonwoman]

The washers and dryers on the Dream accept your sign & sail card to operate. Do not need change.

[sharpasice]

Oh Gosh! THANK YOU ALL! Thanks for the quick replies and for all your answers!!! I really try to research all our cruises and I know some of the questions may have seemed unimportant but you all came through for me! Thank all again.

[Carnival Cutie]

Welcome to Carnival!!

 

In answer to your question regarding Meet and Greet, there will be one on your sailing if there are enough participants. You will have to have at least 25 for there to be one set up by Carnival. You also have to sign up for it. The Meet and Greet time and place (if there is one) will be listed in the Fun Times. Check your roll call to see if anyone else has signed up and encourage them to do so.

 

It looks like your other issues were addressed. I will say a lot of folks claim FTTF is a waste of money, I loved it. Having your room ready when you board is worth it, you can put your things in your cabin and explore the ship before most folks board. You'll likely get dirty looks when (or if) you go to the Guest Services line and get waited on before others waiting in a long line. I never used the priority tender when I had it but I've heard it's great.

 

Have a great cruise!!

[WELDON]

One thing I do is after getting my luggage delivered, I iron whatever needs to be done. A lot of people haven't discovered the laundry room and don't know there is an iron available.

[WLHyatt]

You'll be able to buy a drink likely on embarkation, but the bar server will probably send you direct to the guest services desk to add money. In most ports you can put a deposit on at check in, otherwise you can use the kiosks and the guest services desk to do that.

[sharpasice]

I have already learned so much from you guys! Good idea on buying gift cards thru AARP...I'm also going to look at Sam's Club & Costco to see if they carry them...both clubs discount gift cards. In regards to the gift cards, do I turn those in at guest services when we board or do I give them to the person I check in with OR do I save them till the end and use them to pay the final bill? I've never used gift cards on RCI..actually don't even know if they have them.

 

Great advice on ironing after unpacking...I'd have never thought of that.

 

I also, have found the link for the M&G and signed us up. There are 27 already registered. And I will watch the Fun times!

 

I would not have know any of this without all of you, thanks again!

 

OH, OH, OH, One last question...is the fridge in the room actually a refrigerator or is it a cooler...RCI's are coolers?

[lizardhowson]

A mini-bar, just a cooler, not a refrigerator.

[Honolulu Blue]

It looks like all the OP's questions have been answered, but I do want to note that not all of Carnival's self-service laundry facilities take cards. Some, mostly on the older ships, still take quarters. You can get those from Guest Services and the casino.

[PTAngel]

One more heads up on the laundry. We just went on our first Carnival cruise, usually go RCCL. We paid for the laundry with our sign & sail card ($3 per wash or dry). However, if you have them on a lanyard, take them off to use. The card will not fit in the tab. I was really getting upset that the machine would not take my card until I came up with the brilliant idea to take it off the lanyard. It worked perfectly then.

[sharpasice]

It looks like all the OP's questions have been answered, but I do want to note that not all of Carnival's self-service laundry facilities take cards. Some, mostly on the older ships, still take quarters. You can get those from Guest Services and the casino.

 

 

Thanks! I actually was going to carry on a little bag with quarters "just in case" ..never thought of going to GS or the casino for change...good idea.

 

One more heads up on the laundry. We just went on our first Carnival cruise, usually go RCCL. We paid for the laundry with our sign & sail card ($3 per wash or dry). However, if you have them on a lanyard, take them off to use. The card will not fit in the tab. I was really getting upset that the machine would not take my card until I came up with the brilliant idea to take it off the lanyard. It worked perfectly then.

 

 

Thank you, PTAngel, I will remember that!

 

Everyday, I am thinking of new questions and you've all been great! I was reading a review where someone included a sentence or two on the thalassotherapy pool but didn't mention if there was a fee... I suspect there is. Do you think I should run up to the spa to buy a pass when we board? Do they usually sell out? I don't want to miss trying out that pool. I've heard wonderful things about it.

[skye02]

If you're going to do a cash account, do not set it up and hand the cash over to the check in person during embarkation. Wait till you get on board and either do it thru the kiosk or at guest services. Last year, we set up the cash account with $500 at embarkation and received a receipt. There was no record of of it once we got on the ship and left port. Guest services' response was that we would have to wait until we returned to port so they could review the security tapes. We used a credit card instead but it was stressful just thinking we might be out that much money. Thankfully, after 3 days of DH pressing the issue, they credited our account and sent a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to the cabin.

[simplelife]

The washers and dryers on the Dream accept your sign & sail card to operate. Do not need change.

 

 

Just in case those on other ships are following the laundry question, not all ships take the S & S card; it varies by individual ship -on Victory last year I had to use quarters.

[kendracruises]

quarters as well on Conquest, $3 per wash and $3 per dry cycle (dryers are HOT)

[sharpasice]

If you're going to do a cash account, do not set it up and hand the cash over to the check in person during embarkation. Wait till you get on board and either do it thru the kiosk or at guest services. Last year, we set up the cash account with $500 at embarkation and received a receipt. There was no record of of it once we got on the ship and left port. Guest services' response was that we would have to wait until we returned to port so they could review the security tapes. We used a credit card instead but it was stressful just thinking we might be out that much money. Thankfully, after 3 days of DH pressing the issue, they credited our account and sent a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to the cabin.

 

Great advice, thanks. I am really glad you told me this because I was reading a review of the Dream and the person writing it said they gave their gift cards and cash to the person who checked them in, THEN boarded the ship. I thought that was a little strange but each cruise line is different. Someone else above mentioned the kiosks too. I am so glad I started this thread! I can't wait to try Carnival!

[sharpasice]

I'm back again and hoping someone can help. Again, I have asked this question on my roll call, waited & waited and again no one even appeared to notice. I really want to like Carnival as an alternative to our RCI cruises but if the roll call is any indication...well...I am sure the cruise will be better than the roll call! Just a little aggravated that no one there could or would answer. ANYWAY ... I had heard there was a fee to use the thalassotherapy pool. I have not found anywhere on line where I could pay for that, so I am assuming it must be paid for upon boarding? If so, do I go to the spa to pay? Or is there usually a central location to buy admission...I'd like to purchase for the whole week and am worried they may sell out.

Thank you, as I know someone here will answer...I really do appreciate all your help.

[Schoifmom]

I'm back again and hoping someone can help. Again, I have asked this question on my roll call, waited & waited and again no one even appeared to notice. I really want to like Carnival as an alternative to our RCI cruises but if the roll call is any indication...well...I am sure the cruise will be better than the roll call! Just a little aggravated that no one there could or would answer. ANYWAY ... I had heard there was a fee to use the thalassotherapy pool. I have not found anywhere on line where I could pay for that, so I am assuming it must be paid for upon boarding? If so, do I go to the spa to pay? Or is there usually a central location to buy admission...I'd like to purchase for the whole week and am worried they may sell out.

Thank you, as I know someone here will answer...I really do appreciate all your help.

 

The pass has to be purchased on board. (The following is from Carnival's website)

 

For guests who do not purchase a spa stateroom or suite but would like to use the Thalassotherapy Pool, Thermal Suites and large spa whirlpool, we offer day and week long passes that can only be purchased on board at the Cloud 9 Spa. Note: The Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Vista do not have a Thalassotherapy Pool; a large whirlpool is only on the Carnival Vista. Prices are subject to change.

 

Daily Pass: $40 per guest / $20 per guest (Carnival Sunshine)

Passes for Cruise Duration:

 

5-day cruise: $119 per guest / $69 per guest (Carnival Sunshine)

6-day cruise: $139 per guest / $79 per guest (Carnival Sunshine)

7-day cruise: $169 per guest / $99 per guest (Carnival Sunshine)

8-day cruise: $189 per guest / $109 per guest (Carnival Sunshine)

Europe Cruises: Prices will vary depending on duration of the cruise

[SadieN]

It's quite possible that those on your roll call so not know the answers.

 

 

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