What is your favorite cruise "hack"?

[Chervil]

22 minutes ago, LindyWebb said:

I have never heard of asking for something “to go” at the mdr....  do they look at you funny when you do?  It’s brilliant!  Late night fruit snack, my kids would love it. 

No!
As a matter of fact, it happened by accident one night.
I got full before I could finish my dessert. Our waiter asked if I was finished and I lamented that I was too full to continue, but it was a shame to waste the rest and it would be nice to have later in the room as a snack.
He told me he could plate it up for us to take back to the room later.
In true "great service" style, every night after that when we were ordering dessert he would ask if we wanted anything to take back for later!

So it was actually their idea and they really didn't seem to mind. Worth a shot!

[Chervil]

1 hour ago, ScubaDuck said:

One of my favorite is taking a box of waffle cones with us on the boat. We've done it twice now, and both times got lots of asks "Where do you get those?" I just tell them "Walmart", and keep going (LOL). Heck, I even had our favorite CD Malcolm stop us while we walked through the Lido deck to ask. Of course both times we had a few left over on the last night and so we find a group of kids hanging out near the ice cream machines and share the fun 🙂

This is an awesome idea!
Now I am picturing those little waffle cups and making a sundae!

[CoasterGuy]

7 hours ago, FSHLOT said:

Not sure if its a "hack",  but I mix my lemonade and iced tea from the lido deck....

 

Yep. Definitely had a couple Arnold Palmer's during my last cruise. 

[luckymbt]

Loving all these ideas....interesting to hear they let you take food out of the dining room. In May 2018 we could hardly get anything "to go", Carnival saying food safety reasons.....My husband got a migraine, had to leave before his dinner arrived and it was a major deal to get it to go....that was on the Miracle....our least favorite staff and cruise over all

[Rosefloater]

15 hours ago, Chervil said:

At dessert in the MDR, in addition to whatever other treat I indulge in, I always order the fruit and cheese platter to go (they will bring it out with a lid just like room service!)

Then I take it back to the room so we can enjoy it later that evening with some of the wine we brought!

 

Don't leave the Blue Cheese over night. The room or fridge (if you put the plate in there) will start to smell.

 

I take some flavored drink packs (orange, cherry or lemonade) and mix them into vanilla ice cream. 

[sanmarcosman]

 

12 hours ago, ScubaDuck said:

One of my favorite is taking a box of waffle cones with us on the boat. We've done it twice now, and both times got lots of asks "Where do you get those?" I just tell them "Walmart", and keep going (LOL). Heck, I even had our favorite CD Malcolm stop us while we walked through the Lido deck to ask. Of course both times we had a few left over on the last night and so we find a group of kids hanging out near the ice cream machines and share the fun 🙂

We do this too but with sugar cones. What's cool is the Keebler brand we buy pack the cones in styro sleeves inside the box and they always arrive in good shape when unpacked from our luggage. Those tasteless cones provided on the ships are merely ice cream holders rather than a taste treat.

Edited November 9, 2018 by sanmarcosman

[camijo]

My hack isn't food related.  But I take clothes pins and clip them to the bottom of the shower curtain, keeps the shower curtain in place.  My husband thought it was that way, he didn't know I did that myself.  Haha!

[WashCoCruisers]

20 hours ago, cruisin*tigger said:

I order Guy's fries and go over to the topping station and top with donkey sauce, bacon and mushrooms for loaded fries.   ♥️

 

I've also ordered it as an appetizer. 

 

You can also go to Lido at lunch and get a plate of the meats and cheeses.  We've had that on our balcony with wine.  

 

The guava juice at breakfast is awesome.  We always take a larger container of it back to the cabin frig and mix with our alcohol for delicious cocktails.   Top with a Carnival gummy funnel and its a work of art.  😄

 

 

Of course it isn't alcohol you brought on the ship?!?!?!?!!?

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

[pyropoodle]

Got a lot of people sharing your room and running out of time to shower?   head over to the Spa and use their showers.  AHHHHmazing shower experience when compared to the in room shower...and totally free.   just please, put on some clothes when you head back to your stateroom. 

[robc1972]

Smuggle enough booze to make two drinks a day for the balcony before heading out to the bars.

[asalligo]

13 hours ago, ScubaDuck said:

One of my favorite is taking a box of waffle cones with us on the boat. We've done it twice now, and both times got lots of asks "Where do you get those?" I just tell them "Walmart", and keep going (LOL). Heck, I even had our favorite CD Malcolm stop us while we walked through the Lido deck to ask. Of course both times we had a few left over on the last night and so we find a group of kids hanging out near the ice cream machines and share the fun 🙂

Last couple of cruises I have been taking my own tray for the buffet and people constantly ask me where I got it and I told each person guest services has them. 

[Lottacruises]

17 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

Isn't the bacon at Guys crumbled leftover bacon from breakfast? Just get 4-6 pieces of bacon from the breakfast buffet and save them for lunch or room service makes a decent BLT.

 

Another method of having "leftover" bacon, except in this one you carry it around in your pocket... lol

[sarmat1]

15 hours ago, LindyWebb said:

I have never heard of asking for something “to go” at the mdr....  do they look at you funny when you do?  It’s brilliant!  Late night fruit snack, my kids would love it. 

Prior to our last cruise, I would never have thought to even ask, but this past summer we wanted to get to Hasbro so we told our server that we were going to skip dessert.  She said that we should just take it with us.  So we told her what we wanted and a minute later had them to go and then ate them in the theater during Hasbro.  Gotta love the MDR servers - they're the best.

[beachbum53]

On Embarkation Day, I get a plastic water cup from the buffet area and take it to our cabin. I put my car keys in it, along with whatever loose change I have in my pocket. I put the cup in the cabin's safe. Won't be needing that stuff until Debarkation Day. 

[Bobbylah]

Ask your MD server on the first night if you can have the non-vegetarian Indian entree. They usually check with the Maitre d'. I make that request every cruise and have it brought as an additional entree (Don't judge me....I pass on all the desserts). 

[2wheelin]

6 hours ago, camijo said:

My hack isn't food related.  But I take clothes pins and clip them to the bottom of the shower curtain, keeps the shower curtain in place.  My husband thought it was that way, he didn't know I did that myself.  Haha!

Two little button magnets, one on each side do the same thing and smaller to pack. Either one works though.

[BallFour4]

Too many to list, here are some of my favorites:

 

When you board the ship after an excursion the line for the elevator is often a mess. Go up one flight of stairs and push the DOWN button. Soon a empty elevator will arrive. Step aboard and then ride down one level and meet some new friends. Press the Lido deck floor and go up for a Guys Burger and cold drink.

 

 If you are on a Conquest class ship and have fixed time dining go down to Deck 2. Walk down to the second from aft elevator bank and go up to Deck 3 or 4 depending on where your table is.

 

 Also on Conquest class ships discover the little flight of stairs on Deck 5 that goes down one floor. It's right past the casino and before the piano bar. It's a quick trip to the dining room without waiting for all those people backed up for photos.

 Get up early on a sea day, get breakfast after a run or walk and sit at the lido deck tables right by the burrito bar. Trust me; it's Mecca for people watching. We've seen everything from pajamas to a suit as early as 8:00 am.

 If you have fixed time dining go find your table right after you board. Then don't wait in the looooooong line on deck 3 at dinner, but enter the dining room on 4 and descend the stairs inside if you are seated on the lower level.

 Towels. Why would you pay Carnival if you lost one? Go the gym showers and grab all you need for the excursion day. They are rolled up nicely for a backpack or shore bag. Leave them in your bathroom after or return for a fresh one for the next days trip ashore.

 USB multi-port charger. The best travel item ever. We charge two phones an iPod and camera from one that only ties up a single plug.

Dinner shows: the men go to the theater and grab one of those nifty balcony "love seats" up on the glass on the second level. The ladies go to the cabin to powder their noses or see the latest offering from the shops. After they are done the swap happens and the guys go back to change into shorts or casual clothes. We return with fresh drinks and find happy wives.

 Bluetooth speaker. Fantastic addition to the cruise bag. I use a power adapter that will tuck in the little panel that hides the television wires. Often you will find a extra plug allowing you to leave the speaker on the shelf behind the television. It's still accessible, but out of the way. Mine's a Bose Soundlink and it works amazing for soft music or ambient sounds during sleep.

 Camera memory card(s). Take several. Those 128 gig ones are nifty, but if one fails or you loose your camera then all the photos from the day before swimming with the dolphins are gone. I take 5-6 of them with me.

 Sail away. Why spend your departure watching people on the struggle bus trying to do the Wobble or Cupid Shuffle? Go forward on deck 9 or 10 to what some refer to as the Secret Deck and watch the ship leave port. Here in Galveston it's a surefire way to see the dolphins around the bow of other ships or the shrimp boats.

Organize your photos! Here's a video of ones I took from the Vista assembled to share with friends.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yilymwwdbplrses/Vista%20Tour%202018.mov?dl=0

 If these helped you then that's great. If not, I'll learn from yours.

.

Edited November 9, 2018 by BallFour4

[GB Chicago]

For Platinum members our perk is a free drink the last day at breakfast or brunch.  Not a day drinker so I take my ticket to the dining room during brunch and ask for a glass of wine "to go".  Put in the fridge for happy hour!

 

For ships with the Blue Iguana restaurant I make a salad from the salad bar and head over for Mexican toppings

 

Steakhouse cooking class is the best lunch on the ship!  Get there early it fills up so fast.  Always on a sea day.

 

Ships with the Alchemy Bar usually have free plates of cheese, nuts and olives to eat with your cocktails.

 

[Chervil]

2 hours ago, BallFour4 said:

 Bluetooth speaker. Fantastic addition to the cruise bag. I use a power adapter that will tuck in the little panel that hides the television wires. Often you will find a extra plug allowing you to leave the speaker on the shelf behind the television. It's still accessible, but out of the way. Mine's a Bose Soundlink and it works amazing for soft music or ambient sounds during sleep.


 Sail away. Why spend your departure watching people on the struggle bus trying to do the Wobble or Cupid Shuffle? Go forward on deck 9 or 10 to what some refer to as the Secret Deck and watch the ship leave port. Here in Galveston it's a surefire way to see the dolphins around the bow of other ships or the shrimp boats.

We always pack a waterproof bluetooth speaker that we can take with us to the beach!
Bonus is it has a built in charging port so you can charge your phone while listening to your tunes!

Never thought of using the "Secret Deck" to dolphin watch!
We are leaving from Galveston in January so we will have to try it!

[ScubaDuck]

12 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

 

We do this too but with sugar cones. What's cool is the Keebler brand we buy pack the cones in styro sleeves inside the box and they always arrive in good shape when unpacked from our luggage. Those tasteless cones provided on the ships are merely ice cream holders rather than a taste treat.

 

Yep! The Waffle cones come in the exact same kind of foam packaging. Packed them away in the suitcase, and all 12 of them made it safe and sound all the way from Arkansas to on the boat!

[amyj23]

5 hours ago, BallFour4 said:

When you board the ship after an excursion the line for the elevator is often a mess. Go up one flight of stairs and push the DOWN button. Soon a empty elevator will arrive. Step aboard and then ride down one level and meet some new friends. Press the Lido deck floor and go up for a Guys Burger and cold drink.

 If you have fixed time dining go find your table right after you board. Then don't wait in the looooooong line on deck 3 at dinner, but enter the dining room on 4 and descend the stairs inside if you are seated on the lower level.

OMG these are brilliant! 

[Anyislandwilldo]

17 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Two little button magnets, one on each side do the same thing and smaller to pack. Either one works though.

Wish I had seen this sooner.  Our shower curtain on the Paradise last month would not stay in place.

[Anyislandwilldo]

11 hours ago, ScubaDuck said:

 

Yep! The Waffle cones come in the exact same kind of foam packaging. Packed them away in the suitcase, and all 12 of them made it safe and sound all the way from Arkansas to on the boat!

Nice hack!

[waterwatcher]

I love fried onion sandwiches. At Guy's I ask for the bun and go over to the fixins bar and fill with the fried onions.  Delish!

[amyj23]

2 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Wish I had seen this sooner.  Our shower curtain on the Paradise last month would not stay in place.

I’m sorry, when you guys say it doesn’t “stay in place”, do you mean it keeps going outside the lip of the shower? Or that it keeps opening a bit? We haven’t cruised in a year so I can’t remember the shower curtain issues. Lol