First cruise ever

[MommyCrankyPants]

I hope you have a great first cruise! 🙂  Some tips .. Have all your important papers/passports on hand at the cruise terminal. If possible, have everyone in your party carry their own (if old enough) and it will save a lot of time. Like others have suggested, I also recommend checking out the deck plans of the ship ahead of time and seeing which floors you know to avoid because there all rooms. Also knowing which elevators/stairs will take you to the food faster and which is closest to your room. heh Once onboard, the Hub has the deck plans you can view. Also, if you're a smoker/vaper, know which outside decks you can smoke on. MDR, if you find that isn't your thing, the lido buffet often offers a variety of food from the MDR menu each night. At least that was the case on the Glory last month! If you drink, they do not skimp on the liquor. There's a few drinks I have to ask them to go "light" on. LOL Lastly, get to know the bartenders and servers. They're great and always so friendly!!

[momof3cruisers]

If you want ice, you’ll need to ask your room steward. (They’ll do their best to meet you on the first day.) They’re happy to bring it to you but won’t unless you ask. 
 

If you drink and like a bit of adventure, go to the alchemy bar and ask the bartender to make you one of their own specialty drinks. They all have different styles and you can say things like “not too sweet and no tequila.” 
 

If your itinerary goes to Catalina and you want to get off, you will need to get a number for the water shuttle. They will have that info as far as where to get it on the app and in the paper planner the night before if you get one.

 

Breakfast room service is free. You can get coffee, tea, pastries and….a few other things delivered to your room by as I recall 10:30. After that there is a per item charge. 
 

Your cabin won’t be ready until 1:30 so it’s nice to drop your main bag with the porters and carry a backpack or similar to hold valuables, medication, etc and maybe a bathing suit. 
 

The winery tour in Ensenada is great.

 

Have fun!

[Lidolounger]

On 10/13/2023 at 12:50 PM, skrufy said:

My suggestions are, after you board, go get the mandatory  muster drill out of the way. Then go have lunch. After lunch, if luggage is in your cabin, unpack. Next take an hour and walk the ship get the layout. Enjoy sail away. The last thing is don’t try to do everything there is to do on the ship, you will never do it all, Pick out things you would like to do each morning from the daily planner. One more thought, pack a change of cloths in your carry on. Luggage sometimes arrives late. First night dinner is super casual. Last, Last honest. Have a great 1st cruise.

Perfect advice, I second this!

[Wennfred]

On 10/13/2023 at 9:40 AM, 1stresponder2086 said:

On Dec 9, I’ll be sailing on the Panorama.  For me, it. Is only a 50 minute flight.  Any tips for this ship?  Thank you

I must say that Panorama for your first Carnival ship is a big plus, it’s a beautiful ship with a nice layout. I sailed on Panorama 3 times when the restart of cruising started and lately have been thinking it’s time to sail on her again. Like the first reply. Always fly in at least 1 day prior. Last week just flying from San Diego to Vancouver my first morning flight was canceled which moved my 2nd flight from SeaTac into Vancouver later arriving at midnight. Enjoy the casino if you are able too because you can get a casino or bingo deal for your next cruise.

 

Hotels next to the Long Beach cruise terminal is the Maya hotel which is my favorite place to stay.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by Wennfred

[Wennfred]

Make sure to download the Carnival Hub app, everything is done on there especially booking reservations to go down into the main dining room to eat breakfast.

 

Pro-tip, you can book you reservation 20 - 25 minutes on the app prior to the dining room opening.. I rather eat in the main dining room (MDR) and get served then up on Lido where people are either coughing over the food or handling the serving utensils with their dirty hands. Always wash your hands.

 

Print out the first page of your boarding documents and print out the luggage tags and place the luggage tag in a plastic see through holder, they sell those on Amazon. Always Tip the Porter $1.00 per check in bag at the terminal. This will ensure your luggage makes it on board lol. They are good there in Long Beach, never had issues with my luggage.

 

Have fun, it’s going to be a great first cruise.

 

[Wennfred]

Guys Burgers is usually my first meal when I arrive, it’s basically the best burger at sea, most will have a Guys burger daily, they are that good. They also have a station with onions, mushrooms and chilli which you can dress up your burger. I don’t have the buns since I have been on a ketogenic lifestyle for the past 3 years. Plenty of keto options onboard if you are looking for low carb options. Across Guy’s burgers is the Blue Iguana which serves up mexican fare and it’s also pretty good. I often will have a chicken salad from there. A big favorite is their torta shell bowl or their tacos.

 

You can find Stevia packets in the buffet area but not in the MDR, so bring your own sweetener if you have a favorite.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by Wennfred

[mz-s]

Just now, Wennfred said:

Guys Burgers is usually my first meal when I arrive, it’s basically the best burger at sea, most will have a Guys burger daily, they are that good. They also have a station with onions, mushrooms and chilli which you can dress up your burger. I don’t have the buns since I have been on a ketogenic lifestyle for the past 3 years. Plenty of keto options onboard if you are looking for low carb options. Across Guy’s burgers is the Blue Iguana which serves up mexican fare and it’s also pretty good. I often will have a chicken salad from there. A big favorite is their torta shell bowl or their tacos.

 

 

 

The tortilla shell bowl has been gone from Blue Iguana for quite some time.

[Wennfred]

Just now, mz-s said:

 

The tortilla shell bowl has been gone from Blue Iguana for quite some time.

wow! I recall seeing it on Magic last November too bad. Will be on Mardi Gras & Celebration next month. Will report on that.

 

Thanks 

[mz-s]

12 minutes ago, Wennfred said:

wow! I recall seeing it on Magic last November too bad. Will be on Mardi Gras & Celebration next month. Will report on that.

 

Thanks 

 

"too much waste"

 

While they print thousands of photos every week on many ships that are simply thrown away

[Essiesmom]

As far as the menu goes…if the desserts don’t appeal, but there are more appetizers that you felt comfortable ordering…you can order them for dessert.  Especially to cold fruit soups.  We ordered spring rolls once for dessert.  EM

[1stresponder2086]

5 hours ago, Wennfred said:

Make sure to download the Carnival Hub app, everything is done on there especially booking reservations to go down into the main dining room to eat breakfast.

 

Pro-tip, you can book you reservation 20 - 25 minutes on the app prior to the dining room opening.. I rather eat in the main dining room (MDR) and get served then up on Lido where people are either coughing over the food or handling the serving utensils with their dirty hands. Always wash your hands.

 

Print out the first page of your boarding documents and print out the luggage tags and place the luggage tag in a plastic see through holder, they sell those on Amazon. Always Tip the Porter $1.00 per check in bag at the terminal. This will ensure your luggage makes it on board lol. They are good there in Long Beach, never had issues with my luggage.

 

Have fun, it’s going to be a great first cruise.

 

I always give 5

[carohs]

Book excursions early (if you're planning to) because they can sell out. Also price compare because CCL has a price match if you can find the exact same elsewhere. 

 

Don't worry bout flights. Some people on here even recommend driving up the night before in case of traffic or accidents. Everyone's risk tolerance is a little different. I would fly the night before but that's only because I like the departure city to be part of my vacation planning. I treat it something like an extra port day. 

 

[momof3cruisers]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

As far as the menu goes…if the desserts don’t appeal, but there are more appetizers that you felt comfortable ordering…you can order them for dessert.  Especially to cold fruit soups.  We ordered spring rolls once for dessert.  EM

Speaking of desserts, they have a banana split on the children’s menu that is quite yummy and not too big. I find it a nice end to my meal. They also have a fruit cup on that menu that you can order as a dessert or an appetizer. 

[1stresponder2086]

3 hours ago, carohs said:

Book excursions early (if you're planning to) because they can sell out. Also price compare because CCL has a price match if you can find the exact same elsewhere. 

 

Don't worry bout flights. Some people on here even recommend driving up the night before in case of traffic or accidents. Everyone's risk tolerance is a little different. I would fly the night before but that's only because I like the departure city to be part of my vacation planning. I treat it something like an extra port day. 

 

Thank you. I’m not concerned at all..

[Pellaz]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:42 AM, Wennfred said:

Guys Burgers is usually my first meal when I arrive, it’s basically the best burger at sea, most will have a Guys burger daily, they are that good. They also have a station with onions, mushrooms and chilli which you can dress up your burger. I don’t have the buns since I have been on a ketogenic lifestyle for the past 3 years.

 

Regarding getting a burger without the bun and potentially extra messiness, I noticed on the Horizon this last cruise that they were no longer providing utensils at Guy's Burgers.  Previously they'd have silverware wrapped in those red "washcloth" towels, but not any more.   They likely dropped the silverware because very few people actually used or needed them for handling burgers or fries.

When I asked a Guy's employee out at the condiments bar, he kindly dashed across to Blue Iguana and got me a "standard" set wrapped in the usual blue cloth napkin.  

Edited October 27, 2023 by Pellaz