Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[MrPete]

At the Captains cocktail party (and after your second cruise, at the past guest party), avoid what the waitresses are carting around drink wise, and order directly from the bar.

 

All drinks are free.

[roscoesdream]

The Fish and Chips place is out of sight (well off the beaten path) on Deck 10 - But the food is great. Also the seating is usually much less crowded up there!

 

What ship is that? that is the first i heard about that one!!!!!!

[hilltopfamily]

If you have kids 12 or under, they can order soda or "pop" free of charge with dinner in the assigned dining room at night only (not in the buffet areas). You may have a waiter/waitress attempt to charge you for it, as it seems they are not all aware of this policy. A smile and a reminder that Carnival offers free carbonated beverages to children at dinner was all it took for us, our waitress returned later and apologized, while informing us that we were indeed correct.

[sea_u_onboard]

Terry is talking about the Conquest. I'm not sure if the other Conquest class ships have the fish and chips - and yes they are good.

[Sweetcharlotte30]

If you bring your own crockpot, I definately reccomend bringing a powerstip.

[CoachTerry14]

What ship is that? that is the first i heard about that one!!!!!!

 

Yes, the Conquest class ships have the Fish and Chips - It was extremely good on the Conquest and the Glory! :)

[bethm214]

WE will be sailing on the Conquest on 8/29 too!!!!

Do you have kids? i have an 11 year old boy coming with me, it would be great to know if he will have anyone to hang with right off the bat.

AFter reading the boards and 11 cruises under the belt...here is what i can add...

i will be taking my own beach towels, i will be taking my own diet sprite (can't do caffeine) and Jack Daniels, I will tip my cabin steward early and often, i will get one drink pass for my son, i will take a reusable cups with lid and straw to keep our drinks cold, prevent spills and hide the fact that i am bringing my own JD, taking a fanny pack for shore excursions and on-board, taking late seating as i think it is best for most scehedules and you can always eat someplace else earlier if you want.

Let me know if you have any other questions and i will try to help!

Have you cruised before?

[Cinderelli]

Hello! I am soooo glad to hear of someone else travelling with kids! I have a 14 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. My kids play together alot, so your son should fit right in.

 

I have heard that it's best to have the kids go to the initial meeting the first evening of the cruise to meet other kids on board, so that's what we're doing.

 

So your son goes back to school later, too? Ours really start 2 days before Labor Day, but, it was the only week we could get away. So here we are!

 

Thanks for your tips. I look forward to chatting with you often before we sail! Please do visit our date on the roll call boards -- there are a few other nice folks I've already connected with! Now, YOU!

 

Take care --

Mary Ellen, John, Perry & Savannah

[Cinderelli]

Oh, and Beth, we are on the early dinner seating. Any later and my kids will be passed out in their dinner plates. We NEVER do late seating. Just our style.

 

Talk to you soon!

Mary Ellen:D

[bigmacfan]

I guess I am the only one who didn't care for the fish and chips on the Conquest. We didn't think it looked good last year, so didn't try it. In preparing for my trip this year, I noticed all of the people raving about the fish and chips, so decided to try it. Ended up throwing most of it away...I have had less greasy fish and fries at Long John Silvers! I just don't get the attraction....oh well....different strokes...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The fries that come with the Fish and Chips are, to me anyway, not that good - the fries with burgers are much better... The fish itself and fried oysters were on our list for most lunches...!

 

Casino tip:

If you play blackjack, one secret to keep in mind is the Fun21 table - there are NO QUEENS in the decks - They will tell you this IF YOU ASK but what they won't tell you, and 98% of the players do not realize, is that this forces a change in the way you play.. check out wizardofodds.com and read about SPANISH21 !

 

Tom

[chuck&lori]

Is the water warm in December at Cozumel. What did you consider the most exciting thing to do at Cozumel for two adults. thanks

[nrgo]

i'd check the weather channel website...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What's up with the last two posts... Cozumel water temp???

 

Tom

[TheCruisingBrewers]

I do not know if this should be considered a given bu there are Cruise Critic log books on most the ships... usually in the libraries. A chance to add your comments to the book...Look for that topic here or on the old broads if you need to know where for your respective ship.

 

Another thing, do not forget tea times. Usually these are 2 or 3 days per sailing, and chance to sit and listen to some music and taste MORE free food and lovely teas.. a great pick me up in the afternoons you may not have time for naps.

 

Nancy

[gapeachcruzr]

Great suggestions and info, keep them coming! :D

[kapcruiser]

Is there a deli on the inspiration?:confused:

[LornaT]

Also about the Pizza.............If there is a special kind you like (different toppings than they show in the display case) if they can get them they will custom make you a pizza the way you want it, it takes about 8 minutes, but you do have to take the whole pizza...........which if it's the way the whole family likes it......no problem.

 

As to the Grill .........usually there are two grill area open on deck (1 near each pool area) and one serves only Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.........the other does the Hot Dogs and Hamburgers as well as Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwiches and Minute Steak Sandwiches (my Mom loves these!).

 

And don't forget ......don't ever forget! about the 24 hour Soft Serve Ice Cream (Chocolate, Vanilla and Swirled) and the Frozen Yogurt (also Chocolate, Vallia and Swirled). And check your Capers for the Sea Days that they have the Sundae toppings available.

Lorna

[kapcruiser]

LornaT

 

Thank you for information, never knew your could get a whole pizza, there are 7 of us total. Also, my sons would like the minute steak sandwiches. Hope we have all of this on the inspiration. Sue

[Jenifire]

From reading the boards on our Spirit cruise 6/30 we tipped our cabin steward almost daily, but when I asked about the cabin book it was going to be charged to our acct. My husband went to the pursers desk where they were nice enough to take the charge And the book back.

 

The capuccino was not free after dinner.

 

Just thought I would put in my experiences.

[yarlenna]

On some of the Carnival ships, you can get a deck of cards w/Carnival logo, just by asking at the purser's desk.

 

In the casino, they'll give you a lanyard, as well as punch a hole in your S&S card for you.

 

In the dining room, ask for espresso after dinner - not usually listed on the menu, but I have either espresso or cappuccino every night at no extra charge.

 

Hint: Read your Capers carefully, as some things are in small print. (Take a highlighter.) For instance, "tea time" is not announced in a big separate area, just in the listing of day's activities. I thoroughly enjoy that!

Not only that, the usual coffee is awful! The espresso and cappuccino are pretty good. This tip is a lifesaver

[gkeyes1008]

We bring ziplock bags and in the morning before we get off the ship for our excursions or just our fun day at port we go to the deli, order our sandwiches, put them in our ziplock bags and off we go. We do this on every cruise and have never had a problem. This way they are fresh and you do not have to worry about them being refrigerated and then being in the heat and going bad. Before they had the deli we would order room service the night before to be delivered in the morning and our BLT or whatever other sandwich we wanted would be delivered and put into the ziplock bags and off we would go..

 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise.

[kapcruiser]

What time does the deli open and is there a deli on every ship?:confused:

[JudyKa]

On the Conquest (3rd floor I think) as you first enter that beautiful atrium? on the ship at embarkation you will find just outside the most peaceful, quiet, beautiful ocean sounds, breeze and shade to lounge in solitude. There are wonderful padded loungers to lay on. Just walk out one of the two sets of doors on either portside or starboard ....wonderful! Don't know why there isn't a crowd of people usually doing this; but I'm thankful. It was my daughter's and my favorite place to go on the ship.....we called it "our" place. Believe me, that was a much-needed mother-daughter place for us.

[steve328is]

Room service on Inspiration (sister ship) had several kinds of deli sandwiches. Roast Beef on baguette was especially good!