Carnival Secrets they Usually Don't Tell You About 2

[cruisingtodive]

IF you are going to do laundry, bring a small trial size package of luandry soap and save some quarters from the casino. Not everyone does luandry on the ship, I do, I don't like to overpack and so I will wear shorts, etc a second time. And sometimes your clothes are just sweaty smelling from all the walking in the humid/hot ports, I'd rather wash those than have them smelling up the closet, room, or suitcase. There is no money changer in the laundry rooms and the machines only take quarters, you can get the quarters from the casino or the purser's desk; they do sell laundry soap in the laundry rooms.

[cruisingtodive]

If you want to do laundry on board bring a trial size box of luandry detergent. Get the quarters from the casino or purser's desk. You can find the laundry rooms on the deck layout brochure you get from the purser's desk. They sell laundry detergent in the laundry rooms, but do not provide change. I usually end up doing at least one load on board, I know a boring household chore, but sometimes necessary even on vacation.

[cruisingtodive]

I thought I was editing the last entry, so I started all over. Didn't mean to double up.:eek:

[MiamiSky66]

P4All

 

I was just bringing out a point the way they talk to me. I wouldn't want their jobs either. In September I was on the Carnival Ecstacy and was talking to the room stewart. He was laughing and said that here he is my maid but in his country he has a beautiful house, car and a maid. I am very happy for him. I do think that the average passenger thinks they are borderline starving.

[vic/leelee]

We will be taking our first cruise ever, sept. 1, 2008, out of New Orleans. All of these tips have been great. what about 2 way radios?? We have a 14 yo son going with us and want to give him some freedom (and us too). Are these worth the money???

[skylock]

I would forget about the radios. It is my experience it is too hard to find a clear channel. They annoy other passengers and in my case, one was misplaced which is why we came up with a new idea.

 

The way we do it is after dinner everynight we go over what we are planning to do the next day to get a basic idea.

 

Then we have every hour (sometimes 2 hour) check in. They tell me where they are going and I tell them where I am going. And we always meet up for meals.

 

Also, we leave each other notes on our door. I use one of those $1 dry erase boards and have not had a problem.

 

Sometimes other people leave messages, but they have always been nice ones.

 

I have been on big ships and little ships on the upper decks and on the lowest deck and the checkin method works fine. It only takes a min to run by the room or the place we have decided on no matter where you are or what you are doing.

 

Only had son (14 at the time) miss one checkin ever as the punishment was he had to stay with me the rest of the day. Told him punishment for a second offense would be having to stay with me 2 days, etc. One time was enough. He is always at checkin now even though he is no longer 14.

[kmtirish]

super glue......fix stuff and can be used as a waterproof bandaid

[Patinthehat]

When you get on, staff may herd you to the buffett on the Lido. Instead have a sit down lunch at the main dining room.

 

I do not believe this is completely true. Most of the time, when you board the ship, the dining rooms are closed. This is when you can line up and change your dining room times.

[iavacationer]

Just got back from the Inspiration on October 22nd. We found out that after formal night you can order lobster again if you call and request it 24 hours in advance - as long as they have any left from formal night.

[SANDYJABS]

We "borrow" unactivated gift cards from Target (or any store) and use them for the room safe!

 

We use our SAIL & SIGN card but DH says bad idea if someone gets a hold of it

[SANDYJABS]

I always bring a room air freshner (not just the spray kind), I prefer the Glade glass square one that you just sit in the room. It is nice to open the door to your cabin door and smell something fresh. Not that the cabins smell but the air can be stale especially if you are on an inside, no balcony sea air to smell.

Next cruise I am going to try those new fake candle air freshners not sure what brand?

[joan_al]

Yeh and I'm going to bring my gasoline powered blender with 10 gallons of fuel so I can make my own mixed drinks in my cabin. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cruisernh]

Yeh and I'm going to bring my gasoline powered blender with 10 gallons of fuel so I can make my own mixed drinks in my cabin. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Don't forget the candles and matches

[jayesouthworth]

We will be taking our first cruise ever, sept. 1, 2008, out of New Orleans. All of these tips have been great. what about 2 way radios?? We have a 14 yo son going with us and want to give him some freedom (and us too). Are these worth the money???

 

We have the pocket size walkie-talkies that we purchased at COSTCO a few years back. We use them all the time when we travel and would be a great way to communicate with your child/family members on the ship. We loaned ours to friends who moved to Iowa from California and they said they were the best thing for them to communicate from vehicle to vehicle. Just take extra batteries. We have the Motorola TalkAbouts.

[jayesouthworth]

We used our driver's license to open and close the safe. We don't care if that demagnitizes.:p

[LHP]

We use our SAIL & SIGN card but DH says bad idea if someone gets a hold of it

 

Not a good idea to use your Sail and Sign because the magnetic strip is not that thick. Apparently the safe is harder on it than the door lock.

 

We knew this (but forgot) and our room key (Sail and Sign) quit working about half way through the cruise. It would not open the door and then (of course) would not open the safe...so we have to wait 30 minutes for "an official" to come open our safe.

 

Just grab a Walmart or Target gift card...they are free and they work!!

[LHP]

I do not believe this is completely true. Most of the time, when you board the ship, the dining rooms are closed. This is when you can line up and change your dining room times.

 

While the formal dining rooms will be closed when you embark...if you don't do buffets (like me)...there is always pizza, the deli, hamburgers and hot dogs!!

[leadout_kv]

While the formal dining rooms will be closed when you embark...if you don't do buffets (like me)...there is always pizza, the deli, hamburgers and hot dogs!!

 

Just out of curiosity why don't you do buffets?

[skuttduck]

Not a good idea to use your Sail and Sign because the magnetic strip is not that thick. Apparently the safe is harder on it than the door lock.

 

We knew this (but forgot) and our room key (Sail and Sign) quit working about half way through the cruise. It would not open the door and then (of course) would not open the safe...so we have to wait 30 minutes for "an official" to come open our safe.

 

Just grab a Walmart or Target gift card...they are free and they work!!

 

I've been using my Destiny sign and sail card on the last two cruises. The reason I still have it is I've kept it in the camera bag with me. So previous sign and sail cards work great on the ship safes.

[cruisin_don]

You can order a chicken or steak sandwich at the grill but just remember it will take about 10 minutes or so.

[sandestination]

After spending hours reading the original thread...I "borrowed" this from one of the posters. Let's see if we can continue this one and make it a bit easier for all of us....

 

 

If you don’t like what is offered on the main menu, you can ask the waiter for either a steak or grilled chicken.

Any pasta item on the main menu CAN be ordered as an appetizer. Just ask.

Post cards, foreign postage stamps and playing cards are available at the pursars desk.

Get a FREE lanyard at the Casino. Pursars desk will punch a whole in it for you.

24 hour pizza place also serves Calzones and Caesar salads. If you want a special topping and they have it they will make you that pizza.

Go to tea-time they have different snacks and its a nice place to relax

Ask the steward if you forget something ie toothpaste...they often have samples

Bring baggies of assorted sizes. For saving snacks for excursions and wet clothes.

Take the tour of the galley

They have an early and late night seating as well as captains party...take advantage of both for double free drinks.

Bring on own bottles of water, and soda and save $$$

Bring a reusable cup with lid...less trips to get a drink

Ask for your drink in a plastic cup (not the fancy one ) saves $$$

You may be able to eat free lunch at the places they charge for dinner

Orange juice is available at the same place all day they just remove the label

You may get a free facial if you call the spa and ask to be a volunteer.

Tie a bright ribbon/scarf to your luggage for easy spotting. Also can work on cabin door

When the regular hot tub is too full, use the spa one.

Use of the sauna/steam room is free

Use the spa shower if multiple people need to shower at same time

Ask for children’s dessert menu (banana splits)

Bring Duct tape

Bring a highlighter

Bring post it notes

Sit close at the port talks sometimes they toss out free stuff

You can ask for extra pillow chocolates

Bring an extension cord/power strip

Early and extra tips for stewards = more perks for you

You can order free drinks from the bar in the room at Captains dinner as opposed to those on the tray.

Bring travel hooks to hang stuff in your room

Bring a few paper funnels to make filling the water bottle easier.

Bring towels from home to avoid fearing losing one

Take a hand towel with you to the beach it will help remove sand and is handy for lots of other things too

Baby powder helps remove sand

Use a magnet to trick the balcony door into thinking its closed to keep the air on

Most ships have a secret door...find it

You can also print cards to take with you on the layout of the ship...simply use a word document...format in normal 8pt bold: Times New Roman: 8pt and divide into for equal columns.

Self disembarkation is FASTER

It is possible to ‘smuggle’ alcohol on board

Make sure to stock up on "snacks" before debarkation. The wait can be pretty long and everything is closed during this time. Except for the coffee shop which takes cash

Cards become demagnetized don’t use your credit card for the room safe

If the safe will not open call the desk they will send someone to open it

If you get sea sick you can go to the Pursers desk and ask for pills. They are free there

Use your telephone for leaving each other messages in the cabins

Did you know you can call Carnival's Bon voyage department and pre-order alcohol to be delivered to your cabin? You can order bottles of hard liquor so that you can make your own drinks. You can't order online. You must call to set this up. It is a little pricey but worth it and cheaper than buying by the drink.

Do walk the entire ship on your first day

You can also ask your Room Steward for the book that is in your cabin

Bring a night light/ alarm clock

Bring water shoes

The ship uses two types of toilet paper. Both are made by the same company. The sandpaper they call "envision" you will not want to subject your bottom to for 8 days. Ask your room steward to make sure that your stateroom is stocked with the "preference" paper instead.

Bring a sweater the dining room can be cold

 

 

Hope this helps

BLESS YOU MY CHILD!!!!! YEAH KUDOS AND MUCH MUCH MORE I HAVE BEEN MAKING LIST OF LITTLE THINGS i COULD THINK OF SINCE I HAVE CRUISED BEFORE BUT THIS LIST IS GREAT... ONE QUESTION IF YOU ARE FLYING IN THE DAY BEFORE SHOULD YOU JUST GO TO A STORE WHEN YOU GET THERE AND FOR WATER, DRINKS WHATEVER. AND THEN PUT IT IN YOUR LUGGAGE AS I AM SURE WITH AIRLINES YOU CAN'T BRING IT ON A PLANE. WE HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN TO N.O. I HAVE ALWAYS PACKED COLD DRINKS..BUT THIS YR ARE FLYING INTO ORLANDO. OH IS IT WARM ENOUGH TO SWIM IN DEC IF YOU ARE IN ST THOMAS OR ST MARTEEN.

[leadout_kv]

BLESS YOU MY CHILD!!!!! YEAH KUDOS AND MUCH MUCH MORE I HAVE BEEN MAKING LIST OF LITTLE THINGS i COULD THINK OF SINCE I HAVE CRUISED BEFORE BUT THIS LIST IS GREAT... ONE QUESTION IF YOU ARE FLYING IN THE DAY BEFORE SHOULD YOU JUST GO TO A STORE WHEN YOU GET THERE AND FOR WATER, DRINKS WHATEVER. AND THEN PUT IT IN YOUR LUGGAGE AS I AM SURE WITH AIRLINES YOU CAN'T BRING IT ON A PLANE. WE HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN TO N.O. I HAVE ALWAYS PACKED COLD DRINKS..BUT THIS YR ARE FLYING INTO ORLANDO. OH IS IT WARM ENOUGH TO SWIM IN DEC IF YOU ARE IN ST THOMAS OR ST MARTEEN.

 

Are you yelling at us? :eek: I just wanted to point out that when you put everything in capital letters it can appear that you're yelling. I would recommend turning off your caps lock.

[lisa702]

Just grab a Walmart or Target gift card...they are free and they work!!

 

I don't think the gift cards are free.

[mnd2006]

this may sound like a really stupid question, but from what i am hearing any magnetized card can open your safe. What is the point of having a safe if anyone can come in and use a magnetized card (be it their sail and sign or an unused gift card) to open it up? Or do you program it to take only your specific card?

[reno3]

My tip for all of the good "tips". I have gone through the whole thread and copied what I wanted and then pasted it into a word doc on my desk top so I can just add to it when I need to. I will then print it out at the end when my cruise gets closer:D