Carnival Secrets they Usually Don't Tell You About 2

[nothomeonacruise]

Rather than save the thread, you can save a document in your computer for specific cruises you're planning, or just general tips. Then copy and paste things to the document. I do this before every cruise, esp. about ports and specific things I learn about the ship, then print it out before I leave and make DH read it on the plane and we have it for reference while we're away.

 

Exactly what I did with this thread. I saved it in Word. :)

[okbookgirl]

great list subbing to this thread

[ysg]

Thanks so much I emailed your list to my fellow cruisers!

 

Sharyn

[cruzvickie]

Just thought I'd say a word or two about seasickness.....:(

 

My hubby got sick every time we would cruise, finally I ask a person onboard where they got the patch worn behind their ear....

It is a patch for motion sickness, way better than Dramimine or

pills onboard, won't make you sleepy. Completely functional.

They are by prescription only and are called Scopolamine. (Trans Derm Scop. Generic form) Start wearing one 24 hours before boarding. Each one lasts 72 hours and is waterproof. Best advice that I can offer to people who need them. Prescription of 4 patches is about $40.00.

 

 

Also to the Shoppers......:)

 

Bring an extra duffle bag folded up in the suitcase.. just for those souvenirs bought in port. I also bring a portable bag/backpack with wheels for those long days in port....all that stuff gets really heavy.

 

 

Happy Cruising

Vickie

[dromMOM]

If you plan on wearing your S & S card on a lanyard. The minute we board we go to the Bar in the Lobby where you first get on and ask the bartender to punch a hole! So we dont have to stand in line at pursers or casino to get the card punched!!!

 

And we bought a soda card for my son there too..

 

also don't forget to bring a thick rubber band or some tape for the Hair Dryer. The on button needs to be held to operate the dryer. I could not hold the button for too long.. so the rubber band came in handy.

[Honeybear]

This is not a secret but a tip. Nothing unusual I just haven't seen it mentioned. When we went to breakfast each morning I filled up my large water bottle to the very top with ice then I add water. As the ice melts I have a continued supply of cold water. This will last me my entire day without a refill, I drink a LOT of water. BTW, you are not suspose to drink the water on some of the Islands.

It has a shoulder strap on it and also a pocket for my money (days on the islands) and SS card (while on the ship). It even holds my camera!

[sewcarve]

Great idea! At home, I freeze a half full bottle of water, top it off before I go out, and have cool water to drink. Where did you find the water bottle/strap/pocket? Sounds like a must have!

 

This is not a secret but a tip. Nothing unusual I just haven't seen it mentioned. When we went to breakfast each morning I filled up my large water bottle to the very top with ice then I add water. As the ice melts I have a continued supply of cold water. This will last me my entire day without a refill, I drink a LOT of water. BTW, you are not suspose to drink the water on some of the Islands.

It has a shoulder strap on it and also a pocket for my money (days on the islands) and SS card (while on the ship). It even holds my camera!

[Honeybear]

Great idea! At home, I freeze a half full bottle of water, top it off before I go out, and have cool water to drink. Where did you find the water bottle/strap/pocket? Sounds like a must have!

 

They say, great minds think alike, I do the exact same thing! It's certainly not the cost of the water but that ice.

Where else? :D Walmart! I think it was 5-6 dollars last year. I love it and wouldn't want to cruise without it. I treat my water bottles like babies treat their bottles. lol

I gotta have that water and I want it cold.

[crystalblue0610]

Thankyou, I was looking for the original one.

 

Why do I need a lanyard from the casino?

[Attack Dog]

Thankyou, I was looking for the original one.

 

Why do I need a lanyard from the casino?

 

You don't need one. It's optional if you don't want to carry your sail and sign card in your wallet, purse, pocket, ect. I don't like them but I think most people do.

[msbr]

You all have done such a fantastic job, I did not think I could add a thing, but some posters mentioned Bank of America, credit cards in safe and taking just one credit card in to port.

Please, please, please, TAKE MORE THAN ONE CREDIT CARD INTO ANY GIVEN PORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we swam with the dolphins in St Maarten last November, they filmed a beautiful DVD and had some remarkable pix of our dds kissing and hugging IsIs, our dolphin. When we went to pay, we had only taken our American Express. They did not take American Express.:(

I cried and panicked all the way back to the ship. We called them from the doc with our Bank of America Visa and purchased them via the phone and paying a $15 mailing fee. In February, I had $3000 worth of charges that Bank of America found suspicious, :eek: they have one of the most conservative and alert fraud departments imho,and they called me...sure enough, I had not made any of the seven purchases. When we looked back at the account, the only purchases I made giving out my card number and not actually siding my card through a register key pad, was in St. Maarten. (I am not saying the business was corrupt. Heaven knows there are a zillion ways to get credit numbers these days. I am simply saying, I shared my CC info out loud, over the phone to get a copy of those one in a lifetime memories. Once those numbers we copied in writing or overheard by someone standing behind me, I was vulnerable.)

So please, take more than one credit card into port.! :rolleyes: We created a miserable situation for ourselves trying to take as little as possible...Like one more credit card would have broken our backs!!!!

[Attack Dog]

You all have done such a fantastic job, I did not think I could add a thing, but some posters mentioned Bank of America, credit cards in safe and taking just one credit card in to port.

 

Please, please, please, TAKE MORE THAN ONE CREDIT CARD INTO ANY GIVEN PORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

have one of the most conservative and alert fraud departments imho,and they called me...sure enough, I had not made any of the seven purchases. When we looked back at the account, the only purchases I made giving out my card number and not actually siding my card through a register key pad, was in St. Maarten. (I am not saying the business was corrupt. Heaven knows there are a zillion ways to get credit numbers these days. I am simply saying, I shared my CC info out loud, over the phone to get a copy of those one in a lifetime memories. Once those numbers we copied in writing or overheard by someone standing behind me, I was vulnerable.)

 

 

That's scary.

 

Personally I use cash or travelers checks whenever possible.

[silky_mommy]

You all have done such a fantastic job, I did not think I could add a thing, but some posters mentioned Bank of America, credit cards in safe and taking just one credit card in to port.

 

Please, please, please, TAKE MORE THAN ONE CREDIT CARD INTO ANY GIVEN PORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

When we swam with the dolphins in St Maarten last November, they filmed a beautiful DVD and had some remarkable pix of our dds kissing and hugging IsIs, our dolphin. When we went to pay, we had only taken our American Express. They did not take American Express.:(

 

I cried and panicked all the way back to the ship. We called them from the doc with our Bank of America Visa and purchased them via the phone and paying a $15 mailing fee. In February, I had $3000 worth of charges that Bank of America found suspicious, :eek: they have one of the most conservative and alert fraud departments imho,and they called me...sure enough, I had not made any of the seven purchases. When we looked back at the account, the only purchases I made giving out my card number and not actually siding my card through a register key pad, was in St. Maarten. (I am not saying the business was corrupt. Heaven knows there are a zillion ways to get credit numbers these days. I am simply saying, I shared my CC info out loud, over the phone to get a copy of those one in a lifetime memories. Once those numbers we copied in writing or overheard by someone standing behind me, I was vulnerable.)

 

So please, take more than one credit card into port.! :rolleyes: We created a miserable situation for ourselves trying to take as little as possible...Like one more credit card would have broken our backs!!!!

 

Lucky you had Bank of America because they are very good on shuting down your account or letting you know if something does not seem right.

[Maddog Steel]

Okay, one more tip...hangers! I always bring enough for each outfit. When I unpack, I put an entire outfit on each hanger so that I don't have to waste any time getting ready every day and helps cut down on wrinkles. It's also a great way to make things less hectic if you are traveling with small children.

And if you want to cheat, when you pack your suitcase, put the outfits on the hangers and when you get your bags, all you have to do is open your suitcase, hang the stuff up then hit the Lido Deck!

[EydieG]

for the shower curtains that blow inwards and stick to you (and to those before you).. get some heavy clothes pins or those clips you use for outdoor tablecloths and clip them to the bottom to weigh down the curtain so it won't keep trying to hug you!! :p

 

Wait a minute. On our last two cruises (not on Carnival) we had shower doors. Do you mean we have to go back to those hugging curtains?

 

Thanks for all the tips, they are great!

[lindanick]

I know some had said that the higlighters were used to mark things to do that day, but to us they were great for Bingo. I hate those turn down the tabs. This is alot easier.

 

Linda

[nwiacpl]

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.

 

 

What "cards" are you referring to? As we are taking our 3 girls with us, any little extra help is great!

[crystalblue0610]

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.

 

 

What "cards" are you referring to? As we are taking our 3 girls with us, any little extra help is great!

 

I keep hearing about this one but exactly how am I to do this.

 

Just copy paste the deck plans.....can someone give me a step by step. I only use word for papers and stuff so I'm sort of iffy on anything else.

 

Thanks:)

[dromMOM]

Thankyou, I was looking for the original one.

 

Why do I need a lanyard from the casino?

 

I usually wear it during the day. I dont always have a pocket on me especially at sea days when i might be in a swimsuit with a tshirt coverup.

 

And it is great for the kids.. if you buy them a soda card or if they have their own room key to buy tokens.. etc.. for the games.

First trip my son put it down because is wasn't attached to him.

 

Now my husband always has a pocket and chooses that route..

[dromMOM]

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.

 

 

What "cards" are you referring to? As we are taking our 3 girls with us, any little extra help is great!

 

They pass out cute very small easy to use Cards with the ship info and maps as you board.. I still have mine from past cruises so If I am on a conquest class ship I can grab any one from my past cruises on the Valor or Liberty etc.. and be ready.

 

SO you really dont need to waste too much time on that!

[crazysis]

i will be going on my first cruise in april of 2008. all of this info is extremely useful!! i am trying to learn as much as i can and i have been jumping from one site to another to find out everything i need to know. this site is great cause i can look in one place and find all the hints i will need. thanks again.

by the way my sis who is currently on a cruise read your hint about the heavy clothes pins for the shower curtains and i know that she made sure to pack some. she has been on several cruises already which goes to show that all this info is valuable no matter how small it may seem. :)

[CruiseQueen13]

I never leave home w/o my collapsing shoe organizer - I hang in closet - great for camera, bags, belts, hair access, etc. Also another, I too am a huge fan of duct tape!

[ballarinamom]

Here are a few tips I haven't seen yet.

 

When we are able to drive, we bring our own case of water. BUT, last time ours came falling apart from all of the handling. So this year I will wrap it with packing tape around the sides.

Also, I hate to iron- especially on vacation! Now I use wrinkle releaser spray. It it amazing! Just spray it on smooth out the outfit and put it on! Downy makes the one I use now.

Also, we pack our nylon dive bag (it's huge but folds up really small).We don't dive anymore due to sinus problems. SOOOO- we put it in the bottom of our closet and use it for our dirty clothes. We use the new found space in our luggage for sourvenirs AND we are half way packed for the return home!

[New2Cruisin'family]

Thank you all so much ! We are going on our first cruise in July, a sudden change of vacation plans so we are literally planning everything in 8 weeks. My DD and I have gone through this entire thread, copying and pasting onto our Cruise Packing 101 Study Guide. Such great ideas !!!

 

I hope the ideas keep on coming, we want to have a wonderful time, especially so that DH has a wonderful time and wants to do it again ;) and again........

[cusyl]

I bring a vinyl pillow cover so that I don't have my face in a pillow someone with the norovirus had from the previous voyage.