Beach towels, money etc.

[travgurl]

Should we take a beach towel for each person? I have read that Carnival supplies them on and off the ship, but I am afraid of loosing them somehow. Should we carry cash and/or travelers checks? Do the shops in ports take the traveler check? Can men wear shorts to the dining room on the casual nights?

[TennisLover]

You don't have to take your own beach towels. Just use Carnival's beach towels, which will be in your cabin (and replaced with clean/dry ones each night). It's really not a problem to keep track of them.

 

We take cash, not traveler's checks. Remember to take a lot of small bills, in case shops in ports or taxis (which all take US dollars) don't have change. I also like to take small bills for tipping in the piano bar :D .

 

As for shorts for men in the dining room on casual nights -- I don't know what the rules say (I'm sure someone will post what the rule is), but my DH always wears pants (dockers) on casual nights. I don't even let my DS (now 12) wear shorts in the dining room for dinner (ok for breakfast). Believe me, both would rather be in shorts morning till night.

 

Hope this helps.

[Sandi149]

Should we take a beach towel for each person? I have read that Carnival supplies them on and off the ship, but I am afraid of loosing them somehow. Should we carry cash and/or travelers checks? Do the shops in ports take the traveler check? Can men wear shorts to the dining room on the casual nights?

 

Most of the stores in the ports take credit cards, at least the places I have been to. Where are you going?

 

Shorts in the dining room for casual night are a big no no. You can wear shorts to breakfast and lunch in the dining room though.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

The Carnival beach towels are nice and you can take them off the ship, but we have always taken our own for off the ship. Carnival's are very thick and heavy, we always take one that is thinner and lighter. It is a lot easier to carry around and takes up a lot less space in our pack.

No shorts are aloud in the dining room for diner. Dockers and a polo shirt are fine all nights but the two formal nights. You can wear shorts for breakfest and lunch in the main dining room.

We have always used traveler check on our cruises. We go to the casino cashier and cash a couple the night before being in any port. Some cash is a good idea for small purchases. Plus it's better to keep some small bills for tips, cabs, etc. All port will take traveler check and credit cards.

[Cotton]

........but we have always taken our own for off the ship. Carnival's are very thick and heavy, we always take one that is thinner and lighter. It is a lot easier to carry around and takes up a lot less space in our pack.

I agree. I think I've said the exact same thing hundreds of times on this board. I get the cheapie $4 WMart beach towels. I do not want to lug around heavy towels in a port, and also don't want to risk losing a Carnival towel. If I lose mine, no biggie.

Shorts - NONONO. Clearly stated in all info you'll get - "NO shorts allowed in the dining room in the evenings."

[Cruisetrio]

........but we have always taken our own for off the ship. Carnival's are very thick and heavy, we always take one that is thinner and lighter. It is a lot easier to carry around and takes up a lot less space in our pack.

 

I agree. I think I've said the exact same thing hundreds of times on this board. I get the cheapie $4 WMart beach towels. I do not want to lug around heavy towels in a port, and also don't want to risk losing a Carnival towel. If I lose mine, no biggie.

 

Shorts - NONONO. Clearly stated in all info you'll get - "NO shorts allowed in the dining room in the evenings."

 

Ditto that.....our daughters high school sells thinner beach towels for $5 and we bring those off of the ship. They are easier to roll up and fit in a beach bag and if we lose one, no big deal.

[buddyjo143]

You can bring traveler's checks and cash them on board at the Purser's desk. That way you have the safety of the traveler's check but the convenience of the cash when you are in port.

[TheJunks]

As for the dining room, I would say no to wearing shorts but there is always someone that does it. We saw all kinds of dress on the casual nights. They even say no jeans but people wore them and we never saw anyone being turned away for what they were wearing. Personally, I wouldn't want to wear shorts because the dining rooms are always so cold. I always had a wrap or a sweater with me.

[TheJunks]

Oops, forgot to comment on the cash thing. We took both cash and credit cards. When we could use credit cards, we used them. You get a better exchange rate with them. One thing to remember, is make sure your bank knows you are traveling to another country so they don't deny your credit card sale. We had that happen to us on a vacation. Now we always call to let them know where we are going so we don't have that problem.

[Cotton]

As for the dining room, I would say no to wearing shorts but there is always someone that does it.

 

You're kidding, right? The first night is fine whatever you wear when boarding the ship, but during the cruise? I've seen Maitre d' turning folks away for being inappropriately dressed.

 

They even say no jeans but people wore them ...

 

There is not a 'no jeans' policy. The only thing they say is "no shorts or tees allowed in the dining room for the evening meal". Although jeans are certainly not appropriate for a formal dining room setting, they are allowed...not with a smile, I'm sure. Shows lack of class.;)