General helpful tips and suggestions

If you have cruised before PLEASE feel free to add to this list!

Naturally, tap water is always plentiful and free. Why not bring along a powdered drink mix such as Crystal Light for a flavorful and refreshing change? An insulated cup or mug makes it easy to prepare and keep chilled—cabin stewards keep ice buckets filled in passenger staterooms. Or, order up a pitcher of fruit juice from room service. Juices are complimentary and a healthy choice. Bottled was WAS $3.00 a bottle last year so you might want to bring your own container and just refill it.

Photographers will be everywhere and will take your picture OFTEN!! Portraits can be a lasting memory of your cruise, but you are under no obligation to purchase them. Take your own camera and ask a fellow passenger to snap your photo. If your camera is digital, you won't even have to pay for developing. Pictures will be taken before you get on the ship, the first night at dinner, every time you get off the ship (at every port), and ESPECIALLY that last night of the "fancy" dinner. There will be photographers set up ALL OVER the ship and especially on the Promonade Deck.

yep!!! spent a small fortune on pics last time i went I will be bringing my camera this time

Now one thing that I DID buy was a "Carnival Cruise Scrapbook" and it was so cool. It had all the little things to put together and album of your cruise. I think it was under $20. I will get one of those again, for sure!!

didnt have that option i dont think on my last cruise sounds neat will have to as well

I didn't find the scrapbook kit until the LAST day of the trip. It was on a little stand out where the pictures were. I didn't see them in the regular stores.

Can you explain to me again how we pay for things on the ship as trying to sort out what we need to do re currency
Thanks

Did you fill out your FunPass and print out all your paper work?

When you do that they ask you what credit card you want to use OR if you want to set up a cash account. If it is a "cash" account then you will do that when you get onboard.

when you get on the ship you will be given a "Sign n' Sail" card. This is your room key AND your shipboard credit card AND your I.D. card while on the ship. There is a small personal safe in your room for valuables and cash. On the ship all of your "extras" are paid for with your sign and sail card and if there is ever a question about how much you have charged you can check at the front desk.

When you go ashore, you will use your cash money or personal credit card.

It is actually VERY easy and convenient.... once you get it figured out.

If you need more explanation, there is a very detailed article about it at www.carnival.com

See you very very soon!!

** Ailsa -- you probably need to convert to American Currency for your cash.

Hi another silly questios do we get towels provided like beach towels that we can take on excursions?

Also is there a facility in the room to ply cds?

Yes on the towels... the ship and the excursions provide all fresh towels.

No way to play CDs in the rooms.

Ok thanks, I can't believe it is getting so close. we are on countdown now hoping I get everything done in time

I saw on the Carnival site that you can buy a "fountain card" for your sodas. You can buy it in the pool area, the casino or I think it said on the lido deck. It didn't say how much it was, but that you can get refills anywhere on the ship during your whole cruise for free after you buy the card. But it does sound like you have to buy one per person, so me and the hubby will probably each get one. Anyone esle ever got this or know what I am talkin about?

I'm not sure how much the soda card costs....I think I recall about $30...but I may be way off.

DH and I always bring a few six packs of soda in our bags and the steward keeps them on ice for us. We bring a collaspsible ice chest.

Well, I'm telling you last year we simply walked up to the soda fountain on the lido deck and got a glass anytime we wanted. No one every questioned us or anything. In fact, there wasn't anyone there checking on it. So maybe I was doing it wrong in my ignorance.. hahaha... but sodas were free to me! hehehehehee... Oh wait maybe that was the $200 charge on my credit card?!?! JUST KIDDING!! hahaha

BUT if you go to the bar and order a drink, then it will cost you. If you ask one of the waiters or waitresses for a drink, then it will cost you. If you order room service it will cost you a "tip". .... BUT if you walk to the deck and do self serve... as far as I have experienced... it doesn't cost anything.

That will be so great to be able to get self serve sodas. I've always been able to get juices, punch, but not my diet drinks! I'll be at the Lido deck often - I think I'm a little bit addicted to my sodas.

Are you all packed yet? We're working on it!

Debbie