Before Cruise: Carnival Cruise
It’s cheaper to order things before your cruise. You can order cases of bottled water, alcoholic beverages, sodas, juices or gifts to be delivered to your stateroom. You can also have your room decorated for a special occasion. You can order the “cheers” or “bubbles” program.
They also now offer pixel packages that are only available prior to the cruise. Once on the ship, you will have to pay for each photo individually.
The wifi plans are cheaper if you order online before the cruise. It saves up to 15% when booked prior to sailing versus onboard prices. You have up to 24 hours before cruise day to order. They offer different plans.
Social Plan $4/day included all social networks
Value Plan $10.25/day includes all of your favorite sites including e-mail, news, sports, weather etc.
Premium Plan $14.88/day includes all of the above and Skype. It also promises the fastest possible connection with speeds 3 times faster than the other plans.
You may pay by the day or for the whole trip.
Download the Carnival Hub app before you set sail. It will allow you to see the Fun Times (events for the day) order pictures, keep up with your account balance, see the menus, ship maps, all for free. You can pay $5 per phone and text or “chat” with your friends and family that are on the ship.
Embarkation Day
Embarkation day is busy. When you arrive at the terminal the porters will take your luggage. The next time you’ll see it, is when it’s delivered to your stateroom door. It’s also good to take a photo of your luggage, just in case it gets lost, you can show guest services the picture to help locate it faster.
Do not get to the cruise terminal earlier than your set arrival time, they will not allow you in the terminal before then.
When you get in the terminal you will go through the process….customs, security, also your carry-on luggage will have to go through the security belt, so make sure it will fit. Then you will be in a waiting area until it’s time for you to board.
Carry on Bag
Make sure to have all of your cruise boarding documents with you, boarding pass, health screening paper (it will print with your boarding pass), Passports, birth certificate and a photo ID if no passport in your carry on bag.
I recommend having your medicines, camera, tablet or any expensive jewelry in a carry-on bag. Some like to put a change of clothes, swimsuits, sunscreen in them. Do not lock any of your luggage, carry-on or checked.
You may bring a 12 pack of sodas per person and a small bottle of wine, per person, over 21. This will have to be in your carry-on luggage.
ONCE ON SHIP
Once you get on the ship, you may eat lunch. After lunch, we like to explore the ship. The elevators will be very crowded and mid ship elevators shut down for the staff to deliver luggage. So, take the stairs if you’re able. You can locate your room but it may not be ready for you at that time.
Also, the fun shops and casino will not be open until you hit international waters. (usually a few hours)
UNPACK
Once you’re able to get into your room, unpack. I know you’re excited and ready to begin your fun but it’s so much easier to get your room set up before you set sail.
MUSTER DRILL
The not so fun but necessary safety drill. The last thing you want to do after you board the ship is an emergency drill. In any event, this is a mandatory attendance event for all passengers. You must attend! They count how many people are in each safety area where you meet and will not start until every passenger is in their right spot, so get there so you don’t hold it up. The crew will show you how to put on life jackets, where your lifeboat is located, and escape routes. Hopefully, you won’t need them but you are prepared if you do. So get there quick, listen learn it and file it away. As soon as it’s over the fun begins!
SAIL AWAY PARTY
Attend the sail away party on the lido deck. The cruise director and DJ will there and there will be dancing and lots of fun. It gives you a chance to wave to people as you set sail. It’s really a fun time!
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PICTURES
Take lots of pictures of your own. They will have many photo opportunities as well.
It won’t be long until it’s time for dinner. If your luggage hasn’t arrived by dinner time, they allow you to go as you are on the first night. But you should have it before then.
Have fun and be safe!!
BON VOYAGE
Here is the link to my facebook group, I would love to have you join.
Enjoying the simple life,
💜 Davilyn
It was nice to have a vacation in January, right after the busyness of the holidays. We had never cruised in the winter before and it was so great. We laid out on the lido deck, eating tacos, Guys Burgers & ice-cream, among other things.
In Cozumel the weather was perfect. We went to a beach resort & listen to the sound of the beautiful ocean, and ate authentic Mexican food. I’m a tex mex girl, but those fajitas in Mexico are sooo good. I’m really missing all of it right now. 😫
We love to cruise!!😎 We normally do a 7 day cruise late spring. It goes to three different islands, we love the islands. We also love just being on the ship. When we can’t cruise, our favorite thing is going to the beach. The closes one to us is only 3 hours away, and sometimes we make a day trip out of it. I just need beach time, no matter what time of year. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt water, it does wonders for my stress levels.
