Jason’s biggest fear about crusing was being stuck on a ship with thousands of people and it being overcrowded with not enough to do.  Well, needless to say… he was wrong!  You just cannot appreciate the shear size of a cruise ship until you step onboard.  It is comparable to a floating hotel, or better yet, a floating resort as it includes a casino, multiple pools, slides, kids clubs, night clubs, etc.  And let’s not forget the unlimited food selection.  And bars… did we mention the bars?

Another concern is feeling the ship’s motion.  Ships nowadays have massive stabilizers.  You often do not realize you are moving.  Have we felt the ship moving before?  Yes. But only during storms or really windy conditions and it didn’t bother us in the least.  You can actually get a really good night’s rest as the ship rocks you to sleep.

Gratuity 

On our first cruise, I paid the cruise fare and port taxes & fees for my family of five and got onboarc.  I linked a credit card for incidental spending and brought cash for spending in port.  But little did I know that ‘gratuties’ would be automatically added at the end of the cruise.  I truly had no idea and had not planned for this expense.  Luckily I had the money, but I could see this being a real problem for some on a tight budget.

Not only the overall gratuities that go to your stateroom steward and dining room wait staff, but Jason didn’t realized they were automatically adding a gratuity at the bar every time he ordered a drink!  Those bartenders were well tipped on that cruise as he added extra each time.

You can book excursions outside the cruise line

We had no idea what we wanted to do in port during our first cruise, which was a five-day itinerary to Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico.  So we went to the port excursions talk held in the theater on the first sea day and picked out what we wanted to do in Cozumel.  We didn’t see anything that interested us in Progresso so we were told we could explore on our own so we decided to give it a try.

I am very happy with the excursion we chose which was a sail & snorkel on a Fury catamaran and then a beach visit.  But I didn’t know that you could book excursions outside the cruise line.  Since then, I book some on my own and some through the cruise line depending on what we are wanting to do.

Also you don’t have to do an excursion in each port

Also, we didn’t know before boarding that we could explore on our own.  We really enjoyed just wandering the little town of Progresso, taking in the local culture, getting some yummy food, and taking a walk on the beach.  This is also where we encountered the ‘red tequila’, more on that later…

Order what you want!

Did you know that you could order more than one appetizer or more than one entrée or more than one dessert on a cruise?  We didn’t!  We had heard a rumor that this was true but didn’t really believe it.  I don’t think we ever did this on our first cruise.  But we sure do now!  Especially on elegant/formal night on Carnival, it is a must for Jason to get both the prime rib AND the lobster!  And for me, the crème brulee is only offered on this night… and it is really hard to choose between that and the chocolate melting cake… so sometimes I get both!

Sometime the rate can be adjusted 

With most cruise lines, if you book early then your cruise fare rate is adjustable!  Didn’t know this and paid for our first cruise and then never checked the cost again.  Now I know to check the rates!  If they go down, you can get your rate reduced.  Or you could possibly upgrade to a higher category for little or no additional cost.

And keep checking after you are paid in full.  You might just be able to get the difference in an onboard credit!

There are specials on the first day

Going on a spa tour on embarkation day is fun!  We didn’t discover this until we had many cruises under our belts.  You may be chosen for a free mini-treatment as part of a demonstration or you may be offered discounts.  And be sure to grab a raffle ticket and come back for the drawing.  We have never won ourselves, but we have seen many a very happy person win free spa treatments!!

Also, sometimes you can score a free bottle of wine for dining in a specialty restaurant on the first night.  For instance, on Carnival, dine in the steakhouse and this is a bonus treat!

Don’t miss the shows!

Cruise shows are spectacular!  We just didn’t go on our first cruise as we spend most of the time by the pool.  And on one cruise we missed them because we had late dining and the late show didn’t start until 10:30 and that was just too late for us. 

But once we discovered how much we enjoy this live entertainment, we never miss them!  We now choose early dining or anytime dining so our schedules work for the shows.  And if one is held at an odd time, we will choose to eat at the buffet or deli or pizza that night so we don’t miss it.

Did I happen to mention that we love the shows???  And I am mainly talking about the Broadway style shows in the theater, but don’t forget about the comedy or magic or variety shows… they have all been fantastic!

Don’t overpack!

We brought waaaaaay too many clothes on our first cruise!  Five big suitcases for five people on a five-day cruise… all sharing one cabin.  Yeah, we were so cramped for space!  PS – we never stayed five in one cabin again!  But that is a different story…  We brought multiple outfits for each day because we thought we needed one for during the day and one for at night and then special formal clothes and swimsuits, etc… 

Needless to say, we brought home a LOT of clean clothes.  And shoes!  Way too many shoes were packed.  No, you do not need a matching pair of shoes for every outfit!  No… you…. Don’t!  I have created a few packing videos to help others not make the same mistake that I have made!  Here is one:

You cell phone may night have the correct time!

We were in Cozumel having just gotten back from our oh-so-fun day of snorkeling and playing on the big jumpers at the beach and it was time to do some shopping!  So we wandered around the port going in and out of the shops.  Took our picture by the surfboards at Ron Jon’s Surf Shop.  Got a drink and some tacos at Three Amigos and thought we still had a couple of hours before needing to be back onboard.

Yep, the time was wrong on my cell phone and that is what we were going by.  Luckily we were close to the ship and when we saw everyone pouring through the gates to get back on we were smart enough to ask the time and find out we were wrong!

Moral of this story… wear a real watch and set it to ship time!!

How incredible a cruise vacation is, so much different than land

Wow, we had no idea how much we would love a cruise!  Before this, we had driven to a destination. Stayed in a hotel.  Maybe went to a theme park.  Ate at restaurants. ETC… Each with their own planning and individual price tag. 

I love that you plan the cruise and, well, that can be it.  Once onboard, you have options but choosing to eat a burger or tacos poolside is not really a hard decision to make.  Am I right?  The itinerary is laid out for you.   You can explore multiple ports in multiple countries all in the same trip.  It is simply amazing.  The one thing we regret is not starting to cruise sooner!!!

Bonus… don’t drink the red tequila in Mexico 

Funny story, well not funny at the time, but we can look back now and laugh.  Remember how we were strolling along the beach in Progresso and taking in the culture.  Well, Jason and his brother thought that a little tequila would be a ‘cultural’ experience! So there was a restaurant on the beach serving food and drinks so we stopped.  We grabbed a table with an umbrella and some nearby loungers. 

The waiter comes over an offers us ‘free tequila shots’…  When we saw the liquid in the bottle was red, that should have been a clue to say no… tequila is NOT red!!!  But not them!  They opened up wide and the ‘red tequila’ was poured straight into their mouths!  Oh yeah, this is fun huh?

Not so fun the next day when Jason is sick!  And I mean SICK!  He got ‘sick’ while snorkeling in Cozumel and then ended up laying on a beach bed the rest of the day and missed our fun adventure.  Nothing in life is free… don’t drink the red tequila! 

Want More?

Want to see the video version? Here you go!

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food & drinks; ports & excursions; shopping onboard & in portand activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post 10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Our First Cruise appeared first on EECC Travels.

Cruise Line Gratuities

Gratuities per person, per day will be added to your account unless they were prepaid. (Some cruise lines add this charge each day and some add all on  the second to last day of the cruise) This goes to your room steward, MDR wait staff and other behind the scenes personnel.

• Carnival current rate is $12.95 pp/pd (13.95 for suites)
• Royal Caribbean current rate is $14.50 pp/pd (17.50 for suites)
• Norwegian current rate is $14.50 pp/pd (17.50 for suites)
• These can be removed if you choose to tip in cash on some cruise lines
• Sometimes first time cruisers are not expecting this charge

Tip the bartender???

Gratuity is added to every drink you buy at the bar or every drink package. No need to tip above unless your bartender is awesome.

Yes, you can give extra

You can tip above and beyond the gratuities charged for great service

Small cash is king!

Bring small bills ($1s and $5s) to tip on the ship and especially in port. You may need or want to tip a porter for handling your bag, a performer or a special photo op or for a ride (examples: bicycle carts that bring you from the ship into port)

Specialize your tip

We like to bring a gift bag for our steward/attendant – (tide pods & dryer sheets are nice to add) – this is the one crew member you will have the most interaction with on board, make them feel special!

Room service

Room service is free or comes with a small fee but it is customary to tip the person who brings it to you.

BE NICE!!!

BE FRIENDLY to the crew! They will go out of their way to help you, be kind in return!

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food & drinks; ports & excursions; shopping onboard & in port and activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want to see these tips live:  Here is the video:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Tips: Gratuities & Tipping appeared first on EECC Travels.

There are lots of items you need to bring with you on a cruise to make your life comfortable.  Items like toiletries, medications, organizational items, etc.

Toiletries

Most cruise ships provide shampoo and body wash in the bathroom… but that is all.  Dollar Tree has travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash… and if you’re driving they have $1 full-size bottles too.  Also things like deodorants, hair get or hairspray, lotion and razors.  And this is a great place to get a new toothbrush for the trip along with toothpaste, mouthwash and flossers!

Sunscreen

There are perfect size bottles of sunscreen with both 30 and 50 SPF.  These are small enough to pack if flying!!!  And remember to buy lots f you are going to the Caribbean, that sun can be brutal!

They also have aloe gel in case you get a sunburn…

Medications

You can build an entire and fantastic first-aid kit from the Dollar Tree!!!  There are band-aids galore, first-aid cream, antiseptics, etc.  And small bottles of every oral medication you can think of… acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy medicine, stomach medicine, antiacids… you get the picture.  Don’t go to the drug store for these when you can save serious bucks here!

I like to get one of the large 7-day pill boxes and fill one box with each medication labeled so I don’t forget what’s in each one.  This is easier than carrying seven different bottles along.  I also recommend getting cough drops, etc as these items can be very expensive on the ship!  Trust me, I found this out the hard way…

This is also a great place to get hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes!!!

Organizational Items

You have a small cabin and lots of stuff… so you may want a few organizational items to make the most of your small space.  I like to get pop-up hampers or laundry bags for our dirty clothes.  Clothespins for hanging wet swimsuits on the shower line.  Towel clips for your beach towel.  And many more useful items for $1.

PS – these little mesh lingerie bags are perfect for collecting seashells!  You can put them in the bag and rinse the sand off of them and they will dry quickly!

And don’t forget your quart and gallon sized zip-lock bags!  Thes have a multitude of uses!!!

Packing items

If you are flying you will need to have all of your liquids fit the TSA rules.  You can find small plastic bottles that are perfect for this.  We also like to but shower caps which are 8 for $1.  Why shower caps you ask?  Well to put over your shoes to keep the dirty shoes separated from the clean clothes.

BAGS!

There are so many amazing bags here! They have tote bags perfect for going to the beach, small purse-style bags that have a long strap that can go across your body to take into port and cute reusable shopping bags.  We buy this shopping bags for making our room steward a gift bag and always pack one in case we get a bit carried away while shopping in port…

Lights in all shapes and sizes…

If you have an interior cabin, they are pitch black at night! Soo you may want a night light.  You can find the traditional plug-in style…

Or these battery operated tea lights that put off a small amount of light and don’t take up one of your valuable plugs…

And finally, glow sticks.  Crack one each night for light OR grab a few if your ship will be having a glow party or white night!!!

Cups

If you are like me, I like to bring my own cup as I drink a LOT of water and those little bitty cups provided just don’t cut it for me.  Dollar Tree has a wide variety of cups that work great for cold drinks or thermals for coffee.

Flip-Flops

Now, these are not available all year long, but if you are cruising in the Spring or Summer, you can grab some flippy flops for $1.  And they have a wide variety to choose from!

Keep in Touch

If you are not on a ship that has an app where you can connect with your shipmates, or you just decide to go offline, you still need to communicate.  You can pick up magnetic dry erase boards and markers, post-it notes, Sharpie markers and highlighters.

Door Decorations

The seasonal area at the front of the store has some great items for making inexpensive door decorations.  In the summer there are great beach-themed items, red, white & blue for Fourth of July, etc.   We like to cruise on Easter week since the kids are out of school so we create Easter-themed decorations.  This is a great idea for any time of the year.  There are always themed items in this area.

Sunglasses!!!

Where else can you get a pair of sunglasses for $1???  And these aren’t crap either.  There are some good looking glasses here!  Especially for kids, they have some really cute ones.  AND they have these fantastic straps that connect to the arms of your glasses so you can hang them around your neck!  Genious for kids!!!

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Shopping at Dollar Tree appeared first on EECC Travels.

This is how we pack for a cruise!

A week’s worth of clothing for two teenage boys

Each person packs…

• 1 casual outfit per day = shirt & shorts (mostly t-shirts or tanks but a couple of nicer shirts for the casual dinners)
• 1 full dress outfit (we usually only attend one formal night, but you can wear this outfit twice, you will only wear it for a few hours) OR if you feel you need two, pack two lightweight dresses for the girls and one dress outfit with two different ties for the guys.
• 1 pair of sneakers/walking shoes (wear these on your feet on embarkation day), 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals, 1 pair of dress shoes and possibly 1 pair of water shoes (some excursions require them)
• 1 pair of PJs
• 1-2 swimsuits
• Underwear & socks (enough for however many days you will be on the cruise)

Packing Cubes

Let’s talk a minute about packing cubes…  I have never used them before but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I bought one set to try out.  I packed one suitcase (my suitcase) in the packing cubes and used the rolling method for all of the others.  Let me back up one second to say that I used the rolling method WITH the packing cubes in my suitcase.

I really liked them!  I was able to organize all of my tops and dress and sweater in the large cube, my bottoms in the medium cube and swimwear in the small cube.  The set I bought also came with three pouches.  The largest pouch was the perfect size for underwear and I used the two smaller ones for jewelry, etc.

Can I live without them… yes.  But it was really nice to have the bag even one step more organized which is great for my over-organized personality!

My first time using packing cubes

Rolling Method

The rolling method is one thing I truly believe in!  Rolling the clothes very tightly saves a LOT of room and therefore you can fit more clothes in a smaller suitcase.  Also, rolling makes fewer wrinkles in nothing than folding.

Fold the shirt or pants in half and then roll from top to bottom.  Trust me, it really works!

Toiletries

Some items are provided for you like shampoo and body wash, but for the most part, you will need to bring what you need.  Here are a few suggestions:

• toothbrush & toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
• hairbrush
• curling iron or flat iron – hair dryer is provided but some prefer to bring their own
• hair gel or hair spray
• shampoo and conditioner
• deodorant
• perfume, jewelry, etc.
• make-up

I found a great toiletries organizational bag with lots of pouches of all sizes.  I was able to put the toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss on one zipper pouch, the deodorants in the other zipper pouch and the main area in the middle held the large items like shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and my hairbrush.

Proper Paperwork

• Boarding pass (printed during online check-in)
• Proper identification
  • Passport or birth certificate
  • State issued driver’s license

And the extras

• Power strip for additional plugs (no surge protector) – there is only ONE plug in the room (well sometimes two but not many)!
• Decorate your door – it makes your room easier to locate
• Backpack or beach bag
• SUNSCREEN and bring LOTS of it! Also, aloe gel in case of a sunburn – the Caribbean sun is intense!
• HAT! See above about the sun
• Sunglasses (and maybe a backup pair)
• Bug repellent for in port
• Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer – 4,000+ people = lots of germs
• Highlighter to mark the activities on board that you don’t want to miss
• Post-it notes or small dry erase board for messages
• Ziploc bags to put your cell phone/camera in while in port and to pack wet things in for the drive home
• Binoculars for looking off of the ship
• Small first aid kit (with band-aids)
• Over-the-counter medications and also any prescriptions you need
• Seasickness medicine (just in case) – Sea Bands, Dramamine or ginger work well
• Pop-up clothes hamper or laundry bag for dirty clothes
• In case of wanting to do laundry: detergent pods, dryer sheets & quarters for machines
• Tide pen or Shout wipes for spills on clothing
• Downy Wrinkle Releaser is great instead of ironing
• Lightweight sweater or jacket – it can get chilly on deck at night
• Clothespins are great for hanging wet swimsuits to dry on the line in the bathroom.
• Towel clips for beach towels – it can get very windy on deck
• Large cup with a lid for water and/or coffee, the cups are very small on the ship
• Portable radio to listen to the local music while in port
• Magnet hooks – cabin walls are metal so extra hooks for storage are great
• Over the door shoe hanger is great for the bathroom if you have lots of toiletries
• Lanyard for your sail & sign card
• Extra memory cards and batteries for your camera/video camera
• Carnival allows one bottle of wine (750ml) per adult and soda (12 pack) per person in carry-on luggage (NOTE: we use bungee cords to strap the 12 pack of soda to the top of our luggage)

Want more details on these extras?  Here is the full post.

PS – Don’t forget your wine needs to be in your carry-on, not your checked bag!!!!

Want a printable packing list?  Click here for Packing List

The post Packing for a Cruise – 7 days in a Carry-On Bag appeared first on EECC Travels.

The Breeze also has all of the new restaurants including Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig  & Anchor, Blue Iguana Cantina, Bonsai Sushi and Cucina del Capitano.

We will start on deck 3 and work our way up…

Deck 3

Carnival Breeze Atrium Lobby

Carnival Breeze Atrium Lobby

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater

Carnival Breeze Ovation Theater (view from deck 4)

Carnival Breeze Sapphire Dining Room

Deck 4

Carnival Breeze Deck Map – these are at each elevator

Digital Pixels Gallery

Digital Pixels Gallery

Carnival Breeze Thrill Theater

Thrill Theater Ticket Prices

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club Lounge Area

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club Gaming Center

Circle C 12-14 Teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club Dance Floor

Club O2 15-17 teen Club

Club O2 15-17 Teen Club Lounge Area

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade

Warehouse Arcade – my favorite game!!!

Blush Dining Room

Deck 5

Carnival Breeze Limelight Lounge

Limelight Lounge

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Piano Bar 88

Piano Bar 88

Liquid Nightclub

Liquid Nightclub

Red Frog Pub Indoor Patio

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub

Red Frog Pub Game Room with Shuffleboard and Foosball

Red Frog Pub Outdoor Patio

Alchemy Bar

Ocean Plaza

Pixels Gallery

Casino

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Fun Shops

Let’s go outside on Deck 5

Deck 5 goes all the way around the ship… so go for a walk!

View from the front of the ship

View from the back of the ship

Deck 5 Walking Track

Deck 10 – Lido

Guy’s Burger Joint

Guy’s Burger Joint

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar

Lido Pool with lots of fun towel animals

Lido Pool

Lido Pool Deck Area

Lido Pool at Night

Tides Pool

Deck 12 – Sports Square & Carnival WaterWorks

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square Mini Golf

Sports Square Mini Golf & SkyCourse

Sports Square

Sports Square Basketball Court

Sports Square Outdoor Exercise

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

I hope you have enjoyed this picture tour of the Carnival Breeze!

If you would like to see the video tour, here you go:

Do you want to see more cruise posts?  Click here.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Carnival Breeze: Full Ship Tour appeared first on EECC Travels.

Here is how the pre-purchased packages look now:

$99.98 – Pixels – 5 photos and 1 canvas print

$199.98 – Pixels Plus – All of your photos

$249.98 – Pixels Max – All of your photos + 50 digital or printed photos

Notes for Pixels Plus & Pixels Max:

If you are on a digital ship, your images will be provided digitally.

If you are on a non-digital ship, photos will be printed.

So this means with Max, if you are on a digital ship, all of your photos will be provided digitally and then you can choose 50 to be printed.  On the flip side, if you are on a non-digital ship, all of photos will be printed and you will choose 50 to also get the digital image on a flash drive.

Digital only ships:

Vista, Horizon, Panorama, Breeze, Conquest, Magic and Victory

Read the details…

• Must be purchased no later than the day before you set sail.
• Only photos associated with the stateroom purchasing will be included
• At least 1 person from the cabin must be in the picture or kids under 21 staying in a different cabin
• Group photos of 10 or more are not included
• Dream Studios is not included
• Print sizes will vary from 8×10, 5×7 and 6×9 with the exception of the Vista, Horizon, Panorama, Breeze, Conquest, Magic and Victory which only provide 8×10.
• Images taken on the last evening of the cruise will only be available in print
• All phots must be redeemed during the voyage
• Any photos purchased on the Hub app ar not included
• If not on a digital ship you should collect your printed photos daily and turn in to be kept in your folder.
• You may buy a package for a non-digital ship and it is converted to digital before your sailing – if so your package will convert as well
• Upon arrival on the ship, you must take your Pixels gift ticket (delivered to your room) to the Pixels gallery to activate the package – must be redeemed by the second day!

Also available onboard!

If you forget to pre-book or didn’t know these packages existed… no worries.  You can buy the packages on board, but at a higher cost.  Carnival is advertising a 20% savings for pre-orders.

We bought a package in the introductory phase which was all of the photos both printed and digital.  If you would like to see my review, click here.

I feel that you can definitely get your money’s worth out of these packages!

So put on your smile and find a man with a camera!!!

Do you want to see more cruise posts?  Click here.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Carnival Cruise Lines: Updates to Pixels Photo Packages appeared first on EECC Travels.

Carnival announced on March 22, 2018, that pre-purchased photo packages were finally available! Since this was so close to our cruise on April 1st I decided to give it a try. At the time the three options were:

Pixels Package 1: 5 Photos and 1 Canvas Print for $99

Pixels Plus Package 2: All Your Prints for $199

Pixels Plus Digital Package 3: All Your Prints Plus Digital File for $249

As of April 16, 2018, the package prices are now as follows:

Pixels Package 1: 5 Photos and 1 Canvas Print for $99 – stayed the same

Pixels Plus Package 2: All Your Prints for $249

Pixels Plus Digital Package 3: All Your Prints Plus Digital File for $399

Note:  these are pre-purchase only!  You must go to Carnival.com to the Fun Shops and purchase your package prior to your cruise.  On the ship, the photos are the same cost as they have always been.

This post contains affiliate links, you can read our disclosure policy here. 

Our experience

I really wanted the digital images so we went with the $249 package. A photo package is what you make of it, so we took lots of photos and definitely got our money’s worth! We got pictures from embarkation day and each port day.  There were photographers in the dining rooms during the Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast and also taking pictures in the evenings.  And of course, there are photo ops all over the ship!  On elegant evenings, the backdrops are glittery and well, elegant.  But they had some fantastic casual backdrops too that looked like you were on a beach or standing in front of a cruise ship.  One evening they had special Dr. Seuss backdrops where you could take pictures with the characters or even done the wig… or full costume and take funny pics.

Here are a few tips of what to expect and how to best use your package:

Activate your package

These are pre-purchase packages only.  So you will have a receipt delivered to your cabin on embarkation day of what package you purchased.  You must take this to the Pixels gallery to activate your package.  They will then give you instructions on how it will work.  What we were told, is that at the end of each day our photos will be printed and saved for us.  We were to come after 9:00 PM on the last night to pick them up.

The Carnival Breeze is a digital ship so they do not print all of the pictures.  This is why they have to print ours at the end of each day.  If you are on a traditional Pixels ship, you can go and gather all of the printed photos during the day and they will hold them for you for later pickup.

Fun note…. the digital only ships are really cool!  They will only print the photos from embarkation, but they have stations (like iPads) all over the ship where you can log in with your folio number and date of birth to browse your pictures.  There is even one in the Pixels gallery that is floor to ceiling so you can view them in almost life size!  We really liked doing this.  Also, you can view them all on the Carnival Hub app… and if you didn’t buy a photo package, you can purchase the ones you want directly from the app!  Gotta love technology!

Digital only ships are the Breeze, Magic, Vista, Horizon, Panorama, Conquest, Paradise and Victory.

Use the right cabin number

We had two cabins on this cruise and one photo package…  Let me back up here by saying that yes, this is allowed.  When Carnival first released these packages it stated ‘one package per cabin’; well may people complained and they corrected this.  There are many families like ours, who need two (or more) cabins to be comfortable.

The rules state that one person from one of your cabins must be in the photo. So, yes, your kids can take pictures with friends they meet onboard… we did!

Ok, so the package was linked to room 1249, but on occasion, one of the kids gave their room number of 1251.  I went to the Pixels gallery and they were supposed to link those photos to our package… but they did not.  I have put in a request online for these photos and I am sure I will get them… but what a hassle!  If you are in this circumstance, make sure you use the right number every time!

You’ve got it… use it!

There are photographers EVERYWHERE!  So if you get the package use it!  We took LOTS of photos!  Keep scrolling to see them…

Digital isn’t completely digital…

The digital package will include all photos’ digital copy on a flash drive for all but the last day of the cruise.  So if you are on a seven day cruise, days 1-6 will be on the flash drive but any photos taken on that 7th day will be in print format only.

Now let’s see these photos!!!

Embarkation day:

Port Day Photos:

Casual Photos:

And the snazzy ones from the two elegant nights:

And just for fun:

These are not all of the photos either!!!  Just a sampling of our favorites!  Each photographer takes multiple shots and YOU GET THEM ALL!

Again, a photo package is what you make out of it.  So I say, if you bought it, then use it!!!!

I am still keeping out the hopes that one day soon, Carnival will come up with an all digital package as this is ideally what my family would like to have.  Then we can print the few we want to frame and have the rest to put in digitally created photo books (Shutterfly) or post, because we all know these photos are going all over social media!!!

Note: I created this post/video on 4/15/18 and on 4/16/18 Carnival changed the prices of these packages with no warning which has upset MANY people! This is a review of my experience, which was positive! I think $249 for the package is a fair price. Would I pay $399 for the same thing? Probably not…

If you would like to see this info in video format… here you go:

Do you want to see more cruise posts?  Click here.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Carnival Cruise Line: Pixels Plus Digital Photo Package Review appeared first on EECC Travels.

I am a super research person and like to know what I am getting into on any vacation!  So I went out looking for recent Fun Times to see what events, food, etc would be available on our cruise.

So, I am now returning the favor.  Below are the Fun Times for the week of April 1-7 onboard the Carnival Breeze.

And here is the full week’s entertainment schedule:

Want to download them all?  Here is a PDF version of all seven days.

It was a wonderful cruise and I hope this may help in planning your upcoming adventure!

There will be many more posts from the Carnival Breeze, so please subscribe to our newsletter for all future posts!

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Fun Times on the Carnival Breeze – April 2018 appeared first on EECC Travels.

Attend the on board shopping show

If you are new to cruising, attend the shopping show! It’s a lot of fun and very informative.  Each cruise ship has a professional shopper on board who can give you the ins and outs and the best places to shop in port.  Especially if you are in the market for large purchases like jewelry!  Yes, she may lead you into a shop that is working with the cruise line and yes she make make a commission of of the sale.  But you can be sure this way you are getting a good product.

Pro tip: Be sure to sit up front as they throw free stuff into the audience!!

Photo from Cruise Critic

Let the bank know…

Make bank and credit card companies aware you are traveling out of the country.  Nothing will be more frustrating than finding the perfect purchase only to have your credit card declined!  They do this for your protection of suspicious purchases so let them know that sale in Mexico is coming from you!

Don’t use a debit card!

This can create holds on your checking account and there is less protection against fraud.  Instead use a credit card with a free international exchange rate.

Cash is best in port

Have smaller bills for ‘negotiating’ with vendors.  Many of the vendors will tell you a price when you first ask and then throw a lower price at you when you begin to walk away.  Know this going in and be prepared to negotiate for what you want.  It still kills me that my brother-in-law and I bought the same item in Cozumel and he paid less than I did because I caved on the price too soon!!!

Leave the cruise port

The shops outside of the cruise port will have better deals than those when you first get off the ship. You will also have a better chance of negotiating prices with these vendors.  Many of the shops within the port have their prices regulated so if you are looking for a good deal, look outside of these shops that are laid at your feet for convenience.

Did you forget a t-shirt?

Forgot to buy something in port? They will more than likely have the souvenir you are looking for in the shops.

I collect magnets from each port we visit and was upset when we ran out of time and I was unable to get one in Jamaica.  No worries, they had one on the onboard gift shop!

FLASH SALE

Check out the on board shops for their shopping deals – some are not great, but sometimes there is a good deal like t-shirts 2 for $20.  You will also find good deals on watches, etc on certain nights of the cruise.

Free liquor???

Shops will normally have free samples of alcohol on certain nights… check your schedule.  This is always fun!  There is usually a long line, but strike up a conversation.  They will hand you a small cup and allow you try a few of the options they are selling.  And there is usually a sale to go along with the tasting…

Of course, all purchases are duty free on a cruise ship!

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food & drinks; ports & excursions; tips & gratuities and activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want to see these tips live:  Here is the video:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Tips: Shopping While in Port & On the Ship appeared first on EECC Travels.

There are five options of what to do while visiting a port:

1. Book a shore excursion through your cruise line (this can be pre-booked online or while you are on the cruise ship)
2. Book online with an outside vendor
3. Walk off the ship and hire one of the local tour guides in the port
4. Explore the port on your own
5. Stay on the ship

While some of you may want to stay on board and enjoy and empty ship… these tips will help everyone else enjoy their day in port.

Pre-book through your cruise line

If you want to book through your cruise line, do it online before your leave for your cruise.  There are several reasons to do this.

1.  Some popular excursion book up quickly so if you wait until you are on board you will miss out.
2.  You can research the excursion better.  Online, there is a rating system and reviews from cruisers who have done this exact excursion! Also, you can read other reviews online (Cruise Critic, Trip Adviser, etc) and look for videos on YouTube.  To me a video really lets me know if I will enjoy it or not.
3.  Price protection – Carnival offers a price guarantee where if you find the SAME excursion for less online, they will price match it 110%.  And this does work, I have done it before.  It has to be the exact same description so read the details.

Isla Pasion, Cozumel

Pre-book with outside vendor

There are many reasons to do this, but price is a big one.  Check online before leaving to book excursions for way less than through the ship.  Each cruise line builds in a little for themselves as a referral fee for organizing the excursion.  So if you book direct with the local vendors, you may save substantially!

Another reason is that not everything is offered through the cruise line.  Example: we were going to Montego Bay and wanted to go to an all-inclusive resort.  so we began searching with Carnival what was available and then we looked to see what other resorts were in the area.  We found Suncape Splash and loved it… but Carnival didn’t offer an excursion there.  So we booked with resortforaday.com for a day pass to the resort with round trip transportation.  It was a wonderful experience!

However, if you are wanting to go a long way from port, I would be wary of this option as there is no guarantee the ship will wait for you!

Do your research!

If you book outside the cruise line then do your research and be sure to book with a reputable company!  Read their reviews on Trip Adviser.  Email them and see how long it takes to get a reply.  Do they have a money back guarantee if the ship cannot stop in that port?  I make sure I am comfortable with a company before booking an excursion with them.

Goff’s Caye, Belize

New to cruising and need more info?

If you are new to cruising, and did not pre-book excursions, attend the informational talk on board.  The cruise director and members of the shore excursions desk staff will be there to present excursion options available and give you details, and sometimes pictures.  Also, these people have been on many of the excursions they are describing so have first hand knowledge. Ask questions!!!

Bring a bag ashore

Take a small bag/backpack ashore with water, small first aid kit with medications, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer, rain poncho and travel toilet paper… in addition to your camera, etc.  Bring what you will need with you when you get off the ship.  Depending on what port you are going into and what you are doing this may vary.  If you are heading to an all inclusive resort you don’t need to bring water a long.  But if your heading up into the jungle to zipline, you may have a long bus ride and want to bring some snacks in addition to that water.

Behold our speedboat!

Doesn’t this look like fun? Twister Boat in Cozumel

Bring your newsletter

Always take the daily newsletter with you when going ashore. This will have the details for the ship’s local port agent who is in constant contact with the ship – call in case of emergency or delay getting back on board.  This is one of those things you hope you will never need!  But if you are not going on a ship organized excursion, you better be safe and take it with you!

Wear a watch!!!

Take a regular watch off the ship and make sure it is set to the SHIP’s time!  Many cell phones will readjust their time to the nearest cell tower.  Local time and ship time may not be the same.  It would be terrible to miss your ship because you thought it was the wrong time!!!

Feed the fishies

If you are going snorkeling, grab some cereal from the buffet to feed the fish.  I am thinking along the line of Cheerios here…

Snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef

Invest in good water shoes

Water shoes are a great idea! Some excursions require them and some beaches can be rocky.  I have been on beaches where I could barely walk because there were so many rocks and small seashells in the sand.  On these times, I WISH I had water shoes on… Never again, they go with me now.

Also, many of the more daring activities on board (ropes course, rock wall, etc) require closed toe shoes and water shoes usually have good grip on them.

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Be sure to check out our other posts for: what to do before your cruise; extras to pack; what to do after boarding; food and drinks; shopping; tips & gratuities and activities not to miss on a Carnival cruise.

If you want all 101 Cruise Tips, click here:

Want to see these tips live:  Here is the video:

Want more cruising posts?  Here is our full list.

If you have enjoyed this post, please share!  Also, sign up for our emails so you have every new post delivered right to your inbox!

Thanks,

Alisa

EECC Travels

The post Cruise Tips: Ports & Excursions appeared first on EECC Travels.