Cruising is a really fun vacation!  But if you have never done one before it can be overwhelming. Hopefully these cruise tips will help you get planning on your first cruise!  Or if you have been cruising before, maybe you learned something you didn’t know.

Cruise Tips

Extras to Pack:

• Make bank aware you are traveling out of country
• Bring power strip for additional plugs
• Decorate your door – it makes your room easier to locate
• Bring a portable radio to listen to the local music while in port
• Bring gift bags for your steward/attendant – for great service (tide pods & dryer sheets are nice to add)
• Bring a highlighter to mark the activities on board that you don’t want to miss & post-it notes for messages
• Bring ziplock bags to put your cell phone/camera in while in port and to pack wet things in for the drive home
• Bring binoculars for looking off of the ship
• Bring a small first aid kit and over-the-counter medications
• Bring pop-up clothes hamper for dirty clothes
• In case of wanting to do laundry:  detergent pods, dryer sheets & Tide pen
• Bring a light weight sweater or jacket – it can get chilly on deck at night
• Pack swimsuits, sunscreen, sea-bands or patches for seasickness, & medications in carry-on
• Carnival allows one bottle of wine (750ml) per adult in carry on luggage and soda or bottled water (12 pack) per person in checked luggage

Food, Dinner & Drinks:

• Check the dinner menus for the week and pick which night to dine in a specialty restaurant – do this the first day as these can book up
• Make reservations at the Chef’s table and Steakhouse (Steakhouse is a good idea for the first night and you get a free bottle of wine)
• Order room service for breakfast the night before an early port day
• Ask for cheese, crackers and fresh fruit and it will be on your table at dinner when you arrive
• Ask for kids desert menu in dining room, also cappuccino and espresso are free with desert
• Check out Tea Time (mid-afternoon)
• Pack some snacks from the buffet when you leave the ship
• Check out the Captain’s cocktail party or past guest party – free drinks
• Eat lunch at Cucina del Capitano. – it’s free at lunch but there is a cost at dinner
• Carnival food specials: free pre-dinner Sushi bar from 5-8; the Taste bar from 5-8

When You Get on Board:

• Unpack as soon as possible and bring a bottle of Downey wrinkle releaser (steward can bring extra hangers)
• Ask the steward to empty the mini-bar  (avoid accidental charges and fill up with your own drinks)
• Ask the ship’s purser (or Guest Services desk) for a postcard with the ship’s picture on it – should be free; also ask if they can give you a free deck of cards
• Ship’s logo corkscrew can usually be obtained by your cabin steward
• The library has free crossword puzzles and trivia games each day of the cruise (and board games)
• Visit the casino for a free Carnival lanyard for your Sail & Sign card
• Take a picture of the day’s schedule each morning, this will set the photos taken each day
• Teens need to attend the first night meet & greet!
• Use showers, saunas & steam rooms near spa free of charge

Ports & Excursions:

• Check online before leaving to book excursions for way less than through the ship
• Take a small bag ashore with water, small first aid kit with medications, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer, and travel toilet paper…  in addition to your camera, etc.
• 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.
• Take a regular watch off the ship and make sure it is set to the SHIP’s time!