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You will
want your S&S (Sail & Sign) card on you at all times. If you don’t have
pockets or don’t want to carry a purse I suggest purchasing a lanyard
before the trip. When you get onboard you can go to the Pursers Desk and
ask them to punch a hole in the corner so you can attach it to the
lanyard.
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Some
places sell pocket pouches that are attached to a lanyard. These are nice
as you can put your S&S card and an ID inside. You will need to take your
S&S and an ID with you when you get off the ship. A word of caution –
DO NOT punch a hole in your Drivers License – it will make it invalid.
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If you
plan on doing some laundry (and even if you don’t – you just might
anyway), there coin operated laundry room. No need to bring quarters as
they are readily available at the Pursers Desk or the Casino. Bring along
pre-measured detergent in Ziplocs (or store bought packets or tabs) and
some fabric softener sheets. While you can purchase these items on board
I have found that if the machine is broken it usually stays that way the
entire trip. In some ports the laundry room is
closed due to restrictions. There will be a notice in the Daily Caper.
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There
are two or three washers and dryers, and one iron and ironing board in
each launderette. The cost is $2.00 per washer load and $2.00 per dryer
load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of
detergent and water softener at $1.00 per box.
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They also offer laundry service for a fee (see
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services under Cruise 101).
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The
ships usually have a deal at some point in the cruise where they will
launder one bag for a flat fee. The steward will leave the bag in your
cabin.
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As
mentioned there is an iron in the laundry room, but don’t wait until a
half-hour before dinner on formal night to iron anything – it just isn’t
worth the wait. If you know something is going to need ironed take a few
minutes the first day at sea and you won’t have any problem getting to the
iron. Travel irons are restricted and should not be taken onboard. I
prefer to use Downy Wrinkle Releaser or the generic, which works just as
well. Do not iron a garment after applying the wrinkle releaser unless you
put another item in between (bandana). It will mess up the iron and your
clothes. You can also hang your clothes in the bathroom while taking a
shower to get the wrinkles out.
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Take a
sweater or some long sleeve shirts to wear in the showroom and for the
dining room – both are cool.
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Take cash to tip the porters, room service delivery and
your tour guide.
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Shopping
and travel are given in the main showrooms (consult the ship’s daily paper
– Carnival Capers). They are very informative, but you can watch them on
TV at your convenience in your cabin. They will replay it several times.
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Get to
the shows early enough to get a seat. When traveling at a peak times you
will find the seating limited just before show time.
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The
Pursers deck can help you with just about anything, but they can be
difficult to get on the phone. Also the line at the desk can be long.
You will learn when the best time to stop by. They have a VIP line for
Platinum cruisers (sailed 10 or more times). They usually have free
postcards.
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The
Pursers Desk also carries stamps from each port of call for mailing.
Don’t plan on your mail getting to it’s designation before you return. I
find that most of the time I’m home for days before people receive their
postcards.
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Instead
of regular postcards you can set up virtual postcards for delivery while
gone. There are a lot of free ones available, and you can set them up to
be delivered any date you select.
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Attend
the Captain’s Cocktail party. It is held during the first formal night.
They will serve hors d'oeuvres and free cocktails. If you don’t see a
cocktail you like just ask.
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Take
some sunburn treatment. It is expensive on the ship. You will be
surprised just how fast you can burn in the Caribbean sun.
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If you
plan a long day off the ship take some prepackaged snacks for off the
ship. Be sure it is still sealed, as you can not take opened food off the
ship. This includes items in Ziploc bags (sandwiches and such from room
service). Items such as beef jerky can come in handy. The pre-packed
factory sealed boxes of cereal are nice to feed the fish when snorkeling.
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Pack
things in Ziploc bags. They fit anywhere in your suitcase. In addition,
take extra - you never know when you will need one. I also take the
disposable re-sealable containers. They work well for those left over
chocolate covered strawberries (one of my favorites from the bon voyage
department).
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Strollers are available for rent on a first come first serve basis.
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Other
rentals that might be available once onboard are Motorola Radios, Snorkel
Equipment, and Golf Equipment.
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Smoking Policy –
Smoking is prohibited in the lounges, both dining rooms
and the entire port side of the open decks (left side when facing the
front of the ship).
No smoking in the Lido deck restaurants’, the elevators
or in the hallways in the cabin corridors.
Cigar smoking is permitted only in designated areas
(check the Capers).
DO NOT throw cigarettes from the ship.
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Keeping in touch with home
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You can call home from your cabin – United States,
Canada and Puerto Rico are $6.99 per minute. International calls are
$9.99 per minute.
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Most cell phones will now work at sea but the cost is
steep ranging from $2.49 to 7.99 a minute. Check with your service
providers’ international department before leaving home. A list of cell
phone providers can be found at Wireless Marine Services - “Cellular At
Sea”
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http://www.cellularatsea.com/_private/cruiselines_purserinfo.htm
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Some cell phones work while in port. Again check with
your service providers’ international department before leaving home.
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You can call from port with pre-paid phone cards. Be
sure the card can be used outside the US.
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There are several places on shore to use the Internet
at reduced prices.
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Be careful making calls with a calling card from phone
booths on shore as they can really rack up some charges.
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If you have smaller children, you may consider an
umbrella type stroller for around the ship. The halls are narrow and
sometimes filled with carts and other passengers. The smaller stroller is
easier to maneuver.
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The height of the
balcony rail (glass rail) is 45" high. The stateroom door leading out to
the balcony has a safety lock that is located approximately 65" from the
floor. Applicable ships: Destiny, Triumph, Victory, Conquest, Glory,
Legend and Sensation.
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There
are Art Auctions onboard. They serve free champagne. Be sure to sign up
for a bid number – you don’t have to actually bid on anything but anyone
who has a bid card is entered in a drawing to win free art. Beware – if
you do win the art you will be responsible to pay the handling costs,
which at one time was $35.00 for up to 3 pieces. They do give out small
samplings of the artwork to anyone who has a bid card after the auction.
You will use the same number all week. So, if you don’t bring it with you
– just be sure to know your number.
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You will
be instructed to place your luggage outside your door before a certain
time on the last night onboard. Be sure you keep your toiletries and a
change of clothes for the morning (including shoes).
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Different ports operate differently when it’s time to depart. Most
section the luggage off by tag color. This is why it is important that if
you don’t self-assist off the ship that you wait for you number / color to
be called as sections are opened only at that time. To find your bags
easier tie color ribbon on the handles (we usually pick two colors and use
the combination).
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The
ships offer self-debarkation, where you can take your entire luggage off
with you. Check the Capers on the last night for the procedures.
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Carnival
has a Reverse Gratuity Policy - For guests' convenience, they
automatically add the recommended gratuities to the onboard Sail & Sign
account on embarkation day. Guests will have the discretion to adjust
these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the
cruise. This includes the option to adjust gratuities (up or down) for any
individual on the Dining or Housekeeping staff. In order to do so, the
guest will need to visit the Purser Desk onboard.
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The
total amount for tips will be $10 per guest, per day, which breaks down as
follows:
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$5.50
pp/pd for Dining Team Service (Headwaiter and Waiter)
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$1 pp/pd
for Bistro Service (Waiter/Cooks)
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$3.50
pp/pd for Cabin Services (Cabin Steward)
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Tipping
the Maitre D' is strictly at guest's discretion, based upon services
rendered. For guests who wish to extend this gratuity in cash, an envelope
will be available on the last evening of the cruise.
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Tipping
still applies regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at
the casual dining restaurant or utilizing room service. The folks who wait
on you in the dining room are the same ones that clean up the Lido area
when they aren’t working in the dining room.
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Guests
under two years of age are not required to extend gratuities. (Note: this
may have changed. To be honest a little one can be quite messy so you may
consider giving something).
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Read the
Capers carefully. Some things are in small print. Example “Tea Time” is
not announced in the big separate section, just in the listing of the
day’s activities.
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If you
have sailed with Carnival before make sure you get your invite to the Past
Guest Party. Basically it’s a cocktail party and they hand out past guest
pins (some ships put the pins with your invite – others you have to go to
the party to get it). The only occur on 5 night or longer sailings.
(Rumors are running rampant that Carnival is no longer giving out pins.
If you get one consider yourself lucky.)
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When
available, a clergyman will be on board for Christmas, Easter, Passover,
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; this is subject to availability of booking
clergymen during their most holy days.
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Carnival
has implemented a "No Visitors" policy for the entire fleet. This applies
to all ports of embarkation and ports of call. Guests will not be
permitted to have visitors on board to see them off. The only exception to
this policy is Wedding Guests attending a passenger’s ceremony/reception.
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If you
have problems sleeping and want to drown out noise then a air purifier or
white noise machine might do the trick – but don’t forget that extension
cord.
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Wear
sandals with good traction.
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Print
off maps of the ship and take them with you. I good site for deck plans
is at
www.unofficialcarnivalwiki.com. Lots of other great stuff there
also. He updates a little more frequently then I do when it comes to
menus and such.
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The ice
cream bowls always seem to be hot. Run a few pieces of ice around inside
before you dispense the soft serve – or grab a bowl as your leaving the
dining room – to use later.
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The
elevators are often busy. Use the stairs so you can eat dessert every
night.
