Cruise Tips

Things to pack:

portable radio/CD player
a champagne corke
a camcorder
a camera,
lots and lots of sunscreen, but be careful, it can explode.
extension cords
hair dryers
7x50 power, binocs
CD players
DVDs
Power strip
a underwater camera
bug spray
sandals
tennis shoes
hike shoes
electric shaver
wine (2 bottles)
travel clock
ziplock bags
toilet bag

Charger for cell-phone, camera batteries, laptop.
Small/collapsible suitcase/duffel bag, (for shopping)
A highliter to use with the Capers paper.
A pack of Post-it notes. If you need to leave a note for others in your group or a note to the Steward.
Extra hangers
a waterproof camera
Bring single dollar bills
Hand Sanitizer
Sport sandals are good on deck and in port!
Bring a double flat sheet to spread out on the beach. It stays cool and the sand shakes out of it much easier than towels.

Cruise Tips from travel forums

Print out the pass and bring it along for each crusier just in case

Go ahead and fill out the luggage tags in the doc package ahead of time and attach them to your luggage handles

Never leave home without a pack of Bonine or Dramamine. Alternative remedies include ginger capsules and acupressure wristbands, available at most pharmacies.

The remedy I find simplest and most effective is using "sea bands". These are little wristlets that feature a "nub" that is positioned to strike a pressure point on the underside of your wrist.

Check your account midway through the cruise to check your charges and keep track of your spending

Don't drink the bottle of water in your room IT?S NOT FREE

After getting back onto the ship at a port, take the stairs to deck 3 and use the glass elevators if your cabin is higher up like ours

One thing you should do at every port, bring some fruit from the morning buffet and some packets of cereal. You always run into children, dogs or cats that are hungry.
Take the time to eat your breakfast and lunch in the dining room as the food is so much nicer than the buffet.

Alert the purser's office at least a day in advance and they will give you priority disembarkation

Visit your assigned dining room as the first thing on your agenda.
alternate dining rooms or restaurants, sometimes at an additional cost

Some of the more popular excursions do sell out, so registering early isn't a bad idea.

Offering sail-away umbrella-drink specials. These are often delicious, but RARELY free

Time for the sail-away, so get up on deck for the sail-away party, or crack that bottle of champagne on your private balcony

If a dish isn't prepared the way you like, send it back. This is NOT a place to be shy!

Tips specifically for Carnival ships

Very back of the Lido deck for eating Breakfast in the morning.

The Hot Tubs at the back of the Lido Deck will be empty in the evening and are Adults only

If you go forward all the way on either deck 6 or 7 to the left or right there are doors leading to the outer decks. These are small forward decks but no one is out there. Great view at night out the front of the ship in the dark.


Tipping

Bar tabs automatically include a 15% gratuity.

The porters who carry your luggage at the pier usually expect a tip also (a buck or two per bag will suffice).

If you have spa or beauty treatments, tip that person at the time of the service (if it's not automatically added to your shipboard account).

Guides on shore excursions should be tipped 5% of the excursion cost.
Don't try to tip the captain or other officers, who are salaried, professional employees.

$1 per bag at embarkation

Jargons

# Bow: the front or "pointy end" of the ship
# Stern: the back of the ship# Port: the left side of the ship as you face forward# Starboard: the right side as you face forward
# Galley: VERY important!! It's the ship's kitchen!
# Bridge: Where the ships officers control and navigate the ship from. Usually high up and forward. It is the command center or "cockpit" of the ship if you will.

Cruising Tips I found on the CC Boards

If Lobster Tail and Filet Mignon are both on the menu....order both desserts too small, order two!

Any pasta dish on the main entree section of the menu is also available as an appetizer.

On some of the Carnival ships, you can get a deck of cards w/Carnival logo, just by asking at the purser's desk.

In the dining room, ask for espresso after dinner - not usually listed on the menu, have either espresso or cappuccino every night at no extra charge

The books in the cabins are free, if you ask your room steward.

In the morning for breakfast they have those tiny little individual boxes of cereal. There are Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, and lots of other name brand cereals. Grab a few for snacks. The authorities will not confiscate anything that is in a sealed container.

Bring a travel clock since there are no clocks in the room, as well as a power strip.

Another thing, do not forget tea times. Usually these are 2 or 3 days per sailing, and chance to sit and listen to some music and taste MORE free food and lovely teas

As to the Grill .........usually there are two grill area open on deck (1 near each pool area) and one serves only Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.........the other does the Hot Dogs and Hamburgers as well as Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwiches and Minute Steak Sandwiches.

And don't forget ......don't ever forget! about the 24 hour Soft Serve Ice Cream

Bring bungee cords to hold open the balcony door at night. You will be able to hear the ocean and get a nice breeze.

Have your camera on hand to take pictures at the same time as the photographer.

Bring 2 six packs of bottled water, If you need aspirin, seasick pills, or a variety of general medications, check the "0" deck where the waiting room is for the doctor. There were free samples for the taking in individual packets... also a weigh scale in case you need to weigh a suitcase (or yourself!).

Check out your dining room seating as soon as you get there and find your table so when you come to eat in the evening you will know your way around and not walking in circles looking........

Room service is free and you can order as many sandwiches, cookies, etc as you like!All Spas have hottubs, steam and sauna

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