10 Things You Must Know Before Cruising With Carnival

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Mexico Carnival Panorama Sail Away

Planning to cruise on Carnival soon? Here are 10 things you must know before your cruise.

We’ve got 10 great Carnival cruise tips in this video. These are Carnival cruise tips for first timers and veteran cruisers alike, and Carnival cruise tips to save money.

Below is a quick list of these Carnival cruise tips and tricks

  1. If you haven’t been on a cruise in a while you could be in for a surprise in the dining room. Those big beautiful menus have been replaced by little QR codes you scan with your phone. The good news is that you can still get a paper menu. You simply have to ask your dining staff.
Mexico Carnival Miracle QR code scan

  1. If you own 100 or more shares of Carnival’s stock, then you are eligible to receive an onboard credit. Sadly the benefits don’t stack, meaning if you own 200 shares, you don’t get double the onboard credit. Buying stock can be risky, so consult an expert before making decisions. Referral link to buy Carnival stocks: https://refer.etrade.net/79xbtc?advocate_partner_share_id=2f316b0a90
  2. Here’s a tip for bargain hunters and foodies alike. Some upcharge restaurants like Guy’s Pig & Anchor, JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano offer “free” lunch. It won’t always be the same items from the dinner menu, but it’s a great way to change up the standard buffet fare, and escape the associated crowds.
Mexico Carnival Panorama Cucina del Capitano
  1. Do you have to dress up for formal night? The simple answer is no. Many cruisers get stressed out about formal night, but it’s not an issue with Carnival. Wear what you want – within reason. We always recommend you wear what makes you feel beautiful, or handsome.
Carnival Miracle Formal Night

SHOP for your Cruise: Stateroom Essentials, Motion Sickness, Cruise Fashion & More

  1. Carnival doesn’t allow guests to bring water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages that are packaged in glass or plastic bottles. You can preorder a pack of water for your cruise. The water will be waiting for you in your cabin. Also, On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.
  2. Don’t bother showing up at port until your scheduled time. Carnival now has moved to a staggered check-in. You’ll have to select a 30 minute window in which you’ll board, and if you show up before that, they may ask you to come back later.
  3. Here’s a great Carnival cruise hack. At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.
  4. Some of you younger folks may be wondering about the shipboard drinking age. Well, this will likely be bad news for you especially if your state of residence allows drinking below age 21. But, the shipboard drinking age is 21. Period.
  5. You’ll have a limit on how long you can save your pool chair. Yeah, this is another controversial topic, but regardless of which side you come down on, if you’re cruising Carnival you’ll be limited to 40 minutes of “chair-saving time”. Anything longer than 40 minutes, and cruise staff could remove your items and allow someone else a shot at the chair.
Mexico Carnival Miracle Pool
  1. If you’re planning a Carnival cruise “don’t fear the spa upsell”. Quite often when visiting the Cloud9 spa for a treatment on Carnival you will be encouraged to buy additional products … repeatedly. You simply, and politely tell them first thing that you have all the product you need at this time and you don’t wish to buy anything. Done. I’ve found the spa staff responds well to this simple upfront approach, and they want you to be happy. Enjoy your spa experience.

SHOP for your Cruise: Stateroom Essentials, Motion Sickness, Cruise Fashion & More

Carnival Panorama Cloud9 Spa

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SHOP for your Cruise Stateroom Essentials, Motion Sickness, Cruise Fashion & More

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Sheri and her family are California based cruise content creators focused on providing practical tips and advice to new and seasoned cruisers. CruiseTipsTV’s audience enjoys following Sheri and her family as they travel the world by ship creating travel films. Sheri has visited destinations like Japan, Mexico, Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean, and has experienced 33 cruises on 6 cruise lines. She was named one of Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 10 Travel Influencers Changing How We Vacation in 2018 and 2019. Sheri has been quoted in the New York Times, CNBC, Forbes, Prevention, and Business Innovator Radio. Her YouTube Channel, CruiseTipsTV has over 87,000 subscribers and 17 million views.