Any Recent Experience with Carnival Cruise Lines?
- Thread starter Andros the magician
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ok room location is a preference thing. My 1st cruise we had a room at the very front of the ship and it was almost our last.
When you are at the front you get this up and down motion as the bow/front of the ship breaks the waves, that makes me queesy when there for an extended period of time.
In the middle of the ship there is no real movement or feel of motion.
Now the rear...THAT MY SWEET SPOT
Most of my 8 carnival cruises have been in aft balconies. I love the side to side motion you get and that shit rocks me to sleep like a baby![/QUOTE]
I have no problems paying gratuities, those people on the boat get paid chump change. $12 for tips a day ain't shit IMHO.
But if you don't want to pay it, you have to go to guest services like on your second or third day and simply request that they be waived. If you do nothing, I believe they will auto charge your account on your 3rd cruising day. I've never had any "hidden charges"...if you seriously took a cruise with no research or idea that they will charge for tips, you need to do a lot better. If you really don't want to pay a dime, and still enjoy yourself and eat well, you can.
I also use cash, drinks and extras can add up quickly and attaching it to hard cash keeps my eyes on my account. Never had an issue with my bill. And if you can help it, NEVER wait until the last night/morning if you have something to settle with guest services. you have access to your account anytime you want...there is a carnival app for smartphones, kiosks that normally aren't busy other than the last night/morning and you can view it on your TV.
Also, FWIW, while I've seen some nice looking honey's on the shorter cruises, it's old white woman central for the most part on longer ones so if part of the reason you are going is that you are looking for some ass, that's a reason to take a shorter one.
But if you don't want to pay it, you have to go to guest services like on your second or third day and simply request that they be waived. If you do nothing, I believe they will auto charge your account on your 3rd cruising day. I've never had any "hidden charges"...if you seriously took a cruise with no research or idea that they will charge for tips, you need to do a lot better. If you really don't want to pay a dime, and still enjoy yourself and eat well, you can.
I also use cash, drinks and extras can add up quickly and attaching it to hard cash keeps my eyes on my account. Never had an issue with my bill. And if you can help it, NEVER wait until the last night/morning if you have something to settle with guest services. you have access to your account anytime you want...there is a carnival app for smartphones, kiosks that normally aren't busy other than the last night/morning and you can view it on your TV.
Also, FWIW, while I've seen some nice looking honey's on the shorter cruises, it's old white woman central for the most part on longer ones so if part of the reason you are going is that you are looking for some ass, that's a reason to take a shorter one.
thank you
got a few more.
Did you HAVE to eat a designated table or can you eat whenever or where ever you wanted?
Did you have to dress up to eat?
How did you see families enjoy on the cruise?
If you don't pay for a drink pass...what beverages are available?
Are there any "out of pocket" expenses that people should AVOID? and which ones are worth it?
Be ready for hidden charges. We got hit with a $51 each gratuity for cleaning our room when we checked out. I'm sure it was somewhere in the fine print but all the same you not really thinking about backdoor charges when they should already be charged in the initial bill. Just something to prepare for if you budgeting your trip.
One thing we did was pay the gratuity before the trip. I believe it was $240 for a 7 day cruise on Royal Caribbean. And never book the activities on the ship. Just undock and deal with the locals. Prices are much cheaper that way
OK so ole frosty is an old fart but here is another cruise tip:
Gift Cards from AARP! They have $100 & $500 available for a limited times thruout the year.
You save 10%. So a $100 GC Is $90. A $500 GC is $450. You have to use 1000 points per $100
This is also available if you have a verizon account (same as aarp) to purchase them.
Once these GC are purchased you can use them to pay off your cruise.
So say your cruise cost $2k you get 4 $500 GC and save $200 (which will prolly go to your bar tab )
Also you don't have to be retired or over 50 to join AARP (I'm 44)
Gift Cards from AARP! They have $100 & $500 available for a limited times thruout the year.
You save 10%. So a $100 GC Is $90. A $500 GC is $450. You have to use 1000 points per $100
This is also available if you have a verizon account (same as aarp) to purchase them.
Once these GC are purchased you can use them to pay off your cruise.
So say your cruise cost $2k you get 4 $500 GC and save $200 (which will prolly go to your bar tab )
Also you don't have to be retired or over 50 to join AARP (I'm 44)
There is a nightly dinner which is called the Captain's Dinner if I remember the name correctly, but that is the dress up type formal seating with a designated spot. Not my thing, but the wife likes all that dress up chit and you eat at a large or small table (you can pick when you book) usually with others, at one of two designated dinner times.
Or you can just go to the buffet. Some nights we did both cause the formal dinner is at times not a lot of food and more gourmet. I remember one night they had leg of Lamb, and it looked like the size of chicken wings, the other couple at the table with us was bitching, lol. Wife and I just went to the buffet later after changing our clothes.
You have on some ships the pizza shop open most of the night til like 2am after the regular buffet closes. But buffet has different hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No seating designated.
Norwegian has open dinner seating. No reserved time or specific restaurant.
Carnival has open seating in a specific restaurant or 2 options for either early or late dinner in specific restaurant.
Royal Caribbean has assigned seating at a specific restaurant.
All dinner seating on all cruise lines have a stated dress code but no one is going to be turned away unless they are wearing a bikini or are shirtless.
You will be fine in a shirt and pants or you can do a fucking Tuxedo.
You hear a recurring theme in these threads - kids. Bring
Carnival is more family friendly. Carnival has shit to do for the entire family.
Royal Caribbean is the least family friendly.
People take their children on cruises when school is out so if you are cruising in the summer, holidays or over the weekends then there will be more children.
A 7 day cruise to aruba in October and children will be mainly non existent.
Bring your own candy. There will be free baked sweets and coffee available. Bring a powerstrip. Bring empty plastic cups with a lid. Bring drink packages.
You can eat all 3 meals in the main dinning room instead of the open buffets. You can order what you want and as much as you want in the main dining rooms.
Place your phone on airplane mode. Check in see if you have free or low cost service at each port. Tmobile is a bomb is the Caribbean. Mostly free talk and text and data.
Your first cruise is an educational cruise. Cruise in the Fall. It is cheaper. Every cruise line gives you a list of on board events. Read that shit and plan accordingly.
A cruise ship is a floating resort. Explore the ship.
Don't be grumpy.
It is about the journey and the destinations.
Carnival has $50 deposits as we speak.
Go to expedia.com and test out cruises for you expected month of travel and you will see the options and prices.
Carnival has open seating in a specific restaurant or 2 options for either early or late dinner in specific restaurant.
Royal Caribbean has assigned seating at a specific restaurant.
All dinner seating on all cruise lines have a stated dress code but no one is going to be turned away unless they are wearing a bikini or are shirtless.
You will be fine in a shirt and pants or you can do a fucking Tuxedo.
You hear a recurring theme in these threads - kids. Bring
Carnival is more family friendly. Carnival has shit to do for the entire family.
Royal Caribbean is the least family friendly.
People take their children on cruises when school is out so if you are cruising in the summer, holidays or over the weekends then there will be more children.
A 7 day cruise to aruba in October and children will be mainly non existent.
Bring your own candy. There will be free baked sweets and coffee available. Bring a powerstrip. Bring empty plastic cups with a lid. Bring drink packages.
You can eat all 3 meals in the main dinning room instead of the open buffets. You can order what you want and as much as you want in the main dining rooms.
Place your phone on airplane mode. Check in see if you have free or low cost service at each port. Tmobile is a bomb is the Caribbean. Mostly free talk and text and data.
Your first cruise is an educational cruise. Cruise in the Fall. It is cheaper. Every cruise line gives you a list of on board events. Read that shit and plan accordingly.
A cruise ship is a floating resort. Explore the ship.
Don't be grumpy.
It is about the journey and the destinations.
Carnival has $50 deposits as we speak.
Go to expedia.com and test out cruises for you expected month of travel and you will see the options and prices.
Don't book island activities on the boat. Do it only with the locals, that are all located at the dock when you leave the ship. Don't purchase drink packages, unless you are a very heavy drinker. But lets be honest, you are not on the boat once it docks if you're doing it right. So it will be hard to drink enough to make the package worth it.
I would sometimes order two entrees (or 2 appetizers) at the formal dinner. Portions were tiny as shit.
So with Carnival, you have 4 basic dinner dining options.
First is early dining which I think you have to be at the dining room by 5:45ish or you are not allowed in if you show up really late. Typically, dining at this time, you'll wind up sitting with the same people at the same table and yes, it's auto assigned (although you can request to be moved). Late dining is the same deal, just dinner starts at 8.
Then there's anytime dining where you go to the dining room whenever the fuck you feel like between 5:45 and 9. Yeah, they will take you to your random table just like as if you were on a land based restaurant, you can ask to move though here too.
Then you can just say fuck the dining rooms and just do the buffet and there it's get in where you can when it comes to seating.
Oh...my bad, they also have paid specialty dining...there's a steakhouse (self explanatory) a chef's table (chef prepares and eats with you) which I've done and enjoyed...some ships also have Italian and Japanese specialty dining that are extra money.
BTW, don't think you are restricted to just what they bring out in your initial order. You can order multiple appetizers, multiple entree's, deserts etc...and mix and match them however you want. I didn't know that until someone told me.
No you don't have to dress up, but swimwear and the like are frowned upon. I usually just went in a t-shirt and jean shorts or khaki shorts and whatever tennis shoes I was wearing that day. They do have a formal dining night, but it's not that formal, I just wear some khakis, polo or button down and nice shoes. People tell me that back in the day, people wore tux's and gowns and shit, but don't nobody do that shit no more, at least not on Carnival.
Room Service is free...and BTW, they have a banging ass BLT on the room service menu. If you have a balcony, nothing like getting breakfast delivered to your room in the morning and going out on your balcony and eating in the AM while enjoying the sounds/view.
Families were normally just hanging out in pool areas, watching movies on the big screen on the pool decks and enjoying the game shows (they have a Hasbro game show that is pretty fun) night shows ( they are usually mediocre musicals but it's not that bad if you are ok with some older classic rock/motown music...mostly rock though). And of course enjoying the beaches and excursions together. They have children clubs where you can either drop the kids off (infants thru 8) or they can come and go to those clubs as they please (9-17)...I'd imagine the kids and parents took advantage of that, but I haven't ever cruised with my kids so I wouldn't know.
You can buy drinks without the pass...you just by each drink separately instead of the pass daily charge whether you drink a lot and use it enough to make it worth it or not. Soda's aren't included either. So you have water/Sweet Tea and Lemonade for free if you don't decide to spend money. You can pay like $4 and get a 12 pack of water bottles delivered to your room.
I'd avoid buying alcohol in the duty free shops...they are duty free, but often still more expensive than they are at home, and even when you buy alcohol in their shops, you can't get it until you are debarking (getting off the ship). I wouldn't get the drink pass unless you plan on drinking 6-7 mixed drinks/10 beers a day to make it worth it. Other than that, it all depends on what you like...I think the specialty dining is worth it periodically, I like hitting the casino tables, so those are things I'm cool with. The IMAX and 4D movies on the new ship(s) are about in line with land prices so it depends on what you'd like. Be careful with excursions, you pay some extra and go through the ship (and be guaranteed that the ship will wait for your party to get back in case something happens), you can pay for the excursion yourself and bypass the ship and save some money and lose the guarantee or just go out yourself and find your own way.
Ok I read the first few paragraphs of this and he gets it I've been on 3 carnival ships he has it down to a science.
2 recommendations
Pay for the balcony
BLT every got darn night lmao lol thick ass bacon shit is official
Same here. I pay all that shit upfront. If you don't and haven't budgeted for it, you probably will be so caught up in enjoying yourself the last thing you are going to remember is a tip charge that's automatically going to come out 2 days into your cruise.
First time crusing, we went on Carnival Cruise. Wife and I really enjoyed ourselves. Kind of a younger crowd, Lots of kids running around, activities geared toward honeymooners and younger singles and couples.
Second time, thought we'd be different and do a Princess Cruise. Food was so fancy it was bland. The buffet sucked and at the formal dinner, we were sat with another couple when we wanted to just eat and chill. More of a retired crowd...hardly any Black people. Same ports of call for other cruise lines..just different experience.
Tips
Prepare for those tip charges at the end of a cruise....it gets me every time.
For shore excursions, if you take the cruiseline excursions... if there is a problem and you're late coming back...they will hold the ship for you. If you go at it alone...It may be fun but if you're running late, you're on your own.
Fuckin on a balcony of a cruise is a rite of passage.
Second time, thought we'd be different and do a Princess Cruise. Food was so fancy it was bland. The buffet sucked and at the formal dinner, we were sat with another couple when we wanted to just eat and chill. More of a retired crowd...hardly any Black people. Same ports of call for other cruise lines..just different experience.
Tips
Prepare for those tip charges at the end of a cruise....it gets me every time.
For shore excursions, if you take the cruiseline excursions... if there is a problem and you're late coming back...they will hold the ship for you. If you go at it alone...It may be fun but if you're running late, you're on your own.
Fuckin on a balcony of a cruise is a rite of passage.
Truth!!
Don't know if it's been posted, but if you get a drink package, whoever is in your suite has to get it too.
Oh, another tip, the comedy club shows, they do 4 most nights, usually there are 2 comedians, both do a PG show you can bring kids, then there's the adult one later at night...get there early! Every show I've been to, and I usually try to make it to most of the adult ones, the club is PACKED and usually standing room only around the time the show is about to start.
Like others said, bring a power strip cause there's really only 2 outlets in the entire room, but be careful with the type because I've heard of people getting ones with surge protectors confiscated due to a fire hazard...bring bottle of wine...you can bring canned drinks up to 12oz so if you do energy drinks or sodas, you can bring those on with your luggage. If you are flying to the port, take an Uber/Lyft and don't take those expensive transfers from the airport/hotel to the port...the Uber is just a base fee whereas the transfers charge you per person.
Also, I know some people tip the stewards themselves and bypass the regular gratuity, but don't forget some of that gratuity goes to people you don't see like the cooks as well as the wait staff so if you cancel it, they don't get the tips.
Like others said, bring a power strip cause there's really only 2 outlets in the entire room, but be careful with the type because I've heard of people getting ones with surge protectors confiscated due to a fire hazard...bring bottle of wine...you can bring canned drinks up to 12oz so if you do energy drinks or sodas, you can bring those on with your luggage. If you are flying to the port, take an Uber/Lyft and don't take those expensive transfers from the airport/hotel to the port...the Uber is just a base fee whereas the transfers charge you per person.
Also, I know some people tip the stewards themselves and bypass the regular gratuity, but don't forget some of that gratuity goes to people you don't see like the cooks as well as the wait staff so if you cancel it, they don't get the tips.
I had never heard of the comedians on the cruise I went on, but they were actually pretty good.
I kinda liked chillin at the bar tho, too many drunk muthafuckas was in my ear when I sat towards the front.
I have cruised with them many many times and I am fine with them. When chick and I go away alone we use a different line simply because there are less kids... but Carnival is great for family trips and all of that because of the price point. All ships have quiet areas if that is what you are looking into... I find with cruises that you have to be able to let lose a little and be goofy... go to the trivia... join in the line dance, etc etc.... if you a straight G the shit probable aint for you. So..... Carnival is fine. It's a Wal-Mart crowd... common folks who can afford a vacation.
I did not know that.
Yeah anyone over 21 has to buy the cheers package if you want to purchase it.
Cheers cost $50 per person per day
Plus there is a 15 drink a day limit
But with cheers you get free specialty coffee and shakes.
I can't make cheers work for me since my wife is not a drinker. So why pay $700 for a drink package when my bar tab will be around $300
The comedy on the ship can be hit or miss...but if you catch the second show everyone is usually so drunk it dont matter. My last Carnival cruise we saw Lester Bibbs. He was mad chill. Kept bumping into him on the ship and in the Bahamas.
Just found out recently he is battling cancer. Real cool dude. Mad down to earth. I saw him open for Sommore a few months prior
http://www.imgrum.org/user/lester_bibbs/180510711
Just found out recently he is battling cancer. Real cool dude. Mad down to earth. I saw him open for Sommore a few months prior
http://www.imgrum.org/user/lester_bibbs/180510711
Real spit.....
on my very first cruise, minutes after I checked out my room and everything, I was pulled into a bar crawl with a bunch of white folks....We got so twisted. Everytime I saw one of them I got a free drink or introduction
Remember when I mentioned taking advantage of reduced deposits
Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back $49 Cruise Deposits
July 25, 2017 by Ben Souza Leave a Comment
Carnival Cruise Line has brought back their most popular booking booking incentive, cruise deposits starting at just $49 per person for the next four days.
From now until Friday, July 29, 2017, reserve your next cruise on one of Carnival Cruise Line’s award winning cruise ships from just $49 per person. Cruise to the most popular cruise destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean.
This $49 deposit sale from Carnival includes the following for Early Saver Fares and is good for inside, ocean view, balcony, and suites:
Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back $49 Cruise Deposits
July 25, 2017 by Ben Souza Leave a Comment
Carnival Cruise Line has brought back their most popular booking booking incentive, cruise deposits starting at just $49 per person for the next four days.
From now until Friday, July 29, 2017, reserve your next cruise on one of Carnival Cruise Line’s award winning cruise ships from just $49 per person. Cruise to the most popular cruise destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean.
This $49 deposit sale from Carnival includes the following for Early Saver Fares and is good for inside, ocean view, balcony, and suites:
- Cruises 2-9 nights: $49 deposits
- Cuba sailings: $79 deposits
- Alaska, Carnival Vista, and Carnival Horizon sailings: $149 deposits
- Cruises 10+ nights: $149 deposits
- Free Price Protection
- Available on sailings through April 2019
- View Prices on Cruises on Carnival Cruise Line
Remember when I mentioned taking advantage of reduced deposits
Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back $49 Cruise Deposits
July 25, 2017 by Ben Souza Leave a Comment
Carnival Cruise Line has brought back their most popular booking booking incentive, cruise deposits starting at just $49 per person for the next four days.
From now until Friday, July 29, 2017, reserve your next cruise on one of Carnival Cruise Line’s award winning cruise ships from just $49 per person. Cruise to the most popular cruise destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean.
This $49 deposit sale from Carnival includes the following for Early Saver Fares and is good for inside, ocean view, balcony, and suites:
For complete terms and conditions of this special $49 deposit sale from Carnival Cruise Line, contact you local travel professional or visit Carnival.com. Offer is applicable on new bookings made between July 25, 2017 and July 28, 2017. Offer is applicable on sailings through April 2019. Request rate codes PEG/PEI.
- Cruises 2-9 nights: $49 deposits
- Cuba sailings: $79 deposits
- Alaska, Carnival Vista, and Carnival Horizon sailings: $149 deposits
- Cruises 10+ nights: $149 deposits
- Free Price Protection
- Available on sailings through April 2019
- View Prices on Cruises on Carnival Cruise Line
Saw this today and come to post... just booked for October leaving from New Orleans.
Thinking about hawaii april 2019!!!
15 days 8 of em sea days
I have done 20 cruises but I ain't comfortable sailing across the Pacific to get to Hawaii. My brother has been trying to convince me to sail to Hawaii. Thinking about cruising from Florida to England or Spain. That's a fucking Atlantic crossing. Probably will do the Panama Canal first.
Bucket list for me. Been to hawaii but to cruise there
What I really would like to do one day is continue sailing from hawaii to australia hitting fiji tahiti and new zealand on the way!!!
Kinda got a taste of oceanic sailing in feb, leaving from NY and sailing down the atlantic coast.
Remember when I mentioned taking advantage of reduced deposits
Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back $49 Cruise Deposits
July 25, 2017 by Ben Souza Leave a Comment
Carnival Cruise Line has brought back their most popular booking booking incentive, cruise deposits starting at just $49 per person for the next four days.
From now until Friday, July 29, 2017, reserve your next cruise on one of Carnival Cruise Line’s award winning cruise ships from just $49 per person. Cruise to the most popular cruise destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean.
This $49 deposit sale from Carnival includes the following for Early Saver Fares and is good for inside, ocean view, balcony, and suites:
For complete terms and conditions of this special $49 deposit sale from Carnival Cruise Line, contact you local travel professional or visit Carnival.com. Offer is applicable on new bookings made between July 25, 2017 and July 28, 2017. Offer is applicable on sailings through April 2019. Request rate codes PEG/PEI.
- Cruises 2-9 nights: $49 deposits
- Cuba sailings: $79 deposits
- Alaska, Carnival Vista, and Carnival Horizon sailings: $149 deposits
- Cruises 10+ nights: $149 deposits
- Free Price Protection
- Available on sailings through April 2019
- View Prices on Cruises on Carnival Cruise Line
Hold on can you explain this for us cruise dummies?
How does this work?
What I do is book out at least a year or two in advance and take advantage of deposit discounts.
Normally to book a cabin requires a $200 per person deposit. Every now and then carnival has reduced $50 per person deposit. When they do this I book cruises a year or 2 out.
Pay $50 or $100 a pay period or monthly and it's paid for with ease.
You can reserve a cruise by paying $49 per person. You will be given a due date to satisfy the balance normally 60-90 days before the sailing date. This allows people to book cruise many months even a few years in advance.
Yes indeed pay your gratuities. Mine was about $250 for both of us. Dude was funny and keep ice and extra towels, new sheets and made us animal towels. Gave him $50 extra cash. We bought him shit in port, candy and shit. Expect to tip because a lot of these people don't tip em and they make Shit money. If you can't tip, don't cruise. That shit should be a rule. Fuck getting em removed. They did the work so tip em.
Thinking about hawaii april 2019!!!
15 days 8 of em sea days
Ain't no way in hell I would sail that many days, especially in the Pacific. Man you'll be puking your guts out. Trust Hawaii is a trip just flying but it's better over all on your body when you make landfall. The Pacific is a Monster when it comes to rough seas.