Welcome

Morgan and I hadn’t been on a Carnival Cruise for about 2.5 years and in that amount of time a lot can be forgotten. During our cruise this time we compiled a top 10 list of things that should not be forgotten when we or anyone else go cruising with Carnival. Here are the top 10 suggestions for our readers and musts for us (in no particular order):

1. Pack alcohol — We did remember this again, and it is critical so that one doesn’t spend hundreds of unneeded dollars aboard the ship. We packed ours in Aquafina water bottles, about 0.25 liter per day per person is what we brought.
2. Buy a Fountain Fun Card — You need something to mix with your alcohol, and to cut down on spending, purchase one Fountain Fun Card. The cost is $6 per day and it entitles you to unlimited soda and juice from any bar on the ship. This card pays for itself very quickly, especially when you use your one card to supply four people, shhh!
3. Bring a flask — To avoid carrying your watter bottles everywhere with you, or having to return to your room to mix a drink save your self some walking and bring a flask with you. We forgot one this trip and I wished I had one many times a day.
4. Eat at Nouveau Supper Club — This is a must! This is the fine dining on the ship and you have to make a reservation. The cost of this meal is $30 per person and is well worth the price. The food is excellent and there is a lot of it.
5. Bring wine — Wine prices are highly inflated on the ship, so bring bottles of your own, as many as you like. There is a $10 corkage fee in the dining room and a $14 fee in the Supper Club. We will be bringing our own next year.
6. Purchase Internet Package — Our first cruise we didn’t use the internet, but this year we wanted to, to update the website and check email. We opted not to buy a package because we thought we wouldn’t use that many minutes, we were wrong. The cheapest package is $55 for 100 minutes, it seems a little steep, but paying $0.75 per minute adds up to $55 quickly when you pay by the minute. So our advice is, if you’re going to use the computer at all, spend $55.
7. Wear Sunscreen — Apply sunscreen from the first second that you are exposed to the sun, it will make for a more enjoyable vacation!
8. Bring Less Clothes — You are on a ship, it’s likely hot, and you’ll be wearing swimming clothes 90% of the time so don’t bring so many pairs of shorts! There is also laundry facilities on the ship so you have the option of spending $2 and doing a load of dirty clothes. Then you can save room by not bringing as many shirts, pairs of underwear or socks! Attempt to get all of your clothes and shoes into one 50lb. bag.
9. Use Luggage Express — This is a new-to-us service, for $20 per person the ship will take your bag from outside of your room on that last night and you won’t see it again until you arrive home from your flight and find it on the baggage claim. We procrastinated this year and didn’t take advantage of this option and it would have been awesome!
10. Plan Your Excursions — My advice is to plan your excursions before you leave for your vacation. Carnival arranges excursions through vendors at each port but you pay a premium price. With a little research you can find these same vendors or excursions on the web and pay much less money. If simplicity is what you want and you don’t mind spending $20-70 more per person, book on Carnival, it’s a no brainer.

This list includes things that make your vacation more convenient, inexpensive, and/or enjoyable. As a bonus #11 on the list, if it fits in your budget, get a room with a balcony. It is beautiful and you spend more time in your room than you think.