15 Cruise Tips you need to Know for your first Carnival Cruise

Are you ready to go on a Carnival Cruise?

A cruise is an enjoyable trip that anyone can go on. From kids to adults, there is something for all ages to do. I talk about the fun things to do Here. However, just like any trip, there are some things you need to be mindful of before going.

I just went on my first-ever cruise with my mother this past April. I had such a fantastic time that I was looking at when I would book my next cruise.

I like to learn everything I can when I go on a trip to a new place. Rather, I need to know tips, laws, or things to be cautious about. That led me to spend countless hours researching what I needed to know for a cruise.

That leads to today; instead of looking all around for cruise tips, I put some of the tips I learned all in one spot.

1. If you need to communicate with someone back home, invest in Wi-Fi.

If you want to disconnect, do not buy the wifi. The Carnival Cruise app does not require Wi-Fi, so it is unnecessary. If you need to talk to someone back home, or if you are someone who still wants to get on the internet, get the WIFI. I suggest getting the most expensive package ($20 daily) for the best quality.

Also, another added tip: make sure your phone is on airplane mode while on the boat. They will tell you this when you get on, but make sure you do that. You do not want those fees to hit your phone bill!

2. Plan your excursions with Carnival Cruise instead of another organization.

I know that the excursions with Carnival cruise can be a little pricey, but it is the safest route. If you are doing an excursion with Carnival and the excursion runs late, the boat will wait for you. However, If you do an excursion through another agency that runs late, the boat will not wait for you.

Also, they will constantly remind you of the time to get back on your ship. So plan your excursions accordingly.

3. You don’t need a passport to go on the Cruise; your birth Certificate works fine.

Luckily, a passport is not required to visit another country on a cruise. An ORIGINAL copy of your birth certificate and your ID is good enough. You can also bring your passport, which makes the boarding process easier.

4. Carry your luggage, if you can.

This is more so for when you are leaving the cruise ship. The night before, they will announce to leave your luggage outside your door, and they will handle it when you are leaving the boat. However, if you do this, you could wait a long time for your luggage to arrive.

I suggest taking your luggage with you, so you leave when it is time to go. You don’t have to do any waiting around.

When you are first boarding the cruise, you can keep your luggage or let them bring it to your room. This is a personal choice. If you keep your luggage, you must wait until your room is ready to put your bags up. If you give them your luggage, I suggest keeping a small carry-on with essentials like a swimsuit or sunscreen.

5. Bring a cruise-appropriate surge protector

There is only one outlet in the room. You are not allowed to bring any power surge on the cruise. It will have to be cruise-appropriate. They aren’t hard to find; a few are on Amazon.

6. Bring your medication, personal hygiene things, and hand Soap.

One of the gift shops has these items, but they are more expensive. Therefore, to save money, bring your products. Also, the bathrooms do not have hand-washing soap, so please bring some.

7. Invest in a Lanyard for your room key.

Your room key is a card that you use everywhere on the cruise. Also, it is linked to your money as well! So, to ensure you don’t leave it accidentally or lose it, get a lanyard. Having your room key around your neck gives you peace of mind.

8. Bring some comfortable shoes because you will be WALKING!

Do not underestimate how much walking you will be doing. You will walk a lot from one side of the ship to the other. When I checked my fitness app, I walked at least 3 miles daily during my cruise. Keep some comfy shoes with you even at the pool if you need to walk a long distance.

9. Be mindful: The elevators get pretty crowded and can take a while to come to you.

Sometimes, the stairs get you to a floor quicker than the elevators. Everyone is trying to use the elevators, so it takes a while for them to come to you. The longest I waited for the elevators was 20 minutes; after that, I gave up and took the stairs. Don’t get me wrong, the elevators can sometimes come quickly, but definitely not always!

10. Order as much food as you can in the dining hall.

While in the dining hall, you will see a list of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You don’t have to choose one; you can choose more than one in one sitting. One night, I had all the appetizers because I was undecided.

11. Order the Drink Package if you know you will use it!

If you know you will drink a lot of alcohol, get the drink package. If you don’t drink much, get the soft drink package. The Alcohol drink package can be pricey, and you can waste it if you don’t want to drink much alcohol. Also, if you want the drink package, your roommate must get it.

12. Do the Self-Muster Station

It is a mandatory safety briefing that takes less than 5 minutes. Watch and check yourself off so your room can be checked for it.

13. You are not allowed to bring the alcohol back to your room that you buy

If you get to an island and buy any alcohol there, you cannot bring it back to your room. They will hold your drinks until the day you leave the cruise ship.

14. Bring magnetic hooks, a refillable water bottle, a portable fan, and a blanket.

The closet space is decent, but magnetic hooks can be your best friend if you need more storage. The closet door is magnetic, so you can place them inside it.

You can also get water by the buffet area, so it is convenient to always keep a water bottle with you.

It will get hot at sea or while on the island so a portable fan may be a lifesaver. Also, a portable fan for your room can be useful.

You are wondering why I suggest a blanket if I said it can get hot. They have a movie night on the deck at night, and it can get really cold out there. Bring your blanket to save you from using a towel (like I did, haha).

15. Have lots of fun!

Have the time of your life. Eat all the food you want. Spend time in the pool. Lay out and read a book. Make tons of memories on the Carnival Cruise!