GENERAL CRUISING TERMS:
Embarkation: means getting on the ship
Disembarkation or Debarkation: means getting off the ship at the end of your cruise
Port: left side of the ship as you face forward
Starboard: right side of the ship as you face forward
Forward: front of ship
Aft: rear of ship
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
A mandatory self-mustering drill is held as part of the embarkation process and must be conducted by all guests before sailing. Guests can find their assigned muster station on their boarding pass, Sail & Sign Card, or cabin key. You will then make your way to your assigned station and check in with one of the muster station team members. The team member will demonstrate the correct donning of a life jacket. The tv’s in your stateroom as well as many common areas will play safety videos during the whole embarkation process.
There are not many clocks onboard. Bring a watch with you as most cell phones will not work at sea. There are many scheduled fun activities on board and you will want to know what time it is so bringing a watch is a good thing.
EMBARKATION:
The more time you can spend on the ship, the more value you get for your dollar. Carnival Cruise Line has you schedule an Arrival Appointment time. If you fail to schedule an Arrival Appointment time by midnight (Eastern Time), Carnival will assign one to you. Personally, I like to be among the first people on the ship, so I can enjoy it longer. The closer to the 14 day mark when the check in window opens is the best time to book your Arrival Appointment. This way you can get the time you want. I will remind you to complete your online check-in as your cruise approaches. If you do not select an arrival time one will be assigned to you the morning of your cruise by email.
When you arrive at your cruise terminal, you will give your luggage to a porter. It is customary to tip anyone that handles your luggage. Tip at least $1 per bag as a general rule of thumb. Once checked in at your Arrival Appointment and given your Sail & Sign card you will be able to begin boarding. You will present your stateroom key (Sail & Sign card) as you board, have a family photo taken, and then board the ship. After that, the ship is yours! Once onboard you can enjoy lunch at the buffet or usually one of the sit down restaurants will be open. Ask a crew member or check your Fun Times Newsletter to determine which restaurants will be open.
Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on bag if you plan to swim first thing. Remember, your stateroom may not be ready when you first board, so pack accordingly. If you’ve brought your swimsuits in your day bag, this is a perfect time to enjoy the pool. Pack any valuables, medication etc in your carry-on bags. You may not see your checked luggage until 6pm on day of embarkation.
If you still need to make spa appointments, change your dinner rotation, sign up for shore excursions, or book a specialty dining experience, now is the time to do that. If it’s your first time on the ship, this is a good time to get a map and wander around familiarizing yourself with everything. Many locations such as the spa and kids club also have open house hours and embarkation day special offers. At about 1:00 or 1:30 pm, your stateroom should be ready. Your bags will be delivered at some point in the afternoon (up until about 6:00 pm).
A small quantity (12 unopened cans/cartons or 12oz or less per person) of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk) may be brought on board on embarkation day. All beverages must be brought on in the guest’s carry-on luggage only. Bottles are prohibited to be brought on board but you can pre-purchase bottled water to be delivered to your stateroom through your Carnival account.
Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board. Any alcoholic beverage attempted to be brought on board will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided. The one exception is 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.
STATEROOM INFORMATION:
The TV in your stateroom will offer limited programming but you won’t be in the room much!
The staterooms all have a small, shallow beverage cooler. It is not a refrigerator; it keeps things cool, but not cold. You can use it to cool drinks, but it won’t keep perishable items (milk, leftovers) at a cold enough temperature to prevent them from going bad fairly quickly.
Do not bring irons on board. They will be confiscated and are a fire hazard.
For guests staying in an inside stateroom, you will want to set your alarm or request a wake-up call since no sunlight will enter your room. Rooms are furnished with hairdryers however if you have a favorite hair dryer, I highly recommend bringing your own.
PLANNING YOUR DAY AT SEA:
A daily newsletter called a Fun Times will be left in your stateroom when your stateroom attendant provides turndown service (usually while you are at dinner). The Fun Times will list the hours of operations for all activities, dining, shore excursions, etc. Bring a highlighter with you to mark the items you would like to participate in. Bring your Fun Times with you wherever you go but if you forget, you can pick up an extra at Guest Services.
You may also opt to download the Carnival Cruise Lines HUB App, available for Apple or Android devices. Be sure to do this before you leave home! Once onboard, you will connect to the ship’s wifi network (leave your phone in airplane mode!). The ship’s wifi is complimentary for the HUB App use only. This app will also allow you to text message with friends and family on the ship with you for a small $5 fee for the voyage.
As with any technology, there may be issues that arise with the app. I recommend utilizing both the app and the hardcopy of Fun Times left in your stateroom throughout your cruise.
DINING ONBOARD:
Breakfast and lunch are usually served in two or three breakfast and lunch locations with different hours (check your Fun Times for hours). You can choose from one or more full-service restaurants with open seating (just show up when you want during opening hours, and they’ll seat you), or eat at the buffet or fast-food dining locations.
Your dinner arrangements will be pre-assigned to you. If you are on Traditional Dining, you will be assigned a specific table and server for every night of your stay at either the early or late seating. For Your Time Dining, you will visit the dining room when you are ready to eat between 5:45 PM and 9:30 PM. There may be a slight wait for a table but in most cases tables are available within 20 minutes. All guests must be present before being seated. The buffet and other dining options are also available if you choose to skip the dining room.
Dining:
- If you want to change your seating location, dining time or assigned dining option (your time or traditional), do so first thing when you get on the ship (embark). Please note, Carnival will make every effort to honor your request but changes are not guaranteed.
- The Fun Times Newsletter will list where to make such changes or ask any crew member onboard the ship where to go to change your dining time/assignment.
- Arriving a bit later for dinner (just 5 minutes) will reduce your wait in line to get into each restaurant.
- Room service is included in your cruise price, completely free, during the day, plus hot food options available for a small fee. Free menu is offered from 6 AM until 10 PM Late-night menu options (after 10 PM) are also available for a small fee. A room service menu is located in your stateroom.
- Milk, juice, coffee, lemonade are all included and available with all meals onboard
- Sodas, specialty coffees, specialty drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for a fee. Carnival offers Bottomless Bubbles soda package and Cheers! beverage package that can be prepaid. (these are often available for a discount if reserved before you set sail)
Specialty Dining:
If you enjoy fine dining or specialty dining experiences, then you may want to consider specialty dining option onboard your cruise. There is an upcharge for dining at these locations but well worth it.
You can pre-arrange dining at these locations through your My Cruise Manager in your Carnival account online before your cruise. You can also check availability at the specialty dining locations while onboard.
Youth Programming:
Carnival’s Youth Experience offers active, fun, ocean-themed activities and entertainment for kids ages 2-17 with different activities and programs for different age groups.
Camp Ocean:
Penguins (ages 2-5)
Stingrays (ages 6-8)
Sharks (ages 9-11)
Circle “C”:
12-14 Year Olds
Club O2:
15-17 Year Olds
Camp Ocean Night Owl is available late night from 10 PM – 1 AM for an additional fee for ages 2-11.
Pre-Registration can be done online in your profile under Youth Registration. By pre-registering, children and teens (6 months to 17 years of age) are able to participate in their respective youthprograms once they arrive on board and save time for fun. Registering in no way obligates them to participate in any of the activities. Medical care consent is required for participating in Carnival YouthPrograms.
Youth Programs Open House – Embarkation Day
The YouthPrograms Open House is held in the youth facility spaces to give the parents as well as the children/teens a chance to become familiar with the programs and facilities. Both parents and children and teens get a chance to visit the facilities together and meet the staff. Be sure to check the HUB app for times.
CHARACTER MEET AND GREETS:
Carnival will offer many opportunities to meet the Dr. Seuss Characters. Check with your Fun Times Newsletter for times and locations. Arrive about 10 minutes prior to character arrival so you won’t have as long of a wait in line.
On many cruises, Carnival will also offer character dining opportunities. Check your online Carnival account before your cruise or the Fun Times Newsletter once on board for available options.
ITEMS TO BRING ONBOARD THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED:
· Pre-addressed address labels for luggage tags, postcards etc
· Candy….for the movie theater or evening shows….there is a charge for candy onboard
· Corkscrew, if you plan to bring your own wine
· Dry Erase Board: to communicate with your family
· Spare Duffle Bag: for your souvenirs
· Flashlight
· Folder or Large Envelope: to store your daily newsletters/paperwork
· Night Light
· Snorkeling Gear: if you plan to snorkel
· Ziploc bags, for wet swimsuits etc.
· Own beverage mugs/containers.
· Soft-sided, collapsible cooler to store snacks in while in port
I will also be emailing a recommended packing list as we get closer to your cruise.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Carnival has 3-types of suggested attire:
- Cruise Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch.
- Cruise Elegant: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed.
- Cruise Elegant Evening/ Formal Nights: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.
During the day and most evenings on a Carnival cruise, you can wear casual clothing. At dinner, cruise elegant is requested in the dining rooms. Carnival requests that no swimwear, tank tops or shorts be worn at dinner time in the dining rooms.
The only times that casual wear is not appropriate on a Carnival cruise is if you are dining at one of the cruise elegant specialty dining restaurants or on one of the “formal” nights. If you have any questions on this, please let me know.
PORT DAYS:
Port days offer great opportunities to explore new destinations or take an excursion. You do not have to get off the ship at the ports. This is an excellent time to take advantage of the ship’s amenities (pools, spa, etc) with less crowds.
Excursions can be booked through your online Carnival account as soon as you are booked. Some excursions are very popular and fill up quickly so book as early as you can.
If you have not decided on an excursion or are unable to get the excursion you are wanting before you get onboard, then go to the Excursions Desk as soon as you get on the ship. Sometimes, they will have availability or may be able to put you on a waitlist for the activity you are interested in.
SAFETY TIPS (when getting off the ship in any port):
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Carry limited cash
- If you have 2 adults with you, have each carry a different credit card in case one gets lost
- Do not take your passports with you when you are in port unless the ship has indicated you must bring them with you (very few ports require this).
- Make a photocopy of your passports and bring those with you instead. Store your passports in your in-room safe. Also, make sure and do bring a photo id for all adults with you at all ports of call.
DISEMBARKATION:
Gratuities: Carnival will provide you with a suggested tip amount at the end of your cruise. You can either pre-pay these gratuities before your cruise or they will automatically be added to your stateroom bill. You are also able to provide additional gratuities if you prefer.
Breakfast is served on your disembarkation day in both the dining room and the buffet. You will receive information about available dining options when you are onboard. Room Service is generally not available on disembarkation day.
BOOKING YOUR NEXT CARNIVAL CRUISE:
While onboard, you can book your next Carnival cruise and receive a special rate and onboard credit. This is the best way to ensure you are receiving the lowest possible rate. You can then get Whitney World Travel added to your new booking and receive our amazing complimentary services!
