Have you ever traveled somewhere and wished there were things you knew beforehand so you could get the most out of your time? This happened to me when I went on my first Carnival Cruise Ship.
I went on a weeklong retreat at sea and it took place on the Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship. Even though I have cruised many times before, it was never on Carnival.
To make sure that you don’t waste time on your next vacation, I want to tell you some things you need to know before you go on a Carnival Cruise Ship, so you can get the most out of your time there.
Is Royal Caribbean or Carnival Better?
Royal Caribbean is one cruise line I have to yet to sail on. Although I have lots of friends who have cruised Royal Caribbean and told me they loved it and would choose it over a Carnival Cruise Ship, so it seems like I need to check it out for myself.
They both are among the more affordable companies to cruise with. After checking prices, Royal Caribbean seems to be approximately $200 higher (depending on the ship and time of year) then Carnival.
Most of Royal Caribbean’s ships are larger than Carnival’s fleet.
When it comes to atmosphere Royal Caribbean has a more upscale feel, while Carnival is more laid back and party-like.
If you are looking for a completely family friendly cruise line then you will want to skip right to Disney Cruise Line.
They are definitely more pricey, but there are ways to save and budget properly for it.
What is the biggest Carnival Cruise Ship?
The biggest Carnival Cruise Ship actually hasn’t even set sail yet, but it will this year.
Mardi Gras will be the largest Carnival Cruise Line ship, and it will not only have 5,200 rooms, but even more incredible is it will have Bolt, the first onboard roller coaster at sea!
My adventurous kids would love to experience this new ship.
Carnival Cruise Ship Tips You Need to Know
If you are cruising Carnival, and it’s your first time like it was for me, there are some things you need to know which will help you get the most out of your time.
That way you can relax and maximize your fun!
If you easily sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of this post), you will be instantly directed to a free travel resource page where you can download an incredible packing / travel checklist.
Stay Connected
For people who want to stay connected while at sea, Carnival provides a discount if you pre-purchase your Internet plan. That means if you want internet while on your cruise you will need to buy it before you sail in order to save.
I recommend saving time and money, even before you travel, by simply by visiting the ‘Manage My Booking‘ tab on Carnival’s site to buy a plan that will keep you connected (as best as possible) for the whole cruise.
Download Carnival’s HUB app
So you can know what’s happening while you are onboard Carnival make sure to download their HUB app.
This app will be your best friend. It will definitely help you get the most out of your time on the ship and allow you to experience all the fun.
To use the app is free on board, and you will be able to see what’s happening, activities, food and drinks, deck plans, check your account balance, view photos and chat with other guests ($5.00 fee to chat).
You won’t have to miss any of the food, fun, events, entertainment and information the cruise has to offer thanks to the Carnival HUB app.
How To Spend on the Ship
Get the most out of your time on any Carnival Cruise Ship by not stressing over money. Sign up online, pre-cruise, and activate Sail & Sign®, which is Carnival’s cashless on board credit program.
This will allow you to charge onboard purchases and gratuities directly to your account without having to carry and fumble for cash or credit cards around the ship.
One-of-a-Kind Culinary Experience
Since you are on vacation, why not enjoy a unique and incredible culinary experience during your time on a Carnival Cruise Ship.
Make a reservation for The Chef’s Table, which includes an exquisite multi-course private dinner hosted by one of the cruise line’s master chefs along with a private champagne reception plus a personalized tour of the galley.
I unfortunately had to miss this delicious experience during my recent trip on the Carnival Paradise, but check out the experience firsthand from Michelle of Honest & Truly.
Visit Multiple Islands
Take advantage of the fact that you are cruising around multiple islands and book an excursion or two directly through Carnival.
Let Carnival handle all the planning so you can enjoy the entire experience.
During my cruise on the Carnival Paradise, a group of us went on a Catamaran in Grand Cayman for an unforgettable swimming with the Stingrays experience that I will never forget.
My friend Sharon of Cupcakes & Cutlery and I easily booked an excursion, pre-cruise, right on Carnival’s site for a champagne catamaran cruise in Cozumel.
We had a fabulous girls day out and really got to experience Cozumel in an exciting and memorable way.
Have you ever taken a Carnival Cruise before or even planned a girls trip like this that actually works out?
Make sure to also check out my friend Lashawn from Everyday Eyecandy’s post on 10 useful things she learned while on this cruise.
Now that you know some things you need to do on a Carnival Cruise Ship, it is time to stop dreaming and start booking, but make sure you have these best travel essentials with you when you pack your carry on for the cruise.