If you are planning a cruise, be prepared with these Carnival Cruise Tips for First Timers. Take a look at these 18 tips for going on a Carnival Cruise.

Cruise Ship at port.

Get ready for your cruise with the best tips. Learn what seasoned cruisers already know and be prepared. Knowing the ins and outs of Carnival cruise lines can really help make your first cruise an even better experience.

You might also want to take a look at this Cruise Packing List. Don’t forget sunscreen!

What's in this post: Carnival Cruise Tips for First Timers

Why We Love This

Being a first-time cruiser can be a little daunting. However, these tips will quickly make you a pro. From the first day to debarkation, you will be ready to go!

Carnival Cruise Ship at port.

1.  Utilize a Porter at Debarkation.

The line to get through customs is long when it is time to get off the ship. You will be offered a porter, and it’s a good idea to accept.

Allowing the porter to take your luggage usually gets you a free pass to go! They load up the luggage and you skip the line and go straight to the front of customs.

It will save you an hour or more depending on how long the line is. After customs, the porter will carry your luggage to the car.

The service is free but you do want to tip the porter. It’s certainly worth it considering how much time you saved.

2. Main Dining Room Breakfast on Debarkation.

Everyone will flock to the buffet to grab breakfast before getting of the ship. It will be beyond crowded and hectic!

Skip the lines and walk straight into the Main Dining Room for a delicious sit-down breakfast. Most people don’t even know this optional dining is available for breakfast on debarkation day.

Have a leisurely breakfast while you wait for your zone to be called to get off the ship. This is a much better way to end vacation by having a nice meal in one of the dining rooms.

3. Room Service

While times have changed, and the entire room service menu is no longer free, they still offer a continental free breakfast.

It’s so nice to wake up to coffee, fresh fruit and flaky croissants. Simply call and order that morning and choose your selection. Someone will deliver it to your room.

As long as you choose the free options, there will not be any additional cost. Please note that while I personally tip the person delivering, it is optional.

4. Bring Your Own Coffee Creamer 

Are you a coffee snob? The cruise line does not have flavored creamer in the main dining room or the buffet, only half and half.

Pack your own creamer so that you won’t be disappointed. The little individual creamers are perfect to pack.

5. Pack a Night Light

The cabins are pretty dark at night. Some people find it helpful to pack a small night light to use to make late night trips to the bathroom easier.

6. Bring Canned Drinks

Water, tea and lemonade (and juice at breakfast) are the beverage choices. If you want soda or other beverages, you have to purchase a drink package that is extra and pricey.

Carnival allows you to bring 12 can drinks per person with you. They have to be in cans and bottles are not allowed.

Carry them on and keep then in your room to get your soda fix on the cheap. This tip alone will save you a ton of money because drink packages are not cheap.

7. Take a Travel Mug or Insulated Tumbler

The cups at the buffet are small and don’t really keep drinks cool by the pool. Pack a yeti style tumbler and use it to fill up on lemonade or tea at the beverage stand.

You won’t have to come back so often for refills, and it will stay cool out in the hot sun by the pool!

8. Order What You Want

While specialty dining restaurants may incur an extra cost, the main dining room is included in your cruise price. You can order as many appetizers and desserts as you want.

With entrees, you can order 2 before they add an extra charge.

9. Enjoy the Entertainment

There is so much to do on the cruise ship. Enjoy the shows. Go dancing.

Head to a comedy club. It’s all part of the package!

10. Prepay Gratuities 

Gratuities are $16 per person per day. You can prepay these before you even leave on the trip. It’s nice to get it out of the way so I recommend doing so.

11. Let Carnival Know What You’re Celebrating

When you make your reservations, there is a spot to put if you are celebrating something. Whether it is a birthday or anniversary, make sure to make note of it.

While there are no guarantees, they have been known to go out of their way to make things extra special. We celebrated an anniversary and our room steward gave us spa and photo gift cards.

One night at dinner, we were surprised with a small heart shaped anniversary cake- all free and totally unexpected. So, it’s worth a shot to make note of what you are celebrating.

They may just surprise you with something special too.  So fun!

12. Don’t Pack Beach Towels

Save your precious luggage space for other things. Your room is equipped with pool towels and you can get more by the pool.

This is so convenient, and you don’t have to do the extra laundry. It is so nice being able to swap out the towel with a clean one.

13. Pack Nausea Medicine And Other Essentials

If you’ve never been on a cruise, it’s hard to know how you will react. Pack Dramamine, sea bands or whatever you prefer because everything is more expensive on the ship.

It’s better to have it just in case. This is true especially if it is your first cruise because you don’t know what to expect or how you might feel.

I also recommend packing any other medication or essentials you may need. Items are very pricey on the ship.

14. Over the Door Shoe Rack for Storage

If you are bringing the entire family, it might be helpful to use one of the shoe racks you can hang on the door for storage. 

There is very little room around the bathroom sink to put things and even less storage around the bathroom. Use the shoe rack to help keep clutter at bay and to find things easier.

Each compartment can be used for toiletries, curling iron and all sorts of things you won’t have room to leave out by the sink.

15. Pack Your Bathing Suit in Carry On Luggage

Your online check in time on embarkation day is often earlier than you can get in your room. Spend the time in a lounge chair by the pool and get started with your vacation!

No need to wait until your room is ready if you have your bathing suit with you once you board the ship.

This is especially helpful if you are traveling with children. It is a great way to keep them entertained and the pools aren’t as crowded.

Most people wait until they have access to their rooms, so this is a great time to enjoy the pools without a lot of other people.

16. Stateroom Savings

If you don’t plan on being in your room much, an interior option is a big savings. They are much cheaper than a balcony room or ocean view room.

17. Formal Night

Don’t be intimidated by formal night in the dining room. While it is perfectly fine to get all dressed up, you don’t have to. Men can wear a dress shirt and slacks and that is totally acceptable. No need for tuxedos. Women can wear a nice dress and do not need a cocktail dress or evening dress.

18. Non-Surge Power Strip

There are rarely enough outlets for everyone’s devices and charging needs. Bring a non-surge power strip to provide extra outlets.

Cruise Ship at port beside another ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping mandatory on Carnival cruises?

Tips are extra and typically $16 per person per day. You can prepay these before you leave on the trip. Otherwise, they will be added to your sign and sail account linked to your credit card on board.

You can certainly ask to have them removed at guest services once on board, but the crew works very hard, and these tips are a very large percentage of their wage.

How much money should I bring on a Carnival Cruise?

This varies greatly based on you and your family. If you tend to like to just hang out at the pool and beach at ports of call, you really don’t need much money.

Food and entertainment are included so there isn’t much needed. However, if you are one that likes to gamble in the casino, participate in shore excursions or do a lot of shopping, you will need more money on port days.

You will want to look at your itinerary and see if there is a destination daily or do you have sea days on your cruise vacation. All of this can factor in what you will need.

Those are all things to take into account when budgeting your spending money you plan to bring.

What drinks are free on a Carnival Cruise?

Water, iced tea, lemonade, coffee and hot tea.

What is the best cruise for a first time cruiser?

If you are concerned about whether or not you might like a cruise or if there is worry over getting seasick, a short cruise is best for first timers.

What’s included in Carnival Cruise?

Your room, food with the exception of specialty restaurants, shows, soft serve ice cream and more. You can read all that the cruise includes and what the cruise fare does not include.

So much is included, and it is a great way to get the most bang for your money. You don’t have to worry about the normal things and just sit back and relax.

For many, this alone makes it such a great vacation. As long as you stick to the included restaurants, you can enjoy without worrying about what things cost.

That sounds like a vacation to me especially for those on tight budgets that are used to really watching prices. It is so nice to just sit back and enjoy.

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Which of these Carnival First Time Cruise Tips did you find the most helpful? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Comments

  1. Charlene says:

    A lady from carnival said the individual creamers aren’t allowed because they are plastic. I think I may still try to bring them. Is there a limit to the amount I can bring

    Reply
  2. Krystal says:

    Thanks for these tips. I’ve cruised many times with Carnival but I didn’t realize we could eat in the main dining room on embarkation. Since we have an assigned time to leave do we just show up before our scheduled time to eat with our luggage?

    Reply