what I brought but didn't need:
something to weigh down the shower curtain
a long-sleeved jacket- it was never too cold for me on the ship
what I wish I had brought:
one of those personal fans you can carry around with you
other notes:
when you wash things out in the cabin bathroom sink, don't expect them to dry out overnight - the a/c makes things take 2-3 days to dry out; (i.e. cotton tank tops) ring quarters and wash them in the sink, but use the laundry room dryer
make sure to confirm your breakfast order when you wake up - on the last day, I had left my card out but they didn't have it so I had to order breakfast on the phone, thankfully it was quick. But if you have an early excursion it's best to get up in time to order it if your breakfast order card got misplaced (or if some drunk fool took it off your cabin door)
I didn't see another single cabin door that had door decorations on it. I had also been on other floors looking for the laundry room (which I didn't use after all). But I could hear people make nice comments as they stopped and looked at ours, though! I won't do door decorations next time. Save the suitcase space for more important stuff!
The buffet area (Seaside Bistro) has trays so you can bring your food to another area on the ship or your cabin to eat, if you desire.
The sushi bar was a tiny cubicle where they would make up an order but I didn't want to take the time to wait. They did the order for the first person in line and you had to wait your turn standing in line. There was only one sushi chef.
When you are in your cabin, it's pretty bright light coming in from the window. So, if you have an OV room, you better like the light or you'll spend the days with the curtains drawn closed. I'm sensitive to light and we kept them half-closed during the day, and would open them up when the sun started going down. Next cruise, I'll get an inside room.
You have to always watch when going in and out of the bathroom as you have to step up into it.
I never had water go out of the shower, so I didn't weigh the shower curtain down with the binder clips I'd brought along. No problem with it wrapping about my butt.
It was nice to have the lirrle orange wall decoration around the room, it's a 2" depth and we kept our cell phohnes, sunglasses, dameras, etc. perched on it. Good storage space in the closets. 4 drawers in desk aren't very deep, but they served purpose for a short cruise. The drawer over where the chair went was good for paper, pens, that sort of stuff.
ian had a roll away cot under his bed but we were able to slide our carryones under my bed.
There were two huge cotton bathrobes in our room but we didn't use them. They also had a nice warm soft extra blue blanket that Ian used.
Beds were comfy, pillows were good!
Ran into someone on the bus back from Port Lucaya marketplace who lost their luggage (airlines lost it, connecting flights). I don't know if they got it back in time for formal night or anything. That's why we used carry-ons only. She sobbed all that night, then realized she wasn't going to let it ruin her trip. They had a business meeting to attend after the cruise and would have to buy new things in Florida if they didn't get their luggage back in time. They (she her hubby and two teenage sons) had bought shirts and shorts from the ship shop that they wore on the excursion. She had not thought to back an extra set in their carryons.
So I strongly recommend people do that! There are more lost luggage cases these days, especially when connecting flights are involved.
Also, our return flight was delayed which had to cancel our connecting flight. While standing in line at the gate I called AA and they were able to get us on a direct flight back to Chicago so we were thrilled, it got us in an hour earlier than the two connecting flights would have. If that happens to you, while you wait in line, have your airline number in your cell phone to get a seat before others in line ahead of you!
The pool is mostly filled with kids so for adults who want a quieter place to lounge/sun/swim, choose a ship that has an adults only pool. I don't know if Carnival has that, but I saw that RCI does.
Also, the elevators were horrid! We found it faster to walk up and down stairs rather than wait for elevators. I'm serious, folks. Go on the trip expecting this and think of it as your vacation workout. Because people push the buttons then realize it's faster to walk, the doors open on every floor and mostly there are no other people waiting to get on, which causes more delays. This was probably the biggest disappointment on the cruisek, as I have a damaged nerve in my left leg and going up and down stairs doesn't help me. Thank god I had my meds with me. If you have someone in your party with a wheelchair, etc. (and there were quite a bit on Sensation!) be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting for elevators so leave time before dinners, excursions, etc. for that.
Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I've been on 17 cruises, but I still read new ideas and great suggestions on this board. I have taken most of the advice offered, also.
The thing I am still working on is to take less clothes, especially on cruises where we have to fly to the port, or fly back from a destination. We recently returned from a cruise to Europe. I took way too many clothes, and it was a real hassle dealing with the luggage, even the short amount of time that we had to.
I am working on typing up the trip journal I wrote during the trip and I hope to have it finished so I can post it in the next day or two. Trouble is, I sometimes have trouble reading my horrible handwriting.
[size=1][size=9]Also, our return flight was delayed which had to cancel our connecting flight. While standing in line at the gate I called AA and they were able to get us on a direct flight back to Chicago so we were thrilled, it got us in an hour earlier than the two connecting flights would have. If that happens to you, while you wait in line, have your airline number in your cell phone to get a seat before others in line ahead of you! [size]
GREAT IDEA!!! Hope this doesn't even happen to us tho - or anyone!!
when you wash things out in the cabin bathroom sink, don't expect them to dry out overnight - the a/c makes things take 2-3 days to dry out; (i.e. cotton tank tops) ring quarters and wash them in the sink, but use the laundry room dryer
I usually bring a bungie cord to hold the door open! I LOVE the sunshine and the sound of the waves against the boat. Put your clothes on the bungie cord and they will be dry in no time. :-)
[Michelle said: when you wash things out in the cabin bathroom sink, don't expect them to dry out overnight - the a/c makes things take 2-3 days to dry out; (i.e. cotton tank tops) ring quarters and wash them in the sink, but use the laundry room dryer
Cheryl responded with:
I usually bring a bungie cord to hold the door open! I LOVE the sunshine and the sound of the waves against the boat. Put your clothes on the bungie cord and they will be dry in no time. :-)[/quote]
Cheryl, I think Michelle was in an ocean view cabin, so the only door was to the passageway. I think her idea of using the dryer when needed was a good one, although I rarely run out of clothes during a cruise, so don't worry too much about it.
oh -- ok.. I see. I rarely run out of clothes either, However, on my last day at sea, I wash everything so I can come home with a clean set of luggage...can unpack and not have to worry about washing.
Yes, we had a fantastic time on the cruise, and now that we've beenon our first, we know what to adjust the next time around., what to bring, what not to bring. And yes, I had an room so couldn't open the balcony door. I washed a few tanktops in the sink, wrung them dry, then hung them in the closet, but they were still half damp the following day so I put them in the laundry bag to get done for $15.
Before I decided to hand wash, I actually did go to the laundry room, put $2 of quarters in, but couldn't find a way to actually turn the frigging machine on. They really need to out directions out there for people!
Before I decided to hand wash, I actually did go to the laundry room, put $2 of quarters in, but couldn't find a way to actually turn the frigging machine on. They really need to out directions out there for people!
I put my cloths in the machine, added the soap, put in my quarters and watches the dryer above it spin with nothing in it.
I would also suggest bringing your own snacks as there are not many options onboard - Sensations snacks in their shops are about 10-12 candy bars, and the liquor store had some bags of chips/pretzel mix, but I can see how some people bring their own now. I will bring a huge bag of my favorite snack - thin pretzle stix - next time as well as Chexmix for my son. There was no place onboard to purchase any sundries other than lots of sunscreen - $12 for a 12-15 oz bottle - I didn't see any shampoo, etc.
I thought they'd have HUGE sales the last sail day, but only a few things actually went "on sale" - got 2 t-shirts for Ian for $30, normally they sell for $20 each and if you buy only one on sale day, it was $20.
The gold by the inch was a joke, only a few chains were $1 an inch, most were $3 or $4. Didn't buy any.
I would also suggest bringing your own snacks as there are not many options onboard - Sensations snacks in their shops are about 10-12 candy bars, and the liquor store had some bags of chips/pretzel mix, but I can see how some people bring their own now.
Wow - The last thing that I would ever think anyone needed to bring is snacks. You can eat all day and night. I didn't happen to notice pretzels, but I can't say anyone would go hungry or have a lack of munchies.
I think you might be looking at the cruise from the point of view of spending lots of time in the cabin. I agree there might not be a lot of munchies to buy to bring back to the room, but for me I spent very little time there so that was not a issue. Plenty to eat around the ship.
Clothes drying tip: balloons. They take up no room in you suit case. Inflate and put inside of article you are drying. Dries in half the time.
My goodness! This is surely a "new one". Thank you so much. This would be good for at home, for Tee's that you don't want to put into the dryer. Great idea!
__________________ the INSPIRATION the CELEBRATION the SENSATION the SENSATION
"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."
I would also suggest bringing your own snacks as there are not many options onboard - Sensations snacks in their shops are about 10-12 candy bars, and the liquor store had some bags of chips/pretzel mix, but I can see how some people bring their own now.
Wow - The last thing that I would ever think anyone needed to bring is snacks. You can eat all day and night. I didn't happen to notice pretzels, but I can't say anyone would go hungry or have a lack of munchies.
I think you might be looking at the cruise from the point of view of spending lots of time in the cabin. I agree there might not be a lot of munchies to buy to bring back to the room, but for me I spent very little time there so that was not a issue. Plenty to eat around the ship.
Brian
when I cruise, I adjust my "food" habits, as cruising is not a land based resort, I realize there are some - not many - but some limitations - there is only so much room for storage - so I make sure that I eat and snack on things that I normally don't get to try., for instance, Carnival has wonderful cold salads - and as far as snacks go, the desert area at the buffet is AWESOME - I even found whole fresh fruit at the buffett area and grill area. salty snacks are also available at the bars, just ask for a bowl - sometimes they have them and sometimes they run out towards the end of the cruise.
also, just as with any land based vacation in some areas, what I might enjoy at home is not available
__________________
Carnival Victory March 9, 2013
*carnival dream *
Glory 2/28/2010: Dina & Marty
Valor Feb 2009: Dina & Marty - again
Grandeur Feb 2008: DTW, Dina & Marty
Inspiration May 26, 2007
Fascination: Feb 2007
Enchantment of Seas: Sept 2006
Imagination (3x)
Radiance of the Seas
Majesty of the Seas
The Big Red Boat
Connect with Facebook
packing list adjustments & other tips
Linear Mode
