23 Carnival Cruise Mistakes that Can RUIN Your Cruise
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- Опубліковано 13 гру 2024
- If you're going on a Carnival cruise for the first time, or even if you've cruised with them in the past, these are the cruise mistakes to avoid! I recently came back from a cruise on Carnival Celebration & YES, I made a few rookie mistakes.
In this video I share over 20 Carnival cruise mistakes not to make, starting from after you book your Carnival cruise, through embarkation day, to your cabin, onboard attractions, dining & more. I've included Carnival cruise tips for first timers, as well as more advanced cruise advice I recently discovered.
This Carnival cruise line information will help you to plan for your upcoming cruise vacation, be prepared & have a better cruise!
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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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We've done over a dozen cruises with Carnival. We had a great time on every one!
That’s awesome! What is your favorite ship?
@@LifeWellCruised Carnival Dream!
@@dalewhite64 I'll be on the Dream next month for a Journeys cruise. I've been on Magic, but this will be my first sailing on the Dream.
@@jeffbrack1126 we're going on a 10 day on Miracle in February.
Ditto!! Favorite ships are Mardi Gras & Breeze
We sailed The Mardi Gras last week for the second time. A mistake a lot of people make is not cashing out your casino bank the night before you get back to port.
@@TinaAllen-c1n oh my!! Thanks for mentioning this
Very good info. My wife and I have sailed on 9 Carnival Cruises and have a tenth booked.
We love to sit in the main lobby each early evening and listen to the live music - usually violins !!!
Secret tips please. Don’t forget to take advantage of the $15 laundry bag. Fill the provided paper bag with dirty clothes and get them back later that day washed and folded. Also try the Bonsai sushi. It’s delightful. 🎉
@@thomaszaborsky7654 that’s a great tip!!! I need to know more as I didn’t see that in my cabin
@ especially useful for casual clothes on hot cruises where you can be sweaty easily. It’s always nice to have fresh clothes to change into and reduces packing.
Secret tips please
1) Sea Day Tea…..get in line early because it’s only an hour and it’s first come first serve
2) With the Cheers package, one is able to get a free soda or water along with their drink that doesn’t count against the daily 15 per day limit
3) Eat the confetti cheesecake that is served only on embarkation day.
4) Reminder…..the casino is closed on debarkation day so cash out the day/night before
5) Go to TEPPANYAKI!!!!
AVID and COMMITTED Carnival cruiser!!! 43 in total so far!!😂. A few days from top tier and am SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT!!!
Thank you so much for this informative video!
We are sailing out on Carnival VERY soon and we cant wait! Going up a tier status, priority boarding, having free slot play in the casino, having a cabin right in the middle of the ship, having a steakhouse reservation on the 1st night, meeting the FB friends i have connected with for our sailing date in person, etc. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos and advice!
16 Carnival cruises and loved each one.
Great to hear! Any tips or things to watch out for?
Yay! We asked and you answered. thanks for more carnival videos! You are looking beautiful as always.
@@Cruises8 awe you’re too kind! Glad you enjoyed the video
I've never sailed carnival but have many other lines so thanks for all the content. You are the best!!
My last carnival cruise was 12 years ago. So much has changed. We have a cruise booked this month so this video was very helpful. Thanks for sharing 😊
I always like to search for ducks and I always tend to find 1 or 2 each cruise. I usually take a picture of it and then put it somewhere else for others to find.
Definitely go on the behind the scenes tour once in your cruising career. and if you can swing it, back to back pair of Cruises on the same ship in the same cabin is a lot of fun. They have to zero out, get everyone nominally off the ship, but that can mean just sitting in the restaurant while the port authorities, stop in to check your ID. Even if you swap cabins, we couldn't afford balcony both ways, they move your stuff for you.
Yes to more carnival cruise tips!!!
Secret tips.
We have been sailing on carnival for quite some time and are gold members and getting ready to turn Platinum level on our cruise in January.
Part of the perks of those levels are you each get a large bottle of water, so we do drink those in the cabin as part of our perks, and don’t get charged.
A mistake a lot of people make is not knowing what is included in the drink package besides alcohol . Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees and gatoraid. We will get a couple of sodas and waters on the way back to cabin to stock the mini fridge.
I would challenge folks to check out the drinks package. Recently I began to not buy the package. Seriously i cannot drink that many drinks. This works especially if you are going into many ports.
Sea Day Tea in the MDR is fun.
yes! we always do carnival so secret tips would be awesome!!
Yes, secret tips video!!! Thank you!
Carnival is definitely my favorite cruise line!!! I would love to hear your secret tips regarding Carnival. Thanks Ilana!!!
Your videos are awesome! Thanks! I just purchased the Life Well Cruised Planner.
@@waynechason5855 so glad you enjoy the videos! Thanks for your purchase & I hope it’s super helpful as you plan your cruise 🛳️👏
I loved dressing up for y the 80's Rock and Glow party and the White Night party. I also attended the Motown night but I don't think there is an appropriate I outfit for that. Lol
Secret tips please. Thank you for all your wonderful and very informative videos
We sailed Carnival Celebration for Thanksgiving week this year. This was my second time on Celebration and my Sister’s third time on her! We love this ship! We had so much fun and did so many activities and we didn’t repeat anything from a previous sailing yet! I love that you can do ChiBang and Cucina Del Capitano for free the first time and $8 every time after that!
@@QueenSuperJ agree that makes the dining variety so good
The childcare on Carvnival is the best of all the lines we've been on. They have the best hours & really do a great job keeping the kiddo's entertained - giving them a good vacation time as well.
Carnival Secret Tips-yes, please!
you got your hair did! looks amazing!
Yaaay new video we always enjoy these
So glad you enjoy them! So glad you’re watching 😊
You're hair always look so Good. Just pointing that out. Thanks for the video.
CHEF'S TABLE... Do this at least once! It's amazing! I try to do it as often as I can. It is a bit pricey at $100 USD per person, but it is so worth it!! (This may be more expensive on the newer and bigger ships. Look under specialty dining when you make your reservation.)
It is a longer event.. plan on at least 3hours. I always recommend book it BEFORE and pay ahead to guarantee yourself a spot! Its very limited and usually one night. Once on ship spots fill up fast! A few times I even walked on the ship and reserved my spot for chefs table before even seeing my cabin.
You get a tour of the Galley... You actually get to see it in action during dinner service! You get to see the Exec Pastry chef demo the Carnival Molten Cake. (We even used to get an actual souvenir print of the recipe) You get 4 apps and champagne during the tour.
Dinner is usually 7 courses with water, red and white wine.
**Food Allergies and Dietary restrictions.... Do not hesitate to tell them any of this! They ask when they call to reserve and are very accomidating
You answered my only question about when I can book the bolt. It's my only reason for booking with carnival 😊
Secret tips please. We have sailed many times on Carnival and love it.
Yes Carnival cruise tips please!
We always prepay our gratuities when we book. If they increase them at any time, we are already grandfathered in to the old tip amount. Also always tip the cabin attendant at the end if they do a great job.
Another thing one should do with kids is go to the family harbor. It eliminates you from going upstairs to have breakfast and snacks because you have access to the lounge.
The thing about the bottled water on carnival is that is you ar3 Red, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond, you get that large bottle of water, first one free, stop by any bar and bring it back to your cabin. 😊
@@QueenSuperJ awesome!!
Yes please for secret tips
We love Carnival especially Celebration.
I sailed on Carnival Splendor in Nov. 2024 as a first time cruiser. If you like your steak medium rare, ask for medium. The chefs have absolutely no idea whatsoever on how to cook medium rare steak. However if you ask for medium, you will receive a perfectly cooked medium rare steak!!!
We had an inside cabin and when we first entered the cabin I was wondering how we were going to naviagate the cabin. My friend suggested we push the twin beds up against their respective side walls and place both bedside tables in the middle. Worked perfectly. We both then had plenty of room to walk around the cabin and also to store out belongings. The beds were left remaining in these positions for the entire cruise, which I greatly appreciated.
The biggest noise location my wife and I experienced was just below the Lido deck, those carts roll around even later at night, and that’s a lot more noise than we really had from people or elevators.
The bubbles package is not a bargain. I worked to drink enough to make it good the one time I got it and I fell well short. Get drinks here and there and it's enough to supplement your 12 pack and save.
I love that you are wearing a sundress to film this during a Canadian winter. Just awesome. ❤😂❤😂
Yes, secret tips please! 😊
Secret tips please. I have a eastern Caribbean cruise coming up in September 2025. Looking forward to celebration keys 😊
thanks for the video! we are going on our first cruise in March, do you remember about how much on average was the 50% bottles? trying to decide if I want to purchase the wine package or not
In my experience, the wine prices are on par with liquor store prices. Not super inflated like most restaurants.
There are so many GREAT tips in this video, Ilana. So, we're about to take our first 14 day transatlantic cruise on Princess Regal. I am certain we'll want to give cash tips to the steward, bartenders, etc. while onboard. What is a reasonable tip for a bartender (I know you mentioned keeping $1 bills in the lanyard holder, but just how many bills are appropriate for a drink or two? As well, what is the appropriate cash tip (beyond the tips included in our Premier package) for a 14 day cruise? People mention giving cash tips but no one says the amount/percentage!!!! Now I have to jot down to keep our devices on ship time and buy a coupla things, again!!!! Love your channel and this video is a HIT!!!!
Carnival has the best casual dining at sea! Pizza guys burgers and tacos
I love these episodes, I'm not paying to join. I wanna go on a cruise. 🎉
My family loves Carnival
Me and my husband and whole group of my cousins along with my brother and sis-in-law are going on an 8-day cruise on the Carmival Dream and any tips would be great! We all have balcony rooms in the same area so our balconies will be open to each other’s cabin. Can’t wait! I know we will all have a blast! Thanks for all your tips and suggestions!
@@CarmenHargis that’s awesome! I’ll definitely share more tips
If you're in a suite the water is complimentary. My second CcL was in a suite and I yelled at my kids when they opened the water but they showed me it was included..phew.
I would love a secret tips video
I’ve been on 5 Carnival Cruises and going on another in January. Any secret tips would be appreciated. It’s only a 4 day cruise which I booked recently because I have a week off and it worked out. Carnival Glory. First sailed it when it was brand new. Time to see the updates.
Your hair looks great!!!!!
Can you please make a video showing all included food options/restaurants??
Secret tips please!!!🎉🎉🎉
Secret tips! ❤
We have avoided Carnival. But love their other companies.
There are definitely cruise lines with the Carnival Corp umbrella that will be the right fit for many. Which is your go to?
Secret tips 😊
secret tips plz and thank you💜
Are any of the restaurants that cost additional considered "specialty" or is it a specific restaurant? I will be sailing on Carnival Breeze.
I just got home today from my first cruise and it was on carnival. Loved the cruise but I wish I had understood how long the lines would be on embarkation day. Not just getting on the ship which took 2 hours but the lines for everything once we were on the ship. Then again on disembarkation. I have some mobility issues standing for a long time or walking long distances without being able to sit. Next time I’m taking a walker with a seat. Didn’t think I needed it but for a cruise it would have saved me from a lot of pain.
@@gigi64tx7 that’s a good point. Btw, you can let them cruise line know about your mobility issues & request a wheelchair assistance at the port
Secret tips😊
You are wonderful!
Lifetime Carnie here!
Mistake #1 on Carnival is going at all. Sorry, but I've gone on two Carnival cruises (Legend and Pride) and they were both less than memorable experiences. The only reason I went the second time was because it was 8 years ago and I wanted to see if things had changed from our first bad experience. It didn't. I'm sure some will find Carnival a fun trip (and I hope you do) but it is basically a floating night club. Guess I'm just getting older and prefer a more relaxed environment. 🙂
@@TurdFerguson-420 I definitely appreciate you mentioning the ships. One of my “mistakes” was actually about ship choice - point proven 😉
Bring on the tips!!
More Royal Caribbean please....
The only mistake I made with Carnival is not booking another company. 😅 I hope MSC does not disappoint.😊
In my experience there about the same. But hope you have fun on MSC
First cruise coming up in June on Carnival Splendor. I thought you could book for the shows to ensure a seat. You mention getting there 40 minutes early. Is that to line up? I have mobility issues and can't stand in a line for anywhere that long.
5.50 for a bottle of WATER that is ridiculous
Secret tips PLEASE❤❤❤
yes secret tips!
how does ship time work on a cruise from Quebec City to Boston?
If you pre purchase the tips will they stll charge your account 16.00 a day?
Cruise tips
I saw no video regarding your check in luggage if you can lock it or not. Can you tell me if you can lock it or not?
@@danielnormand8156 with a TSA approved lock
Secret tips, please !!!
Woohoo 🛳️🤫😂
More tips
We are going on our first carnival ship in April, you said that we can bring a 12 pack of soda, is it the 12 oz or the 8 oz cans, or the small bottle of soda. Thank you, we are looking for forward to cruising the Carnival cruise ship, we been on other ships twice but this is our first time on Carnival line.
12oz cans
@ thank you so much
We took a Carnival cruise in September 2024. They had dogs checking the passengers after the security and bag check-in area. Also, I saw some cabin doors with rightside up pineapples as well as a pineapple in a hammock magnet. Are these banned too?
SECRET TIPS please!
Secret Tips Please!!!
Secret tips video
If you pay gratuities ahead of time, do you still get charged the $16 per person per day?
No, that is what you’ve already paid if you pre-pay.
Why is the first day at customer service packed...?
Any Disney Cruise Line tips?
@@daisy11780 I wish!! Maybe in the future I’ll get an “expert” Disney cruiser to help :)
Great info. Ive seen that they have changed their free bottle of wine policy on embarkation night at the steakhouse and only give you 2 glasses if you are a solo cruiser like me. Can anyone verify?
Secret tips!
When you become "Gold" with Carnival you get a free large bottle of water that you can pick up at any of the bars.
Tips please
Our first cruise (we've only been on 2!) was with Carnival and I loved it! I'm scared that we're too old now or something lol. Mid 60s; what do you think? Stick out like a sore thumb?
We are late 60's & had a great time. Did not feel to old to be on Carnival. Was all ages on the cruise.
@lisahandley3578 Thanks!
70 and always have a great time and I'm a solo cruiser. Never have felt uncomfortable because of my age. I always meet so many friendly and fun people.
@@carolynlewis6232 That's great to hear.
SECRET TIPS!!!
I have basically decided that I don’t think I’m ever gonna take a cruise
Secret tips.
Secret Tips (please)
Secret tips please
Secret Tips Please
Best way to plan a 5 day cruise for my wife and I in our mid-30s without our kids for 2025? I tried a travel agent but I haven't heard from him in 11 days. I appreciate any help.
Call carnival direct.
@janiceormiston7770 hello, is carnival a better choice over all the other cruise lines?
I would suggest Virgin Voyages (adults only) or Celebrity ( very few kids). I've sailed both several times and seen many couples of all ages having a great time
Thank you. We are sneaking away from our two kids. Fewer kids would be a plus. There's so much information online when it comes to booking and choosing the ideal cruise. Do you have a bullet proof or easy way of going about it?
Secret tips
Secret Tips
🤫🛳️👏