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Unlike other big cruise brands such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, Carnival doesn't spread its vessels around the world to draw a fly-in crowd. Aimed squarely at Americans, its trips are all about cruising close to home at a reasonable price. The self-described "fun ship" line is the king of short, affordable, fun-focused cruises from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and other nearby destinations.
Who sails Carnival Cruise Line
The variety of options available ensures that passengers can truly enjoy and appreciate the culinary offerings onboard. Now, let’s move on to bringing beverages on board without missing a beat. Carnival passengers who book their cruise at least five months in advance can choose to pay for their sailing with Carnival's EasyPay program. EasyPay allows passengers to book their cruises with a deposit and then the balance is split into monthly payments that are automatically debited from the credit card account used at the time of booking. Bags must not weigh more than 50 pounds each and cannot be larger than 16 inches high x 24 inches wide when lying flat (length of bags doesn't matter). However, passengers who are flying to and from the cruise port, must also adhere to airline restrictions.
Enjoying the Culinary Delights of the Cruise
Passengers come prepared with rehearsed songs and sometimes even their own guitars. Most of these six ships (all but Carnival Venezia) have an a la carte barbecue-and-beer joint called Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, too. Other extra-charge eateries often found on Carnival vessels include Bonsai, an a la carte sushi restaurant (now on 14 ships), and JiJi Asian Kitchen, which costs $24 per person (now on four ships). BlueIguana is a Chipotle-style restaurant, with yummy made-to-order burritos and tacos. Created in partnership with Food Network's Guy Fieri, Guy's Burger Joint offers burgers that beat anything you'll find around the pool on other mass-market ships and even most luxury vessels. Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards.
How Strict Are the Cruise Lines on Their Policies?
Carnival’s drink packages can only be purchased for the whole cruise. The exception to this is cruises departing from New York or Texas, when you are not allowed to use a drink package on departure day. Carnival’s Cheers drink package limits guests to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Carnival Cruise Line also offers a Bottomless Bubbles Beverage Package, which allows unlimited consumption of soda throughout your cruise. With this package, you can enjoy a wide selection of carbonated beverages from various soda fountains located throughout the ship.
Upon purchasing Bottomless Bubbles, a sticker will be placed on the guest's Sail & Sign® card. In all areas where beverage service is offered, guests may show the Bottomless Bubbles sticker and receive a glass of the carbonated soft drink of their choice. One 16-ounce glass will be served at a time (10-ounce glass for juice) and only to the guest whose name appears on the Sail & Sign card with the Bottomless Bubbles sticker attached. Except where it is a mandatory requirement, Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport book. The passport book must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.
As far as food goes, the policies are generally pretty restrictive. They aim to avoid potential foodborne illnesses and uphold their food safety standards. The specifics can vary, and checking the most up-to-date guidelines is always best. If you’re reading this, you’re probably like me – gearing up for an epic journey with Carnival Cruise Line.
If you bring a non-alcoholic beverage that’s not allowed, at worst, the security staff may confiscate it. There’s also a chance that they don’t even notice the drinks or care. Given that most people sail with two people to a room, that means you can bring 24 cans/cartons of anything you want as long as it’s non-alcoholic. The ship's officers are responsible for your safety and making sure everyone on board feels welcome under our "Have Fun. Be Safe." motto. Please direct any concerns to our Guest Services team so that those matters can be addressed promptly. The captain and our officers have the authority to enforce our policies and make decisions in order to provide for a fun and safe environment for all.
What to Pack & Bring
MS Office or other specific software is not offered and you may not install your own software. Please note that as our services are carried via satellite, there are a few limitations compared to your home network. To help you plan, we have provided the recommended onboard gratuities guidelines. On longer cruises, the first Cruise Elegant evening is scheduled for the second or third evening of the cruise. Depending on itinerary, the next Cruise Elegant evening is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise. These cards cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States.
Carnival Cruise Line makes a key beverage rule very clear - TheStreet
Carnival Cruise Line makes a key beverage rule very clear.
Posted: Sat, 13 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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Additionally, use the provided utensils and avoid touching the food with your hands. If you've never cruised before, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's top 10 cruise packing tips. If you live within driving distance of your cruise ports, most ports can be reached by car with parking available onsite or nearby. If your cruise begins and ends in a U.S. port, a passport is not required, though it's the easiest form of I.D to use. If you do not have a passport, you will need an official, stamped copy of your birth certificate (not a photocopy) along with at least one other government-issued photo I.D., such as a driver's license.
Over the years I’ve racked up some tips that may be useful if you’re planning your first cruise—or even better, have your first cruise booked. Here’s a list of a few food & beverage tips and tricks that I’ve taken advantage of on one of my favorite cruise lines, Carnival. Crystal Cruises is another popular cruise line that offers luxurious amenities and a wide range of itineraries. Known for its exceptional service and attention to detail, Crystal Cruises provides an unforgettable experience for its guests.
A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces (ca 350 ml) each or less per person. Regarding non-alcoholic drinks, guests can bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (think sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) on embarkation day.
15 Best Carnival Drink Package Tips (2024) Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
15 Best Carnival Drink Package Tips ( Cruise.Blog.
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Every vessel has two main dining rooms and a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare. For dinner in the main dining room, you must sign up for either Your Time dining (you go whenever you want) or Traditional Dining (you have a fixed table and time for dinner). Carnival draws a lively, outgoing crowd looking to be part of the action. Carnival is the undisputed leader among North America-based cruise brands when it comes to affordability, which makes it popular with vacationers on a budget. Note that the Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels. As noted above, the line has ordered another sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration that will be ready to sail in late 2023.
However, as long as the cooler fits within the allowable carry-on size restrictions, it is reasonable to assume that you could bring a cooler with the permitted number of non-alcoholic beverages. Just make sure the cooler is not packed with alcoholic beverages or glass bottles. Most cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, allow passengers to bring prepackaged baby chow and formula to cater to their little ones’ needs. This food must be in the original sealed packaging and packed in your hand-carry baggage. Always check specific policies with your cruise line to ensure a smooth voyage. While bringing your own drinks can be a cost-effective option, it’s important to respect the rules and restrictions put in place by Carnival Cruise Line.
Understanding the guidelines and restrictions regarding bringing your own beverages on board can help you make the most of your cruise experience. There is a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day with the Cheers package. The Bottomless Bubbles and Cheers packages cannot be used ashore at Carnival’s private island Half Moon Cay. Keep in mind that each guest 21 or older can bring one bottle of wine or champagne up to 750 ml onboard. You may drink it in your stateroom freely, but if you choose to enjoy it in a restaurant there is a $15 corkage fee.
This ensures the safety and enjoyment of all guests and maintains the high standards of the cruise experience. By keeping these tips in mind, you can make the most of bringing your own drinks on a Carnival Cruise. Whether you choose to bring non-alcoholic beverages or indulge in the onboard offerings, sit back, relax, and savor the refreshing drinks that will enhance your cruise experience. It’s also important to note that Carnival Cruise Line reserves the right to confiscate any alcoholic beverages that do not adhere to their guidelines. This includes any beverages brought on board at embarkation or during a port of call. All confiscated items will be safely stored and returned to guests at the end of the cruise.
While the cruise line offers a wide range of beverages to quench your thirst, you may be wondering if you can bring your own drinks on board. In this article, we will explore the policies and guidelines set by Carnival Cruise Line regarding bringing drinks on their ships. Is an all-inclusive beverage program that allows guests to enjoy a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages by paying a flat daily rate. And each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program. While Carnival Cruise Line has strict policies regarding bringing personal alcoholic beverages on board, they also offer options for guests who wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages during their cruise. Having a supply of your favorite non-alcoholic beverages can be convenient, especially if you have specific preferences or dietary needs.
