IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Preparing for the Cruise:
Explore Activities and Excursions: Log in to carnival.com to browse and book onboard activities and shore excursions tailored to your interests.
Complete Online Check-In: Complete the online check-in process about 14 days before your cruise (or 16 days if you’re a Platinum or Diamond member). This step allows you to print your boarding pass, cruise documents, and luggage tags.
Prepare Luggage Tags: Print a luggage tag for each piece of checked baggage. For durability, consider using plastic luggage tag sleeves or print on sturdy cardstock and reinforce with clear tape.
Gather Required Identification: Ensure you have your printed boarding pass and proper identification, such as a passport or a driver’s license and birth certificate with an official seal
Onboard Payment System: Sail & Sign Card
Carnival operates a cashless system, where all onboard purchases are charged to your Sail & Sign card, which also serves as your room key. Here’s how it works:
Set Up Your Account: During online check-in (14 days before your sail date, 16 days if you have priority status), attach a credit card to your Sail & Sign account. Alternatively, you can make a cash deposit at Guest Services once you’re onboard.
Using Your Sail & Sign Card: Your Sail & Sign card will be given to you at the terminal or waiting in your cabin. The card now comes with a pre-punched hole, making it easy to attach to a lanyard for convenient access throughout the ship.
On and Off the Ship: Use your Sail & Sign card to check in and out at each port, simplifying your access to and from the ship.
What’s the Process?
Arrival at the Terminal:
Show your boarding pass to the security guard at the parking area and again to the porter who takes your checked bags. (It’s customary to tip porters $1–$2 per bag.)
Pack essentials like medications, important documents, and possibly a swimsuit in your carry-on so you’re ready to enjoy the pool as soon as you board.
Entering the Terminal:
You’ll be directed to the appropriate check-in line, where you’ll complete the check-in process and may receive your key card. Note that Carnival is testing a new program where your key card waits for you at your cabin door.
Boarding the Ship:
You might need to wait until your boarding group is called. Once it’s your turn, you’ll have a quick embarkation photo taken. Your card will be scanned as you board.
Priority Guests (Platinum or Diamond Members): You can access your cabin immediately.
Non-Priority Guests: Cabins will be available at 1:30 PM, but lunch is served on the Lido Deck as soon as you board.
Safety Drill:
The safety drill is mandatory. Follow directions on the Carnival app or your stateroom TV.
To access the app, put your phone in airplane mode, connect to the ship’s “Carnival (ship name)” WiFi, and open the app for instructions.
Terminal 3 -
Beverage Guidelines and Options Onboard
Bringing Wine and Soda Onboard
Each adult passenger is allowed to bring:
1 bottle of wine (750 ml) per person
One 12-pack of soda (cans only) per person
These items must be packed in your carry-on bag, and no other glass or plastic bottles (other than the wine) are permitted.
Corkage Fee: If you open the wine yourself, there’s no additional charge. However, if you choose to have it opened in the dining room, a corkage fee of $15.00 USD per bottle applies.
Water Options Onboard
You have a few choices for drinking water:
Order Bottled Water: You can pre-order a 12-pack of bottled water to be delivered directly to your cabin.
Ship's Water: Many guests find the ship's water perfectly fine to drink.
Filtered Water: For added assurance, you can bring a water filter to refill bottles throughout your trip.
Beverage Tips Onboard
To stay refreshed, consider bringing an insulated cup or mug, as the complimentary cups on the Lido deck tend to be smaller. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:
Breakfast: Dispensers offer tea, orange juice, and passionfruit guava juice (a guest favorite!).
Lunch and Dinner: Iced tea and lemonade are available.
All-Day Options: Coffee and hot tea are accessible throughout the day.
Cabin Convenience and Services
Cabin Electrical Outlets
Most cabins come with only one electrical outlet. Bringing a power strip can be helpful, but it must be non-surge suppressing—surge suppressors interfere with the ship’s electrical system and will be confiscated by security. Keep this item in your carry-on luggage.
In-Cabin Services
Ice: Your cabin steward can provide an ice bucket, refilling it once a day upon request.
Room Service: Some items are complimentary, though a tip of $1–$2 is customary for delivery. A menu of additional items like wings, fries, and specialty sandwiches is available for a small charge.
Food & Dining Options
All-Day Snacks: Pizza and ice cream are available nearly 24/7, as is room service.
Breakfast: Choose between breakfast on the Lido deck or the dining room, with brunch options on sea days.
Lunch Options:
Lido buffet
Guy’s Burgers (by Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives)
Blue Iguana Cantina (made-to-order breakfast and lunch burritos)
Deli (typically open from 11 AM – 11 PM)
Dinner: Enjoy the main dining room or head to the Lido deck for a more casual experience.
Some ships also offer a steakhouse for a per-person surcharge, with premium items (like Maine lobster and filet mignon) available in the main dining room for an additional fee.
Specialty Dining: Many ships feature unique specialty dining venues with a small premium fee. Check Carnival.com for details specific to your ship.
Connectivity Onboard
While Carnival offers WiFi, keep in mind it’s satellite-based, so it may be slower than typical land connections. There are four main connectivity options:
Carnival Hub App (Free)
Provides access to the Fun Times, a daily schedule of onboard activities
Allows you to make dining reservations for the main dining room and some specialty restaurants
For a small fee per device, you can use the app’s chat feature to text or message others who have opted in to connect with you.
Internet Packages
There are three levels of internet packages available, each with different access:Social Package: Access to social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (app-based access only).
Value Package: Includes email access and basic web browsing on select websites.
Premium Package: Full internet access, allowing connection to most websites, suitable for those who need to work while onboard.
Note: Internet is charged per device, but you can switch between devices by logging off one and connecting another. For example, you could use the internet on your phone around the ship, then log off and connect on your laptop if you need to sit down and work.
Essential Packing Guide
Be sure to check which items are allowed or restricted onboard, and determine what should be packed in your carry-on versus checked luggage. Arrive at the port by 2 PM local time to ensure that checked luggage will be delivered to your cabin on the first evening. For the latest guidelines, including prohibited items, consult the cruise line’s website regularly before departure.
Backpack/Carryon:
Travel Documents: Boarding Pass, Passports/ID, Birth Certificate
Valuables & Personal Items: Wallet, Jewelry, Camera/film/extra batteries, Watch
Convenience: Hair clip, Gum, Binoculars, $1 bills for tips
Medications: Any necessary prescriptions (Extra supply of prescription medications (and/or copies of prescription info to aid in replacing them if they are lost or stolen.)
Liquids: Wine, Sodas (See above in, Beverage Guidelines and Options Onboard)
Tech: Extension cord/power strip (non-surge suppressor)
Checked Suitcases:
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hair products, deodorant, Glasses/contact lens supplies, etc.
Personal Care: Sunscreen, Nail polish/remover pads, Brushes/combs, Hair accessories (bobby pins, clips, bows, bands), Hair dryer/curling iron/flat iron, Folding tote bag, Caps/hats
Clothing:
Elegant night dress/top & slacks
Swimsuits
T-shirts/tops
Capris/shorts
Workout clothes
Sandals
Athletic shoes
Underwear and socks
PJs (robes available upon request)
Laundry & Organization: Zip-lock bags/garbage bags for dirty clothes, Extra cable ties for locking suitcases, Shout-it-out stain remover wipes, Lint remover, Downy Wrinkle Release spray
First Aid Kit
Tylenol / Motrin, Anti-acid, Sea-sickness medication, Anti-diarrhea medication, Sinus or head cold medication, Cough drops
For Wounds: Bandaids, Gauze & bandage tape, Antibiotic/pain relief cream, Aloe gel/topical sunburn medication
Shore Excursion & Poolside Gear
Beach & Pool: Large beach bag/backpack, Clips to secure beach towels, Swimsuit, Sandals
Sun Protection: Sunscreen, Hat/cap, Insect repellent
Miscellaneous: Small umbrella/poncho, Insulated mug/tumbler, Bottle/wine opener.
Cruise-Specific Essentials
Magnetic hooks (walls are metal)
Used gift card (for cabin safe access)
Post-it Notes (for notes to other cruisers or staff)
Highlighter (for ship’s daily activity paper)
Envelopes & paper or note cards (for tips/thank you notes)
Optional & Nice-to-Have Items
Convenience: Battery-operated tea light, Liquid hand soap
Repair/Utility: Duct tape, Corkscrew (in checked luggage), Multi-tool (in checked luggage)
Tech Accessories: Chargers for electronics, portable battery, extra cable ties, travel alarm clock
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - Tampa
Day 2 - Fun Day at Sea (Conference)
Day 3 - Fun Day at Sea (Conference)
Day 4 - Limón, Costa Rica
Day 5 - Colón (Panama Canal), Panama
Day 6 - Fun Day at Sea (Conference)
Day 7 - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Day 8 - Fun Day at Sea
Day 9 - Tampa
