What should I bring on a Carnival Cruise?

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Julie T

Carnival is a cashless system on-board the ship. You will set up an account when you board. The account is either tied to a credit card or a cash deposit. The cash deposit keeps you from going into shock on the last day of the cruise because you have spent a ton of money. My sister spent less than $300 on our last cruise while I spent 5 times that much.

If you use a cash deposit, make sure that you put enough in the account to pay for the tips and whatever you plan to spend on incidental purchases. Carnival charges your account for the tips the moment you board.

Take plenty of US dollars in $1, 5 and 10s for shopping in the open air markets, taxis, tips for shore excursion personnel and anything you want to buy while in port.

For budgeting purposes, there are the costs outside your cabin fare...
- Tips. $10 per day per person.
- Bar drinks. $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity
- Sodas. By the can - $1.75. Or soda card for $35-45 per week.
- Shore excusions. $50-200 per person per excursion.
- Spa services. $50-200 per service.
- Photos. $20-22 per sheet.
- Bingo cards. $5-10 each.
- On board ship-to-shore calling. $7 per minute
- Parking or taxi to port. Check w/port authority.
- Tips for luggage porters. Will help you get out of the cruise terminal quicker upon debarkation.
- Casino. $$$. This is the only area on the ship that accepts cash.

You should also consider taking:
- power strip. There is usually only one power outlet in the cabin.
- nightight. Rooms are wicked dark.
- One of those XXXL Ziploc bags to take home dirty, sandy clothes.
- 2nd swimsuit. They never dry hanging in the bathroom and who likes to put on a wet swimsuit?
- Carry all of your meds, valuables and anything you want before midnight in your carry on luggage. It takes several hours to get your luggage after boarding.
- If your booking shore excursions through Carnival, book on-line or one day 1. They popular ones fill up fast. Some folks just pick up a shore tour at the port to save money.
- A lanyard to carry your sail and sign card.

Robert S

Im gonna sum up my answer by agreeing with qtip1115!

Tivogal

cruiseclues.com has great packing lists
cruisecritic.com has great reviews of each ship and port sailing that is happening now.

kimmer727

All of your meals will be included - so unless you shop alot on shore - you won't need much money.
I bring money for the Casino too though. Post it notes are great for leaving messages for your room steward.
Don't bother packing the hair dryer and shampoo, conditioner, etc - it's all on the ship.

AdonalFoyle

this site explains it all
http://allcruiselines.info/what-to-bring-to-a-cruise/

bobbie e

Are you going for a week or less? Take a money pelt and how much money to take? That depends on how you like to shop. Remember, on the ship, mixed drinks and sodas are not free. The cruise ship will issue a card (plastic card) so you can charge things on the card when on ship. You will have to pay off the card before you leave the ship at end of trip. But, when you deport to places the ship stops, you will need cash. Use a money pelt. - As far as room service, you don't need to be a big tipper, because before leaving the ship, you will have a gratuity charge to your bill that goes to the room service providers.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (except the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and use of all facilities on ship. The things that you will have to pay for are:

Gratuities: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for the week. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice.

Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for drinks (alcoholic beverages) and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink of soft drink order. You can save on drinks by ordering them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir glasses they often use. You can also save money if you can by taking a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks with you in your carry on. Since you cannot take these through airport security you would have to get them after leaving the airport.

Photographs: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most. Skip them and save yourself a lot of money. Take your own camera and have the other passengers photograph you on and off the ship.

Tours/Excursions: These are listed on your cruise line web site and you can reserve them well before the cruise and pay for them also. If you wait until you are on ship to book tours they will be charged to your on board account (then you can pay cash to settle your account on the last day)

Souvenirs: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

Casino: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

Other: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all that will be available. If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks. Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour). You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).

So just bring enough cash for shopping in the cruise ports. Most stops on the Western Caribbean itineraries accept US dollars so no need to convert money. If you decide to make any big purchases, such as for jewelry, use your credit card. Take small bills in cash for small purchases in the markets. About $50 per day in port should be sufficient for having cash in your pocket.

Sid

$100 atleat. You will need to tip everyone, little though.

qtip1115

Bring your dignity, cause most people don't. You will see what I mean on the pool deck. 300lb women wearing bikini's.

generally most people forget to bring the numbers to the mexican restarants in the area. remember yours. you shouldn't need that much money around $2 is good, you'll just need it to tip the delivery guy.
Have a great cruise!

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