WE ARE BACK, AND WE HEARD YOUR FEEDBACK!
After making our debut in February of 2023, we are back and ready to do it all again in 2024. We got a lot of really positive feedback from the first trip, as well as some things that we can do to make the next one even better.
Let's start with selecting the sailing. The voting was almost exactly split for the top 2 choices, which were Carnival Dream for 6 days and Royal Caribbean for 7 days. We weighed the pros and cons of each, and ultimately landed on this sailing because of the value for the money.
Some other feedback:
"I felt like the cruise was just getting started by the last day! I wish the cruise was a little bit longer."
This year we are adding 2 more ports - Costa Maya and Belize.
"I almost didn't come because of the Rodeo. Earlier would be better."
We've moved the cruise up to the beginning of February without taking you away from any playoff football action.
"The morning giveaways were tough to make. Maybe do them after lunch?"
We heard that a few of you were shutting down the casino each night, so we will be doing raffles in the early afternoon. There will still be morning meetups for our early risers.
"The bar crawl could be a little more organized."
You are 100% right. This was our first time bar crawling with a group this size, and we learned a lot! We will have a printed route & menu that we will hand out at the start of the bar crawl. The drinks will all be shots, and extras can be ordered on your own. We will have a "designated driver" who goes ahead of the group with your cards and orders the drinks for us.
"Name tags on Day 1. Ship tours on Day 1. 1st time cruiser meetup with seasoned cruisers on Day 1."
All great ideas, and we will be doing all of this.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
SWAG BAG PICK UP
All guests swag bags will be available for pick up between 2 and 3PM on Sunday at the Ocean Plaza located on Deck 5, mid. Please come by and grab yours and say hello!
DAILY ACTIVITIES
A list of daily activities will be delivered to your stateroom mailbox each night for the following day. These activities are in addition to all the fun being provided by Carnival. Please join for the things that seem the most fun to you. For the raffles, you must be present to win.
ONLINE CHECK-IN & ARRIVAL APPOINTMENTS
All guests are required to complete their Online Check-in and print the boarding pass no later than midnight prior to sailing. Opt-in for text alerts to stay up to date and click here to learn about our Smile & Go technology.
Please plan to arrive at the cruise terminal within your Arrival Appointment. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their assigned time. Unfortunately, we are unable to embark guests who arrives after final boarding time.
Checked luggage delivery service is available until 2 hours before the ship's departure time. If you arrive after this time, you will be responsible for taking your bags on board.
For cruise terminal and parking information, please click here.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Bring your government-issued picture ID (applicable to all guests 16 years and older) and valid citizenship documents, like your passport, birth certificate and any necessary visas.
SELF-MUSTERING (SAFETY BRIEFING)
We’ve made it easy for guests to comply with the safety briefing. Click here to see the five simple steps to take once you get on board.
DOWNLOAD THE CARNIVAL HUB APP
The Carnival HUB App is your guide to FUN – download here before you leave home. Check out what’s happening on board, book shore excursions, specialty dining and spa appointments, review our food and drink menus, and even request food delivery of our guest favorites from almost anywhere on the ship. To save time, you can also reserve an appointment to speak with a Guest Services Associate.
CODE OF CONDUCT
We want you to have a memorable vacation but please remember a cruise ship is a shared space. Our Carnival Values underscore that everyone should feel welcome and included, and that everyone on board demonstrate care and respect towards others. Our experience has taught us that everyone has a better time when children are supervised, noise in the hallways is kept to a minimum, guests follow queues, and that a spirit of community and neighborliness is shown by all. Consistent with our commitment to safety, disruptive behavior is not tolerated and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future. All guests must acknowledge and commit to our code of conduct during the check-in process, and any violation may result in a fine of $500, possible stateroom confinement and removal from the ship. Guest may also be liable for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Carnival as a result of the detainment or disembarkation.
YOUTH CURFEW
Guests 17 years of age and under who are not accompanied by an adult in their traveling party, 21 years of age or older, must be clear of all public areas by 1:00 a.m.
SMOKING & MARIJUANA
Smoking in non-designated areas, including staterooms and balconies, and discharging any item overboard is prohibited and will result in a $500 charge per violation. This applies to all forms of smoking, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes and marijuana. Carnival recognizes that some states in the U.S. have legalized the use of recreational and/or medical marijuana. However, cruise lines are required to follow U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of marijuana and other illegal substances. Consequently, marijuana, including marijuana for medical purposes, and other illegal drugs, are not allowed on board. Guests and their luggage will be routinely and randomly screened by security personnel, including narcotics-sniffing dogs. Please review our complete Tobacco and Marijuana Smoking Policy.
CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND POLICIES THAT WE ASK ALL GUESTS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a FUN and memorable cruise vacation.
See you soon!
NO SPEEDO ON LIDO! CARNIVAL CRUISE DRESS CODE
If you've spent 2 days on a cruise ship, you've heard the joke, "No Speedo on Lido." While this is said tongue in cheek, there are a few things to know about what to wear on your Carnival Cruise.
Let's talk about cruise attire. When packing for a cruise, it’s important to dress for the occasion. The great thing about cruising is that so many different “occasions” are packed in to one vacation, from formal dining to snorkeling and sipping cool drinks by the pool. Spend some time planning your outfits and we’re sure you’ll find room in your suitcase for everything you need. Remember to save a little space for souvenirs!
The time of year matters. We're sailing in February, departing from Galveston. The general temperature we get on board with is about what you will have the whole first night. I am always pretty warm, so I wore a light pullover and jeans, while my wife wore a thick hooded sweatshirt and jeans. By noon the next day, we were in our swimsuits. The breeze on Lido Deck was chilly at times, so we both had long sleeve pullovers available if we wanted them. Day 3 in Mexico was in the mid 80s and we spent most of the day floating around the pool. Day 4 is very similar to day 2.
For formal night dress code, we should look to Pirates of the Carribbean for wisdom. “The code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules.” The attire is described as "no shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, bathing clothes, jeans, cut-off jeans, sportswear and baseball caps." I'm here to tell ya, jeans are ok. You're not going to get turned away. Please note: If you're in the buffet area, T Shirts and/or cover ups are required for hygenic reasons. For the main dining room, shirts with sleeves are required and swimwear is not allowed. The main thing to remember is that it's YOUR vacation, so you can be as dressy as you want to be.
And back to our Speedo joke. If security is chasing down our lovable green alien for not wearing appropriate attire, imagine what they'll do if they see one of us in a speedo.