Tips on packing and planning for first time cruisers

Hi guys, any suggestions to "first-timers" on Carnival? I read an article on cruise packing tips. Share your experience in the preparation of luggage before departure. Are there any features that I should follow?

My number one tip is to have fun. With all the people onboard you will always find a killjoy. Don't pay attention to those its your vacation. As for packing, keep swimsuits and 1 days clothing in your carry on just in case. It canl be as late as 5-6 pm before all luggage is to rooms. Most cases it isn't but it can be. Make extra copies of paperwork and also keep in your carry on. There is always someone who forgets and has left passport or paperwork in checked luggage. That is a headache. But most of all, have fun.

In our carryone I always pack two extra outfits, 1 swim suit, something to read, all paper work (passport or birth cert, cruise papers) and camara. Make sure for your suit case you have your extra clothes, swim suits, formal clothes (if you plan on going to formal night, which I think for your 1st time its worth going My husband and I love it), sunglasses (no need to bring shampoo or body wash/soap they provide both of those in the shower for you), I would bring conditoner or facial soap. You can wash your clothes onboard (if you need to) so you dont have to over pack. Everytime my husband and I go, on the 2nd to the last night we send our clothes to be washed so they are nice and fresh and no need to wash them when we return home. Carnival always does a special on that service so we use it everytime and have never had a problem.  You dont have a need to pack beach towels unless you do not want to use the ones provided. I leave mine on the ship when we are in port just in case (dont really want to pay for it unless I am taking it with me).  Bring pillows if you need a certain pillow, they have a safe for jewerly or etc.

The boats are very big so I wuld bring comfortable shoes as you will be walking around a lot.

Hope you enjoy!!!

1) Pack, then go back and talk 1/2 of it out as you won't need all that you packed.

2)  When you take half out, make sure the remaining clothes are coordinated and makes the right outfits.

3) Comfortable shoes

4) You will more than likely not see these people again so don't worry if you wear something twice.  And by the way, they won't remember on Thursday that you wore that blue shirt on Saturday anyway. 

5) Bring a highlighter to mark the activities you don't want to miss that are listed in the daily funtimes.  There is a tear off strip that has all the activities listed that is easy to carry around.

6) Swimsuits don't dry that quickly on the ship so you might want to bring a ziplock for your return home if it is still damp.

7) Most important, don't over plan and stay farily flexible.  You are traveling so things are going to happen and plans may change so you have to be ready to go with the flow.  Don't let the little things bother you. 

8) You are on a cruise so have a blast!

This has worked for us so far.

If you are driving to the pier. Pack anything you want. Since we always drive. We always make sure we have everything we may need. We over pack. Put a copy of your luggage tag in each piece of luggage in case the outside tag comes off. Porters will take your luggage out of your car and put it in the car at the end of the cruise. Carnival staff will deliver it to your cabin. Plan on dragging any carry on for a while until your cabin is ready. Around 1:30 PM.

I honestly dont plan on doing laundry on my vacation but since we are going as a family of 6, it is nice to know they have washers and dryers you can use for about 1.50 each - so $3 a load.  I am bringing a couple of scoops of laundry powder and a couple of dryer sheets just in case.  I would guess it is expensive for carnival to do your wash as they said in previous post but I would be curious to know how much.  Just good to know.  I DO tend to over pack because I really dislike seeing pictures with lots of the same clothes.  Its vacation.  I like my pictures and I like to look good in them.   -  Cant wait to make my second Carnival Cruise scrapbook when we return!

If you plan on doing laundry take some 3-1 Purex laundry sheets. Machines on board are $3. to wash $3. to dry .. each machine not combined

Bring a highlighter for marking 'would like to do' on the Funtimes.

If you need to take sea sick meds take them at night before you go to bed. That way you sleep off the drowsy effects and can enjoy the day without being dopey.

When going into ports ... tear off the right side on the Funtimes ... The Port Contact Agents phone number is on the bottom of that section.

A few gallon sized ziplocks work great for wet suits if you change after an excursion.

A few or more quart size ziplocks .... If you have a diaper child use for throwing diapers in cabin trash .. There are no liners in trash cans.

If you are a smoker the ziplocks are great for emptying an ashtray. {Of course this only applies to smokers on balconies now}

If you can manage it buy Funship Dollars and have them applied to your S&S before your cruise. This helps to keep the final bill down. Anything left over will be refunded by the ship on last morning.

Go on your cruise with NO expectations, that way when things falter you will not be overly disappointed.

Most importantly ... Have FUN! Book another cruise ASAP!

i have been advised by great friends who have cruised before to bring the following so far : 1. power stripe 2. plastic bags, small and BIG 3. walkie talkies to communicate with family (kids)  and what ever else you can advise, i would love to read it !!

Hello I'm new to joining the forum but have been reading it for some time now.

I recently read that when visiting the western Caribbean to make sure you take tissue / TP.

It seems they don't keep it in restrooms. In fact many said that there were locals selling TP squares for 1 peso but many thought it was $1.

So, on our cruise we will be taking a small travel size pack of tissues, LOL

All the ideas listed have been very helpful.

Thank you

First thing is relax.Then check the weather for the ports you are visiting and that will help you decide what to pack.Be very flexible.You need to check your particular ships deck layout on site here and that will help you get more familiar with what you might want to do once on board.Don't be afraid to wear same slacks with different tops cuts down on packing.Be sure to pack a comfortable pair of shoes, lots of walking once on board.Where you plan on dining will help your packing as well.The lido deck is very casual dining.The main dining rooms reguire smart casual,which a pair of slacks with polo is fine.. Some mornings we do maining dining room for breakfast,can get some things in there can't get on lido buffett.Formal night reguires a little nicer outfit.There again a dress shirt with tie, some men wear jackets.Ladies wear nice cocktail dress,or dressy pantsuit or gowns.I have never seen dress shorts on formal night.Keep in mind most pools are too small to handle the crowd,so you may not even get wet.I am not one to over pack.I plan each day well in advance and lay it out and write down a list and check it twice after checking to see what the weather is suppose to be.May need rain poncho,most ships are sorta cool on decks so always take a light weight jacket.I am not one to pack a pair of shoes for every outfit. I coordinate my outfits around couple pairs of shoes.This upcoming cruise will pack more ,being it is my daughter's wedding cruise.Have fun and take photos.You will be pampered like never before.