05/07/2026
Tips for first time cruisers* Make sure your credit card/debit card works. You should call your bank and let them know when you’re traveling and what countries your card might be used in. That will ensure that the bank doesn’t mistakenly block your card after your first use.The ship charges in Australian dollars . So you need to tell the bank that you will be traveling to South Pacific Islands (Vanuatu Tonga,Fiji and Norfolk Island)
# Make sure your passport is in date.
Online check in.
* You should get an email when online check in opens up. To make this cruise as stress free as possible, I definitely recommend to do this online as soon as it opens up.. You will then get to pick a boarding time and print your own paper luggage tags. If you don't have a luggage holder that your luggage tags will fit in. You can cover them in clear contact and staple them onto your bags. That way they won’t rip off as easily.
*. It makes for a smoother boarding if people come at their assigned boading time. Everyone gets anxious on boarding day and want to board and begin their vacation. You need to Keep in mind, you can't board until the ship is ready for you.
*Get in to your departure port /town the night before to avoid "rushing" or flight delays on cruise day.(had people on a past cruise had their flight delayed for 3hrs on the day of our cruise)
*You can drop your bags off at the luggage area from about 8am. .Then you can go off and have coffee at the coffee shops at the terminal. But there isn't much else to do until boarding. So best to arrive as closer to your check in time.
On the long walk to board you will inevitably have your first experience with the ship's photographer's and be asked to pose for an embarkation picture. It only takes a second, so you can either smile or say no thankyou. You are under no obligation to purchase any photos they take of you during the cruise.
*When thinking of what suitcase to take. Standard suitcases and duffel bags can be stowed under the beds, but oversized suitcases are too thick to fit there, or in the closets (unless you have a suite with a walk in closet).A lot people leave the large suitcases open and slide them under the bed, Also when packing save room for the things you are going to buy on your cruise.
*Your luggage may not arrive to your cabin until late evening .You just need to be patient. Cabin stewards have to carry thousands of bags and it takes time. Your room attendant should ask you if you have gotten all your bags. You need to let them know if you are missing anything. Just in case your luggage doesn't arrive before dinner. As sometimes is the case when you're dining at the early seating, it's a good idea to have toiletries in your carry-on so you can freshen up as well as medication, your camera, swimmers or change of clothes .Dress codes are always casual on the first evening of cruise.*It is a good idea for Kids to have their own carry on back pack, with change of clothes for embarkation day. Some kids like to bring swimmers. That way they can hit the pool and not have to wait until you get into your cabin or get your luggage.
* First Aid kit -Put Paracetamol (or your preferred pain reliever), Imodium,antacid, Band-aids, and other every-day things you might need in it. Travel Sickness tablets if anyone in your party is worried about getting sea-sick.
*Alter your eating schedule to avoid the crowds.
*Air fresh spray or fragrance beads or I always take an AIR WICK® Mini Scents great for bathrooms in your cabin (candles are not allowed). Glen20 whips or spray are always great to bring too.
* Cheap Reusable Sticker or magnets to decorate your cabin door. It makes easier to find your cabin door. (Just no pineapples as Carnival has band them, For reason I won't say)
*Check out the “embarkation day” specials when you board. Spas most always have an embarkation day special. So do the specialty restaurants.
*Bring a watch and don't forget to set your watch to the “ship time” - as it will help get you back to ship on time.Also make it to onboard activities that you are interested in. They will let you know when we need to put our watches forward and back.
*Muster drills/ station.Muster drills changed after Covid and most cruiselines now have you go and get your name marked off at your muster station ,when you board the ship. Your muster location number is on your cabin card. You need to watch a what to do in an emergency/muster drill, either on your app or cabin TV. Then go to your muster station and have your names marked off.There is a sign on the back of your cabin door that will indicate directions to your muster/ emergency station).Or ask one of the friendly crew/staff members.
* When you entered the ship on your first day. You may notice several waiters offering you great looking alcoholic drinks. These drinks are not a welcome gift. I know many people that have falling for this . So before you take your first sip, ask the waiter if this drink is complementary.Or if you have a drinks package that this drink is included. Carnival do have barstaff offering drinks in souvenir glasses. That are not included in any drinks package. (I know some people that fell for the shot glasses.I think they were $30 each )
* There can be long lines in front of the elevators especially on shore days and at dinner time. You will need to be patient or just take the stairs. With all the food it’s nice to get some exercise anyways
*Take advantage of all invites for something different.It is a great way of meeting new people.
* Medical services onboard. There is a medical centre staffed by qualified doctors and nurses onboard . The medical services available and medications kept onboard are limited, and guests must bring an adequate supply of any specific medications they require for their cruise. There is a charge for all medical services provided by the onboard medical centre (including medication, consultations and treatments) and charges are not covered by private health insurance policies or by Australian Medicare .So I strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover any such charges.
*(edit) Tenders -Some of our ports are tender ports and the ship will anchor offshore and use smaller boats which hold around 100 people (known as tenders) to transport guests to shore. Guests will need a tender ticket before they go to a tender platform . This will hopefully be able to be done on the cruise app. If they still haven't fixed the issue, then in the past we could pick up tickets at the Encounter hotel. You will need to confirm onboard if you are on a Ships tour or staying in a suite as you have priority ships tender. You should be sent a lette telling where to meet before going to the tender.
* Packing a highligter is a good idea to highlight what you want to do in the cruise newsletter. Also magnets to stick up any invitations you get.
COMFY SHOES
Wear comfy shoes. As it is a large ship, being 16 decks high, So even though there are lifts, there is still walking to do to get from one end to the other. By all means on Formal Dinner nights, bring out the swanky shoes, but for the rest of the time, stick to something that you can walk around in. Note: it is a ship rule that you do wear shoes at all times in public places (excluding In the pool of course).
NOMINATE A MEETING TIME
This was also something I also learnt from the first cruise. Because the ship is large, it can be hard trying to find someone. So, my suggestion is to nominate a time and place to meet up.
Cabin door key /Sail & Sign card.
This is the most important piece of plastic you’ll have for the entire cruise. You will find your Cabin Card near your cabin door, once boarded you have to keep it with you at all times as this little credit card size thing, lets you get on and off the ship, lets you into your room, and lets you shop on the ship.
You can set up your onboard account with either cash or a credit/debit card. If setup your account using cash and you don’t happen to use all your money,you can collect any unused balance from the cash kiosk or Guest Services desk before you disembark the ship at the end of your cruise..
*Another tip to get through screening when you are getting on and off the ship. Is to empty everything in your pockets into your carry-on bag before you line up to board. Another trick is to put all metallic items in your pockets such as coins, keys in a Ziploc bag for faster screening.
