Trip Bacon β€” The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo

21 Tips For First Time Carnival Cruisers

LifeWithUsTV
LifeWithUsTV
πŸ₯ˆExpert
πŸ‘οΈ 58K viewsπŸ“… 11 months ago⏱️ 58:58

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creators provide a comprehensive guide for first time Carnival cruisers, offering twenty one specific tips to ensure a smooth vacation. They begin with logistical advice regarding the check-in process, emphasizing the importance of funding onboard spending accounts with credit cards rather than debit cards to avoid bank holds. The discussion covers cabin booking strategies, warning against the myth of automatic upgrades and highlighting the high costs associated with booking changes. They also advise travelers to choose cabin mates carefully to avoid financial disputes and recommend purchasing travel insurance to mitigate unexpected costs from flight cancellations or mishaps. Practical packing advice includes bringing a carry-on bag for essential documents and medications, using a lanyard for the onboard card, and bringing a tumbler for beverages. The creators also detail various onboard costs, such as Wi-Fi packages, prepaid gratuities, and specialty dining, while suggesting ways to budget effectively. Finally, they touch on safety protocols like the muster drill, the importance of using airplane mode to avoid roaming fees, and adhering to age-based curfews for minors.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Carnival Cruise Line
A Nibble
All-time creator consensus for Carnival Cruise Line
A Nibble

This review is in line with the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & AdviceπŸ₯ˆExpert Creator
❀️ Best for CoupleVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

We've been sailing on Carnival since 2019 before our bad cruise where we didn't cruise no more.

You have to book the cabin that you want out the gate. So, if you've been out here doing research online and you fell in love with a balcony, get a balcony.

Choose your sailing mate, cabin mate, travel partners wisely. Listen, you could be good friends with your good girlfriend, but she may not be the person you can travel with.

Put your phone in airplane mode. Let me tell you this may sound simple but even sometimes I got to remind myself... if you don't do it we've had people say I came back home and I had 300 500 $800... in roaming fees.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Book the cabin you want initially; Carnival charges high fees for changes.
βœ“Use a credit card, not a debit card, for onboard spending and port purchases to avoid large holds.
βœ“Get travel protection insurance and have extra cash for mishaps.
βœ“Pre-purchase Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, excursions, and bottled water before sailing.
βœ“Put your phone in airplane mode to avoid roaming charges.
βœ“Join the Facebook group for your specific sailing to connect with other cruisers.

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Getting an upgrade β€” Do not book an interior cabin expecting a free upgrade to a balcony; book the specific cabin type you want.
Losing money on cancellations β€” Avoid the reduced $50 deposit option as that money is non-refundable and acts as a penalty if you change plans.
Onboard costs and tipping β€” Prepay gratuities to avoid the automatic charge at the end of the cruise; bring a tumbler for drinks.
Safety and getting left behind β€” Attend the muster drill immediately to avoid embarrassment and ship delays; return to the ship at least one hour before departure.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhen should I check in for my Carnival cruise?
QShould I use a debit or credit card for onboard spending?
QWhat travel documents do I need to board?
QDo I need travel insurance?
QWhat should I pack in my carry-on?

Topics Covered

Booking Process1Β½ Sad BaconEmbarkation2Β½ Happy BaconDrink Package1 Happy BaconWifi Connectivity2 Sad BaconService Crew3 Happy BaconSafety Medical2Β½ Happy BaconPool Deck2 Happy BaconEntertainment Nightlife2Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Bahamas2Β½ Happy Bacon
Cozumel2Β½ Happy Bacon
Jamaica2Β½ Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube