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

Don't Make These 10 Carnival Mistakes (We Did)

Addy and Terry
Addy and Terry
πŸ₯ˆExpert
πŸ‘οΈ 43K viewsπŸ“… 2 months ago⏱️ 10:05

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator provides a detailed guide for first-time Carnival cruise passengers to avoid common logistical and financial errors. By tracking potential losses, the creator demonstrates how avoidable mistakes can cost a pair of travelers over $600 on a single seven-night sailing. The advice covers several categories, including time management, such as selecting port arrival times during online check-in and downloading the Carnival Hub app before boarding. Financial tips include purchasing the Cheers beverage package and specialty dining before sailing to secure discounts, budgeting for automatic gratuities, and booking spa services on port days rather than sea days. The creator also suggests researching excursions through local operators to avoid cruise line markups and advises passengers to pack day-one essentials in carry-on luggage since checked bags may not arrive at cabins until later in the afternoon. Additionally, the video highlights the importance of checking the app for elegant night schedules and suggests eating in the main dining room on embarkation day to avoid the crowded buffet. The creator concludes that being informed allows travelers to redirect saved funds toward more meaningful experiences.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

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

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & AdviceπŸ₯ˆExpert Creator
Veteran 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 on Carnival 16 times and every single sailing I'm watching first timers make the same mistakes.

It's over $600 on one cruise. $600, y'all. in mistakes that ain't even have anything to do with upgrades or specialty dining or nothing fun, just not knowing.

The Cheers package is way cheaper when you buy it before you sell. We're talking $10 to $15 per person per day cheaper than what they're charging on the ship.

For two people on a seven night sailing, you're looking at over $220 in gratuitities before one drink, before one excursion, before you even done anything.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Pick the earliest port arrival time when checking in online to avoid long lines.
βœ“Buy the Cheers package before boarding to save $10-$15 per person per day.
βœ“Budget for gratuities when you book, as they are automatically added daily.
βœ“Book excursions directly with local operators for potential savings, but consider Carnival's policy on holding the ship.
βœ“Go to the main dining room for lunch on embarkation day to avoid buffet chaos.

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Not knowing about port arrival times β€” Check in online 16 days before sailing and pick the earliest time.
Overpaying for drinks β€” Buy the Cheers package before boarding to save money.
Unexpected gratuity charges β€” Budget for gratuities at the time of booking.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the common mistakes first-time Carnival cruisers make?
QHow much can these mistakes cost on a single cruise?

Topics Covered

Embarkation1Β½ Sad BaconDrink Package3 Happy BaconValue Pricing2 Sad BaconExcursions1 Happy BaconDining Main3Β½ Happy BaconDining Specialty2Β½ Happy BaconSpa Fitness3 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