2011 NKOTB Cruise - Think before you pack your suitcases!
PACKING FOR THE CRUISE AND BOARDING
Prior to even shopping for the cruise - Make a list!
In my phone for each cruise I have each day, each outfit I'm wearing down to the shoes and underwear. I'm not the type to just throw every thing I own in the suitcase and pray that I have enough or that I won't mismatch something that goes with something else. Very strategic planning goes into my packing. I hate packing. I also hate organization (as you can tell from this journal) so this is a chore for me but it pays off.
I always make sure that I take at least 2, yes 2 extra pair of panties for each day that I'm going to be gone. Why? Because hell! It's hot in the friggin Caribbean, that's why. And although at least one of those days I'll be in and out of water, I still count that day as a day. I don't like being without fresh panties. It's gross!
So, in my phone I have each day that I'm going to be gone and the clothes I'm going to be wearing. It looks like the following.
Prior to preparation but after we receive the Theme of the night:
Friday
Boarding
Dining
Casino Night
Friday
Boarding
Green dress
White tank
White flippies - rd
Dining
Black and white dress - rd
Black heels
Casino Night
Black dress - rd
Black heels
That's an example. After I "ready" every item while packing, I mark it with "rd" next to it. I may or may not put in there a suggestion of what I want to find for the specific outfit. This helps me narrow my absent-mindedness while I'm in a store. I also make sure that when I'm looking for something, I keep my eye out for things I might want to exchange or use for work. Work clothes = dining room outfits.
Of course things may not always go as planned while I'm on the ship. I may skip the dining room one night so I don't have to use an outfit. However, I know that I got my back covered if in case I need those clothes for something else.
Secrets to packing prior to boarding
On embarkation day, pack everything that you're not going to need for the muster drill, Sail Away Party and dinner if you have early dining in your checked luggage. Everything that you will need for these events, keep on you!
Reason? You just may not have your luggage by the time dinner rolls around. I say may. I didn't for the 2010 cruise. Here's a little story.
This could happen to you... ...if you have cool friends like I do!
3 drinks into partying amongst ourselves, my friend and I decided to dance. While I was Hangin' Tough, she started Kidding and Playing. My hand collided with her drink and WOOSH!! That pink frilly drink all over us! There's a picture. I should post that for visual lol's.
Make sure you either have with you or are wearing your outfit for the Sail Away Party. Chances of your luggage being in your cabin prior to the muster drill could be slim. Rule of thumb: The earlier you get to the ship, the sooner you'll have your luggage. However, just because you're first on the ship doesn't always mean you're first to get your luggage. There are people handling your stuff- you're trusting them. Humans. And you know how reliable that species is, right? That's what I thought.
If you want to bring on a small little backpack or if you're bringing your laptop (don't check this item, carry it with you so you don't complain about someone stealing your shit later) I'd suggest stuffing something that's wrinkle free just as a back-up in case of mishaps like the above mentioned. Will I be packing a back-up this year? Nah. But did I suffer through the muster drill and the chilly dining room in a wet, white t-shirt? Yes. Yes I did. But I was really buzzed and didn't care.
What Can't I Bring Onboard
Here is a list taken from the Carnival website of items that will be CONFISCATED upon boarding.
• Alcohol (hard liquor)/sealed, unopened bottles
• Beer/sealed, unopened bottles/cans
• Wine or champagne/sealed, unopened bottles - beyond the allowable limit of one bottle (750 ml. size) per adult 21 years of age (brought on at embarkation time only)
• Clothing irons and steamers (all Carnival ships offer laundry facilities with irons and ironing boards. Fleet-wide valet laundry service is also available for a nominal fee.)
• Electrical and household appliances (i.e. coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, etc.)
• Candles
• Heating Pads
• Incense
• Hookah
Here is a list of items that will be DISCARDED and thrown away prior to boarding
• Large coolers
• Alcohol in unsealed containers
• Firearms (i.e., non-firing weapons and starter pistols)
• Ammunition (i.e., bullets, shot or missile that can be fired using a propellant)
• Imitation or replica weapons (i.e., de-commissioned weapons or those not capable of being fired, toy weapons, or any other item made, intended or adapted to be used as a weapon)
• Explosives or explosive component parts, (i.e., detonators)
• Fireworks or pyrotechnics (except those previously approved in connection with a company stage production which have been properly manifested)
• Taser or electronic stun guns
• Pepper or mace sprays
• Telescopic or regular batons
• Martial arts equipment (i.e., flails, throwing stars, belt buckle knives, etc.)
• Handcuffs, brass knuckles
• Compressed gas bottles/cylinders
• Knives with blades longer than four (4) inches ( Recreational dive knives are allowed but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.)
• Dive tanks (empty or full), diver spears/slings
• Household goods or tools of trade
• Volatile and highly flammable liquids such as cigarette lighter fluid
• Scissors with blades longer than four (4) inches (Large scissors of the type used by scrapbook and quilting enthusiasts are at times permitted with prior notification from the Security Services Department, but are held onboard in the same manner as dive knives.)
• Medical Marijuana
• Bicycles
• Surfboards
• Scooters (only permitted if used for mobility – must be stored in guest’s stateroom)
• Boats/canoes
• Segways
• Any footwear with wheels, i.e. Heely’s type shoes
LOL Leave your handcuffs off the cruise, ladies. Sorry. But white scarves can do the same thing ;) #FreakySaga. OKAY! Also don't bring your boat. You're on one.
I, however, did manage to bring my handheld steamer board.
What Can I Bring On Board
Water/Soda. You can bring your own bottled water or canned soda. I'm pretty sure the limit is 12 bottles per person. This is kind of awesome, right? I mean, I have no problem drinking the water on board that they give you to make tea with. A tip from my sister
mrsbr00kster, make iced tea. Yeah, just make tea and then put ice in it. Saves a whole shit load of money on soft drinks. And, well, saves some calories too, right?
Power strips: here's the deal - People have brought them and have gotten away with them. People have brought them and had them tossed. If you want to chance it, go for it. If it's not in your luggage when you get it in your room, don't throw a fit. The policy is: Electrical devices such as fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords will be removed if determined to pose a hazard and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.
They know what cabin you're in. They know how many people are going to be on your grid. They know these things. If they see too many of those power strips, they're going to start taking them. So, if you're early enough you may luck out and get to keep yours.
If you need a power strip for any purpose and it's very important that you have it (I needed one for my breast pump on the 2010 cruise), then call ahead and put it as a special item on your booking. They'll help you out. I didn't have one in my cabin prior to sailing but I know that they would have hooked me up; especially since it's deemed a medical reason.
Alcohol: This deserves it's own journal entry, really. Which I'm going to post right after this one.
IN CONCLUSION
I'm putting this out there: I work for a cruise line. I work for Carnival Corporation. If you have any questions, you can ask me. I can ask managers that deal directly with passenger related departments what policies are enforced and what you can "get away with" or how you can "get away" with them. legally, I mean. If you require special services, please call Carnival and check with them before just assuming you can/can't bring something.
If you want me to call on something, then hell, sure. Why not? I can call Carnival and ask them for you if you don't want to be bothered or you don't know how to phrase something and feel like a moron. The Carnival FAQ is littered with good information; and it's easy to understand. So, ya know, check there first if you have a simple question.
Future blogs will include information about having a good time(yes, some people need help with this shit), passports, alcohol and whatever else I can think of. If you have a question, please tweet me (@mac_feisty) and I'll answer. If you have a blog topic or something that I should write a journal entry about, let me know via a comment on here or a tweet. I'll do my best to be more on top of this crap! :)
Prior to even shopping for the cruise - Make a list!
In my phone for each cruise I have each day, each outfit I'm wearing down to the shoes and underwear. I'm not the type to just throw every thing I own in the suitcase and pray that I have enough or that I won't mismatch something that goes with something else. Very strategic planning goes into my packing. I hate packing. I also hate organization (as you can tell from this journal) so this is a chore for me but it pays off.
I always make sure that I take at least 2, yes 2 extra pair of panties for each day that I'm going to be gone. Why? Because hell! It's hot in the friggin Caribbean, that's why. And although at least one of those days I'll be in and out of water, I still count that day as a day. I don't like being without fresh panties. It's gross!
So, in my phone I have each day that I'm going to be gone and the clothes I'm going to be wearing. It looks like the following.
Prior to preparation but after we receive the Theme of the night:
Friday
Boarding
Dining
Casino Night
Friday
Boarding
Green dress
White tank
White flippies - rd
Dining
Black and white dress - rd
Black heels
Casino Night
Black dress - rd
Black heels
That's an example. After I "ready" every item while packing, I mark it with "rd" next to it. I may or may not put in there a suggestion of what I want to find for the specific outfit. This helps me narrow my absent-mindedness while I'm in a store. I also make sure that when I'm looking for something, I keep my eye out for things I might want to exchange or use for work. Work clothes = dining room outfits.
Of course things may not always go as planned while I'm on the ship. I may skip the dining room one night so I don't have to use an outfit. However, I know that I got my back covered if in case I need those clothes for something else.
Secrets to packing prior to boarding
On embarkation day, pack everything that you're not going to need for the muster drill, Sail Away Party and dinner if you have early dining in your checked luggage. Everything that you will need for these events, keep on you!
Reason? You just may not have your luggage by the time dinner rolls around. I say may. I didn't for the 2010 cruise. Here's a little story.
This could happen to you... ...if you have cool friends like I do!
3 drinks into partying amongst ourselves, my friend and I decided to dance. While I was Hangin' Tough, she started Kidding and Playing. My hand collided with her drink and WOOSH!! That pink frilly drink all over us! There's a picture. I should post that for visual lol's.
Make sure you either have with you or are wearing your outfit for the Sail Away Party. Chances of your luggage being in your cabin prior to the muster drill could be slim. Rule of thumb: The earlier you get to the ship, the sooner you'll have your luggage. However, just because you're first on the ship doesn't always mean you're first to get your luggage. There are people handling your stuff- you're trusting them. Humans. And you know how reliable that species is, right? That's what I thought.
If you want to bring on a small little backpack or if you're bringing your laptop (don't check this item, carry it with you so you don't complain about someone stealing your shit later) I'd suggest stuffing something that's wrinkle free just as a back-up in case of mishaps like the above mentioned. Will I be packing a back-up this year? Nah. But did I suffer through the muster drill and the chilly dining room in a wet, white t-shirt? Yes. Yes I did. But I was really buzzed and didn't care.
What Can't I Bring Onboard
Here is a list taken from the Carnival website of items that will be CONFISCATED upon boarding.
• Alcohol (hard liquor)/sealed, unopened bottles
• Beer/sealed, unopened bottles/cans
• Wine or champagne/sealed, unopened bottles - beyond the allowable limit of one bottle (750 ml. size) per adult 21 years of age (brought on at embarkation time only)
• Clothing irons and steamers (all Carnival ships offer laundry facilities with irons and ironing boards. Fleet-wide valet laundry service is also available for a nominal fee.)
• Electrical and household appliances (i.e. coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, etc.)
• Candles
• Heating Pads
• Incense
• Hookah
Here is a list of items that will be DISCARDED and thrown away prior to boarding
• Large coolers
• Alcohol in unsealed containers
• Firearms (i.e., non-firing weapons and starter pistols)
• Ammunition (i.e., bullets, shot or missile that can be fired using a propellant)
• Imitation or replica weapons (i.e., de-commissioned weapons or those not capable of being fired, toy weapons, or any other item made, intended or adapted to be used as a weapon)
• Explosives or explosive component parts, (i.e., detonators)
• Fireworks or pyrotechnics (except those previously approved in connection with a company stage production which have been properly manifested)
• Taser or electronic stun guns
• Pepper or mace sprays
• Telescopic or regular batons
• Martial arts equipment (i.e., flails, throwing stars, belt buckle knives, etc.)
• Handcuffs, brass knuckles
• Compressed gas bottles/cylinders
• Knives with blades longer than four (4) inches ( Recreational dive knives are allowed but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.)
• Dive tanks (empty or full), diver spears/slings
• Household goods or tools of trade
• Volatile and highly flammable liquids such as cigarette lighter fluid
• Scissors with blades longer than four (4) inches (Large scissors of the type used by scrapbook and quilting enthusiasts are at times permitted with prior notification from the Security Services Department, but are held onboard in the same manner as dive knives.)
• Medical Marijuana
• Bicycles
• Surfboards
• Scooters (only permitted if used for mobility – must be stored in guest’s stateroom)
• Boats/canoes
• Segways
• Any footwear with wheels, i.e. Heely’s type shoes
LOL Leave your handcuffs off the cruise, ladies. Sorry. But white scarves can do the same thing ;) #FreakySaga. OKAY! Also don't bring your boat. You're on one.
I, however, did manage to bring my handheld steamer board.
What Can I Bring On Board
Water/Soda. You can bring your own bottled water or canned soda. I'm pretty sure the limit is 12 bottles per person. This is kind of awesome, right? I mean, I have no problem drinking the water on board that they give you to make tea with. A tip from my sister
mrsbr00kster, make iced tea. Yeah, just make tea and then put ice in it. Saves a whole shit load of money on soft drinks. And, well, saves some calories too, right?Power strips: here's the deal - People have brought them and have gotten away with them. People have brought them and had them tossed. If you want to chance it, go for it. If it's not in your luggage when you get it in your room, don't throw a fit. The policy is: Electrical devices such as fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords will be removed if determined to pose a hazard and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.
They know what cabin you're in. They know how many people are going to be on your grid. They know these things. If they see too many of those power strips, they're going to start taking them. So, if you're early enough you may luck out and get to keep yours.
If you need a power strip for any purpose and it's very important that you have it (I needed one for my breast pump on the 2010 cruise), then call ahead and put it as a special item on your booking. They'll help you out. I didn't have one in my cabin prior to sailing but I know that they would have hooked me up; especially since it's deemed a medical reason.
Alcohol: This deserves it's own journal entry, really. Which I'm going to post right after this one.
IN CONCLUSION
I'm putting this out there: I work for a cruise line. I work for Carnival Corporation. If you have any questions, you can ask me. I can ask managers that deal directly with passenger related departments what policies are enforced and what you can "get away with" or how you can "get away" with them. legally, I mean. If you require special services, please call Carnival and check with them before just assuming you can/can't bring something.
If you want me to call on something, then hell, sure. Why not? I can call Carnival and ask them for you if you don't want to be bothered or you don't know how to phrase something and feel like a moron. The Carnival FAQ is littered with good information; and it's easy to understand. So, ya know, check there first if you have a simple question.
Future blogs will include information about having a good time(yes, some people need help with this shit), passports, alcohol and whatever else I can think of. If you have a question, please tweet me (@mac_feisty) and I'll answer. If you have a blog topic or something that I should write a journal entry about, let me know via a comment on here or a tweet. I'll do my best to be more on top of this crap! :)