All Things "Spirit"!!

[StanfordsGirl]

More Secrets and Travel Tips[/size]

You can review your Sail N Sign charges on the TV in the cabin.

Be sure that if you need bottled water to take meds etc the last night of the cruise that you take it out the fridge before you head to dinner. The room steward LOCKS the mini fridge the last night as they have to submit charges to the purser's computer.

Also we had a bit of a problem with bottled water we purchased at the bars ... the room steward if he found an empty one in our trash would then charge the room for it too. The room steward is the ONLY one who can take mini-fridge charges off your bill, the purser's desk cannot.

The day in port they will sell bottled water and insulated carriers for the large bottles as you go down the stairs to exit. The insulated carriers have a very long strap and they make great protectors for camera lens. Bottled water is sold at all bars and the carriers often up at the pool bar area.

You can view the dinner menu on the TV each day plus the menu for lunch and dinner is posted outside the main dining room on deck 2. As you exit the dining room it will be to your left on the wall across from the stairway.

Extra copies of the Carnival Capers (daily paper) and ship deck plan are on display at the purser's desk. Help yourself.

Wake up service is available thru an automated phone system.

Notify your credit card company where you'll be traveling so they don't put a "fraud alert" on your card. So embarrassing to have your card denied, especially when they don't tell you why.

Packing your hang up clothes in dry cleaning bags really helped for no wrinkles! I still took and used my Downey Wrinkle Releaser.

Extra zip lock bags come in handy for wet suits on the last day, things the kids collect, snacks on excursions, oozing sun screen etc...

Don't forget the night light, and the flash light for power outs.

Since we always do a lot of snorkeling excursions, I take a Beach bag w/zipper and Key-chain watch (a cheap one) to put on my beach bag, that way we can leave our good watches in the safe We also find those water wallets very useful, we each have one and our money, credit cards, ID, and Sea Pass all fit nicely and we wear them in the water on our bodies, and they work great! I also wear mine (the ship) around my neck on casual days or at the pools.

Shortly after arriving in our cabin, armed with dinner time and formal night schedules, call the salon and arrange for the necessary services. Remember that everybody will be scheduling on those days, so get your request in early.

Always gather your identification docs early enough to get replacements in case you loose one!

Tip on what not to do!

My friend laminated her birth certificate to make it more water proof and not show wear and tear. Guess what LOL its now in good condition and totally useless as cruise lines and immigrations wont accept them now!

[StanfordsGirl]

More Secrets and Travel Tips

When you first get on the ship, you need to go to the purser's desk immediately if you want to have them open your balcony dividers. Do it early as only 25 can be opened cabin and the steward is not allowed to unlock them.

The ship has 2 types of toilet paper. The sandpaper type is called "envision" and you don't want to use it for 9 days. Ask your room steward to make sure your cabin is stocked with "preference" TP instead.

Ask for a children's dessert menu because they have banana splits.

The children's dinner menu has the best mac 'n cheese so order it as an appetizer one night.

Every Carnival ship has a secret door and it's up to you to find it on the Spirit.

If your balcony only has chairs and a small table, ask your room steward to bring you one or two lounge chairs. But make sure you tip him first.

Ask your room steward for the hardcover book about the ship that is in your cabin and he will give it to you. It makes a nice souvenir.

After late seating, the photo backdrops are usually still up and unattended so you can have someone take pics of you with your own camera.

There is a door all the way at the front of the ship on deck 6 or 7, that leads to a secret balcony. Very private and romantic but sometimes very windy.

If you wait until the last 2 days at sea, 4 different types of massages are offered at $99.00 each.

The Blue Carnival Photo albums are usually on sale the last day for $5.00, instead of the usual $16.95.