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

Addy and Terry

95,553 views

🎯 PLANNING YOUR FIRST CARNIVAL CRUISE?

See who Carnival fits best, what is generally included, which extras to compare and the decisions to make before booking.

👉 https://www.addyandterry.com/carnival...

Here are 10 mistakes first-time Carnival cruisers make—and what those mistakes can cost.

We kept a running dollar total throughout the video. The final number might surprise you.

Addy is a Certified Cruise Counselor through CLIA and a Carnival veteran with more than 16 sailings. These are the things she wishes someone had explained before her first Carnival cruise.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 The $642 mistake most first-timers don’t see coming
00:45 Mistake #1: Port arrival time
01:30 Mistake #2: CHEERS package timing
02:30 Mistake #3: Gratuities—the bill you didn’t budget for
03:45 Mistake #4: Shore excursions
04:30 Mistake #5: Embarkation-day lunch
05:15 Mistake #6: The Carnival Hub App
06:15 Mistake #7: Carry-on strategy
07:00 Mistake #8: Elegant Night
08:00 Mistake #9: Spa booking timing
08:45 Mistake #10: Specialty dining pre-booking
09:45 Full dollar total—the reveal

Prices, promotions, availability, taxes and fees vary by ship and sailing and can change until your deposit is paid and confirmed. Verify current pricing before booking.

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🛳️ WANT HELP PLANNING YOUR CARNIVAL CRUISE?

Tell us how you like to travel, what matters most and what you want to spend. We’ll help you find a ship, sailing and cabin that fit your style, pace and budget.

👉 https://www.addyandterry.com/cruise-p...

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📺 NEW HERE?

We’re Addy & Terry—a real couple sharing honest cruise reviews, real cost breakdowns and practical advice from more than 70 cruises across 11 cruise lines.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video:
👉 @addyandterry

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DISCLOSURE

Addy & Terry operate a travel business and may earn commissions on booked travel. We may also earn a commission if you purchase through certain links or tagged products associated with this video. Our recommendations are based on our experience and editorial judgment.

#CarnivalCruise #CarnivalCruiseTips #FirstTimeCruiser #CruiseMistakes #AddyAndTerry

20 Comments

@AddyandTerry Creator 4 months ago (edited) Pinned

If you're weighing a longer sailing next, Addy just did 14 nights across the Atlantic with 10 sea days. Completely different kind of trip, and it needs a different kind of planning: https://youtu.be/TbeST5lf_8o

@Tlova1986 4 months ago

Carnival Vet here - I always choose my check in time closer to 1:30pm when the rooms open and never give my bags to the porters. I find it easier to just carry the bags onboard.

@bethdavis6863 4 months ago

Cruise vet. Do not forget to put your phone on airplane mode, or you will have a ridiculous phone bill after you get home. Be aware that your IPhone will update to port time. The ship departs on ship time. You will be left behind. I suggest you set a timer or wear an old-fashioned watch. Also be aware that your drink package doesn’t cover drinks on embarkation day if you sail out of Galveston, TX.

@biiglee1 3 months ago

Mistake #3 gratuities. Once on board head to the front desk and have them remove automatic gratuities. Crew member does a good job we tip them ourselves

@xx_xx399 10 hours ago

Carnival vet here. Don't worry about elegant night. Nice shirt slacks and dress shoes is all you need for guys. Women, dress or blouse is good

@pearlsworld958 2 months ago

Cruise vet, we always prepay gratuities when booking our cruise, they’re paid upfront and no surprises. We also tip throughout the cruise to those who go above and beyond

@4theluvofnewburn 4 months ago

Seasoned cruiser, but this is great info! I'm so glad you all are transparent and tell people the truth if they watch your channel they certainly can't say they didn't know with any experience they get into.

@TravelStews 4 months ago

C. I watch that drink package like a hawk just to make sure I’m getting THE BEST Price!

@sambrown8522 4 months ago

C. I to am a vet of cruising, and I must say good advice for first time cruises. I personally don't buy the "Cheers" package because for me the math ain't mathing. I just put money on my sail card. That works better for us.

@nyla0124ify 4 months ago

Carnival vet not all ship offer food in main dining room on embarking day

@henryjackson5008 3 months ago

Main dining room is best Bet.

@TheAntiChief99 3 months ago

Carnival Vet We always get the earliest boarding time. Midnight I'm logging on. Great video.

@jessicademby6936 2 months ago (edited)

Interior Room has beds that you can let down from ceiling. I was told. Probably every room. Don't over pack. Ask for bath robes. Gamble some for carnival Cruise credits. $40. Tip housekeeping

@FUNKBONE765 4 months ago

C-Vet Going to a 7 day one in September and a 14 day one next year. I love Carnival. The crew and deals you get on the ship are awesome.

@booksalwaysbetter09 3 months ago

Carnival vet. I would only book a Carnival excursion. There are a couple of benefits. The biggest is that if the excursion is delayed Carnival will wait for you. I never want to stress a jeep stuck in the mud, or being stuck in traffic! I trust Carnival to be there. They also take responsibility for the safety of their passengers on said excursions. I had a friend whose son was promised a certain ingredient wasn’t in his food. He had a major reaction. The excursion got him to the ship and because it was carnival’s excursion, there was no charge for medical assistance.

@dasensei5078 2 months ago (edited)

1st timer here and I'm so nervous. I've been researching and watching countless videos for months. Think I'm freaking myself out about the trip. I don't want my 1st experience to eliminate me from going on future trips. So I really appreciate all of your tips!! ❤