On day one, do a self guided tour of the ship, starting at the top and work your way down.
Grab a full Fun Times (the daily newspaper for the ship telling you all about the activities) from guest services on embarkation day - you are given a boarding day edition when you check in, but the full version is at guest services and in your cabin.
Sign up to Camp Ocean (kids club) on Embarkation day.
Port side = Left when facing forward (I remember it by knowing both have 4 letters).
If you are in a rush for a drink, look in the Fun Times for an area that might be less busy ie avoid the pig and whistle if the parade is on.
No cash is used on board.
The Blue Iguana Mexican & Guys Burgers are included in your fare.
Make sure you notify your bank that you are travelling and will have some strange transactions on your credit card - on our previous cruise many many people thought they had setup to pay their sail & sign account on their credit card, but their bank stopped the transaction and they couldn't leave the ship on disembarkation day until the account was settled at guest services.
Download the Fun Times App before boarding.
You can view your sail & sign account on the Fun Times App.
If you choose to pay your sail & sign account with a linked debit card, be aware that Carnival will take 'holds' everyday similar to when you check in to a hotel, then at the end of the voyage they will take the whole amount and return the holds. The holds can take a few weeks to be returned by your bank.
You can order room service 24 hours.
Guest services is open 24 hours, so if they have a line you can try later.
You can access your cabin from 1pm on embarkation day.
The Main Dining Room (MDR) menu changes daily.
There are 3 types of sittings in the MDR. Main sitting (about 530pm), second sitting (about 8pm) and 'any time dining'. If you are main or second sitting, you will have an allocated table, waiter and assistant waiter, so you sit at the same table for the duration of your cruise.
You can order multiple dishes in the MDR, so if a few items tickle your fancy order them.
The MDR serves breakfast every day, it is a nice option if you don't like the buffet.
Pizza Pirate has food 24 hours including pizza, softserve ice cream machines and tea / coffee station.
No power boards allowed.
No irons allowed.
There is an area at the front of Deck 4 called the Cove. This was a free play area for most of the cruise, with toys, puzzles, big screen tv etc. We utilised this alot. Only downside was, no lift access, you access via Deck 3 via The Jungle Walk.
EU or US power adapter required for use of personal electrical in your cabin. There is 1 AUS outlet.
Every time I see a purel dispenser I use it, in hope that I won't pickup someone else's flu etc.
Pack a jacket as it can get chilly on the top decks while the ship is moving.
Having your photo taken onboard is free, but obviously you have to buy the print. So you can have your photo taken 500 times and not be out of pocket, until you purchase one.
Luggage delivery is a huge process for Carnival Spirit, 2500 passengers with at least one piece of luggage, no wonder it can take all night! Make sure you pack your toiletries and a change of clothes in case you are one of the unlucky ones that get their luggage upwards of 10pm. If you have contraband i.e. Alcohol, weapons, irons, power boards in your luggage, yours will be even later & you will probably need to get it yourself from security on deck 1.
If you have your heart set on something in the Fun Times, ensure you arrive early, Carnival Spirit has almost 3,000 passengers and can get busy at times.
You do not need to pack bathroom or beach towels.
Travel insurance is a must! You never know if your luggage will decide to take a dip in Sydney Harbour, whether you will get seasick or the dreaded stomach flu on board, Medicare is not a system used by any cruise ship so you have to pay out of pocket to see the ship Doctor. (My mum sprained her ankle onboard once, and hubby stood on a sea urchin in the South Pacific, so you never know!!).
The emergency muster is mandatory, boring and taken seriously by the crew. But don't let it ruin your embarkation day, it is only 30mins!
Remember things will probably go wrong, but how you react will determine whether it ruins your trip or not
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