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POV: You’re Stepping On Board a Carnival Cruise for the First Time

By Carnival Cruise Line

You’ve probably heard your friends talking about their amazing cruise to Hawaii last year, or eavesdropped on some people in the grocery store checkout line chatting away about their upcoming tropical cruise vacation. People everywhere just love cruising, what can we say! But for those who have never had the chance to set sail on an unforgettable cruise vacation, this one’s for you! We’re about to turn those ever-present tales of relaxation and adventure into a reality.

Today, we ask that you do us a favor and pretend that you’re about to embark on a Carnival cruise for the very first time. Your maiden voyage! So, kick back, put your reading glasses on, and let your imagination run free as we enter the wonderful world of cruising.

Taking Your First Steps Onboard

Envision yourself taking those first steps onto the ship, and quickly heading straight into a world of excitement and adventure. Don’t close your eyes though, we still need you to read! Imagine the bright blue ocean stretching out endlessly before you, the salty breeze ruffling your hair just the slightest bit. Don’t worry, it looks cute!

couple looking over the deck railing at the ocean

Your luggage is already dropped off in your room, you’ve checked in at your muster station and just like that, the whole ship is yours to explore. Wow, was your stomach the one that just made a weird growling noise? You suddenly realize that you’re starving after a day of travel and participating in exciting activities both on and off the ship. Now’s a better time than any to go searching for a bite to eat and something refreshing to drink, don’t you think? You’ve heard rave reviews about Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse , and are more than ready to head to FlavorTown to fuel up before your ship’s fun-filled Sail Away Party (usually around 3-4pm).

Discovering The Cruise Schedule Essentials

Great news: every evening of your voyage, the ‘Fun Times’ Newsletter arrives in your stateroom, chock full of everything you can enjoy the following day. When you realize it’s been delivered to your cabin mailbox, you snatch it up and start eagerly scanning through it, circling the events that catch your eye. And if you happen to forget your copy of the ‘Fun Times’ Newsletter in your cabin you can easily access all of this information and more on the Carnival HUB app . Between “Fun Times” and the app you’ll have access to all the information you could ever want to know about your journey, including top entertainment suggestions, onboard events, recommended attire (cruise casual, elegant, etc.), daily food and beverage deals, and more. This pairing is, without a doubt, the holy grail of cruise schedule essentials!

You start jotting down a plan, or creating one in the Carnival HUB app—an early morning pilates class sounds nice… and you simply MUST play a round or two of pickleball. Trivia, karaoke , spa treatments , shopping , lounging by the pool— you want to do it all during your time at sea! You keep going, and by the time you lift your pen, you’ve circled half the newsletter (don’t worry, we all do it). The possibilities are endless, and you can hardly wait.

POV: Cruising with Kiddos

You’ve done a little research before arriving, and already know that younger kids aged 2-11 can head over to Camp Ocean —a supervised program designed to enlighten and entertain young minds— or to the wild and wacky world of Seuss at Sea , where families can watch as their favorite books are brought to life through onboard character parades, interactive story time, arts & crafts activities and more! Plus, how could anyone forget the Build-a-Bear Workshop at Sea ? A brief stroll to explore the ship already has your kiddos buzzing with excitement, their eyes lighting up at the flashing sights and sounds of the onboard arcade , the huge twisting water slides and the fun-filled playground that is SportSquare .

Your tweens and teens, meanwhile, can’t wait to disappear into the spaces meant just for them. They’ve already scoped out Circle “C” (for ages 12-14) and Club O2 (ages 15-17), hang out spots where they can dance, karaoke, watch movies and play video games to their heart’s content.

And when you all come back together, you can already tell that there are plenty of family activities to go around. You can’t wait to laugh and scream with glee as you all race on the SkyRide , cool off together at WaterWorks and snuggle under blankets as the sun sets at a Dive-In Movie at the Seaside Theater.

POV: An Adults-Only Getaway

If you’re cruising without kids, you’re acutely aware that your days are completely yours to fill with whatever your heart desires, whether that’s a dance class, a cocktail and a good book by the pool or a delicious meal at one of your ship’s onboard restaurants. You plan out a day of wellness — hitting the Fitness Center for some cardio, before grabbing a light breakfast at Lido Marketplace and then heading over to the Cloud 9 Spa Hydrotherapy Pool to soak up all the essential vitamins and minerals your body has been missing. It’s an R&R extravaganza, and it’s what you deserve. This is your cruise fantasy, after all!

As the sun sets, the ship transforms into a haven of nightlife and entertainment. You may start your evening with a cocktail at Alchemy Bar , where the bartenders use their mixology magic to turn regular cocktails into one-of-a-kind concoctions. Maybe you want to sing your heart out with some new friends at Piano Bar , or dance the night away at the Nightclub ! It’s all here, and it’s all within reach.

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that a cruise vacation is just the thing you’ve been missing. Click here to check out Carnival’s destinations, or click here to take a peek at all our sailings!

Please Note: Onboard activities vary by ship .

Fun on deck.

https://www.carnival.com/onboard.aspx