We're Ron and Melissa. We run Sandy Sun Travel- a Dream Vacations franchise. This is the place where we are archiving all of our original Fun Time Travel content. You can check out our new channel at Sandy Sun Travel
We post our archived videos here on Mondays
We now have a PO Box too! Send us some snail mail at PO Box 302 Kingston, IL 60135
Hi, guys! Another great video. Something to add to the sanitization piece. Hand sanitizer is great for so many things, but it doesn't prevent Norovirus. Keep washing for safety 😊
I prefer RCCL vs Carnival. My reasoning is simple, Carnival is a "Party Line" that also has more "Drama" on board. I like to enjoy my vacation and not have to worry about fights and arguments. Just my opinion.
We shall see lol. Our first cruise was in 1992, Disney. Our second cruise was this past May on Royal’s Independence of the Seas, which we loved. Our up and coming cruise is this October on Carnival’s Firenze, which we opted for because it seems like a chiller vibe compared to other Carnival ships lol😊
I don't cruise for high energy and party atmosphere. I prefer having a table cloth on the table in the main dining room. If nothing else, it helps absorb some of the noise. I'm not sure I've ever eaten a burger on a cruise as there is so much other food to try. It took me 4 cruises before I even snacked on a slice of pizza.
I won’t do another carnival cruise, personally. RC is just more chill and relaxing, imo. I like chill and relaxing😂 Carnival tends to have kids running all over the place and that gets annoying, hearing them scream and cussing at each other (preteens & teens) with no parent in sight. RC is classier with a little bit of an upscale clientele
Never cruised before but going on First one Jan 2025. Sailing out of New Orleans on Royal Caribbean, only cause my husband wanted a smaller less busy cruise ship first. Thank you for all your information. I have been watching all yalls videos.
Someone brought up either John Heald and he clarified no, you can’t (shouldn’t) access your room if you don’t have FTTF or are Platinum/Diamond. I’m sure people will anyway.
I just wish there was another package that includes everything except alcohol like the specialty coffee, water and soda..Also with them and Royal being the most expensive cruise lines as far drink packages it's a shame they won't let you utilize it at half moon cay or the other private islands, so you have to factor in even more money if you wanna have a few on island.
I ALSO PRINT OUT HARD COPY OF EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HOLIDAY AND INSURANCE ETC. MY FRIENDS MAKE FUN THAT I AM TOO ORGANIZED BUT BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY LOL
you can order a gallon of distilled water "for your CPAP machine" for $3.88 from Carnival. You do have to call in to order and pay for it. I usually have a suite so FTTF I have not ever needed but when I go to drop bags in my room the doors are shut but they are not locked. Just open them and go in.
@@FunTimeTravel2sorry… my fan is USB charged and has always been fine… the multiple plug with “extension” cord on it has been confiscated each time I tried so I only bring the direct plug into wall cube or a European converter
Speaking of drinks to bring on the ship, the drink we brought on the ship was several of the 30 gram "Premier Protein" drinks. They are in cardboard packaging, they are slightly less than 12 ounces, they fit nicely in the fridge in your room, and you can get them for $29.99 for 18 of them at Costco. My wife and I drink one each morning and they are a great start.
We found Faster to the Fun worth it. Early access to the cabin is not permitted without it but many people bring the bags to the cabin contrary to the rules.
Having traveled on a variety of Carnival Ships from the Smaller Paradise to the Mardi Gras one my favorite parts of the cruise is breakfast, especially Omelettes and since I’m an very early riser for work I find out when the omelette station opens and I’m usually one of the first few in line. And that will be my first breakfast of the morning, I would always advise getting travel insurance, because one slip on the pool deck or going up and down the stairs anywhere on the ship can become very expensive. I also put a copy of my boarding pass inside my luggage in case the luggage tag gets ripped off during the loading process and an additional luggage tag with my name and phone number on it as well so they can find my name room number. Also when you have the drink package take full advantage of everything it offers from specialty coffee/teas, soft drinks, energy and sports drinks, milkshakes etc…a lot of people don’t fully realize just how much it covers.
Another Pro tip: bring your own cup. Yeti, tumbler and what not. In XL class ships there’s self serve fountain soda. However, you can always refill your own bottle of water for free using your own bottle your bring on board.
Going on the Carnival Panorama in August for a 8 nights definitely getting the Cheers package , yea it seems like a lot to fork out all at once but it pays for itself with all the other non alcoholic drinks you can have too. Also like to take cans of beer back to our room and keep a few in the cooler to enjoy out on the balcony
100% agree. FYI, the travel insurance Carnival offers has basic coverage, we added third party insurance as well. If you need to be medically evacuated from the ship, it could cost thousands if you don't have good travel insurance.
I love doing sea day brunch in the dining room. I like ordering eggs over easy at the buffet. I will always tip a dollar to person who makes my eggs. I always bring a 12 pack of coke zero on board. I will always order a 12 pack of water. I love Carnival. I'm in the casino club. I drink free in the Casino. They always send me great deals. I'm now platinum on Carnival. I do get to drop off my carry on stuff in my cabin early. That and the free laundry service is awesome.
Steak and Eggs for Sea Day Brunch is awesome. We don't do any packages just not worth it for us. We are Platinum next cruise so looking forward to the free laundry service.
@genesnyder2985 they changed you over to Platinum before embarkation day right? We actually turn Platinum our second night so was wondering if they just make you Platinum before.
We use FTTF and love it. If you are not Platinum, Diamond, have FTTF or in a Suite you are breaking the rules if you go to your cabin before they announce that the cabins are ready.
Thank you for the info. We’ve always waited, but we saw some information that suggested otherwise. We are certain you’re right. We’re going tot try to edit this video to fix that, but it’s difficult to do after it’s posted!
FTTF is absolutely not worth it. You DO NOT get the same priority status. You still go in with the regular non priority, and non suit guests. Also, you STILL have to wait for priority (platinum, diamond) and suite guests to board before you do. FTTF is a waste of money and you’d be better off just working for platinum and diamond status. Side note: this is a pro carnival trip. You are NOT breaking the rules going to your rooms before they are ready. Matter of fact John held the brand ambassador encourages guest to go to their rooms before ready to drop off their luggage.
@@adrianmartinez5418 as a platinum cruiser I can tell you first hand that’s another scam. I’ve had plenty of times I didn’t get my luggage until close to dinner on embark.
Great tips! As far as putting your carry ons in your cabin before 1:30, I think this perk is only for FTTF, Platinum or Diamond cruises. If this is wrong, please let me know.
Just recently found you guys, so far I like what I see! Taking our 7th cruise in May 2025, but 1st on Carnival, (going on the Horizon) so enjoying learning about this Cruise Line. I like this format, but think that Melissa should Always be Positive and Ron Negative, this way you can mentally prepare for it and it will be more consistent. Keep up the Great Work!!
Hey, guys! As always, great video. You've become my go to for tips on our first cruise! Question for ya. When traveling Carnival specifically, do you prefer early or late check in? I know we'll be schlepping carry-ons with us. TIA!
That’s such a hard question to answer. We usually take a small rolling computer bag and a back pack and to early boarding. We give everything else to the porters to deliver to our cabin. We have boarded with a carryon bag and pulled it around- it’s not the end of the world, but if we were doing that today, we’d probably board around 1:00 so our cabin would be ready shortly after getting on the ship
I've never been to the same port twice on my 4 cruises. I always research the ports before leaving home. Some have been easy to walk and explore on our own. Others not so easy, so we have done ship excursions. I'm still trying to decide what to do in the Canary Islands. Ship excursions are mostly sold out, so may just explore on our own or stay on the ship.
I use the Royal app. to check out deck plans and MDR menus before we sail, along with some activities before we sail. If we want a specialty dining, we can choose it based on our least favorite night menu in the MDR. That means no one has a can't miss appetizer, main course, or desert in main dining.
I am a big fan of Ziplock bags. Put your random stuff in them. If you have things that need to go through the airport security X-ray, put them in a Ziplock bag. When you get to the X-ray, you can plop it in the box. When you get to the other side, just put it back in your laptop bag. (Some places don't like your having things mixed in with your laptop. when it gets X-rayed.
Tip, bring lots of small bills for your servers, fives and ones. Tip, bring a first-aid kit. Tip bring all the over the counter medication, that you use ona monthly basis. Bring what will make you happy. I pack Oreo's with double stuff to keep my hubby happy. Remember to have fun!!!!
I have first-hand experiences with most of these watch out forsake. Big on casino is cash only and no ATM. Our biggest error was purchasing some magical bath powder and brushes. Wow, it took me three years to use all the material and NOTHING. THIS WAS ABOUT $700 TO $800. We have lots of photos and even sat for Profesional photos. We pay for everything we want up front, excursions, tips, wifi, and dinning if there is a special occasion. Our goal is to not have a bill when we leave the ship. Our lowest was under one dollar, we had sone on board credit. Your viedo is right on the money. Thank you
Great! One to add is from Amazon, a pill carrier. It folds open and has spaces for all your OTC meds. OTC beds one ship are extremely expensive!! We have them in our automobiles also.
You forgot to add 18% grwtuity. Yes, it's pricey but pn sale with gratuities we paid under $1400 for 2 on a 12 nighr cruise. You can call us idiots but 3 drinks a day is our break even point.
To each their own. Some people want to enjoy drinks and fun on cruises and not worry about a big bill at the end. Drinks tend to be priced higher than they are on land. It’s like buying a Coke at a movie theater… who pays $10 for a soda? The drink package can pay for itself very quickly
Older ships may only have one electric outlet and no usb ports, and most cruise lines don't allow power strips or extension cords. Amazon has cruise line approved bricks with multiple electric, usb, and usb-c ports in a single unit. We always bring one or two.
We take it every evening before bed. It can make you a little bit drowsy. Neither one of us has ever had trouble with motion sickness, but we figure, “why risk it?”
Don’t let the cruiselines scare you into only booking cruiseline excursions. I’ve done lots of both. I’ve only had one bad private excursion and one good cruiseline one.
