Sunday, March 31, 2024

15 Fun Onboard Activities Just For the Adults

carnival cruise stuff to do

Carnival offers a self-serve beer tap, usually found in the ship’s buffet. You simply tap your key card and are charged by the ounce you pour. The price comes out to about $4-5 for a beer — making it the cheapest we’ve seen on a cruise ship. This article is purposely focused on the things you can do on a Carnival ship, but there is a lot of fun off of it too.

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For instance, Carnival has an “Electric White Night” where you put on your favorite white outfit to bust a groove. Ships sometimes have game rooms that are perfect for spending some time playing a game with your friends or family. Or you can just find a table somewhere around the ship to play. We’d suggest bringing your favorite games from home (a pack of cards or some dice will do just fine in a pinch) as sometimes the ship doesn’t have any games in stock. Still, if you want a break from the heat and humidity, it’s a great option to spend some time with your travel partners and even make some new friends on the ship. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend an evening at sea, what about hanging out by (or in) the pool, watching a movie on the big screen?

carnival cruise stuff to do

Dining and restaurants

Next door, JiJi Asian Kitchen’s pan-Asian menu will take you on a tour of the Far East while you sail through the Caribbean. The Lido Marketplace is Carnival Vista’s pool deck buffet venue, where stations remain self-serve, even with other Covid-19 precautions in place shipwide. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is home to the open-round-the-clock self-serve ice cream machines. Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse is a superb dining experience on this cruise ship, and making reservations early is important. This upscale specialty restaurant is located on Deck 7 and carries a surcharge of $49 per person for a superb four-course meal, which is well worth the cost.

Carnival Liberty Kids Venues

Arrive early and sit in the seats around the pool to avoid interruptions. Carnival’s horizon and vista ships have an 800-foot sky ride outdoor fun sport. All you need is to be above 54 inches tall and less or equal to 300pounds in maximum weight to ride it. It will give you a flying experience, and a good view of surrounding sceneries.

Dislikes for me include a shower door that opens toward you instead of into the shower, making the already tiny bathroom even tighter. I also didn't like the "SNOOZIN'" door hangers, which often got caught in my door when I closed it; I would've rathered a "do not disturb" button like many other new ships have. Oddly, there were some discrepancies on board that I was surprised to see on a ship that's been sailing for several months. One afternoon later in the sailing, two different crew members approached me a total of six times in less than half an hour while I was having lunch on the Lido deck.

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Start by exploring the incredible ports we visit… and the fun things to do, both on the ship and ashore. Carnival offers a vacation insurance protection plan, which is basically a cruise insurance that will cover trip cancellation, luggage protection, medical and emergency services. It is, however, better to get travel insurance from an independent, recognized and reputable travel insurance company. Accidents are called so because no one saw them coming… be prepared, be safe. Be generous with the cruise staff and you will be treated like royalty.

carnival cruise stuff to do

Is Carnival Celebration Family Friendly?

Within those categories, Carnival Jubilee offers three types of special cabins. First is Family Harbor, which offers nautically themed cabins that sleep up to five people and rooms that can be connected via an interior door. They also receive a free night of babysitting in the kids club so parents can enjoy some alone time. Other specialty room options include the Family Harbor staterooms and suites, which are designed specifically with family needs in mind.

Get in a good workout at the fitness center, where you’ll also have the opportunity to join in on an assortment of fun and energetic fitness classes. While you’ll find a great assortment of bars throughout the ship, if you want something a little more relaxing and sophisticated, you’ll want to visit the wine bar. Featuring a great selection of wines sold by the glass and the bottle, you’ll have the chance to find new favorites while enjoying a good conversation with your fellow shipmates. Since these samples are from different venues, they give you a chance to discover a specialty venue you would like to try out. Dining on a Carnival cruise is a big thing especially with all the options available including Guys Burger Joint, the dining rooms, steakhouse and more. We’ve got even more detailed Carnival cruise tips for dining here.

The Golden Jubilee

However, others are brand new, such as The Golden Jubilee, a unique bar that’s a nod to Carnival’s storied past, with decor from prior ships used to create a gorgeous Art Deco-style, upscale space. One thing that you can’t miss is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to remember your cruise — getting a photo with the ship. When you board on embarkation day, there will be a photographer and a backdrop with an image of the ship. And when you get off at ports of call you’ll see a photographer setup as well. Head back to the cabin after dinner and you’ll be greeted by one created by the room steward.

But if you have kids, it’s something they will definitely want to see. It’s no secret that cruise lines make money on selling drinks on the ship. It’s common to pay $7-8 for a beer and upwards of $10-12 for a cocktail on Carnival.

A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. If the coffee and desserts at the buffet don’t meet your high standards, head over to JavaBlue for specialty coffees and baked goods. The adjacent Shake Spot cools you down with handcrafted milkshakes and root beer floats (both kid-friendly and spiked). True gourmets might want to splurge on the Chef’s Table, a small-group dinner experience prepared and hosted by one of the ship’s top chefs.

You can send your dirty clothes to get cleaned, but it’s pricey. On the Horizon, we found self-serve laundry rooms on most decks that only cost $6 for a load. While you can certainly choose to have fun 24/7 on a Carnival Cruise, perhaps you’ll want to take a bit of time to enjoy some art and culture as well. From art galleries, fun art auctions and a large, relaxing library, you’ll be able to indulge all your interests.

Whether you’re taking a romantic cruise for two or a cruise with the gals (or guys), you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy plenty of onboard activities. For those who want a bit of quiet time and some space away from the kids, but who aren’t staying in a Havana suite or don’t have access to Loft 19, there’s the Serenity adults-only retreat. However, there’s so much more to do and see on this cruise ship! The ride doesn’t last long — only about a minute — and there is a charge.

First Timers Guide to Carnival Vista

carnival cruise stuff to do

At night, the Grand Central Atrium transforms into a multi-story venue for spectacular shows with talented performances, aerial acrobatics, and special effects. The Grand Central Atrium’s 16 massive LED screens can display videos, lasers, and other unique effects – providing an ever-changing backdrop. Barbecue lovers should head down to Deck 8 for excellent smoked meats, comfort food sides, and a home-brewed beer at Guy Fieri’s other restaurant, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse. All meals at Guy’s Pig & Anchor are currently free of charge on Mardi Gras. Guy’s Burger Joint on Deck 17 is Fieri’s first Carnival Cruise Line dining venue, and it’s as popular as ever on Mardi Gras. It serves the same handcrafted burgers and fries we all love.

Fun Onboard Activities Just for Adults

The new terminal, at 188,000 square feet, two stories, and $163 million to build, was the largest project ever undertaken by the port. The port was completed in summer 2020, ready to welcome Mardi Gras, but the ship just recently arrived at the port for the first time, sailing from Barcelona to Florida, arriving in early June 2021. Starting July 31, 2021, Mardi Gras will offer, at first, once-weekly Caribbean sailings.

Win a Contest on the Ship

This spacious, stylish and oh-so-peaceful area of the ship features its own bar, sundeck and more, away from all the hubbub and crowds. There are private cabana rentals (Excel suite guests receive priority access to the cabana rentals), concierge service, lunch delivery and more. Loft 19 is designed as an alternative to the main pool area, and suite guests get access before anyone else.

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If you're seeking a between-meal snack or light bite, try the JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 6 in Grand Central. The cafe offers a sizable menu of specialty coffee beverages and tea, as well as free and for-fee snacks. Shaq's Big Chicken, a restaurant backed by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal (who is also Carnival's CFO, chief fun officer), is perfect if you have a hankering for some fried chicken. In addition to chicken strips, sandwiches and fries, the counter-service venue also serves breakfast. Do yourself a favor and try the chicken and biscuit combo with fries.

What’s available may vary depending on which ship you sail, but overall, this is a great primer to what you can do on your vacation. During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Jubilee. Carnival Jubilee does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

Even its date-night venues have lower cover charges than extra-fee restaurants on other cruise lines. BOLT is the first roller coaster at sea – and it’s quite a ride. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship, so don’t miss it.

carnival cruise stuff to do

Kids Club on Carnival Jubilee: Camp Ocean

There is plenty to do on this ship at all times of day but at night, the fun factor accelerates. Cruises are as much about onboard adventures as they are about shore excursions. From teen spas and digital play areas to Dr. Seuss activities and arts and crafts, no one will feel left out on this family vacation. Carnival Cruise Lines cruise vacations will always be filled with a plethora of unbelievable onboard activities.

Bathing beauties – and anyone else looking to cool off – can find Carnival’s main pools on the Deck 10 Lido. The Beach Pool is surrounded by bars and food counters and rows upon rows of lounge chairs. Aft of the Lido Marketplace, the Tides Pool and its two hot tubs are close to drinks, pizza, and ice cream.

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Invest in the Carnival Faster to the Fun (FTTF) package to avoid this. The price ranges from $39.95 to $119.95 for short to long cruises. You get access to your stateroom as soon as you are onboard.

The bar is dark and cozy and plays lively Latin music in the evenings. It’s a great spot for a romantic date whether you want to do some salsa dancing or just have a drink in a comfy spot. If relaxing isn’t your thing (or more likely you have kids!), then you can spend some time checking out the waterslides and waterpark on the ship’s pool deck. What’s offered will vary depending on the ship, but the newest ships feature winding slides and water features to help cool off and have a thrill. They are designed for the kiddos, but trust us, it’s fun for adults too. Complete with two whirlpools and the main pool, it’s a cool spot that’s normally off-limits to anyone not staying in a Havana room (you have to have a wristband to enter).

carnival cruise stuff to do

If you know a cruise staff that is off duty, explore the city with them. This saves you the hassle of removing or accounting for minibar items at the end of the cruise. While Carnival tries as much as possible to provide you with a comfortable bed if you don’t feel comfortable then ask for an egg crate foam and sleep better. On the other hand, if you have a souvenir glass, go for drink-of-the-day refills at a cheaper price.

Do your research before the cruise and book seats at the specialty venues you would want to eat at. Lastly, the Havana staterooms and suites are, similar to the Loft 19 spaces, part of a VIP area of the ship that tries to create a more calming and exclusive atmosphere. All guests in the Havana area are 12 and up, so there are no screaming kiddos around (in case that’s not your preference). Plus, the Havana area includes its own bar and pool, where only Havana guests are permitted. The second Excellence-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Celebration is a long-awaited addition to the Carnival family.

Make sure you make a stop at the spa and take advantage of all the great treatment options, so that you come back from vacation looking refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. There are beauty and wellness therapies, massages, facials, hair treatments, medi-treatments and men’s services. You can’t go home from vacation looking like all you’ve done during your Carnival Liberty cruise is party (although, we won’t blame you if that’s what you indeed do). The suites aboard Carnival Liberty are broken down into 2 Captain’s suites, 10 Grand suites, and 42 Ocean and junior suites. Balcony staterooms also include “premium,” “premium vista” and “aft-view extended” balcony staterooms.

There are also a number of other bars that can be found onboard, including a tequila bar, a pour your own beer station, piano bar, karaoke bar and specialty cocktail bars. We have provided you with a 100 Carnival cruise tips and tricks, but feel free to look for more. Some of these tips keep vacations from going sour such as remembering to carry required documentation, so, pay attention. Use any of the tips you have noted above to enjoy a smoother cruise. If going on sunny and warm cruises, pack light clothes and only 3 pairs of shoes.

All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for up-to-date requirements. Camp Ocean also has an interactive space wall, where astronauts lead kids on virtual expeditions, complete with a ceiling that lights up like the night sky to show the constellations. On Deck 18, you'll find Waterworks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids. If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan by the pool, you can do so at one of five onboard pools.

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