A Carnival Cruise is one of the best vacations you can take. Whether this is your first cruise or your 10th, use these tips to make your Carnival Cruise more enjoyable. These tips are compiled from my personal experience and that of other passengers.

1. Don’t pack all your items in one bag. Divide your clothes into a couple of bags. This way, if one of the bags is lost, you’ll still have clothes until the other bag is found.

2. Pack the essentials (medicines, passports and cruise documents) in your carry-on luggage. You’ll have your carry-on luggage with you until you get to your room, reducing the chance of these items being lost.

3. Carry Ziploc bags with you. These are great for small items you don’t want to get wet in. On the other hand, they are also great for putting on a wet bathing suit after a shore excursion.

4. Bring your own aspirin, small toiletries, and sunscreen. Although you can get these items on board, it’s usually cheaper to purchase them before your cruise.

5. Notify your bank or credit card company in advance of where you will be traveling. A quick call will alert them that your card will be used outside of the United States.

6. You will receive a sign and navigation card as soon as you arrive at the cruise terminal. This will be used for all purchases on board and to leave and return to the ship while in port. Once on board, go to the casino and they will give you a lanyard and they will punch your card to attach the lanyard. This is a great way to make sure you don’t lose your card.

7. Carry a notebook with you. This way you can document your cruise each day. With all the activities you’ll be doing, it’s easy to forget what you did.

8. Check dining room seating arrangements as early as possible on the first day. If you find that you are not to his liking, contact the Matrade and he should be able to change his seat.

9. If you have a room with a balcony and you have friends staying in the cabin next door, ask the room attendant to open the balcony divider. You can also do it yourself with a small set of pliers (Leatherman).

10. Each ship sells collectible Monkey Head drinks. Monkey heads are coconuts carved to resemble a monkey with a plastic cup inside containing the drink of the day. Although novel, these items usually sell out, so it pays to get yours early.

11. Arrive early at the cruise terminal. Although they usually tell you that loading won’t start until the early afternoon, you can usually board at noon. This gives you time to explore the ship, eat and have a few drinks. Keep in mind that you most likely won’t be able to get into your room right away, but with everything you need in your carry-on, there’s no need.

12. If you plan on playing the casino slots, they are usually “more flexible” in the first few days of the cruise, or so I’m told.

13. If you didn’t book your shore excursions before your cruise, check what’s on offer shortly after boarding the ship. Many of the popular shore excursions will sell out on the first day.

14. If you are traveling with children, please bring a small beverage cooler. You can fill it with free lemonade and keep it in your room. This saves running to the dining areas every time you need a drink.

15. If you are a coffee drinker, order coffee the night before and your room attendant will bring it to your room in the morning.

16. Every day the menu changes and although there is usually something for everyone, if you don’t see something you like ask for something different. Waiters and chefs want you to be happy and will usually serve you.

17. You can order all the food you want. If you want two of the same article do not hesitate to ask.

18. If you drink beer, it’s usually cheaper to buy it by the bucket. The bucket holds four beers and is filled with ice to keep it cold.

19. Shore excursions can be a lot of fun, but don’t think you have to book one. Sometimes it’s fun to explore on your own or even stay on the ship, which is usually pretty empty on land days.

20. The most important advice is to have fun. The staff will do their best to make your cruise enjoyable, but no one is perfect. If you have any problems please let the staff know and they will do their best to help you.