Carnival Cruise

Did you know you can bring your own drinks on a Carnival cruise?

While I've brought wine on cruise ships before, it took me over 30 sailings to finally haul a 12-pack of soda onboard. 

Instead of buying Carnival's pricey CHEERS! package, I decided to keep my costs as low as possible by buying soda at a local supermarket en route to the terminal on embarkation day. 

Carnival is known for rowdy cruises to the sunny Caribbean and Bahamas. However, they also offer itineraries to places like Europe, the South Pacific, and Australia. 

Recently, I embarked on a weeklong cruise to Alaska aboard Carnival Luminosa. The 7-night cruise sailed from Seattle to Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. 

I stayed in a windowless cabin on my weeklong cruise to Alaska, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. 

Alaska is known for its snow-capped mountains, wildlife-filled waters, and dramatic fjords. It's nice when you can take in the scenery from your private balcony, but that luxury isn't cheap. 

So, on my recent 7-night cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa, I kept my costs low by booking an interior stateroom. 

Last week, I sailed on my first Carnival cruise to Alaska. Prepping for a trip to the Last Frontier differs from sailing in the sunny and warm Caribbean. However, there are a few smart pre-cruise preparations that make embarkation smoother and help save money, regardless of where you're headed. 

For example, you don't want to wait until the last minute to make your travel arrangements, as you'll end up paying more for flights and accommodations. 

The demand for cruise vacations is higher than ever, so you shouldn't be surprised to see higher fares than two or three years ago. Still, it's possible to find a good deal if you know where to look.

Carnival is one of the most popular cruise lines in operation. Though their new Excel Class ships are pricey, they offer other ships and itineraries for cruisers looking to enjoy a much-needed getaway without breaking the bank. 

Historically, shore excursion tickets served as a great souvenir from your cruise vacation, especially to remember the fun activities you've done ashore. However, Carnival Cruise Line is making it easier for guests to check in for excursions with the use of their Sail & Sign card and cell phone. 

Instead of providing passengers with tickets, Carnival is streamlining the process by integrating shore excursion check-ins directly into a mobile app.

Most cruise passengers know to pack their best behavior, as forgetting to take the line's rules seriously can have lifelong consequences. 

Rarely does anyone board a cruise anticipating a lifelong ban. However, disruptive behavior can lead to permanent blacklisting from any line, including Carnival. 

Carnival has a zero-tolerance policy for actions jeopardizing onboard safety and comfort. Though you might feel inclined to let loose on vacation, the rules are clear, and enforcement is strict. 

Carnival's Brand Ambassador spoke out after a massive brawl broke out in Carnival's Galveston cruise terminal. 

24 passengers were involved in a violent fight after disembarking Carnival Jubilee, the cruise line's newest ship, on Saturday, April 26. Consequently, the two dozen guests were banned from cruising with Carnival ever again, while a 21-year-old was arrested. 

24 passengers were banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line after a massive fight broke out in Galveston's cruise terminal while collecting their luggage. 

Trelle Ray shared a one-minute video of the incident on Facebook, saying, "It went down this morning." The clip shows a large group of guests shoving past barriers inside the terminal. At least one person was pushed to the ground and punched while security guards tried to break up the brawl.