FAQ • Onboard

You can view photos, deck plans and even hi-res virtual tours of Carnival Sensation by clicking CLICKING HERE.

There is not a specific dress code onboard Ship-Hop, and there is no “formal night,” so formal attire is not required.  However, shirts, bathing suit cover ups and footwear (including flip-flops) must be worn at all times in the Lido Restaurant (buffet). We also request that guests refrain from wearing flip-flops or bathing suit attire in the main dining rooms.

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to Carnival’s onboard credit program, Sail & Sign. This allows you to charge all purchases and gratuities directly to your personal onboard account for convenience throughout the cruise. Your Sail & Sign Card must be utilized for all money transactions* on board, as cash will not be an accepted form of payment.

On the first day of the cruise, you will establish your method of payment with a credit card (Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover®, Diners Club®), travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit of $100 will be required in advance. Carnival does not recommend the use of a debit card as payment for your onboard folio. However, if you choose to pay with a debit card, please be advised that Carnival obtains pre-authorization of $100 which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.

Guest Services can provide you with a balance update at any time throughout the cruise. In addition, you can view their balance update at a Sail & Sign Kiosk or on your stateroom interactive television.  On the final morning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with the Sail & Sign card will be delivered to your stateroom.

For additional information about Carnvial’s Sail & Sign program, click here.

* Excluding artist and event merchandise, which mush be purchased using your personal credit card or cash. You will not be able to purchase merchandise using your onboard spending account.

Gratuities for the services cabin stewards, dining room, and other ship staff ($12.95 per person for Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony cabins, and $13.95 per day for Suites) are included in the $250 per person additional charge, and will be pre-paid at check-out for your reservation.

For on board beverage purchases, an automatic 15% gratuity will be added to the bill and the charges will be applied directly to each guest’s Sail & Sign account.  For guests purchasing spa treatments, the recommended gratuity is 18 percent. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered.

Guests should not feel obliged to offer additional gratuity for good service . However, the ship’s staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” and so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities entirely at the discretion of those guests who wish to acknowledge particular staff members for exceptional or outstanding service. In other words, there is genuinely no need to tip but you should feel free to do so if you have a desire to acknowledge particular individuals.

There are multiple complimentary dining options, from three-course dining in the main dining room, to endless buffets with action stations, room service, and there is even 24/7 pizza!  The ship will offer open-seating dining in the main dining restaurant, with individual menus. Additional details and dining hours will be available once onboard.

To learn more about dining options onboard the Pearl, CLICK HERE

If you have any food allergy or a dietary requirement that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food product, please advise an ASK4 Reservations agent at the time of booking. Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 30-days notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfill your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of sail date.

For the protection of all of our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship’s staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.

To help you stay connected while at sea, the ship provides satellite Internet access facilitated through the Internet Café and through the bow-to-stern ship-wide Wi-Fi network.

Carnival offers three different types of plans that can be purchased for either a 24-hour period or for the entire length of the cruise at a discount – price for voyage plans vary by length of cruise:

• Social – Access the most popular websites and applications. Includes: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Does not include access to other websites or apps.
• Value – Surf all your favorite sites, including e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance. Note: Does not support Skype calling or music streaming (such as Spotify).
• Premium – From e-mail to Skype, our Premium plan promises the fastest possible connection, at speeds up to 3 times faster than our Value Plan. Supports Skype video calling, where coverage allows.

Updated pricing for Internet access will be available once onboard, but generally ranges between $5-$25 depending on the selected plan.

To access Wi-Fi, simply turn on your device’s Wi-Fi feature and you will receive the information needed. You can do this anywhere onboard the ship. Please note that as services are carried via satellite, so there are a few limitations compared to your home network.

Additional info can be found on Carnival’s website by clicking here.

Carnival offers an advanced roaming network on board Carnival Cruise Lines ships, allowing you to make and receive calls while at sea using your own mobile phone and telephone number. However, international roaming charges will be billed to you by your home mobile carrier. Please contact your mobile carrier for specific rate information.

The ship’s telecommunications network offers direct dialing via satellite from the stateroom telephone. This is available 24 hours a day regardless of the ship’s location. This service is closed on the final day of the cruise at 4:00am. The rate is $1.99 per minute, and charges are billed to the guest’s on board Sail and Sign Card. Since all communication is via satellite, the charges apply to all calls including calling cards, credit cards, 800 toll-free numbers and collect calls.

Additional info on mobile phone service onboard can be found on Carnival’s website by clicking here.

A 1250-watt hair dryer is provided in all staterooms and suites (either in the bathroom or on the desk/vanity). Personal grooming devices such as hair dryers and curling irons are allowed on board when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.

The ship has self-service launderettes located on the stateroom decks. There are generally 2 or 3 coin operated washers and dryers, and 1 iron and ironing board in each launderette. The cost is $3.25 per washer load and $3.25 per dryer load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at $1.50 per box. Change can be obtained at the Guest Service Desk. Due to local environmental requirements, the washing machines in the guest launderette will be closed in port, per each port specific requirements; the dryers and irons will be available for guest use.

In addition to self-service launderettes, there is a valet laundry service on board and is handled through your Stateroom Steward. A more detailed description (including costs) of this service can be found on Carnival’s website by clicking here.

Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in bottles.

A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person.

Water
We know some of our guests may be accustomed to bringing on their own supply of bottled water on a cruise, so Carnival has reduced the pricing for (purified) bottled water which will be conveniently delivered directly to your stateroom. Once onboard, the purchase is non-refundable; guests may take home any unopened bottles.

Pricing is as follows:

• $4.50 USD for a 12-pack of bottled water (16.9 fluid ounce per bottle) for pre-cruise purchase. Please visit The Fun Shops at www.carnival.com/FunShops/in-stateroom-beverages/water to place your order before your cruise to ensure we have an ample supply onboard.
• $4.50 USD (plus 15% gratuity) for a 12-pack of bottled water (16.9 fluid ounce per bottle) for purchase onboard by contacting Room Service.

Distilled Water
Guests may bring on board distilled water for use with a CPAP machine or nursery water for families with babies and packed in carry-on luggage. Distilled water may also be purchased onboard at $3.00 USD per gallon by contacting Room Service. The CPAP machine must be packed in carry-on luggage.

Coolers
Guests are prohibited from bringing large coolers onboard since screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security process. However small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12” x 12” x 12” for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage.

Alcohol
Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception – At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. All liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages outside of this exception are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.

• A $15 USD corkage fee, per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, steakhouse or bar. A corkage fee is a charge exacted at a restaurant for every bottle served that was not bought on the premises.

Alcoholic beverages will not be sold or served to anyone under the age of 21.

We reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone. Alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel’s gift shops or at a port of call will be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage.

Ship-Hop, ASK4 and Carnival encourage the responsible use of alcohol and accordingly reserves the right to permanently or temporarily revoke the drinking privileges of any guest who violates CCL’s Guest Conduct Policy or who is deemed a danger to himself, herself or others by SH management and/or CCL vessel management. Continued abuse of alcohol while sailing and/or violation of SH and CCL’s alcohol policy may result in immediate disembarkation. In such cases SH and CCL shall not be liable for damages, refund or other compensation, including travel costs.

SMOKING NOT ALLOWED IN CABINS OR ON BALCONIES. 

All public areas throughout the vessel are smoke-free. Cigarette, electronic cigarette and personal vaporizer smoking will be permitted in designated areas only. Cigar, Tobacco Pipes, Cigarette, electronic cigarette and personal vaporizer smoking is permitted on outdoor open decks in designated areas only.

Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this policy and fee is included in CCL’s Ticket Contract, section 8. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy.

Camp Carnival offers kids the chance to enjoy all the best parts of summer camp and family vacation. Camp Carnival splits children into three different age groups: 2 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years, with counselors available to make sure everyone has an amazing time. Tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities including arts and crafts, dancing, movies, toy-time and video games. When it’s mealtime, kids get their own menus, with faves like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and more. And when the sun goes down, they offer their Night Owls program (fees apply) so kids get to stay up late having fun, while you get to enjoy our concerts and late night activities!

Please Note:  Carnival does not offer any in-stateroom babysitting services. Also, adjustments may be made to children’s program groupings, hours and locations as needed subject to the number of children participating, and to our scheduled concerts and activities

The ship has a well-equipped Medical Center, supervised by a doctor and medical personnel. Please note, however, that they are equipped to provide only basic medical care; Carnival cannot offer care for conditions requiring specialized expertise or equipment.

Per our Terms & Conditions, you acknowledge that all or part of the Cruise may be in areas where medical care and/or evacuation may not be available. You agree to indemnify and reimburse Ship-Hip and Carnival in the event that either party, in its sole discretion, to advance to you the cost of emergency medical care, including medical evacuation and/or medical care provided ashore, as well as transportation and/or lodging in connection therewith. Ship-Hop and Carnival shall have no responsibility to advance any such costs.

The current onboard the ship is 110 volts AC (US Power), so a power converter is not necessary

Staterooms have a limited number of outlets available. Electrical devices such as power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed on board when used with proper caution. Personal grooming devices such as hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, and shavers, are allowed on board when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark.