Being practically raised on Carnival cruise ships half of my life, I have realized some very important tips. From being first time cruisers, having children on board with you, discovering new places on board, and so much more. New cruisers think they are the only ones coming on board feeling overwhelmed or anxious but it's also people with ten, twenty, or even thirty cruises under their belt.

Here are 23 Do's and Don'ts of Carnival cruising!

Do's:

1. On the first day go to cruise port at least two to three hours before embarkation. You would rather wait and sit rather than stand in a line that takes a couple hours to get through.

2. Decide early if you are carrying all, some, or none of your luggage on.DON'T go to the cruise port twenty minutes before the ship is scheduled to leave! They will NOT wait for you!

3. Have your passports or birth certificates, your identification, and your boarding passes printed out and ready for the security check line.

4. Have a small handy purse or bag with you to hold those items and any belts, cellphones, or electronics to put on the security belt. You will also put your bags and coats on this belt.

5. Bring an activity (cards, video games, book) to do while waiting to embark.

6. When embarking, make sure you are constantly moving. There are elevators for handicapped but others will use escalators.

7. Make sure a worker for the cruise sees you are handicapped and they will provide a safe line to the elevators for you and your party.

8. When on board, go to Guest Services. This is where you will be able to put cash or credit cards on your sail and sign card (room key and purchasing key). Also you can receive the daily activities called Fun Times here anytime through out your stay.

9. Put your children in the camps. Even in the 11-14 club you will have preteens your age and a lot of activities.

10. Try to eat as a family or group.

11. Remember cruise ship walls can be thin at sometimes so your neighbors might hear EVERYTHING!

12. Have family time. When people go on cruises they send off their children and never see them, make sure this cruise has a meaning.

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13. Get off the ship on each port even to walk around!

14. Look at my next article of DO'S AND DON'TS of cruise ship packing!

Don'ts:

15. Don't pack your passport in your luggage! You will need them twice.

16. Don't forget when off the ship you can discover many things. From a statue which is really a man or even ruins that have been there longer than the people.

17. Don't forget that not everything on the ship is free so every swipe is money coming out of your pocket so make sure before the end of your trip you clear your account with guest services.

18. Don't leave your children all day in the clubs, try to make sure you see them just as much as you don't.

19. When a person in a wheelchair is waiting for the elevator, don't try to pass them to get on instead.

20. Don't forget your manners! The steward/stewardess, staff, servers, and counselors aren't babysitters and maids. Treat them like real people, yes they have jobs but there shouldn't be underwear on your room floor for them to pick up and don't leave your children pass the activities time!

21. Don't forget to take advantage of any free activities and free alcohol if you are over 21!!

22. Don't forget to take advantage of the empty ship at dock.

23. Don't pass on pictures because of the price, THEY ARE WORTH IT!