Does carnival include shampoo and conditioner in the staterooms? I figure shampoo is provided, but not sure about the conditioner.

They provide shower gel and a "shampoo/conditioner". If you must have your own seperate conditioner, then you should bring a travel sized bottle of it with you. We bring a "scrubby" to use with the gel, they pack easily. I've even seen people tie the scrubbies (all one color) onto their luggage for quick ID at the airport and then us the scubbies for the cruise and then tie them back on for the return trip....

They also put a "gift basket" of various samples in each bathroom. Stuff like BIC razors, hand lotions, shaving cream, toothpaste, etc.. although the items in there are probably marketing related and will vary from cruise to cruise.

On our last cruise (The Spirit) my wife forgot the conditioner, we asked the steward for some and he gave us all the little bottles of it we could every use.

We have only done Carnival (Triumph) once, but when it came to toiletries, we were very pleased. To me, they were "larger" than the other cruise ships have, unless they have stopped doing this.

We went about 3 years ago on our first Carnival, and that is why we are going Carnival in March. Can't hardly wait.

brneyes

The "Gift Baskets" that Jim mentioned are usually interesting. They are never the same from year to year! You can always count on a razor of some sort though.

Dwayne

I can't hardly WAIT , to SEE what we will receive in our "gift basket", hopefully.

brneyes

i was on the carnival valor last month (dec 23-30) and there were different soaps and i think a conditioner but no razors. i always look forward to the razors lol

I have never not received razors.

Seems like it is a hit and miss deal. We have some pretty nice razors in our when we arrived.
Again if you don't have what you need..just ask and you will probably get it.

Do you think they are cutting down on their toiletries or size? Hopefully not.

brneyes

quote:

Originally posted by Larry in Miami:
I have never not received razors.

Me too! Last year I figured I would just take one bic for the trip thinking there will be razors on the ship. There were as always, but it was a ladie's razor this time!

I don't think they are cutting back. They most likely don't pay for any of the samples in the gift baskets, as Jim said, it is marketing for the products.

I did miss the cranberry Emergen-C's we got the year before though!

Dwayne

We were on the Sun Princess June of 2006. My wive was wanting to save the stuff they leave in the basket. She wanted to make us some baskets for the family reunion we were going to have a month later. I just told the Stewart what we were doing and ask him if he could leave a few extra items (with a nice little tip). He left candies, soaps, shampoos, razors, this and that. We had 20 people staying at our house for a week... had plenty of stuff and some left over.

My mother-in-law and father-in-law are very active with the Salvation Army. When on vacation they always take all the samples. They use them to hand out at the Salvation Army. Many people from their church do the same. The homeless do not have a way to handle a big bottle of shampoo or what ever. Also the little packs of instance coffee and tea, sugar are good for them.

Probably getting way off topic....sorry.

I guess if they put things in your basket that you are "used" to seeing, and you really LIKE them, it makes a difference if they are not there, when you take your next trip.

Yes, that does makes sense. If they put things in your basket that you have not seen/purchased and you like them, you are more than likely to go out and purchase them, thus as it was said, FREE advertising.

brneyes

That sounds nice. I'm sure it doesn't hurt anything to ASK, and TIP at the same time.

brneyes

Yes, it is sort of getting off "track", but you are right. I know our church takes care of people who stay under bridges, etc., and some of those toiletries would come in handy.

brneyes

Carnival is great about the freebe's.I think it is a nice touch and if you forget something else,go to the purser's desk and ask them and if they have it,they will be more than glad to take care of you. Ever since we did our first cruise on Carnival,I have used the Liquid soap they had in the shower.

Yes, it comes in handy if you don't have your own with you.

brneyes

It isn't bad in a pinch.

I still take my Irish Spring or some other type deoderant bar soap. The islands can get very warm, and then snorkeling etc. And then you have the shower manuevering to figure out about the liquid soap. I would rather soap up real well and rinse off than deal with it.

Dwayne

Yes, when it comes to "body" liquid/bar soap, I like to bring my Victoria Secret, or something like that. I like the smell , although the liquid soap on the ship is fine, if you don't have your own.

brneyes