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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Topic: Going on a cruise in Jan...
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Rachel Craven
Madam Moderator
Posts: 2190
From: Pensacola, FL
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 12-14-2004 04:24 PM
quote: Thomas Procyk
Also, prepare to be seasick, even a little bit. I was brave the first few days but about mid-week I was rockin' and rollin'! They sell pills or little patches you stick behind your ear on-board which help a lot.
I personally like the little blue bracelets that cut off some of your circulation. Seriously, they work, only problem was that they didn't go with my formal gowns. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
quote:
These "tips" added up to about $75!!!!
I know this is "wrong" but we didn't tip anyone we didn't use. Some of the suggestions of people to tip some people use and some don't, like the Mader-D (you know what I mean, I don't know how to spell it) for example, we never needed his assistance with anything so we didn't tip him (he will set up a really nice surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or wedding if you approach him about it). But the maids, waiter, and waiters asst. got really nice tips, they did a very good job.
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Rachel Craven
Madam Moderator
Posts: 2190
From: Pensacola, FL
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 12-14-2004 09:16 PM
quote:
What a bunch of whimps! Can't wait to see yous in 30ft seas!
Actually I grew up on the seas between fishing boats and helping out on whale watches, I never got sick. I think the only reason I get sick on the cruises is because the ship is so big that you can't really feel you're moving back and forth even though you are. On smaller boats you can see how you're moving. I think...
quote: Phil Hill
Do take good care of your cabin boy, waiter, etc. I mean you don't want your bed to be short-sheeted or a goldfish in your water.
Yes, do tip them but they won't do anything bad if you don't, you tip at the end of the week. The last cruise we went on the asst. waiter did a much better job all around then the head waiter. He made special trips every night just to go get me lemonade from the upstairs restaurant for dinner because I don't like iced tea, RC only serves free iced tea and water for dinner, lemonade is added to the lunch menu. His personality was much better and he did all the work...needless to say, the asst. waiter got a better tip, he deserved it.
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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-15-2004 02:20 PM
After the travel industry took a big hit after September 11th, I booked on 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise with Carnival on the Elation. I was obsessed with the idea of taking a cruise and when the price hit $300 without the single supplement, I hopped on board. With taxes and port fees it hit about $500 total.
I took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Martinez down to L.A. I then took the Blue Line down to Long Beach. I stayed at a cheap hotel about 3-blocks from the cruise ship. The next morning I took the van to the dock and commenced the mad push to get on board.
The porters will take your luggage. Just accept that fact up front, they are very aggressive about it and they won't let you through security with more than a handbag. I showed up at noon when they were first letting people on. Getting on took about 90-minutes. I've heard that if you want to not eat lunch on board and wait a couple of hours, you may miss the crush.
Yes, all soft drinks and other beverages are extra money; Milk, Coffee, Tea, Ice Tea and Orange Juice were free. Stick to those if you are on a budget. But you're on vacation, so budget $200-$500 to blow on drinks, shore excursions and such.
Tips are spelled out in the literature they send. Get over it, the workers usually sign up for a 6-month tour of duty, are paid less than US minimum wage and work 7-days per week, 12-hours per day. Those tips may be supporting a family of 8 back home.
Shore Excursions cost money. You will spend the equivalent amount if you go ashore on your own and take cabs, eat lunch and dinner and go shopping. If you are really on a budget, shop the Internet for shore excursions. Most of them are rated and they cost less to book on line than on the ship. Most of them will be the same tours as well.
Get guidebooks to the places you will visit. You can get stuff on line for free. You could put together your own shore tour for much less if you are willing to put some effort in to it. Sitting on the beach and reading a book is darn cheap. Most cruise ships will even pack you a lunch, but I don't see why you would do that, I'd much rather eat at the crab shack on the beach.
Midnight buffets are amusing at first, but they grow old after a while. I saw the grand midnight buffet, but didn't come back to eat when they opened it up at 12:30.
To me room service is a stupid idea unless you are sick or something. Get out and see and be seen. As far as dressing up for dinner, you can get by with a coat and tie. If you are really dead set against dressing up for dinner, there are always casual alternatives. Everybody on my ship got excited about dressing up, they were like a bunch of girls playing dress up. Some went way over the top. It was fun to see.
My room was an interior room with no window. But I was one door away from the stern mooring station, so you could step outside at water level and watch the wake. I would wake up at 7:00 AM and run outside to see the sea. Mornings are quiet on ship and that's the way I like it. I'm a reader, not a partier.
I made friends with one of the pursers and she gave me a lot of insight in to the workings of the ship.
Don't go to the shopping seminar
Do go to the shore excursion seminar
Don't go to the Art Auction
Do go to Amature show
Don't go to the Jewelry Auction
Do go to the disco
Don't go to the casino, unless you are good at gambling
Do go ashore
Don't be a curmudgeon
Do try to be as outgoing as possible
Do rent snorkeling equipment on board. It's cleaner, newer and gets used less.
Try to be the first one off the ship on shore excursions. Or wait an hour for the crowed to die down.
Don't rush off to dinner on your first night, you will find yourself waiting in a huge line. This is where being 30-minutes late lets you swan in like a star. The rest of the dinners will run smoother.
Take the stairs; the wait for elevators is maddening.
Take all the ship tours, they are fascinating.
Use the gym.
Don't pay for spa treatments, you’re gorgeous enough.
Take your money, passport, ship ID/Credit Card when you leave the ship. You will need those to get back on board. Don't be late back to the ship on shore tours.
Every port has souvenirs at the dock. They are representative of what you will find in town. Bargain hard, start at 50% off. They are better at bargaining than you are, so don't get bent out of shape. Don't buy anything expensive on the dock. If you buy anything in town, you will see it on the dock on your way back to the ship. Check out the prices on the dock, so you will know how much they over charging when you see the same items in town. Buy from children, you will not save any money, but it feels good. Don't give children anything. Don't give beggars anything.
Buy your film, sunscreen, and stuff before you leave, it will be cheaper. If you like a particular snack food, it is always better to take it with you. But taking a cruise also means giving up on your routine and trying new things.
I'm betting no one gains more than 10-pounds per week, go nuts and eat everything you want. Just diet a little before you go and when you return. Walk it off.
If you don't like the people at your assigned table ask for a switch.
They will take a lot of photos of you and try to sell them to you. It's up to you if like that, I avoid cameramen like the plague. I only managed to be in three photos, none of which I bought.
My Internet access was only $10 or $20 and I checked email a couple of times. My advice is to skip it. Nobody wants to hear from you, mid trip.
We had 4-days at sea and three days in port. I liked sea days better. If you like being in port better, skip the cruise and go stay in a hotel. I want to take a repositioning cruise next time.
Cruise lines take security as seriously as airlines and they have customs. Don't make any stupid mistakes with jokes, weapons, or drugs. There will be sniffer dogs on the dock.
Take less cloths, there are self-service laundries on some ships. My room attendant, delivered my bag and asked if I were looking for another bag because he couldn't believe I traveled so light.
Lower your expectations. It's your job to entertain yourself. The food will be good, but not stellar. You don't get perfection when you serve a thousand meals an hour. Service will be precise until you ask for something different, then it will fall apart. You waiter will do all the talking, but it's the busboy that will do all the work. He won't speak English, but if you can make him understand, he will get you things faster.
[ 12-16-2004, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Ian Price ]
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