Cruise question

[haunce]

As stated earlier I am going on a cruise in January.I do not make an over abundant of money. The cruise is paid for, but now I need to save up spending cash. It is a 6 day cruise,how much spending cash should I save up? I do not drink strong drink, I am not a person to buy curios to sit on a shelf to collect dust. I want to go snorkeling once and am thinking about para sailing once. I am going to gamble 25-50 bucks, I have never been in a casino so I want to try it just for shits and giggles(I know I am going to lose all that money). The
cruise folk say to tip 10 bucks a day for everything. Should I maybe just say to hell with the casino? Thanks so much my friends:toast:

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

1. I've never been on a week cruise, but was on a cruise liner

from LA to SF overnight. Because you are low on cash and this is a special trip for you, please don't feel obliged to get involved in heavy tipping. If a porter shows you your room, give him/her a buck, but you should be able to find the room yourself. Just go to the main desk, and a map will be provided. Since food is already paid for, will it be buffet style? If so, you can probably skate the tip. Leave a couple of bucks if you feel like it.

People who work on the ships make good money. If you're short cash, don't give it away, unless you want to game it on the crap tables. Have fun!

[lady raven]

2. I've been on 2...

If you don't drink strong drink, that helps your bill a lot! Also, watch the soda! If you MUST have your soda, most cruise lines offer a card for unlimited sodas. On Carnival, I believe these can be purchased at any of the bars onboard. I just stick to iced tea, juice and water mostly, because it's all free! And don't drink the bottled water or pop in your room or eat anything in the minifridge. Your credit card will thank you. I ask the steward to remove everything at the beginning of the cruise so we can use the fridge for water, leftovers, etc.

There is still ample opportunity for free alcohol. On Carnival, the capitain's cocktail party on formal night offers unlimited drinks of your choice and hors douvres (I just massacred that word, sorry). If you're a repeat cruiser, there is usually a past guest party that offers the same. If you do crave a drink or two, here's your chance.

Where is the cruise going to? In Jamaica and Grand Cayman, I know of some good, reputable companies who do tours, snorkeling trips, etc. WAY cheaper than what the cruise lines charge. Outside of those two places, I have no experience.

The casino, depending on what games you like and your skill level, doesn't always have to be avoided, but people really go way overboard, I've noticed!

Carnival cruise lines swear that this isn't the case, but it's well- documented that if you want to play the slots, do it on the first day the casino's open. Apparently the slots are "looser". Bingo is EVERYWHERE but it can get expensive, so if you play, be discriminating about it.

We aren't drinkers other than a glass of champagne or wine here and there, and our last bill for onboard expenses was about $200. we'd bought some things in the gift shop for our son and had some photos developed onboard out of necessity. Our son had to see the doctor, which cost $60, and needed $18 worth of meds. (reimbursed by our travel insurance) If you do want a couple of strong drinks and don't want to be restricted to getting it at the parties, I recommend buying some prepaid drink tickets. Used sparingly, they can help prevent the onboard charges from sneaking up on you. You'd be surprised how many people just kind of "forget" they are paying for those drinks, until their name is called by the purser to come settle their bill at the end of the cruise!

Before my cruises, I hung out at www.cruisecritic.com on the boards- There is some GREAT advice available there on how to save money, what to pay for and not to pay for, etc.

What ship are you going on? Our last cruise was on the Carnival Conquest, and it was a really good value for the money and a LOT of fun.

Now that I've written all this, I'm DYING to go on another one!

Rebecca

[lady raven]

3. Some tips on tipping

I do NOT tip well if someone is outright rude.

The ship's officers, cruise director, etc. are very well paid.

However, the dining staff and cabin stewards work HARD and make a pitiful wage, so if they do their best and are polite, they deserve to be well- compensated. The vast majority of people who do these jobs are from other countries and have families back home that they must support. On drinks (alcoholic and soda) a gratuity is automatically charged for the bartender, so if you get a fantastic one and wish to tip, feel free, but it's certainly not required.

In the two cruises I've been on, everyone who we dealt with deserved their tips and I was happy to give them.

Some of the newer ships automatically charge tips in a set amount to your shipboard account. If you don't like this (I am one who doesn't- I prefer to pay personally), you can go to the purser's office and ask that the tips be removed and ask for envelopes to present at the end of the cruise.

The porters at the pier should be tipped anywhere from 1-3 per bag, depending how helpful they are. They are usually right on it, efficient, and helpful, and they have saved me a lot of hassle in the past, so we tipped them well. You can choose to forego their help, but I personally don't recommend it. They made my experience must more pleasant, especially on the second one, where I was toting a hyperactive 3 year old.

Unless you travel on one of the more upscale cruise lines, you'll be finding your room yourself once you board. Your checked bags will be delivered after the ship sets sail. They are "supposed' to leave them outside your stateroom, but the better stewards will place them in your room for you.

[lady raven]

4. Oops! One more thing!

I do NOT recommend doing this just for a freebie, but if someone truly gives you outstanding service, fill out a comment card immediately and drop it in the drop box at the purser's office.

There was a young lady on the dining staff on our last cruise who was absolutely an angel to my son. I found out later in the cruise that she was from one of the former Soviet Republics (I don't remember now which one) and had a little boy back home that she had to leave with her parents so she could work, so she missed him. I complimented her on not only her good work, but how sweet and sincere she was and how much I appreciate when people are extra nice to my son, and the next evening, we were sent a bottle of champagne (not the expensive stuff, but it was good to me!) by the Purser in thanks for our comments.

I tend to be one of those people who makes myself quite clear when I get Sh***y service, so I also make sure to compliment whenever someone goes "above and beyond". They appreciate knowing what they are doing RIGHT as well as what they are doing wrong.

Rebecca

[lady raven]

5. Here's a good informative cruise board for you!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11

[Historic NY]

6. Cruise tips

I've been on five over the last 10 yrs or so. You will be asked to establish shipboard credit by the Pursers office. Now you can do that with a credit card or with cash. I myself did drink a bit but then again I was with 4 friends so my bill did get up there. As for the on-board casino's you can use cash there, which I would rather than using credit. I don't how the odds are but I would recommend only spending what you can afford to have some fun. Some of the most fun is just watching other people. Play a few slots, maybe spin a couple times on the wheel, or try your hand at cards. Just don't get carried away, its only a diversion and if you win, well thats good too. I never made it a nightly thing since there was so much other stuff to do.

Tipping the crusie line will give you tipping guidelines for your room stewart, waiter & busboy. Remember these people are there to serve you and they do take great pride & effort to make your trip a pleasure.

The ships usually have various activities that you can participate in like snorkling and you will probably be charged a fee. I went several times with a private group which booked the cruise for us and it included everything. Some thing in the ships gift shops can be expensive so unless it is a trinket you might do better finding something nice and cheaper on your island trips.

I always enjoyed hiring a taxi to take me on a trip around the island we stopped at. I wanted to see the things people normally do not see.

You will not have to worry about starving, that is for certain. My friends and myself always liked the later seating since we would be too full to partake in the midnight buffet. That is something to behold. One of my favortie things was to get a brandy or B&B and go out onto the fan tail with a nice big Cuban cigar.

You will meet many interesting people and probably have some great conversations. Trust me for the cost its the best fun I ever have in a week.

What cruise line and what islands, I can offer you a few tips on what to see and do.

[haunce]

7. Cruise

I am going to Mexico(Del Sole Beleeze and Cozmel)on Carnival. We will be on the Extacy. Thanks for your help everyone:toast: