When you first enter your cabin, what do you check and/or request from your steward?

[Krazy Kruizers]

What are some things you check when you first enter your cabin so you can let your cabin stewards know when you meet them?

[cmamd]

ice, view on balcony, closet space-

[brucory]

We always take pics before we mess up the cabin...

Sometimes the bedding config is wrong for us, so we make sure that is right.

Everything else is usually perfect!!!

:D:D:D

[GmaPajama]

Call us lucky. We've never found anything that needed the attention of our cabin stewards. The worst thing that ever happened was missing slippers - we can sure live with that!

When we first get access to our cabin, we always head straight for the balcony. Once we're filled with the special smell of sea air (or pier air, I guess) we check the paperwork to see if anything is missing. It's always been accurate, so we head out to explore the ship.

[bellebaby]

We ask to have everything removed from the mini-bar. I also ask the steward to have my first formal outfit pressed.


B

[kryos]

An ashtray. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[edie50]

make sure the champagne is cold and then to the balcony.

[English_in_Spain]

Check the time of boat drill and any other special announcements amongst the paperwork.

[jimmy2x]

An ashtray. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

Glad I'm not the only one.;)

[imae39]

We take several bottles onboard so ask that everything in the mini-bar be removed and put our wine in and ask for wine glasses. Also, ask that two copies of the Daily Program be delivered each evening. I keep one copy with me for referencing the next day. The other comes home and goes into a scrapbook I put together after each cruise.
If in a cabin with no mini-bar we ask for an extra bucket kept filled with ice to cool our wine.

[kakalina]

Usually to change the bed configuration. Then an ashtray. Then to clear off all the garbage on the counter. Those sodas and water take up alot of room.

[JerseyJaguar]

I too always take a picture before I've settled in, of the room, the bathroom, the view.

I carry my own little tin ashtray with me, so if I can't find one, I use that and leave it out, and then there's a ship ashtray in my room after the steward's next visit.

[suse]

I never need anything; everything is already there. But! I get such a kick out of checking out the loading dock activity. It's a hoot! Imagine all the food we will eat this week. Trucks and trucks, one after another. I find it quite fascinating!!!!!:D

[Susie51]

I also ask the steward to clean out the minibar and several times I have needed to have the bed reconfigured. Twice the coffe table was too big and I asked to have it removed.

I also like to check out the closets and the bathroom.

Wow! I'm "itching" to cruise. I wish I was checking out that cabin and sailing away on Amsterdam this weekend

[Cruising-along]

DH usually needs and asks for an extension cord for his CPAP machine. This last cruise we had forgotten our corkscrew so we asked for that and also to have the beds reconfigured.

The one time we asked to have the mini bar emptied (several cruises back) our steward told us they couldn't do that! :confused: So we've never asked again.....obviously if so many of you are having it done with no problem we need to ask again!

[nitnyleo]

First, the ashtray. And, then if it is a line that doesn't give everyone a bathrobe, I request one. He then gets a nice tip and is very attentive for the remainder of the cruise.

[oshawa]

Rita, I'm with you re the ashtray. Being able to smoke on the balcony (not in my cabin) is one of the reasons I am staing with HAL.

[Big Al B.]

I usually ask if they have a robe in the XL size :p.

[rubytue]

Ashtray and extra pillows (I love pillows! We need about 6 to sleep *blush*)

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I'm a germaphobe :o, so I scrub everything (TV remote, door handles, tub, toilet, phone, floor, table, balcony, etc.) down with Clorox wipes then make sure the bedding was changed - once it wasn't and I found lipstick on the pillow and hairs in the bed! :eek:

[mrsltg]

I just like to look around. It's such a fun feeling knowing you have the whole week (or whatever!) in front of you. I take pictures before we turn the room into something which could double as a crack house and then I ask for some ice. Just thinking about it makes me want to go and look at cabin pictures from past cruises!

[lazey1]

Find all the electrical outlets. Request extension cord for CPAP. Replace contents of mini-bar with items we want.

[mountainmare]

Usually we go out on the balcony, then empty the fridge and put in our wine and diet Dr Pepper. Then start to decorate--put up the flamigo lights and hang the windsock (even in the Med).
Last cruise however the first thing we had to do was get the room de-smoked and get rid of the dirty full ashtrays both in the room and on the balcony. They even had to spray the outside furniture with that super spray.
Then we could start to decorate.

[Boytjie]

Bed is made up as a queen size
Take pictures of the cabin
Check for shore excursion and restuarant vouchers
Are there any surprises: champagne/onboard gifts?
Check that the balcony partition is open to our friends next door.
Check for two bath robes
Closets are empty
Meet our steward(s)
Since we have had the same cabin the last two cruises - and have it again for next February - there is no real need to check the view or layout. :)

The bed has always been set up as a queen.

Last cruise a shore excursion was missing and there was only one robe, but we had champagne and strawberries waiting for us!

I have asked for the minibar to be emptied but have always had to resort to unpacking it into the desk stool myself.

[suse]

Desmoke a room?:eek::eek::eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

We always check to make certain that any tours we have pre-booked, pre-booked Pinnacle and pre-ordered alcohol are there (some times they aren't there).

Then we make certain that we see our cabin stewards and inform them that we have traditional dining at 5:45 so that they can make up the room around 6. And we also let our cabin stewards know that we like the room made up in the morning around 8 AM as we are early birds.

[martinimadam]

The ashtray, room temp., seating assignment. Want to get the Hotel staff working on the AC right away if it's not cold enough for me and want to check out my table assignment early enough to "chat" with the Maitre d' if it's not the right seating or a weird table.

Then, all work is done and it's time to relax!

[Couchiching]

Good Grief !! What cruise line was that with? I will be sure to avoid them at all cost. I can't imagine the sheets not being changed.

[chrispb]

Nice to see I'm not the only leper. Er, I mean smoker.;)

[sail7seas]

I always ask the steward to clearn our cabin between certain times in the morning and sometimes I request more towels. It is very rare of us to want or need anything else.

The cabin always looks clean and tidy and fresh when we arrive. And our new steward always has a bright, welcoming smile.

What more does a person need?

Good question, KK. In all the years on these boards, I don't recall anyone ever asking this before.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I forgot -- reminders here -- we do ask for extra large towels -- need them when I wash my long hair and we both take showers.

[dandro]

If you remove the items from the minibar yourselves, how do they know that you haven't used anything from it that day? And when it is time to leave, do you put it all back exactly as it was?

[suse]

Dirty sheets?:eek:

[WeLoveCruising]

I always do the following -

Confirm dining at check out table assignment
Request that we always have 4 towels
Request an extra blanket
Other than that, we're pretty easy!

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you remove the items from the minibar yourselves, how do they know that you haven't used anything from it that day? And when it is time to leave, do you put it all back exactly as it was?

Although I don't recommend removing the items from the mini-refrigerator yourself, should you do so -- leave a note on top of your items what you have done and where you have placed those items.

[Boytjie]

Although I don't recommend removing the items from the mini-refrigerator yourself, should you do so -- leave a note on top of your items what you have done and where you have placed those items.

I have unpacked it and mentioned it to our cabin steward. Just make sure to repack it before the last morning before they come and check the mini-bars. I don;t know if they would do it also during the cruise. I am sure they notice all their stuff is gone and replaced with something that looks completely difrerent. We have not had any issues (so far).

[Northernmags]

On our recent wonderful Eurodam cruise, we requested to have the minibar emptied upon arrival. He put the contents in the cube bench. I put the contents back in fridge at the end. No problem. Only complaint was that we did not actually see the room steward until halfway through the cruise and only once. It is nice to actually meet this person sometime during the first day.

[AZjohn]

1.Walk inside the cabin and drop our carryon luggage on the bed.
2.Walk out onto the balcony and just look over the rail for a few minutes.
3.Go back in the cabin and peak my head out in the hall to see if our steward is close by, and if yes
4.Ask him to remove everything out of the mini-bar
5.Ask for more pillows (we need 6 also…lol).
6.Then give him a tip and a smile with a thank you.
7.Grab all the literature and pre-book tickets then kick off the shoes and flop on the bed to start reading all the little print.:D

John

[Harry1954]

We find our steward, give him a tip for our luggage, ask him to remove the mini-bar contents, and head to Crow's Nest for a final chance to relax before the drill.
harry

[sail7seas]

I have unpacked it and mentioned it to our cabin steward. Just make sure to repack it before the last morning before they come and check the mini-bars. I don;t know if they would do it also during the cruise. I am sure they notice all their stuff is gone and replaced with something that looks completely difrerent. We have not had any issues (so far).

They check the mini-bars during the cruise in order to replace items that have been used. Presumably if someone consumed a particular item, they well may want it again during the cruise so they replenish throughout the cruise. You wil find a bar slip on the counter charging for whatever you have used so you will know they have been in checking and replacing used items.

[JennyandJoeS]

Have the room steward clean off the counter tops of any display wine bottles, etc., clean out the refrig, check to see if the egg crate mattress toppers are in place that we ordered, and order about 6 more pillows. I like to be surrounded by pillows when I sleep. In an inside cabin, it's like going back in the womb. Nice and snug! And foremost, tip the room steward ahead of time.

[prescottbob]

1. #2 Extra Towels
2. #2 Extra Pillows
3. #1 Extra Blanket
4. #1 Box of Kleenex for each night stand
5. #2 Buckets of Ice : checked / filled A.M., prior to P.M.break (1400),
after P.M. break (1730), evening turn down.
6. Unlimited pressing: send out formals, etc.
7. Request extra laundry slips.
8. Cleanout / move minibar stuff for the duration when convient.
9. We know longer need ashtrays (we quit April Fool's Day- appropriate, no?) but you never know when a 'ciggiebutt' may be required (hopefully no mas).
10.Smile!!!

Other embarkation activities / chores:

1. Check DR assignment/table
2. Check out books from library.
3. Make appointment for next day hair stuff (DW), massages, etc.
4. Check out pre-ordered gifts, booze cards & excursions vouchers,
if applicable.
5. Turn off cell phone and store for the duration!
6. Go to the Crow's Nest following the life boat drill / muster and have the first of many umbrella drinks to follow.
7. Smile!!!

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[cp556]

Desmoke a room?:eek::eek::eek:


Yep. Our last suite on Westerdam really smelled of old smoke when we entered. We mentioned it to the cabin steward and he did his magic with the Ozium (or whatever) super spray they use. It does an amazing job of de-smoking a cabin ...

[pipedreams62]

See if I can hide under the bed and never leave the ship


http://image61.webshots.com/161/1/49/10/2283149100093354102fBSFCc_ph.jpg

[Sage]

We usually check the shore excursions and any other arrangements that have been made and then check to see if there is enough champange on ice for sailaway if we are having a party.

[Love Cruises]

We check our dining table assignment and make sure we have all the perks that our TA promised us (soda cards, Pinncacle Dinner/Luncheon, etc.)

The only other thing we ask our room steward for is additional kleenex boxes. We like to have extras on the bed stands.

We're easy to please!

[Typhoon1]

Give the steward instructions as to what our schedule is like so the cabin can be prepared while we are gone.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Those of you who tip the steward upon check-in, how much do you tend to give him? And do you keep tipping each day or just the first and last days?

[Copper10-8]

Ask for his name and where he's from

[iancal]

Like others, ice and bucket for the wine. And keep the ice coming all week.

[DizzyDallasDi]

An ashtray. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

Two ashtrays...one for the room and one for the balcony. :D

And...lots and lots of ice.

[High Flyer]

The first thing I do is look at and memorize the escape plan located on the inside of the cabin door. With all those ash trays :eek:, you never know.

[SeaBlueSkies]

Glad I'm not the only one.;)

Ashtrays for me too...and a couple extra feather pillows.:eek:

[kalliekae]

First thing we do is get acquainted with our cabin steward and then we tell him we are very easy to get along with and have no special requests. We always leave him a very generous tip at the end of the cruise. Those guys work very hard and have families at home to support.

As for the mini bar, we clear out a small area for our water and place the mini bar items next to the TV with a note on top of them. At the end of the cruise, we replace them and have never had a problem being charged for anything. I never thought of asking the steward to take them away. I figured they didn't have the storage space on board.

Wish we were on a cruise this year!!

[LHC]

I first hug myself and dance into my room.
My first request is for extra pillows.
I check out all the excursions/papers/gifts.
I love to meet my cabin steward. I appreciate all they do for me throughout my cruise and find that by meeting them we have the scoop on each other.

I am actually making a list for my upcoming cruise, as it will be my first solo cruise of those things I want to do. I have never been on deck for the sail away, so that is on the top. And from there I am working on my top 25.

Linda

[leeuwarden]

ashtray, pillows, and we leave a tip on the pillow every morning, :)

[airlink diva]

When I first arrive at my cabin, that's when I truly know that "I'm finally on the cruise!!". It really sinks in at that time.
Then I'm like Jersey Jaguar and BruceCro, I take a photo of the room because after that, I'm unpacking!!
By that time my steward normally arrives. I like to greet them,make sure I got their name. Like Copper 10-8 I like to ask about them (where you from,etc). I'm a simple person to please and normally don't have any request. From time to time I will have my portable cooler and will ask for extra ice,but otherwise nothing.

[Boytjie]

Those of you who tip the steward upon check-in, how much do you tend to give him? And do you keep tipping each day or just the first and last days?

We only tip at the end of the cruise. I don't understand tipping in advance. :confused:

[Sea King]

An ashtray. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

remember the Edsel;)

anyone want to guess how long that lasts

[Rocky365]

Rita, I'm with you re the ashtray. Being able to smoke on the balcony (not in my cabin) is one of the reasons I am staing with HAL.

Quick tip (although may be gross) with my DH being a firefighter ashtrays are a no no with us, I usually have a water bottle that I ash in and throw my butts in...then just screw the cap back on when Im done smoking...once a little full I simply throw it away and start with a fresh one. Im too excited to start asking for things upon arrival so I carry post it notes and post them in a obvious spot with a couple dollars if I need anything from the cabin steward, always worked.

[suse]

Yikes. That is really gross.:eek:

[geoherb]

Unfortunately on our recent Westerdam cruise, the first thing we had to ask our cabin stewards to do was vacuum the carpet, finish cleaning the bathroom, and empty the trash. Our cabin wasn't ready. And all week long, our cabin stewards were slow. But we were on a cruise and did not worry much about it. I know some people who would have fretted and complained the whole time.

[prescottbob]

Ask for his name and where he's from

....a common courtesy extended to all members of the ship staff. In so far as the housekeeping, beverage and DR service staff if time permits we also request to see pix of their families, etc.

I might add, on the last couple of cruises we have also acquired some email addresses from staff members that we've befriended. After arriving home and sorting pix, etc. I will email them with attached pix of themselves (that they can send to their family members) or direct them to our photo site that they can do likewise.

BTW, on thing I forgot to list on the embarkation day 'chores list' was to stop by the front desk and request a few comment cards.

I usually write one on a regular basis during a cruise featuring a staff member that has been friendly and provided great service. Such cards are more appreciated then any tip (although we do that also the second to the last night of any cruise).

Again, a positive comment card for a staff member during the cruise (not the larger survey type one you fill out prior to debarking) is welcomed by a hard working staff member.

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[JennyandJoeS]

We tip the room steward about $20 the first time we meet him, then also on the last evening, probably another $20-$40. We have always had excellent service.;) We give the tip directly to the individual, so that it's not divided up among the other crew members. But we also do the automatic tipping that's added on to your list billing statement.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

We check all of our cares at the door. The cruise has begun. Life is good!

[Two@Sea]

Quick tip (although may be gross) with my DH being a firefighter ashtrays are a no no with us, I usually have a water bottle that I ash in and throw my butts in...then just screw the cap back on when Im done smoking...once a little full I simply throw it away and start with a fresh one. Im too excited to start asking for things upon arrival so I carry post it notes and post them in a obvious spot with a couple dollars if I need anything from the cabin steward, always worked.

HAL has those ashtrays that are like the ones our grandparents used... they have a knob on top that you push, and the ashes and butts "spin" into an enclosed container area below. LOVE those, for safety, and because they reduce the residual odor of a standard ashtray.

[innlady1]

DH usually needs and asks for an extension cord for his CPAP machine. This last cruise we had forgotten our corkscrew so we asked for that and also to have the beds reconfigured.

The one time we asked to have the mini bar emptied (several cruises back) our steward told us they couldn't do that! :confused: So we've never asked again.....obviously if so many of you are having it done with no problem we need to ask again!

On our first HAL cruise, 1st thing I did was ask the steward to empty the fridge. He put the contents in the round stool w/cover....so since then, I've just saved him the time and emptied it myself. The bed has always been configured in a king size, so no problem there. The couple times we've had a verandah on the stern, I've asked if he could round up a chaise...and they've complied. And that's it...

Everything is always in perfect order.

[Boytjie]

We tip the room steward about $20 the first time we meet him, then also on the last evening, probably another $20-$40. We have always had excellent service.;)

We tip at the end of the cruise and also get excellent service. :rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

Ditto.
We never tip at the start of a cruise. We always tip at the end and have always been well taken care of by our cabin stewards.

[LVSue]

The first cruise I ever went on, I took my son, his wife and three grandkids. To avoid booking me single, I booked one of the kids in my room. When I first saw the steward, I whipped out a $20 and said, "Jacob will not be sleeping in my room. He'll be sleeping with his brothers." We came back from dinner and the twins' room had been outfitted with another bed. My DIL gasped: "Oh my gosh, I don't have to do it myself?" Worth every penny.

Now, we just ask for ice three times a day (my SIL is an iced tea addict) and laundry every day at 9:00 (when we have an SA :D). We're pretty easy. And we use our travel ashtrays, so get HAL ones right away without asking.

We do tip on the first day because the first HAL cruise we were on, we were in a deluxe suite but were treated like chopped liver because we were two ladies. (Guess they figure women don't tip well.) We watched the steward schmooze the men in the hall, and decided that we needed to make an impression from day one. Ever since we tip the first day and have had impeccable service. Maybe the first guy was just an anomaly, but I'd rather assure myself of a pleasant experience than take a chance.

[crusinbanjo]

We check all of our cares at the door. The cruise has begun. Life is good!

Same here. Then we check to see that the champagne is cold, & go onto the balcony and just say AHHHHHHH! After that we be sure to say hello to our cabin steward, (make friends makes for better service).

After the lifeboat drill we crack that bottle of champagne and thank the good Lord for Cruise Ships and Cruise ship companies!

[DaisyL]

We try to meet up with the room stewards to greet them and introduce ourselves. We never ask for anything special at the start... just drop off the valuables in the safe, take a look around the cabin and balcony and head off to investigate the ship.

If we need extra room in the fridge, we just empty a few items, to make space. And have never been charged in error.

We have never tipped in advance (what's up with that?) and always have had excellent service. We will tip each person extra (cash in envelopes) at the end, in addition to the automatic tips.

This will be our first cruise with HAL and expect the service to be as good as any other cruise we've been on. I truly believe they enjoy pleasant, friendly passengers and will go out of their way for people who treat them well. We're polite, friendly, clean, neat, happy, respectful people and get the same in return.

[Me2]

One of the first things I check is the room the safe - to ensure it is open and ready for use for passport, wallet, etc. One time I found the safe still locked, and had the room steward call engineering to open it. Not to worry, they took care of it in record time, even during embarkation madness. I must admit, every cruise, the room steward has proactively come into cabin while I have first arrived, and asked details on luggage - how many, what color, and found them within a short period of time. And I am usually in the "cheap cabins" - inside or OV. That type of service results in well-deserved tip on day 1. I have nothing but praise for all the cabin stewards i've encountered on my (few) cruises. Hard job, providing many smiles upon a return to clean cabin, wonderful towel animals, and friendly Hi with my name, every time I pass them on the ship. They are worth their weight in gold!

[Cruising-along]

On our first HAL cruise, 1st thing I did was ask the steward to empty the fridge. He put the contents in the round stool w/cover....so since then, I've just saved him the time and emptied it myself. The bed has always been configured in a king size, so no problem there. The couple times we've had a verandah on the stern, I've asked if he could round up a chaise...and they've complied. And that's it...

Everything is always in perfect order.

Thank you Sheila. From now on we'll do the same. I don't know, maybe that cruise our steward was new (I don't even remember now which cruise it was). He actually told us that because the bar staff checks the mini fridge every day, we shouldn't empty it out. Now I know better and will do what others here do!! (and will leave a note also)

This was the first time we had to ask to have the beds joined -- no problem, it was done quickly and well before bedtime. :)

[Cruising-along]

We tip at the end of the cruise and also get excellent service. :rolleyes:

Ditto.
We never tip at the start of a cruise. We always tip at the end and have always been well taken care of by our cabin stewards.



Same here, we've never tipped before the end of the cruise (and then we tip generously and write nice comments on the comment card). Service has always been excellent.

[zoomergals]

I am so thankful for all these tips! My niece and I are going on our first cruise next month and this thread is very much appreciated.

Regarding cabin stewards....I was telling my mom about everything mentioned here that the cabin stewards take care of for us....her reply, "Can you bring one home with you?" :)


http://clocks.cruisecritic.com/countdown.pl?name=zoomergals&date=6-28-2009&image=Beach-9&text=1st cruise for me and my niece!&ship=Westerdam (http://www.cruisecritic.com)

[Mtierney]

Rita, I'm with you re the ashtray. Being able to smoke on the balcony (not in my cabin) is one of the reasons I am staing with HAL.

Hate to be a downer, but in our area there was a fire recently on a condo balcony - cigarette not fully put out - and the firemen had to rescue a 90 year old woman in a room near the balcony. She was suffering from inhaling the smoke fumes and couldn't get out of her room.

When/where do you purchase the drinks, water, etc. to restock your fridge after the steward empties it? I am thinking shopping before boarding the ship might be pretty expensive - not to say difficult at the pier before boarding. I hate having yet another bag to tote!
.

[AirGorilla]

If our stateroom has a door to an adjoining stateroom, we always make sure that it is locked. Unless we're traveling with our girls, and they're next door.


AG

[sail7seas]

When/where do you purchase the drinks, water, etc. to restock your fridge after the steward empties it? I am thinking shopping before boarding the ship might be pretty expensive - not to say difficult at the pier before boarding. I hate having yet another bag to tote!



You can buy water and/or soda in any port and bring it aboard when you return to the ship. Some folks bring water aboard with them on embarkation day and forget they can get it any day in any port.

We think the water on the ship delicious and never bother with bottled water unless we're going to the beach or something like that.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If we are in hot temperature port -- high humidity or going to the beach -- I fill our platypuses with the ship's water -- it is better than what we have at home!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Like some of you -- we never tip anyone at the beginning of the cruise -- we distribute our extra tips on the last evening of the cruise.

If we are doing back-to-back cruises, we tip at the end of each segment.

[sail7seas]

We always tip at the end of each segment of a back-to-back. There have been times when our cabin or dining steward either went home or was reassigned to a different area for the next cruise. Most of the time, we have been able to keep our same dining stewards but once in a while not. Our recents cruises on Eurodam, the dining teams rotated after our first week aboard.

[jeda]

Because I share a cabin with my sister we check the bed configuration and ask for 2 of the daily programs every day, so we can each take one home.

Jess

[PenelopeCorelli]

Have the room steward clean off the counter tops of any display wine bottles, etc., clean out the refrig, check to see if the egg crate mattress toppers are in place that we ordered, and order about 6 more pillows. I like to be surrounded by pillows when I sleep. In an inside cabin, it's like going back in the womb. Nice and snug! And foremost, tip the room steward ahead of time.

Question: Where & when do you request egg crate toppers?? - I definitely like that! esp for a 24 day cruise! THX
I heard elsewhere about the 1st day tip thing, & altho I'm usu. not an overtipper, I get your drift;). (No one else do this!) No flames, JK, JK!:D