A few silly questions from a newbie for seasoned cruisers

[littlemisspractical]

Hi there,
I have recently booked my first ever cruise for July 2010 going to Scandinavia and Russia on the Celebrity Constellation!

I have a few (probably very silly!) questions to ask of you seasoned cruisers!

Firstly, Can I ask what is included in the price with regards to food? Is it unlimited? Do you have to pay for any? Do you have to pay for food in your rooms through room service?

Secondly, Are any drinks included? E.g. juice with breakfast or water in your room etc?

I'm sorry if these seem like silly questions but this is my first ever cruise so be gentle with me!

Thanks

[scampercat]

There are no silly questions. We were all new at one time and probably asked the very same questions.

1. All food in the MDR (main dinning room), buffets, and non-specialty restaurants with out a cover is free and unlimited. You may find items on the room service menu that have a charge, but it will be indicated. You are free to order as much as your heart desires. All ships have specialty restaurants and these have a cover charge, usually somewhere between $5 and $30 per person. But once that cover is paid you may eat as much as you desire while there.

2. Different ships very with drinks and the class you are booked in. Some include bottled water in the room (Aqua class), most provide a pitcher for water and ice bucket. Tea, coffee, and water are included in the dinning rooms and one type of juice, milk, tea and coffee are included for breakfast and with room service. All soda's and alcohol must be paid for. If you are a soda drinker, they sell a package that provides unlimited soda and is they way to go if you drink it regularly (it is available on the first day, tables will be set up around they ship).

Hope that helps!

[Loganeski]

Originally Posted by littlemisspractical

Hi there,
I have recently booked my first ever cruise for July 2010 going to Scandinavia and Russia on the Celebrity Constellation!

I have a few (probably very silly!) questions to ask of you seasoned cruisers!

Firstly, Can I ask what is included in the price with regards to food? Is it unlimited? Do you have to pay for any? Do you have to pay for food in your rooms through room service?

Secondly, Are any drinks included? E.g. juice with breakfast or water in your room etc?

I'm sorry if these seem like silly questions but this is my first ever cruise so be gentle with me!

Thanks

No question is silly!!! Of course getting prepared for a cruise is one of the pleasures.
All meals are included, breakfast, lunch, diner, even cakes and snacks during the day, icecream, sushibar at 5 pm. etc.
You can choose to have meals at the Lido (often selfservice buffet) or in the diningroom (you will be served).
Apart from that on each ship there also a special restaurant in which you can dine for a small fee.
Coffee, tea, water, icetea and some juices are free, but for sodas and alcolohic drinks you have to pay, a service tax of 15% will be added.
Roomservice is free, but a small tip to the waiter is appreciated.
You can ask your cabinsteward to put a can with water and ice in your cabin.

Also check your Roll-call for this sailing to meet fellow passengers who can help with more information.
Enjoy your cruise.

[littlemisspractical]

Thank you so much for your replies scampercat and Loganeski! That was really helpful- at least I won't have any unexpected surprises on board now!
Another question- How much is a bottle of wine approximately?
I've checked the roll call boards and no-ones on there yet so I've started one! Thanks for the tip!

[jameila]

they have packages for the wine, some are $40 a bottle , some are several hundred, depends on your choice.

[littlemisspractical]

Originally Posted by jameila

they have packages for the wine, some are $40 a bottle , some are several hundred, depends on your choice.

Blimey! Might have to do a package! I'm used to paying £10/15 in a restaurant in the UK!

[NewYearsBaby]

It's been a long time since I sailed on Celebrity so I don't know their current policy. You might be able to bring some wine on board with you. You could probably find out by asking folks on the Celebrity board.

[txsloth]

Originally Posted by littlemisspractical

Blimey! Might have to do a package! I'm used to paying £10/15 in a restaurant in the UK!

Yes, you can bring 2 bottles of your own with you (2 per stateroom). Also, there are some bottles in the $25-$35 range.

[firstplacechef]

You can bring up to 2 bottles per stateroom (doesn't state what size though 750ml to 3L box) I saw someone bring on 2 of the 3L boxes with no problem.

The price per bottle is can range from 28.00US to hundreds of dollars plus 15% and purchasing a wine package will reduce the cost 5-10% depending on the package you choose. It is one of their better money makers. Typically, a bottle that costs 20.00US will run you 30.00+ on a ship.

We always take several 2.00 bills for use as tips for room service.

As stated there are free food options for 24hours and at meals in the buffet and MDR, tea, milk, coffee, lemonade, and fruit punch are free. The water in the stainless pitchers in the room is free and very tasty. Just ask the room steward to keep it filled with ice and water.

Have a great cruise!

[dzcruisers]

Also the grill outside, teas, and aquaspa have food that is included. The pastries in Cova Cafe are free. There is a charge there for coffees and teas. The room service items that are not free are basically alcoholic beverages and canned sodas which can also be found in the mini fridge in your room. There is a charge for anything in the fridge as well as for the bottle of water you will find in your room.

Unless you go to the specialty restaurants, I believe the food is free.

[lcmslady]

Originally Posted by txsloth

Yes, you can bring 2 bottles of your own with you (2 per stateroom). Also, there are some bottles in the $25-$35 range.

Additional comment - you can bring 2 bottles on board per stateroom but if you want it opened in the dining room or a public area, there is a corkage fee (I think $25). I would advise that you pack a corkscrew and ask your room steward for some glasses.

Have fun!

[hajekfam]

Originally Posted by dzcruisers

The pastries in Cova Cafe are free. There is a charge there for coffees and teas.

Just a clarification - the charge for coffee and tea and cocoa drinks is in the Cova Cafe only - and that includes palin coffee and tea as well as the specialty coffees and teas. Coffee and tea in the buffet area, dining room, and room service is free except for specialty coffees (expressos, capuccinos, and those special alcoholic coffee drinks). There is usually one beverage location in the buffet area that is open 24 hours for coffee and tea.

[littlemisspractical]

Hi guys,
Thanks again for all your replies! At least I know I won't go hungry and i'm a big tea drinker too!

I'm soooo excited- I just can't wait! I don't like to wish my life away, but...

Another question- Is it common to suffer from travel sickness? I'm usually ok on coaches and smaller boats but I do get travel sick on aeroplanes! Randomly! Can you even notice that the boat is moving?

Thanks again!

[dzcruisers]

Originally Posted by littlemisspractical

Hi guys,
Thanks again for all your replies! At least I know I won't go hungry and i'm a big tea drinker too!

I'm soooo excited- I just can't wait! I don't like to wish my life away, but...

Another question- Is it common to suffer from travel sickness? I'm usually ok on coaches and smaller boats but I do get travel sick on aeroplanes! Randomly! Can you even notice that the boat is moving?

Thanks again!

After 14 cruises someone presented me with a bag of uncrystallized candied ginger and it worked as well for me as many other things
I've tried. 2 pieces each morning and a bit more thru out the day on rough seas kept me feeling fine. Worth a try.

I would not have bought it for myself so glad a friend gave it to me.

[scampercat]

Originally Posted by littlemisspractical

Hi guys,
Thanks again for all your replies! At least I know I won't go hungry and i'm a big tea drinker too!

I'm soooo excited- I just can't wait! I don't like to wish my life away, but...

Another question- Is it common to suffer from travel sickness? I'm usually ok on coaches and smaller boats but I do get travel sick on aeroplanes! Randomly! Can you even notice that the boat is moving?

Thanks again!

I have personally never had any trouble. I get sick on small boats and if I read or do anything while ridding in a car. I have always taken Dramamine with me, but I have never had to use it on a cruise. But everyone is different. I would bring some Dramamine pills or the patch or some of that ginger dzcruisers mentioned (I've heard it mentioned before), just incase. Its better to have something and not use it, then have to buy something onboard and pay twice as much.

[screwsmcernst]

Originally Posted by dzcruisers

Also the grill outside, teas, and aquaspa have food that is included. The pastries in Cova Cafe are free. There is a charge there for coffees and teas. The room service items that are not free are basically alcoholic beverages and canned sodas which can also be found in the mini fridge in your room. There is a charge for anything in the fridge as well as for the bottle of water you will find in your room.

Unless you go to the specialty restaurants, I believe the food is free.

wow! the pastries in the cafe are free? That's great on carnival, the pastries are additional charges just like the specialty coffees. Good to know. Thanks.

[May B]

Diff. lines have diff. quirky policies. So far Mr. B. and I have avoided any cruising on a line that charges extra for their real ice cream. Mr. B. is allergic to two things: missing his ice cream every day, and paying for something he thinks he should get for free.

I believe Celebrity, HAL and Carnival all offer ice cream complimentary as long as it lasts, every day. So -- is it Princess or NCL or even RCI that charges?

Let them eat cake, or pie, or cookies, or creme brulee, or cheesecake, or pudding. Even fresh fruit!

[denims]

Originally Posted by dzcruisers

After 14 cruises someone presented me with a bag of uncrystallized candied ginger and it worked as well for me as many other things
I've tried. 2 pieces each morning and a bit more thru out the day on rough seas kept me feeling fine. Worth a try.

I would not have bought it for myself so glad a friend gave it to me.

Dianne, where do you get the uncrystallized candied ginger ?

Larry

[dzcruisers]

Originally Posted by denims

Dianne, where do you get the uncrystallized candied ginger ?

Larry

One of my cruise critic buddies gave it to me when he saw my grey wrist bands. I'll ask him where he got it. I was definitely a doubting Thomas but it worked for me.

[Casino Player]

Originally Posted by littlemisspractical

Hi there,
I have recently booked my first ever cruise for July 2010 going to Scandinavia and Russia on the Celebrity Constellation!

I have a few (probably very silly!) questions to ask of you seasoned cruisers!

Firstly, Can I ask what is included in the price with regards to food? Is it unlimited? Do you have to pay for any? Do you have to pay for food in your rooms through room service?

Secondly, Are any drinks included? E.g. juice with breakfast or water in your room etc?

I'm sorry if these seem like silly questions but this is my first ever cruise so be gentle with me!

Thanks

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO littlemisspractical: Congarats on your first cruise. You are going on one of the nicest cruise ships. The Constellation is consitently voted best cruise ship.

The food is mostly unlimited in the main dining room, and buffett area. The Specialty Resturant, Ocean Liners, does have a surcharge. The surcharge, $30, is well worth it though. That is for the gratuties for the service people who only work at the Specialty Resturant.

All drinks are included except for drinks with Alcohol or adult beverages. Also, if you go to the coffee bar there is a small surcharge there too. The Pastry Shoppe across from the Coffee Bar is with no further charge. We went there during our last cruise on this ship and it is pretty good.

There is no charge for room service at any time.

My wife and I have sailed on this ship three times. It is a nice ship and provides a nice cruise.