caulder60

Hello,

Anyone have any pros or cons of the Celebrity Cruise line, specifically the Summit?

For us the only real time we have an interest in cruising is Feb. That breaks up our long winter and gives us something to look forward to. When we get off the ship we know we are opening up our camp on May 1st so we then have something to look forward to. The older I get the longer winter gets. When I was a kid winter went 60 days now it goes 210 I swear :) Every year the flight back to Syracuse gets more depressing. Hopefully there will come a day where I never have to fly back to snow but for now I do :(. This work thing gets right in the way of having fun.

That's exactly why we go every January. It breaks up the winter. We love it. Sunny, fun, nice people.

We are going on the adventure in Feb. with a very busy itinerary. 5 ports in the Southern Caribbean. We are ready to book the Carnival Dream for the following Feb. as it goes to the rest of the Southern Caribbean. We also took a look at the Oasis class ships. I know there is no comparison of ships but there also in no comparison of itinerary. I wish the Oasis could get a good itinerary. So do you book ship or itinerary? I am leaning toward the itinerary but not sure. Opinions please.

We book on price, then itinerary. Our least favorite is Royal Caribbean but if the price and itinerary is great then we go. We go every January.

Christina (caulder60) gave some generally good advice in the post several above this one. I could quibble here and there, but I won't bother.

 

Two items I have more substantial disagreements with:

 

 

 

You probably don't need to bring that many small bills. You can get change as needed from Guest Services (or the equivalent), from the casino, and possibly from kiosks for ships that have those.

 

 

 

Most of the major cruise lines have mandatory tips of around $12 per person per day that covers the stewards, waiters, and many of the people who make cruises worthwhile but you never see. These can either be prepaid or added to your account on the ship. There's no obligation to tip any more than this, but you can if you want.

 

Also, I've heard that giving tips in advance can motivate people to provide service above and beyond the norm. I haven't tried it, but I leave it out there for your consideration.

I would like to clarify the tip! This is on top of what the gratuities are added in. I always give extra at the end of the week. I always pay gratuities. Sorry if I confused anyone.

Disagree with Caulder 60:

 

the cheapest time is usually after Labor Day to right before Christmas.....you can check yourself; Caribbean cruises are at an all time low now!

 

You don't need a birth cert if you have a valid passport. That is just bringing important stuff out of the house and country for no reason.

 

I personally don't think a drink package is worth it at all. It depends on you.

 

I don't print out luggage tags or even a ticket. I just show my passport and get on the ship. But do them if it makes you feel better. Believe me, they dont care if you have a printed ticket or not; they know who is going and on their list.

 

Don't BRING sneakers, wear them. invaluable. Or your most comfortable walking shoes. The rest of the things Caulder says to bring are good ideas, if you use them. Don't forget SUNGLASSES. Pack lighter than you want. You will buy T shirts and things. BEST Wishes!

I printed out luggage tags because we checked our luggage the first time. We only carried one carry on and gave the rest to the luggage men outside of drop off. I print out the tickets because if you have everything you get on the ship faster. In Baltimore you need the cruise ticket before they let you stand in line.

You are assuming OP is taking ship's excrsions. If not OP should verify the required currency and whether the tour operator will take credit cards.

Nope!!!! I don't take ship's excursions and I still pay ahead of time. Either way travelers checks should not be taken. They are more hassle now a days then 10 years ago.

Hi All!

 

While I am very familiar with the invaluable resource of message boards, I'm a complete newbie to cruising. I've been looking over these boards for the past week or so and am ready to put my toes in the water - both in regards to cruising and these boards.

 

I am wondering if there are any kind of step by step guidelines on how to go about planning a cruise vacation.

 

I think that I know what cruise line I'm interested in, and I think that I know a ballpark time of when we'd like to go. I have an idea of where we'd like to go, and I know that I'd like to get the best price that we can (kinda obsessed with that one.) I know that I like to handle my own planning (vs a TA - but would be willing to use one if I could end up with a better price or value.) But now I have no idea how to proceed.

 

I have done a search on these boards, but have not been able to find such a list/guideline.

 

I'm sure that the experts here can point me in the right direction.

 

TIA!

 

 

BethR - Bahama Mama

You are starting off great! This is what I did before my first cruise. I researched for a year, documents needed, supplies needed, how to pack, excursions. Everything needed and I am one to plan my own trips and not go to an agent. Your not going to get any better deals then you would by doing it yourself.

My suggestions:

As far as when: You will find the cheaper rates will be in January - March. The price rises as you go into April, May and June. The most expensive is June, July and August and it has to be said the busiest with kids. lol....

Your better off if you choose to do more cruises to stick with the same cruise line because there bonus points as you add each cruise.

I do book on smart cruiser. com. I find that they give me the best deals and since I use them the price continues to drop. I typically go in January out of Baltimore.

As far as packing.

Pack then take half the stuff out and leave it at home. I made that mistake the first time. Everyone doesn't do this but most do. Typically what you wear the night before you wear in the morning for breakfast, then shower and go about your day either excursion or pool.

Pack- Tylenol, personal items like pads, hair ties, even Imodium, cold meds, aspirin, tooth picks, even things you don't think you will need, bring them. A two pack of Tylenol if you have a head ache is $15.00. Go to the dollar store and pick up a rain cape and toiletries. Bring one pair of sneakers, flip flops, one pair of heals for formal nights. q-tips, rubber bands, pins, pen and paper. Also at the dollar store I picked up a over the door shoe hanging thing. We put all our items in there and put it in the bathroom or in the closet. It was very convenient, I put brushes, deodorant and everything in there so it is accessible.

Don't bring a lot of jewelry as you don't wear it often.

Legal stuff

Passport

drivers license

birth certificate with raised seal

people are going to disagree with me on this one. Typically a passport is sufficient, however you never know what authorities will ask or if there is a problem with your passport even minor you will be covered and there would be no need for you to be denied boarding.

3 days before leaving do the following

check in online

print out luggage tags

cruise tickets

Money

bring small bills- never show any one you have 20's, you will not be able to reduce the price at the stores if you do. It's always best anyway to have 1;s and 5's.

Get the drink package if you can afford it. It gives you soda and alcohol. 12-15 a day. Even if you don't drink alcohol at least get the soda package. It's worth it.

Tipping on cruise

only tip stewards and waiters the day prior to leaving the ship. Typically I give $20.00 per person. There is typically 2-3 waiters you have all week at dinner and 2 stewards. If they don't do a good job I give them less. Don't tip bar tabs because they already put %15-20 every time you get a drink.

If you can get someone to drop you off at port you will save $100.

Try to pack one carry bag and one luggage. You get off quicker if you take your bags on and off with you but it's up to you.

I forgot also at the dollar store I picked up a laundry bag. it was nice to have in the room until we pack to go home. Kept things neat.

Phone

Unless you have a plan, turn your phone to airplane mode, turn it off. Bring a camera so you don't miss anything. As soon as you leave port international charges kick in.

Step 1

Pick a cruise, cruise line, pay deposit.

Step 1 B

Begin to get documentation needed- passports take 6-8 weeks.

Step 2

Pick excursions

Step 3

Make list of personal and clothing list you will need

Step 4

go shopping for items

Step 5

pay off total of cruise unless you paid in full

Step 6

Pack- even if it's a week prior

Step 7

Check in online

print out luggage tags

cruise tickets

I always bring proof that I paid-I print out the final page of the website I use so it shows I paid and what I paid for.

I hope this helps.

Christina

Hello all! My wife and I have been on two cruises together, but next September we will be cruising for the first time with our almost 2 year old at the time of the cruise. Talk to me about what documentation is needed for her. My wife and I both have passports so we're ok. What will I need for my 2 year old. Are we talking birth certificate or do I need to get her a passport too? We're sailing on Royal Caribbean from NY to Bermuda. I tried finding the information on their website but it was a little vague, or I just didn't fully understand it which is totally possible. :) I appreciate any help you all can offer. Thanks!

I disagree with the other comments. RC going to Bermuda does require a passport. Only RC going to close loop to Bahamas doesn't need a passport. They changed this policy in 2009. If she will be only 2 then you only need a raised seal original birth certificate, if she will be older then you do need a passport.

Would really appreciate any advice from fellow Cruise Critics :-)

 

My son (17) and I will be visiting Orlando next June/July - to break up the theme park activities we have decided on a short cruise - but can't decide on Carnival or Royal Caribbean (departing Port Canaveral) . We are very limited to the time we have and can really only fit in a 3 night cruise - so really just looking for a snapshot and to get a taste of what cruising is like.

 

 

Any suggestions appreciate :-)

I personally prefer Carnival. I think your 17 year would have more fun. I spent a lot of money on Royal and didn't like it at all. I will be going on RC in January and that is only because it is going to Belize. Have fun!!!!

I’m from Australia where we don’t tip in the same way as in Northern America. I don’t want to do the wrong thing!

 

On arrival at the airport, how much should we tip the driver of our bus transfer from airport to hotel?

 

So, on the cruise ship, how much should I be tipping, for example, room service, when our bags are delivered to our room, if we buy a speciality/alcoholic drink at the bar or café, if we eat in speciality restaurants where there is a cover charge? What about if we take an excursion off the cruise ship – how much should we tip the tour operator/drive/guide at the end.

 

How much is appropriate for our room attendant? Should we tip the staff in the Adventure Ocean if my children use the facilities a fair bit?

 

We have 6 days travel planned in Alaska after the cruise – when and who and how much should we be tipping? Places we visit? Tour operators? Places we stay? Meals we eat?

 

Many thanks in advance!

Lou :)

1) DO NOT TIP BAR TENDERS(THEY AUTOMATICALLY PUT ON 15-20%)

2) Tip waitress/stewards the second to the last day. $10-20 per person (typically you have 3 wait staff, the same all week when you go to dinner) (you usually have 2 stewards). Bring 5 dollar bills, nothing larger. If they do a really good job then tip the $10-20 per person. If they are not so good then do $5.00 per person.

3) $5.00 for transportation

4) When you are actually in Alaska, you simply tip 15%. for restaurants. Flat fee for maid service, $20 left at the end of your stay.

5) We personally didn't tip the driver of the one excursion but we did for the other $5.

6) Kids adventure- not sure but personally it would depend if my kids had the same staff all week. If they did then I would but if they didn't I wouldn't. I probably wouldn't anyway because you are paying for that service.

Starting to finalize the planning for our cruise and was wondering how people pay there balance off for there excursions.

 

I know I can bring cash and be good but am thinking a travellers cheque would be more convenient than carry a bunch of cash.

 

 

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I agree! I wouldn't bring them because places don't take them anymore. I pay my excursion before the cruise so I don't have to have that much cash or credit with me. I would put it on your cruise card if you don't plan on paying for it prior to leaving.

We (myself, wife, adult son, and minor daughter) are taking our first cruise on Feb.2015 (closed loop port canaveral to bahamas Disney). We are opting not to get the passports and go with birth certificates and id. (I am aware of all the arguments). I noticed on my daughters (minor 14) birth certificate that my (father) first name is listed as "Steve". My full name is "Stephen", which is how it is listed on all of my documents and my marriage license. Does anyone think this will cause an issue? My wife's full name is correct and my middle and our last name is also correct. Has anyone else run into this situation? Should I order a new birth certificate for my daughter with my full first name?

Thank you in advance.:cool:

You shouldn't have a problem if your are the biological father and mother. They will compare your birth certificate to hers. Don't over pack, you will not wear half of what you pack!!!! Enjoy

My family is thinking of taking a cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Belize and somewhere else. I have been told we should pick another cruise. Any suggestions? Is it that unsafe? :confused:

Seems like a fairly extreme set of circumstances with the death in the family.

 

We have done the Belize/Cozumel itinerary on Liberty (sister of Independence) and enjoyed it.

 

Not sure what ship you were on for your last cruise, knowing that would help from a comparison standpoint. The Freedom class generally have pretty good amenities, nice pool deck, flowrider, bars, etc.

 

We didn't actually go ashore in Belize, tendered to a dive excursion then a small island and back to the boat but it was very pleasant.

 

Cozumel is Cozumel, lots of options and a good port but we have been there many times now so it is a bit blah for us, always fun to take new people there though.

Grandeur of the Sea

So what do you want to know? And what did you dislike about your last experience with RCI?

Thank you for responding. Let me first say I am a very down to earth type of person. There isn't a lot of things that I get upset or angry about. I am in my early 40's and I don't make a lot of money. I love cruising and researched a lot about what to bring, documents etc. So, for this particular cruise I had gone all out for my husband and I for his birthday. We cruise every January. I had paid extra for a balcony (our first time) to only be told he couldn't smoke on the balcony starting January 2014, for me this should have been stipulated when I chose and paid for it, previous smoking was permitted. That is the sole reason I got a balcony. I was then called and told there was a message for my husband ( they wouldn't give it to me), I told my husband, we went to the front desk (no message), 2 days later they apologized and said they lost the message and that the message was his father passed away. (unexpectedly of course). Of course that was a big part of our dislike. I did pay for the insurance, we should have been let off the ship and flown back to our home town to attend the funeral. And was not given that choice. The beds were so uncomfortable. There was no activity what so ever except for scrap-booking. I think we were the youngest on board, we don't mind the age difference but everything was geared toward people over 65. Yes, I did look at reviews etc before booking. We have only done Carnival and really enjoyed it. People said you have to do RC it's better. I spend $3500. and was really disappointed. I won't be able to afford that time of spending again. The food was horrible.

Any suggestions???

Anyone have experience with Independence of the Seas, leaving out of Fort Lauderdale going to Belize and Mexico? I only went on one Royal Caribbean cruise and it was horible, not sure if I want to try another one.

So, Just for my clarification, you can instruct the cruise line not to charge any tips to your account and you can do it all in cash to the person that helps you ? Except for drink tips that is. This is my first cruise and I dont want to end up with a huge chunk coming off my card at the end of the cruise.

I wouldn't recommend that. I heard and read a lot of reviews and yes you can choose not to tip up front but then the room steward and others will know. As it goes around the ship which rooms removed the tips. I don't agree with people who decide to not do the gratuity, these people work very hard for their money and deserve every penny. People just want to be cheap. Good luck!!!