Couple of questions - new cruiser

[dacsmom]

You will never get anyone to agree on the great tipping debate. I say, do what makes you comfortable.

[OCruisers]

Doing the auto tip is great because it covers everyone you need to tip. You can tip additional in cash to anyone who has be especially helpful if you wish.:)

LuLu

[lucysmommy1]

Ahh ok didn't mean to start a debate - will do what we think is best -

I think it's a uk thing - tip when you receive good service

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Scotty G]

Ahh ok didn't mean to start a debate - will do what we think is best -

I think it's a uk thing - tip when you receive good service

 

Being a Scot I can understand your position; however, the cruise staff that does all the menial tasks are not on salary per say and it is largely different in the cruise industry compared to other service industries. It is also NOT controlled by any countries minimum wage laws.

RCI is typical of the majority of the industry. They pay their non professional staff $25 every two weeks plus room and board. They pay for the employees fare to get to the ship. At contracts end (average 8 months) the employees pay their way home. Most live thousands of miles from where they get off the ship.

So what you should now see is that the real wages dining room/Windjammer wait staff, cabin stewards and other housekeeping employees get are from guests via gratuities. The Housekeeping folks clean the ship areas including public toilets as well as cabins on turn around day; and, move luggage to and from your cabin. No way you could ever know which of those you should tip for their hard work.

We have found it easier to give the suggested gratuities automatically and then tip extra for excellent service.

Hope this helps you understand a system that we have no control over and don't want to deny hard workers their due!

Bon Voyage!!!

[tidygirl]

If you are cold blooded at all take a sweater or jacket to be safe! I am very cold most of the time and on our last cruise a couple of weeks ago the theaters weren't too bad but I still needed a sweater and saw some others needing them also. In Sept took a cruise with 3 adult kids and SIL and the theaters were freezing every night! I actually saw people bringing pool towels in to cover up with and even blankets from their room!! So it wasn't just me that was cold!

[lucysmommy1]

We are flying to heathrow next Saturday - flights were purchased through Royal caribbean - do we get straight on the ship or do we have to wait for our allocated time? Which is 2.30pm ( I think we arrive at the port at 1pm)

 

Thanks

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Merion_Mom]

We are flying to heathrow next Saturday - flights were purchased through Royal caribbean - do we get straight on the ship or do we have to wait for our allocated time? Which is 2.30pm ( I think we arrive at the port at 1pm)

 

Thanks

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You check in as soon as you get to the pier. :)

[Adayatatime]

I have to say I only found cruising about 3 years ago. Holidays for us as a family had always been, well, disappointing or very expensive. We got to,the stage where we could never decide where to to (DD 12 at the time). We had done all inclusives, kids type European holidays, camping, spent a fortune on stuff like skiing (and I hate skiing).

 

Then my mom went on a cruise with her friend around the med, and said we should try it.

 

Since then we haven't even considered a different type of holiday. We are hooked. I don't like long flying much (will of course do it but don't enjoy it) so going from the UK means my holiday starts earlier.

 

We find it cheaper, less stressful, and the wonders of the sea are amazing. Also our DD is growing up with fab memories as she meets all these people (and keeps in touch with mates she meets through Facebook etc).

 

For us, we won't go back. My bucket list is full of cruises, I want to go round the world (at a later date of course).

 

Thanks to my mom!!

 

Have a fabulous time x

[lucysmommy1]

That's great thank you

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[lucysmommy1]

I have to say I only found cruising about 3 years ago. Holidays for us as a family had always been, well, disappointing or very expensive. We got to,the stage where we could never decide where to to (DD 12 at the time). We had done all inclusives, kids type European holidays, camping, spent a fortune on stuff like skiing (and I hate skiing).

 

 

 

Then my mom went on a cruise with her friend around the med, and said we should try it.

 

 

 

Since then we haven't even considered a different type of holiday. We are hooked. I don't like long flying much (will of course do it but don't enjoy it) so going from the UK means my holiday starts earlier.

 

 

 

We find it cheaper, less stressful, and the wonders of the sea are amazing. Also our DD is growing up with fab memories as she meets all these people (and keeps in touch with mates she meets through Facebook etc).

 

 

 

For us, we won't go back. My bucket list is full of cruises, I want to go round the world (at a later date of course).

 

 

 

Thanks to my mom!!

 

 

Have a fabulous time x

 

Thank you - we re all getting very excited now

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[lucysmommy1]

Hey another question :-)

 

We are off on Saturday (too excited!!!)

 

Now we are trying to figure out our money - do we need dollars, euros and pounds? I will be tipping the staff in pounds as I heard that's what they like - do we need dollars to spend on board and then euros when at the ports??

 

Thanks for any advice x

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Babiesmummy]

We are onboard with you, we arent taking dollars as we settle up at the end of the cruise by CC......the only reason you would need dollars would be in the casino ( someone will correct me if im wrong ) we are taking Euros for purchases off the ship & a combination of Euros / sterling for tips.

 

HTH

 

Kelly :D

 

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Forums mobile app

[lucysmommy1]

Great thank you :-)

 

May take some dollars then for the casino - need to have a go lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums