Hello ~ another newbie with questions!!

[scarymary555]

Hi

 

My husband and me are hoping to go on our very first cruise in September. We have our eyes on the Jewels of the Med on the Destinty BUT we're hoping to be able to book a last minute bargain! :p

 

• Has anyone ever booked at the last minute and did they get a bargain or do you just get the 'leftover' cabins above the noisy engine! :eek:
  
• Drinks package ~ worth doing or not? :confused:
  
• Tips ~ included or 'pay as you go' ? :cool:

Any answers gratefully recieved. :D

[kruzseeka]

Hi - Yes we have booked late on a few occasions and have got good cabins - although there's no guarantee unless you pay to reserve a particular cabin. We also got really good bargains - but it is a gamble. If you have your heart set on a special cruise and leave it too late, it may 'disappear' if it sells out and then you'll be very disappointed. When we've really wanted to do a particular cruise, we've boooked early to be sure we get what we want. But as it's a Med cruise and they have two ships doing these itineraries, there's likely to be more availabilty than if there is only one ship.

 

There's an active thread on here which debates the value of the drinks package. Only you can decide whether it's worth it for you and that depends on how much you drink each day. We love it if we get it as a 'freebie' but otherwise for us, it's cheaper to pay-as-we-go.

 

Tips are included in the fare you pay which is good as then the behind-the-scenes staff benefit too but I think it's true to say most people also tip their cabin steward and dining room waiters as you get to know them really well and they do a fantastic job. It is a personal choice though and there is no pressure to tip if you don't wish to.

 

Anyway, good luck with the booking - and enjoy your first cruise.

[scarymary555]

Thanks very much for your informative reply Kruzseeka it was very helpful. :)

[smiffy1951]

Hi Scarymary555:)

 

We've always booked our cruises well in advance so we are sure we get what we want, but everybody is different. We've already booked to go on the Destiny in March next year in the Caribbean and we can't wait.

 

With regards to the AI it really is a personal choice. We always pay for the AI package if we don't get it free. We've worked out that it is around £20 per day each, but what you have to remember is that this is also used on all your soft drinks, speciality coffees, cocktails etc, so although you think you can't drink £20 worth of alcohol a day, it's all the other bits as well. A cocktail was £2.95 this year. I know people say that you are off the ship all day so it's not worth it, but if you do just half day trips, then quite often you're back on the boat in the afternoon so you would use it again them.

 

As Kruzseeka said previously, tips are included but we always tip our cabin stewardess at the end of the cruise. We usually use the Lido Buffet restaurant (we prefer the more informal atmosphere) so don't have a waiter to tip, although when we went on the Emerald the first 2 times, we did use the main restaurant and tipped the waiter at the end.

 

Whatever you choose to do, choosing Thomson is a great start. You will have a fab time.

 

Smiffy1951

Janet

[scarymary555]

Thanks Janet.........that's very helpful and I'm quite tempted to go for the drinks package now. I'd like to treat myself to the odd cocktail or two on hols! :D

[sobral]

You might find if you book late the drinks package may not be available to purchase. We always book early and get it free! Cocktails are wonderful, the advice is...start at the top of the list and work your way down! The virgin cocktails are very refreshing too while sunbathing on the decks. Enjoy your cruise

[scarymary555]

Thanks for that Sobral.........trouble is I don't think I qualify for a 'virgin cocktail' ;)