• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Please HELP me, first time going on a CRUISE!

G

GoldenGuppy

Diamond Member
Hey guys,

I'm going on a quick 3 day cruise tomorrow to Mexico. I've never been on a cruise and am curious if there are any formalities that you guys can help me w/.

Tipping is a particular question I have! They asked me if I wanted to put a CC on file so they can just bill it for tipping... I decided against it and figured I should just tip manually. I'm sure there are going to be A BUNCH of people on the cruise's staff that will be helping us throughout our stay, is there a rule for tipping?

thanks in advance!
 
My rule is tip when the service is either beyond what you expected or when it comes to waiters/waitresses...when they do a good job.
 
Last time I was on a cruise all gratuities were compiled and payed at the end of the trip. As a general rule, only tip when you feel like the service was above and beyond. Do NOT feel obligated to tip anyone and everyone.
 
On cruises there are pretty much set fees as to who you tip and how much. It's not like you do the 15% thing or whatever.

A cruise is just like staying at a hotel except there's a lot more to do. heh.
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
My rule is tip when the service is either beyond what you expected or when it comes to waiters/waitresses...when they do a good job.
Click to expand...

Tipping actually is pretty much expected on a cruise even when the service is just average. It's actually one of the things I hated about our cruise-- but the secret is to give your room manager a nice tip on the first day and you'll be sure to get good service for the rest of the cruise.
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Did I hear something about a cruise?

*paging jello....*
Click to expand...

Can I come with you guys? :evil:
Click to expand...

I wouldn't dream of leaving you behind 😉
Click to expand...

I'll bring the bubble bath :lips::heart:
Click to expand...

The bubble bath & lube are being piped aboard from the tanker MV Gay Cruise Essentials as we speak 😉
 
I bought the tip voucher package before the cruise, got something like $150 in tips for $75 and ended up leaving the waiter some extra cash b/c he was good. If you don't do this then they will have recommended tip amounts at the end.

Bring your own booze if your a drinker to save money. Wrap your bottles in beach towels and bury in your luggage, or do the vodka water bottle thing then get your juice or coke or whatever and go back to the room and mix a drink.

Don't forget your coat and tie for the formal dinner thing

And beware if your going with your girl that they take pictures the whole time, they are expensive and she will want to buy them all.
 
Originally posted by: doze


Bring your own booze if your a drinker to save money. Wrap your bottles in beach towels and bury in your luggage, or do the vodka water bottle thing then get your juice or coke or whatever and go back to the room and mix a drink.
Click to expand...


When you board a ship with water bottles the staff will give the water bottles a little shake to determine if what's inside is alcohol or booze. They did this on the last two cruises I went on. Just buy a bottle of hard liquor on the cruise ship. Sure, it's more expensive then buying it at a liquor store but it's still cheaper then the prices they charge for served drinks.
 
I've gone on 3 different cruiselines, but YMMV.

Bartenders and waiters (service staff who are not specifically assigned a group of passengers) get tipped for every drink. Your cabinboy, dinner waiter, wine steward, head waiter and whoever else is specifically assigned to you get tipped one lump sum at the end of the cruise. Generally, the cruiseline leaves a tipping guide in your room on the day before the cruise ends, which tells you how much per person per day, and the amount varies depending on the staff position (e.g. waiter vs. cabinboy). The service staff works long hard hours, so be sure to tip well.

I made friends with a bartender on a now-defunct cruiseline (Renaissance cruises). He said that the staff gets paid a standard wage plus tips. But if the tips were below a certain amount each cruise, the cruiseline would pay a small sum to the staff to help make up for it. It was some small amount though. I seem to recall it was about $100 for a one-week cruise. I don't really know how the cruiseline could keep track of tips paid in cash though. On this cruiseline, the staff to passenger ratio was like 1:1, which should tell you how many different people are going to be waiting on you.

Also, my dad is convinced that the cruiseline takes a hefty cut if you choose to pay tips through your cruise tab, so he always tips in cash.

Enjoy your cruise! Sunsets should be spectacular!
 
Oh so... we don't get like a receipt or anything throughout for tipping? We just get a bill at the end of the cruise and we settle it then?

I just filled out the charge account, I figure it can just go on the card?
 

on the last couple of Carnival cruises we have been on, they actually leave you 5 envelopes for the people you are supposed to tip...head waiter and cabin steward are the 2 I can remember right now...

some other tips:
pick the late seating for dinner.
the excursions are usually expensive: parasailing, submarine rides, guided tours, etc.
make sure you have necessities in your carryon...depending on the size of the boat, it might be awhile before they deliver your luggage to your cabin
hope you don't have a cabin on the back end of the boat above the propellers - worst spot on the boat as they are very loud.

if you buy liquour on board, they deliver it to your cabin on the last night of the cruise, but each cruise line might have different rules for this...

have fun!!
 
Nice! Thanks for the advice guys! Can anybody confirm that all cruises do the envelope thing? I've looked online and it seems as though we just fill up the envelops and give them to the respective staff on the last dinner of the cruise.
 
in looking at Carnival's site, it looks like their tipping policies have changed and you have to prepay now...this it totally different that from the last cruise we did back in 2004...


Text

What is the tipping policy onboard?

Guests can pay their shipboard gratuities in one of two ways:

1. Reverse Gratuity Policy - For our guests' convenience, we automatically add the recommended gratuities to the onboard Sail & Sign account on embarkation day.

Guests will have the discretion to adjust these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the cruise. This includes the option to adjust gratuities (up or down) for any individual on the Dining or Housekeeping staff. In order to do so, the guest will need to visit the Information Desk on board.

2. Pre-Paid Gratuity Policy - Gratuities are pre-arranged and paid at the time of booking or any time up to two weeks prior to the sail date.

All guests on each booking must prepay the gratuities, with the exception of children under two. Guests will have the discretion to adjust these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the cruise. This includes the option to adjust gratuities (up or down) for any individual on the Dining or Housekeeping staff. In order to do so, the guest will need to visit the Information Desk on board.

The dollar amount of the gratuities will appear in the Miscellaneous Charge field on the booking. The guest copy on the cruise ticket will indicate if gratuities have been paid.

The total amount will be $10 per guest, per day, which breaks down as follows:


$5.50 pp/pd for Dining Team Service (Headwaiter and Waiter)
$1 pp/pd for Bistro Service (Waiter/Cooks)
$3.50 pp/pd for Cabin Services (Cabin Steward)
Tipping the Maitre D' is strictly at guest's discretion, based upon services rendered. For guests who wish to extend this gratuity in cash, an envelope will be available on the last evening of the cruise.

Tipping still applies regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or utilizing room service.

Bar Waiters, Deck Stewards and Bell Boys - Certain personnel, as noted above, may be tipped as service is rendered. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to beverage purchases which the guest may adjust appropriate to the service received.


 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top