moqui_girl

We are British but prefer to cruise on American lines (particularly out of America) because they have more Americans and less British. We've found the Americans we've cruised with more fun in general. British people on cruise can be quite miserable and moan a lot and are obsessed with where they can get a cup of tea! Lol! Lots of generalisations I know but overall we've just found the atmosphere better on mostly American ships. We are sailing from Southampton on the Ventura with p&o this year. I hope it doesn't live up to my stereotypes!!

Personally I wouldn't really like that move. Did you book saver or select? I'm not sure if they can move you if you've booked saver. I'm

sure someone else can confirm. I'd check with p&o/your travel agent if you aren't happy.

How does one go to a Michelin ranked restaurant and not tip?

 

Sometimes gratuity is included but not always.

 

 

 

Americans have been 'going abroad' for many generations...... European culture has survived in stunningly desirable status. If not, so many of us would not flock there. :)

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think anyone is saying "never tip" just the emphasis is different in Europe to the U.S. I normally tip in a restaurant wherever I am if the service is acceptable/good. When in the U.S. I would probably tip at times when I wouldn't as home, as is the custom.

If I was in a Michelin starred restaurant and the service was bad I wouldn't tip (unlikely but not impossible).

I do think there is a slight change in culture around tipping in Europe. People are, in general, more well travelled and know more about the world from TV/media etc so naturally customs and practices start to spread. I know that since holidaying regularly in the U.S. I tip better at home.

One should do some research on the tipping traditions in each country since it does vary. But perhaps we Americans should be cognizant that many Europeans resent Americans coming to their country and handing out money (tips) like candy. This is simply not a European tradition. One also has to be careful in restaurants, because there are many (particularly higher end establishments) that add a "service charge." Tipping on top of this is ridiculous other then perhaps rounding up. In Venice we would not tip a water taxi unless the driver did something extraordinary such as carrying luggage some distance. When using vaporettos do not tip anyone! And with restaurants make sure you do not get carried away as many already have various extra fees (they should be disclosed on the menu and are usually somewhere on the bottom in very fine print). We have seen Venice cafes charge a "coperto" (cover charge), an entertainment charge (common with a couple of rip-off cafes in St Marks Square) and also a "Servizio" or service charge. Personally we would not even sit down in one of these true tourist trap (you can pay over 10 Euros for a single cup of coffee) and definitely would not leave any additional tip (these scum should tip their customers).

 

 

 

Hank

 

 

 

Hank

This hasn't been my experience (although I have been to every European country). I have found that many Europeans are very aware that Americans tip well and therefore are happy to accept, possibly even expect, it. We were recent on short guided tour in Edinburgh where the guides were almost begging for tips at the end. It was actually a little unpleasant. I put this down to the large number of Americans on the tour who did oblige and tipped willingly. Mostly the British/European people just said thanks.

There are lots of threads about tipping and people will have many different opinions. However, personally I'd tip restaurants and taxis but not water taxis which I think are a bit more like buses on the water (I'm sure someone will correct me if I wrong). I might tip a gondolier or tour guide if I thought they were particularly good. More and more people in the service industry expect/are open to tips so I doubt you'll offend anyone by offering a tip.

With regards to inviting the guide to lunch, I think it would depend on the sort of relationship you establish while on your tour. If the person is a professional guide the chances are they will already have plans and need to get to another tour or have other commitment. Don't forget you are on vacation but they are in work [emoji4]. If it were me I'd see what happens on the day but I wouldn't plan on it. By all means ask for a recommendation for food, I'm sure they'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

I like to participate in roll calls. I've found US based cruises more popular than the UK or European ones. I set one up for our p&o cruise in October and not another single person has replied. [emoji53] Im into the mega organisation of all the slot pulls etc but it's nice to have a least one meet up arranged.

We've only been on 2 day and 7 day cruises so far. In October we will be going on a 12 nighter. I won't know for sure until then but I suspect the longer the better!! I am so jealous of those taking cruises a month or longer. [emoji4]

It's interesting that some people see the ships excursions as the most desirable option and something to be aimed for. I mostly have found them poor value with a lots of unnecessary waiting around with hoards of others. If money were no object if still book private tours/do things on our own.

Thanks Holiday Planner! Either the plastic chairs or a booster seat would be fine for her. She's just a nightmare in the wooden ones even when strapped in. She can twist around and had got her leg jammed through the back section, twice! If they only had those I think we'd be skipping the main dining room in favour of a quick dinner at the buffet!!

I've tried to search for this but cannot find the answer. Does anyone know the style of high chair they use on Ventura?

My daughter will be just under 2 when we sail. She will not sit in the wooden style one they use in many restaurants for longer than 5 mins! Hopefully these aren't the ones they use!!

Thanks

We usually do our own thing or a private company tour. Exceptions would be if the activity was quite a distance from the port and transport options were limited if there was an issue. We are sailing with my daughter for the first time this year. As she's 18 months we really don't want to be stranded somewhere or miss the ship with her in tow so anything outside of the immediate town/city we sail into we'll book with the cruise ship on this occasion.

What a choice to have! I wish I was in this position. I think in terms of the ship i'd choose Allure, there is just so much to do. Obviously you have to balance that with your preference to go alone or with friends. Why don't you try and get your friends to rebook on the Allure?

I'm sure you'll have an awesome time whatever your decision.

I think it sounds like a perfect cruise for a honeymoon. We loved sailing on celebrity before we had our daughter. Santorini is lovely - my brother got married there.

I think the weather will be fine. Warm but not too hot. That would be great weather for us but it depends on your preferences.

Love Cards Against Humanity!

It makes me laugh that people think those who sail on a particular cruise line are a homogenous group who would all love/hate this sort of thing. I think you'd find people who'd like it on any cruise line equally you'd find a proportion who would be majorly offended!

OP I wish I was on your cruise!

For the record, I didn't mean thoughtless in the sense you decided to take it. I meant that a previous poster took my concern about my MIL suggesting excursions that are not good for kids as her being pushy about them and me needing my husband to step in. So my reply was an attempt to clarify that she doesn't always remember what is interesting or boring to kids and I'm concerned without any experience myself that I won't know when to say "that's not as great of an idea as you think it is." Thoughtless may not have been the best word but I think most people would have understood what I meant reading it in context.

 

I am not overwhelmed with my 4-year-olds. I simply have insufficient time around my work schedule to hang out at libraries. (Or grocery stores for that matter but I was annoyed by the presumption that all moms of young children have time to hang out and play during their public library's open hours--grocery stores have better hours so that was a bit of an exaggeration but finding the time can still be a challenge.) Last summer we took our kids on Amtrak from California to Seattle. When they were two years old we took the train from California to Washington, DC (3 days each way). Since there is far less to do on a train and the rooms are way smaller, I think we'll be fine on a cruise.

 

Although if I had any real say in the matter we would absolutely not be going on a cruise this summer. Under the circumstances, I'm trying to make this the best trip possible. So I asked for advice from other parents on points I wasn't finding in my online research. I've gotten some great advice. And now I've gotten the Cruise Critic required judgmental response as well. I guess that means this thread is complete.

I too find the judgemental/sarcastic/pointless posting frustrating and unhelpful. As a parent of a young child I know exactly the kind of info you wanted. I've asked for similar help other ports and got the same sort of response.

I've been on the exact itinerary that you are going on but was unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately :)) before we had our daughter. My only additional suggestion is whale watching. We did it out of Juneau. We didn't book ahead just booked it on shore when we got there (could be a gamble as there may not be spaces but also means you wouldn't need to commit in advance). It was a fantastic trip as we saw many whales and other wildlife and being on a smaller faster boat was fun too. I appreciate this might not be suitable for all 4 years - I know some who'd love it and others who'd be hard work so just another thing to consider.

I hope you have a fantastic trip whatever happens. X

Ironically the comment I expect from P&O at sea will be "we could have reacted if we new before we left "

I very much doubt that will be their reaction. It will more likely be a response around the best use of available space to meet the needs/wants of the majority of passengers.

I still hope you manage to have a great cruise. [emoji4]

We tendered in Juneau on the Celebrity Infinity. It's was fine. Very quick and smooth. We docked late and therefore had a late departure. It meant that people came back to the ship all through the evening (some wanted to come back for dinner while others stayed until the last minute). Therefore there was very little queuing to get back to the ship.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/dress_code_all

This is the link to the dress code info. Scroll down and select your ship.

Sounds like an interesting concept. Would set them apart from other lines. Not sure how it would work - I think lines for some might end up being very long. It will be interesting to see how it is received.

I have an 18 month old so having a ship with a self-servive laundry means I can be more frugal with her packing as I can wash her clothes and/or sleeping bags if needed. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me but I appreciate having the option where possible.

Don't the American ships kick you off some very early time in the morning.

 

I am sure when I wander over to their boards sometimes you get kicked of 6-7am in the morning.

 

Is that how they get people boarding earlier. Get the last lot off earlier.

We've been with RCL and Celebrity both in the U.S and Europe. People who were walking off could leave from 6.30/7 and you could request an early departure (lots of people catch flights home in the morning in the U.S.) but we stayed a lot longer than that. We had departure times of 9.30 maybe later. They didn't expect you to be out of your rooms by 8 either. I guess by offering the early departures they have time to sort out those cabins until the others are vacated.

Other cruise companies seem to manage this issue quite well. I don't know what the issue is with P&O. I like to get to the port as soon as I can. In most cases we've been on the ship before noon, sometimes earlier. How do they allocate boarding times? It seems unfair if some people can get on at 11.30 while others have to wait until 3.30. You miss half of the day! I also have a young child now and don't want to be waiting around. To avoid any issues etc we will leave home early giving us plenty of time in case of delays. Assuming all goes smoothly I really don't want to be waiting around until an arbitrary specified time. I don't care if my room is ready. There are plenty of things to do on the ship.

Sorry I wasn't clear. I believe Anthem also as a nursery but I don't think it's free.

The smaller the ship the more interesting the itinerary in my opinion as they can sail into a greater range of places. Therefore you may feel there is some trade off between interesting ports and the quality of the ship. Although not all smaller ships are older or less "exciting" that does seem to be the situation currently in most cases. Having said that most ships on any of the major lines should be of a reasonable quality. I wouldn't concentrate on one line specifically but identify ships you are happy to sail on and then compare their itineraries. I'm not sure what you mean by "relevant onboard activities". I've not noticed much difference in activities on ships in different parts of the world. The more adult focused lines like princess and celebrity are probably better at port talks or speakers on local history etc than the more family focused lines.

We've just booked a balcony cabin for our cruise with our nearly 2 yo. I doubt she'll go out much and certainly not alone. I think you'll be fine!