NCL Dawn First Cruise

[Speck1957]

I've read through the first time cruisers section. Did not find any answers to:

 

1. How much do you tip and to whom do you tip (we are charged a "non-mandatory" service charge that is supposed to be for tips also)?

 

2. Best seasickness prescriptions or OTC.

 

3. Suggestion for how much cash to bring with us.

 

Thanks in advance.

[CruiserBruce]

I would start your research with some reading on the NCL board.

[Barb Nahoumi]

You are not required to tip beyond the daily service charge. However if a crew member gives you superior service, you may reward him/her with an extra tip.

 

For sea-sickness remedies, use whatever method works best for you. I use Bonine when necessary.

 

You will not need cash for any ship purchases. Those will be charged to your on-board account. Cash will be needed for porter tips, extra crew tips, or other incidentals. The amount you bring is up to you.

[Keith1010]

This is the link for the NCL Cruise Line Board in case you have more questions specific to NCL.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

 

I agree. When it comes to the best sea sickness meds it varies by person. We use Bonine as well and there is also Dramamine. The key is to take these before you feel ill. Some people go with a prescription from the doctor for the Patch but there are side effects with that. Some also take ginger capsules, or just ginger. Might be good to also ask your physician for advice.

 

I would bring cash for tips for your luggage at the pier and for other items you may buy off the ship that you do not want to use a credit card for.

 

Keith

[Speck1957]

I am not a traveler - this is my first time. I have already read the NCL Dawn posts. I was lookin for more specific info - how much do you tip to who? How much cash when traveling somewhat economically? Just looking for some suggestions.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We keep the Hotel Service Charge in place.

We give extra tips to the people whom we feel has made our cruise an enjoyable one -- cabin stewards, dining room staff, wine steward and any bar servers whom we see on a regular basis. Usually about $1 per passenger per day.

If you order room service, you may want to tip the person delivering your food anywhere from $2 to $20 depending on how much food you order.

We tip taxi drivers, luggage porters at the pier, excursion driver and tour guide.

 

As we stay in suites we also tip our concierges.

We always take a couple of thousand dollars in traveler's checks -- which can be cashed on the ship.

[CruiserBruce]

I am not a traveler - this is my first time. I have already read the NCL Dawn posts. I was lookin for more specific info - how much do you tip to who? How much cash when traveling somewhat economically? Just looking for some suggestions.

 

If you do some reading on the NCL board, as linked above, you will find the tipping policy and procedure for NCL, commonly called the Hotel Service Charge, if NCL uses one, and how it works.

 

That board isn't reviews of the Dawn. That will be all the info you will ever need sailing on a NCL ship.

[Sauer-kraut]

Please come over to the NCL boards, we're a friendly lot over there, you might even see pics of your cabin!

 

As to your tipping question. You do not have to tip above the $12 a day per person amount. That will be added automatically to your account so there's no thinking about it. You MAY if you choose tip your room steward I usually do $20 for a 7 day cruise, but I sail solo. IF you find a great bartender or beverage server and you hit it off, you MAY if you choose tip beyond the already added 15% gratuity on your bar bill.

 

As for what amount of cash to bring, that is a very personal question. I don't buy a lot of stuff on my vacations. I might bring about $50 tops if it is a port where I plan to go shopping, otherwise a credit card works for almost every purchase. Are you taking a tour/excursion? I usually tip the guide a couple of bucks and the driver a dollar. It depends on the tour duration and how good the guide was.

 

I hope this helps you out -- please do come over to the Norwegian Cruise Lines boards, listed under CRUISE LINES A-L :)

[hladygirl]

I am also an ncl cruiser. I tip the room steward at the end of the cruise if he/ she was efficient. I tip the bartender and bar waiters $1 or $2 per order. That is all I tip. I take Bonnie every morning to prevent seasickness because once you become seasick nothing will help. I bring 1 or 2 thousand cash for port spending and casino. Sometimes I spend it all and sometimes not. Keep in mind I book 11-14 night cruises.

[trish1c]

I've read through the first time cruisers section.

 

That's surprising because these questions are discussed all the time.

 

1. How much do you tip and to whom do you tip (we are charged a "non-mandatory" service charge that is supposed to be for tips also)?

NCL will add an automatic service charge to your bill. I thnk it's $11 pp per day but check. That money is used to tip the cabin stewards & the wait staff. If you purchase an alcoholic beverage on board 18.5% will be added to your bill as a tip. On board it's up to you if you want to give anybody an extra tip. You can add it to your account by writing it down or you can give cash.

It's "customary" to also tip the setevdores who take your luggage, taxi drivers, & tour guides.

 

2. Best seasickness prescriptions or OTC.

 

The "best" prescription seasick medication for you can only be determined by a medical doctor. To take medical advice from a bunch of untrained people on the internet is just nutty.

As for the OTC stuff, I take non-drowsy dramamine. Others swear by Bonine or ginger pills. I always pack my sea sick accu-pressure bands too.

 

3. Suggestion for how much cash to bring with us.

 

That's a personal choice. The amount you spend overall may be higher than the amount of actual cash you bring. We usually bring about $200 pp in small bills. Most of the islands can't cash anything larger than a $20 but the ship's purser & the casino can.

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

On the Ncl website under "money matters" they describe different situations where you might want to tip extra such as butler service or concerige service as they are not included in the basic service charge of $12 per person per day. If you are taking s guided tour; a couple of dollars per person is appreciated. At the dockyard credit cards are taken at most shops; just be aware that many cc companies charge a foreign conversion fee. Depending on the card it is not that much. It just depends on how much cash you are comfortable with keeping with you. There are usually safes in the state room. If you like you enjoy the casino you may want more cash on hand.