lisalubener Posted July 18, 2013 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2013 So I booked the cruise last night and Im super excited and plan to annoy you all with stupid questions till next may :) I decided to pre pay the gratitudes but does that include everyone or are there still people I need to tip? And how much? And do you tip them every day or at the end of your trip? And I purchased the inurance through the cruise line which I am kicking myself in the butt for can I back out of that and go else where for insurance or am I already committed? could I get additional insurace for what isnt covered? Thank you all so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 18, 2013 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2013 So I booked the cruise last night and Im super excited and plan to annoy you all with stupid questions till next may :) I decided to pre pay the gratitudes but does that include everyone or are there still people I need to tip? And how much? And do you tip them every day or at the end of your trip? And I purchased the inurance through the cruise line which I am kicking myself in the butt for can I back out of that and go else where for insurance or am I already committed? could I get additional insurace for what isnt covered? Thank you all so much. Congrats on your booking. Pre-paid tips - these will cover the cabin steward, the waitstaff and the people behind the scenes who help them make your cruise special. Others that MAY get a tip from you: Porters when you drop bags at pier - $1 or $2 per bag. Room service - A couple of dollars per meal. Kids program - Don't use so don't know how much Spa personnel - " Casino - " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olemissreb Posted July 18, 2013 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2013 While there is a 15% gratuity added to all your bar purchases, if there is one particular bartender that took extra care of you, then it might be nice to tip him or her extra. We did this for a bartender that we didn't frequent all that often (maybe 4 times the entire cruise), but when we did, he knew what we had been drinking and that we had a beverage package so he didn't even ask for our cards - and this was after we'd been there only once! My kids knew him a lot better than DH and I because they were getting virgin strawberry daquiris throughout the day. I think DH may have tipped him an extra $20. The same thing would be true in the Specialty Restaurants. If you feel the wait staff went above & beyond, you can add the tip just as you would at a land based restaurant when they present the final bill for you to sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddycat Posted July 18, 2013 #4 Share Posted July 18, 2013 As far as the travel insurance, call your cruise line and ask if you can cancel it. Cruise line travel insurance usually isn't paid for until final payment and therefore, doesn't become effective until then. Look at the Trip Insurance Store's website. It's very informative and easy to understand. If you have any questions call one of their agents. They're very knowledgeable and will be able to help you choose which insurance is best for you. ***Trip Insurance Store*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 19, 2013 #5 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congratulations on booking your cruise. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted July 19, 2013 #6 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congratulations on booking your first cruise. What ship will you be cruising on? Where are you cruising? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbdo Posted July 19, 2013 #7 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congratulations on booking your first (of many!) cruises. We need details. What did you decide on? Enjoy the pre cruise planning--read everything you can. CC has so much great info. I learn something every time I come here. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisalubener Posted July 19, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I am sailing Carnival on the Liberty in May to Key West, Nassau & Freeport. I Figured this would be a nice starter cruise. :D Everyone has been so helpful here and I have read so much I'm kind of on cruise overload. My husband was suprised that I didnt hop on the computer last night but I told him I have to take a break...lol. I know I will be back at it this weekend though :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 19, 2013 #9 Share Posted July 19, 2013 :) Welcome to Cruise Critic and congratulations on booking your first cruise! May is a nice time of year to be going to Key West, Nassau, and Freeport so you should have a really good time. :D LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserking Posted July 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congrats on booking your first cruise. You and your husband are in for a wonderful new experience. Once you stroll up the gangway you're on vacation. In matter of hours you ease into a happy frame of mind as switch to cruise mode. Have a great cruise. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOOLBEANS Posted July 19, 2013 #11 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congratulations on taking this first time step!! It is so much worth it!! Also, ask away, most everybody is super nice on this site, but just have to not take it personally if someone our there isn't. Just how some people are. As far as on the cruise, I actually have never talked to or seen anybody be ugly. Everybody is very friendly and courteous, although, I am sure some have had other experiences, just I have not. It is mostly in the attitude you take with you, I paid good $ for my vacation, so I am determined to have a good time. I will never, ever forget the 1st time I stepped on a cruiseship, and even more when I stepped out on the Lido deck. Such a treasured memory!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted July 19, 2013 #12 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Congrats! You'll have such fun. As far as the gratuities, the prepaid cover most onboard tips. You will want to tip the porters at the pier a dollar or two per bag, the same for room service, and if you take tours it's usual to tip the guide and/or driver--usually in the $5 to $10 range depending on the length and quality of the tour. We don't drink, but I think 15% is added onto the price when you buy a drink; same goes for spa services. We usually add a little extra at the end of the cruise for our cabin steward, but it is not necessary. I would cancel the cruise line insurance if you can and look into other options with a site like Insure My Trip. That way you can choose the coverage you want. The cruise line offered insurance does not cover what we need, normally, so we've never used it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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