1st timers finding it all confusing !!!

[Sasdax]

Hi,

We are taking our 1st cruise on the Liberty of the Seas next October (Western Med).

We have a JS deck 10 mid ship, hope this is a good option as the OH gets sea sick watching boats from the land!!

I am finding issues over gratuities, drink packages, excursions etc quite confusing!!

At present, I have opted for My Time Dining which if I have right included prepaid gratuities?

Not sure if to take the drinks package, I love my wine and OH a few beers and the odd whisky!! Lol!!

Get the general impression that taking your own excursions is preferable to those organised by RCI.

All that said are there still gratuities on top per person per day??

 

Many thanks

[Keith1010]

I know all of this can seem overwhelming but you will do great.

 

May I suggest that you post all of your Royal Caribbean related questions on the RCI Board.

 

This thread will take you there.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

I anyone with you has concerns about getting sea sick I would look at taking something with them to prevent sea sickness such as an over the counter medication or something like ginger.

 

Keith

[Sauer-kraut]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

As the previous poster stated your questions will be better answered on the Royal Caribbean boards, in fact you might find more answers to other questions you didn't even have yet :D

 

As for excursions, take a look at the PORTS OF CALL boards for tips about what to see and do for your ports. Then decide if you would prefer the ship's or a DIY.

 

I can't stress enough about joining your ROLL CALL for your sailing as well. There you will find information about if the group is doing a Meet & Greet as well as tour sharing for reduced/more private tours.

 

Another hint about seasick -- go to an outside deck and walk! Look at the horizon and get fresh air. Eat green apples, drink ginger ale, ginger capsules help and try to keep something in your stomach.

[chasinraynbowz]

Hi,

We are taking our 1st cruise on the Liberty of the Seas next October (Western Med).

We have a JS deck 10 mid ship, hope this is a good option as the OH gets sea sick watching boats from the land!!

I am finding issues over gratuities, drink packages, excursions etc quite confusing!!

At present, I have opted for My Time Dining which if I have right included prepaid gratuities?

Not sure if to take the drinks package, I love my wine and OH a few beers and the odd whisky!! Lol!!

Get the general impression that taking your own excursions is preferable to those organised by RCI.

All that said are there still gratuities on top per person per day??

 

Many thanks

 

 

You will have gratuities per person per day.

[NMLady]

You will have gratuities per person per day.

 

The OP has PREPAID their gratuities. So there will be NO additional gratuities per day.

 

To the OP: based on your drinking habits I do not think the drink package is for you. I think you'd be better off paying for your drinks on individual basis. There will be a gratuity automatically added to the bill for each drink since the bartenders are not included in the pool of people who share in the daily gratuity.

 

If you join the Cruise Critic roll call someone might be organizing private tours that you could join. If so, I'd recommend doing that since it would be smaller groups. Otherwise, since it is your first cruise you might be more stress free by taking tours offered by the ship.

[Sasdax]

Thanks to all!

 

Yes. I have joined the Cruise Critic roll call so I hope it will be an invaluable source of information!

Sure I will be sorted come the time lol!!

[KOOLBEANS]

Welcome to cruise critic! This site will become your best friend lol. 99% of the time ppl are very kind and helpful, so don't let the 1% that pipes in with a rude or otherwise comment deter you from learning all you can.

 

Gratuities - if you have already prepaid gratuities, you are not required to made any additional gratuities, yet if you choose to add to this for great service you may. As mentioned above, remember if you purchase drink(s), your gratuity is already added to the price of the drink, no need for additional there, again unless you choose to.

 

Excursions - As mentioned above, go to the ports of call and read what others are saying about the port. Always, always, always, allow enough time to get back to the ship before it sails away. If not, it will be on your own expense to catch up to the ship. Most excursions are good about getting you back in time, as this is how they make their living, so bad news travels faster then good news, therefore most always this is not a problem. For myself and my daughter, we have always booked with an independent tour company and not the ship. Usually, much cheaper, way less crowded, and have never had a bad or negative experience. I check this site and tripadvisor.com for additional information.

 

Sea sickness - Most ppl that I have found who tend to be very seasick, use the patch given from your doctor, and have no problem. Also, if you choose pills you should start taking them several days before you board for best results. Take them at night to lessen the sleepiness.

 

Congratulations on booking your first cruise, it is an amazing experience and ask away for any info you need.

[John Bull]

Mid-ships is the right place to be for anyone prone to sea-sickness.

Like the middle of a see-saw instead of one end. Though if a ship moves as much as a see-saw, you're all in big trouble :D

Most folk waking up in the morning don't know whether they're at sea or in port until they look out of the window, that's how stable cruise ships like Liberty OTS usually are. Though if this is a cruise from the UK, in October you might want to cross your fingers for calm seas across the Bay of Biscay.

 

Gratuities & drinks prices are a constant source of grief for first-time UK cruisers on US ships, travel agents & cruise lines aren't terribly up-front about them. And you'll get little sympathy on these pages from the less-world-wise amongst US contributors, for whom these costs are the norm on US soil.

 

Gratuities - $12 per person per day, to cover the wages (and I do effectively mean basic wages, not bunce) for your cabin steward & waiters, and background staff such as kitchen & laundry.

These are normally pre-paid or, unless on My Time Dining, added to your on-board account.

They're discretionary - if they were mandatory the law would require them to be more up-front about the charges. You CAN ask for them to be removed or reduced, by calling at the Guest Relations desk on board. Normally if they've been pre-paid they can't be removed, though I have heard of that happening.

But if you mention on here that you propose to do so, you'll get flamed as cheapskates.

I'm thick-skinned about being flamed on this thorny issue ;), here's my attitude:

- If you were not told about this expectation when you booked you should remove them if you wish, but make the point that it's a cost you should have been told about, along with the cruise ticket prices. Eventually mebbe they'll cotton-on that they need to be more honest & add them into their published cruise prices, but don't hold your breath.:rolleyes:

- If you knew about these charges before booking & still have them removed or reduced, then you deserve a flaming.

 

Do check whether they're included in your cruise ticket price, or whether you've got a fairly expensive shock to come.

Grats are normally on top of the advertised cruise price, unless they have been specifically included in the price as a sales come-on.

On a couple of cruises, in price negotiations with travel agents they've included grats for us.

 

Drinks on RCI are about the same as other US cruise lines. Quite expensive.

And a mandatory 15% service charge on top. Since it's mandatory life would be a lot simpler & more transparent if they simply increased the advertised prices by 15%. But it's the American way.

If your sailing is from the UK, RCI normally do incorporate the service charge in the drinks prices.

To decide whether to buy a package, you need to figure roughly how much you plan to drink & how much that would cost you. But as a yardstick you need to get through about 6 drinks a day to break even on one of the all-you-can-drink packages.

Beware the 20% discount on wine bundles - the drinkable house wines are still cheaper.

 

Bar prices. Via the Royal Caribbean page that Keith quoted. Add 15% gratuity.

Drinks packages. Significant changes announced just a couple of days ago. Details at http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf

Gratuities are included in the package price. (hooray :rolleyes:)

One change is that you can start off buying as required, & if you want you can switch to a package for the rest of the cruise on any day up to four days before the end of the cruise. The package will only cost you the pro-rata daily rate. So mebbe see how it goes for a couple of days before buying a package.

 

Speciality dining options on RCI ships are quite good value - the cost reflects the fact that regular dining is in your cruise ticket price, so there's only a supplement to pay. That said, the buffet, the serviced main dining room & the other included food outlets are very acceptable - no need to pay for speciality dining unless perhaps it's for something like a birthday.

 

Most Mediterranean ports are pretty easy to DIY if you do a bit of research such as the Ports of Call threads. Much cheaper, much more flexible, much more fun doing your own thing or joining others on your RollCall for a shared private tour.

Americans aren't used to using public transport like we Europeans - and plenty of them get by pretty well.

 

If you rate the spa, the photos, the excursions etc as poor value, there's no need to use them.

 

Gratuities & drinks prices are the only significant matters you may not have been fully aware of - but the only other surprises that you'll experience on-board will be pleasant ones.:)

 

JB :)

[puppycanducruise]

Welcome to the wonderful world of cruising.

I know you will have a great time.

Just a question, and I hope I don't put you on the spot. You refer in your post to "the OH". I always have trouble with these shortforms, and I know DH is Dear Husband, but, if I'm not being too nosy, what is OH? Is that a Scottish thing?

[Brandonclan]

Hi,

We are taking our 1st cruise on the Liberty of the Seas next October (Western Med).

We have a JS deck 10 mid ship, hope this is a good option as the OH gets sea sick watching boats from the land!!

I am finding issues over gratuities, drink packages, excursions etc quite confusing!!

At present, I have opted for My Time Dining which if I have right included prepaid gratuities?

Not sure if to take the drinks package, I love my wine and OH a few beers and the odd whisky!! Lol!!

Get the general impression that taking your own excursions is preferable to those organised by RCI.

All that said are there still gratuities on top per person per day??

 

Many thanks

 

Already many great suggestions for you to follow posted here.

The first time can be a bit overwhelming if you don't break it down and figure out each situation separately. Our first cruise we used the info on CC and the Royal website to get a handle on things.

We tried a ship excursion and also tried a private one our first cruise. We also planned one day on our own. We used the port of call boards here and read all descriptions available on the Royal site to see what our choices were. All excursions we have been on we left a tip. usually not a lot but something.(5-10 dollars a person)

We elected to pay as we went for alcoholic drinks. Might someday buy drinks package but for us it just doesn't work. We did purchase the soda only package and liked having it.

Gratuities can be a little frustrating trying to read about. Just know that bar tabs have it included as well as your MTD. We still left a bit extra for our wait staff( we did main dining each night first time). Also some extra for our room steward.

 

Reading will become your pastime. Welcome to CC!!

Edited November 17, 2013 by Brandonclan

[Sasdax]

Welcome to the wonderful world of cruising.

I know you will have a great time.

Just a question, and I hope I don't put you on the spot. You refer in your post to "the OH". I always have trouble with these shortforms, and I know DH is Dear Husband, but, if I'm not being too nosy, what is OH? Is that a Scottish thing?

 

Ha!! OH = Other half or in my case husband!

[puppycanducruise]

Ha!! OH = Other half or in my case husband!

 

Thanks. That makes sense. The only thing I could think of for the 'O' were OLD or ORNERY - and no one wants to cruise with that.:)

[Sasdax]

Thanks JB,

That's pretty comprehensive and a help!

Although my Husband is a true Aberdonion he/we aren't worried with paying gratuities just a case of trying to get a grip of what is and isn't included with what packages!.

I agree that the cruise lines could make it easier and a lot more transparent, still have a million and one questions that I can't quite get my head around:confused:

 

For one, if my husband goes to the bar for a wine and beer( regardless of whether or not that we have a drinks package) can he take my seapass or do you both need to go and order and present separately?

Or suppose your in a group and want to get a round in??

Naive Elaine :D:D

[John Bull]

Thanks JB,

That's pretty comprehensive and a help!

Although my Husband is a true Aberdonion he/we aren't worried with paying gratuities just a case of trying to get a grip of what is and isn't included with what packages!.

I agree that the cruise lines could make it easier and a lot more transparent, still have a million and one questions that I can't quite get my head around:confused:

 

For one, if my husband goes to the bar for a wine and beer( regardless of whether or not that we have a drinks package) can he take my seapass or do you both need to go and order and present separately?

Or suppose your in a group and want to get a round in??

Naive Elaine :D:D

 

Hi Elaine,

You can buy whatever drinks you like using either seapass, the drinks will be charged to that seapass. So yes, you only need to present one card, and you can buy a round for whoever you like.

The exception is if you have an all-you-can-drink package - because the package is personal, you can only charge one drink at a time with those packages.

 

On (or before) embarkation you will elect how you'll settle your on-board accounts/s. Most folk do this with a credit card, there are minor pitfalls if you prefer to pay in cash or with a debit card - post again if you don't plan to use a credit card.

At any time you can go to Guest Relations & ask them to charge a different card instead - or as well, and split the charges however you like - for instance, your credit card for your purchases and his for his, or split the total down the middle. Or pay some or all of it in cash. All very flexible. Your card/s will be charged with a single total at the end of the cruise.

 

Which reminds me - on-board currency is US dollars. You don't need any US cash dollars if you register a credit/debit card, it's just the way it's all priced. But you'll get a form from RCI asking if you would like them to charge your card in sterling - "for your convenience". :rolleyes:

Decline their offer to convert to sterling, your card supplier will convert at a much better exchange rate.

Same or even poorer exchange rates for euros etc. And a double-dose of poor exchange rates to use sterling to buy euros on a dollar ship.

So get your shore spending money before you go from the usual suspects - Tesco, M&S, Post Office, on-line etc. Or by using your debit card at a hole-in-the-wall ashore.

 

It all sounds complicated :eek:, especially as it's through the written word.

But it's actually pretty straightforward & aboard you'll meet experienced cruisers happy to point you the right way.

 

JB :)

Edited November 17, 2013 by John Bull

[ejohns]

What is the minor pitfall in using cash or debit card? (I plan on using my debit card)

[Monalis]

What is the minor pitfall in using cash or debit card? (I plan on using my debit card)

 

If you use your debit card, they can (and there are many many horror stories) put a hold on your money and then "charge" the amount you owe at the end of the cruise making it look like you have been charged twice. The hold can stay on your account for up to 2 weeks.

 

Say you have $1000 in your checking account.... your bill at the end of the cruise is $500. They already have a hold on say $300 and then charge the full $500. The $500 comes out of your account, but the $300 hold is still there until *both* the bank and the cruise line release it. So you arrive back at the port thinking you $500 to get you home, but nope you only have $200 and will until that hold is released. And that is only if the cruise line hasn't decided to put another hold on additional funds since you went over the original $300.

 

If you want to use a debit card just be aware of this, let the bank know you are traveling and cross your fingers this doesn't happen to you.

 

Another option is to just bring cash and put that into your account. When you get close to using up the money in your account they will contact you and let you know you need to add more.

[John Bull]

What is the minor pitfall in using cash or debit card? (I plan on using my debit card)

 

When you register a card (credit or debit), most cruise lines put a daily "hold" on funds available to ensure that there's money to cover the anticipated spend at the end of the cruise. Much like many hotels.

No money is actually taken out until cruise end, just a "hold".

Sorry, I don't know the daily "hold" amount - perhaps others can give some idea, or you can ask your cruise line.

 

Your actual spend is taken from your card by the cruise line at the end of the cruise. Problem is, that "hold" is still in place for a week or more after the cruise & after your card has settled what you spent.

Cruise lines blame the banks for the delay but regardless of who's responsible it means that for a week or more after your cruise your bank account is down by both the daily "hold" and what you actually spent.

So if you run a low bank balance there's a risk you'll not have access to your own money until that "hold" has been removed. Some folk have found they've been unable to draw money at an ATM or had cheques or regular monthly payments dis-honoured because of insufficient available funds in their bank account.

 

I don't know if credit cards are subject to the same delay, but folk tend to have a high credit limit so it's unlikely to be a problem unless you're already close to maxing-out your credit limit.

 

No personal experience, but there's been enough complaints on here & other websites to know it can be a problem.

I run a low bank balance, but have high credit card limits so I always stick with a credit card. I use one which doesn't charge a currency-exchange fee. To the best of my knowledge, Thomson is the only significant cruise line which charges a fee for credit card use.

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

The major problem with cash is if your ship uses a different currency to your home currency. I'm a Brit, and if I want to use cash to settle my on-board account on a USD ship I have two choices:

1. change some money into USD ahead of the cruise. Poorer exchange rates than a card supplier will give me. And how much do I change? It'll be too much or not enough. And I just know that if it's too much, the excess will be donated to the ship's casino fund on the last night :D

2. tender sterling on the ship. Diabolical ships' exchange rates.

 

Those who don't register a card have to pay cash into their on-board account shortly after boarding, and top it up if their on-board account goes into the red. Then at the end of the cruise, they have to go to Guest Relations to sort out who owes who & how much. I've seen those last-day lines at Guest Relations, & no way do I want to join them. Having registered a card, unless there's a query on the account I don't have to "check-out" at the end of the cruise.

 

Some folk are not allowed to have a card. Others may have forgotten (:rolleyes:) to tell the tax-man about how they got the money they're spending.

But IMHO anyone who simply chooses to use cash is putting themselves through unnecessary grief.

And although they can pay in their entire anticipated spend at the start of the cruise rather than have the cash hanging around, there's still the security risk between home & ship.

 

JB :)

Edited November 18, 2013 by John Bull

[ejohns]

Thank you.

[SPacificbound]

What is the minor pitfall in using cash or debit card? (I plan on using my debit card)

 

As a former banker I would never use a debit card in this way. I would use a credit card, or if you don't want to do that get a card that you load cash on so you will know that your main bank account is not involved. JMHO :)

[John Bull]

As a former banker I would never use a debit card in this way. I would use a credit card, or if you don't want to do that get a card that you load cash on so you will know that your main bank account is not involved. JMHO :)

 

A word of caution. Don't know all cruise lines' policy on pre-paid debit cards, but certainly some don't accept them.

I'm guessing there's probably no "hold" facility, so the cruiser can present his cash-loaded card at embarkation but spend a stack at ATMs etc, leaving insufficient on the card to settle the on-board account on the last day.

 

Anyone considering one of those cards should at the very least check with the cruise line first.

 

JB :)

Edited November 19, 2013 by John Bull

[gatorsfam]

As a former banker I would never use a debit card in this way. I would use a credit card, or if you don't want to do that get a card that you load cash on so you will know that your main bank account is not involved. JMHO :)

 

Another option might be to use the shipboard ATM (or ATMs at ports) to pull cash from your debit card, and then deposit that cash toward your account.. Might have to do that a couple times depending on the length of cruise and withdrawal limits, but it seems it would avoid the holds but it would incur the ATM fees but you'd be more certain of your bank account.

[Jimnbigd]

You have a cabin on deck 10, which is directly under the deck 11 pool area. Sometimes the sliding of chairs on deck 11 can be noisy. Can you find out what is directly above you?

You might see if any JS cabins are available on deck 7, 8, or 9 -- so you have a cabin (and not a public area) both above and below you.

Then again, some people love being only one deck down from the pool area.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Jimnbigd

[MermaidWatcher]

Hi,

We are taking our 1st cruise on the Liberty of the Seas next October (Western Med).

We have a JS deck 10 mid ship, hope this is a good option as the OH gets sea sick watching boats from the land!!

I am finding issues over gratuities, drink packages, excursions etc quite confusing!!

At present, I have opted for My Time Dining which if I have right included prepaid gratuities?

Yes, the gratuities will be automatically prepaid on your account for My time Dining.

Not sure if to take the drinks package, I love my wine and OH a few beers and the odd whisky!! Lol!!

Doesn't sound like your drinking habit would justify the drink packages, so I would just buy per drink. For tipping purposes, be aware that EVERY drink you buy, whether alcohol or soda, will have the gratuity automatically charged to it.

Get the general impression that taking your own excursions is preferable to those organised by RCI.

All that said are there still gratuities on top per person per day??

Since yours will be prepaid, and bar tips are also automatic, there should be no additional gratuities on board unless you choose to give any of the staff a few dollars extra. We throw a couple of envelopes in when packing, just in case.

 

Many thanks

 

Don't forget to budget for tour guide gratuities, if you do organized tours.

If you can still pre book times for shipboard entertainment, take advantage of it. Freedom class ships are great, with lots of activities, enjoy.

[Sasdax]

This is a great site for getting information, all has been very useful and has helped in making decisions! Just as well there are many months to go! May be 50% ready by Oct 14 lol

[littleengine]

Following up on the issue of the hold the cruise line puts on your credit/debit card, does anyone know how they handle Visa debit cards - as if it was a credit card or as if it was a regular debit card? I have a regular cc but it doesn't have a huge limit and I'd like to keep it freed up for other purchases throughout the trip, hotel in Miami, etc.

 

For the cruise (my first) I was thinking I could transfer money into the chequing account linked to the Visa debit card and use that for charges on the ship. That account isn't my primary bank account (different bank, even) so apart from being annoying if they held more of it than they needed for longer than they needed to, it wouldn't really cause too much trouble. I've never used it as a 'Visa' before, though, so I'm curious how they might treat it.