Last Minute Questions on hair, sockets, 1st day lunch, and tipping - advice please ..

[cairokid]

We are going on our first cruise with RCI in a couple of weeks and have some questions. (The Search facility on this forum is pretty useless, I've found.)

 

1. is there a hairdresser on board? I know you can get manicures and facials and stuff, but can you get your hair styled?

 

2. are there 2-pin 220v European sockets in the cabins?

 

3. I'm rather dreading the start of the cruise when, from what I've read, several hundred people all converge on the cafe at the same time. I really dislike crowded places so I'm wondering what options there are. We don't normally eat lunch until 2-3pm. Will it still be crowded then (I hoped most people might eat earlier)? What time do they finish serving lunch? Is there anywhere else just to get a snack or a salad on the first day?

 

4. I know there are lots of threads about tipping. We have pre-paid gratuities on the cruise and we're from a culture where we would only leave a tip if the service was exceptionally good, so I am absolutely naive about this. If we get great service, I'd certainly leave a tip at the end but I've read several posts here recommending tipping bartenders / stewards on the first day. I don't have a clue how to do that or how much to give them. If you tip them the first night, even if they aren't that good, won't they expect a tip every night no matter how poorly they perform? Do you tip every night or just at the start? Do you tip before they do anything for you or afterwards?

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could explain please exactly how, when, and what you would tip at the start of a cruise?

[Velvetwater]

This may be better posted on the RCI board...

 

However it does seem that most US line ships have euro and US sockets but it pays to take an adaptor just in case. Our ship had american sockets. Also take a 4 plug extension thingie as theres often not enough sockets.

 

Most ships that are 2000+ passenger plus have a small salon...esp the major lines.

 

If your sail away is 4-5pm it is likely that although the cafe/lido etc will still be busyish it will have died down as people are getting drinks and waiting on higher decks for the sights. Room service might be available to snack somewhere else or on a balcony if you have one.

 

Tipping at the start of the cruise or every day is not needed...paying the auto/pre paid grats will suffice. Some people seem to think slipping a note to their steward will get them better service although this is widely disputed. You do not need to tip bartenders as a percentage is already added on each drink you buy. If you feel the staff are amazing tip extra but do not feel forced to. You have obviously read a lot on people boasting about their tipping habits when all in all the auto grats added on per day is enough for you to not need worry about tipping at all.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Velvetwater

[sparky-elpaso]

The one person you might want to tip extra is the person who delivers a room service order - they might not be included in the auto-tips. Usually $1 - $2 for coffee and pastries to $4 - $5 for a meal. And have the money in your hand when you answer the door - they're in and out very quickly. :D

[SPacificbound]

We are going on our first cruise with RCI in a couple of weeks and have some questions. (The Search facility on this forum is pretty useless, I've found.)

 

1. is there a hairdresser on board? I know you can get manicures and facials and stuff, but can you get your hair styled?

Yes, make the appointment the day of boarding.

 

2. are there 2-pin 220v European sockets in the cabins?

Yes

 

3. I'm rather dreading the start of the cruise when, from what I've read, several hundred people all converge on the cafe at the same time. I really dislike crowded places so I'm wondering what options there are. We don't normally eat lunch until 2-3pm. Will it still be crowded then (I hoped most people might eat earlier)? What time do they finish serving lunch? Is there anywhere else just to get a snack or a salad on the first day?

We don't get to the ship until around 2:00PM, crowds gone.

 

4. I know there are lots of threads about tipping. We have pre-paid gratuities on the cruise and we're from a culture where we would only leave a tip if the service was exceptionally good, so I am absolutely naive about this. If we get great service, I'd certainly leave a tip at the end but I've read several posts here recommending tipping bartenders / stewards on the first day. I don't have a clue how to do that or how much to give them. If you tip them the first night, even if they aren't that good, won't they expect a tip every night no matter how poorly they perform? Do you tip every night or just at the start? Do you tip before they do anything for you or afterwards?

We do MTD so tips are prepaid. We tip those we feel gave excellent service extra on the last night. We tip room service person and special bartenders at time of service. I would never tip at the start of the cruise. To me that is like a bribe.

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could explain please exactly how, when, and what you would tip at the start of a cruise?

 

Just relax and enjoy looking forward to your cruise. Don't go in with any expectations of "how it is supposed to be", just let it roll out and enjoy.

[cb at sea]

We eat a late breakfast before heading to the ship, so we can skip the "feeding frenzy"....we might get a snack around 3pm, if needed.

 

The website has the recommended tips...unless you're in a large suite, it's $12 per person, per night. That covers your cabin attendant, waiter, ass't waiter and head waiter. Any drink you purchase will have a 15% tip added to the cost. If you order room service, a $1-5 tip is nice, as it's kitchen staff who delivers..and they aren't included in the other tips.

[realjd]

This may be better posted on the RCI board...

 

However it does seem that most US line ships have euro and US sockets but it pays to take an adaptor just in case. Our ship had american sockets. Also take a 4 plug extension thingie as theres often not enough sockets.

 

Most ships that are 2000+ passenger plus have a small salon...esp the major lines.

 

If your sail away is 4-5pm it is likely that although the cafe/lido etc will still be busyish it will have died down as people are getting drinks and waiting on higher decks for the sights. Room service might be available to snack somewhere else or on a balcony if you have one.

 

Tipping at the start of the cruise or every day is not needed...paying the auto/pre paid grats will suffice. Some people seem to think slipping a note to their steward will get them better service although this is widely disputed. You do not need to tip bartenders as a percentage is already added on each drink you buy. If you feel the staff are amazing tip extra but do not feel forced to. You have obviously read a lot on people boasting about their tipping habits when all in all the auto grats added on per day is enough for you to not need worry about tipping at all.

 

All of the cruises I've been on have had both 110V (American) and 220V outlets. I've seen both Euro-style and UK-style 220V outlets. I suggest bringing some adapters so you can use both outlets because there's usually only one of each in your room. I always bring my Euro adapters and it's been very useful being able to use both.

Edited June 16, 2014 by realjd

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Most ships have 220 volt ..

[spookwife]

We are going on our first cruise with RCI in a couple of weeks and have some questions. (The Search facility on this forum is pretty useless, I've found.)

 

1. is there a hairdresser on board? I know you can get manicures and facials and stuff, but can you get your hair styled?

 

2. are there 2-pin 220v European sockets in the cabins?

 

3. I'm rather dreading the start of the cruise when, from what I've read, several hundred people all converge on the cafe at the same time. I really dislike crowded places so I'm wondering what options there are. We don't normally eat lunch until 2-3pm. Will it still be crowded then (I hoped most people might eat earlier)? What time do they finish serving lunch? Is there anywhere else just to get a snack or a salad on the first day?

 

4. I know there are lots of threads about tipping. We have pre-paid gratuities on the cruise and we're from a culture where we would only leave a tip if the service was exceptionally good, so I am absolutely naive about this. If we get great service, I'd certainly leave a tip at the end but I've read several posts here recommending tipping bartenders / stewards on the first day. I don't have a clue how to do that or how much to give them. If you tip them the first night, even if they aren't that good, won't they expect a tip every night no matter how poorly they perform? Do you tip every night or just at the start? Do you tip before they do anything for you or afterwards?

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could explain please exactly how, when, and what you would tip at the start of a cruise?

 

 

1: full service salon. appointments book FAST on formal nights.

 

2: at least one

 

3: if the ship you will be on has a Park Cafe go there. tends to be quieter. paninis, soups, salads and the ever yummy Beef on Weck.

 

4: there is absolutely NO NEED WHATSOEVER tip anyone up front. NONE AT ALL. just tell your cabin steward what your expectations are( ice daily, extra towels, whatever) and they will take care of you. Bar tenders get a tip automatically added to every purchase you make. IF you develop a rapport, then you can start tipping extra . For instance my last cruise the bartender woudl randomly make me a cocktail just because so he would get a tip. The one exception is room service.. you should tip them each delivery.. a dollar or two is plenty. keep a stack of ones nearby to make it easy.

[wassup4565]

The salon prices are not going to be a bargain. If you can, get your hair done before you leave, in a low-maintenance style.

 

It's not as bad on boarding day as people suggest. Cabins don't become available until 1:00 or after, so everyone who boards before then will stake out a spot to eat or drink and sit with carryon luggage until the rooms start becoming available. It thins out pretty fast after that. You can probably find a relatively quiet spot for awhile, then look for lunch around 2 pm.

 

If you pre-pay your tips, that's all you have to pay, theoretically. And I'm sure many people only pay that amount. As one poster said, if you use room service, these staff are not included in the tip pool, and will appreciate a tip (even though it's not required).

 

A very experienced cruising friend (a New Yorker) chooses ONE bar he likes and knows he will spend time in - and he tips over and above the 15% that is automatically added for service, in that bar ONLY (not in any of the others). He believes these tips in his special bar get him larger pours of liquor and faster service when the bar is crowded. He either puts a couple American dollars on the tray the waiter brings with the bill or adds a couple of dollars to the total on the bill when he signs for it.

 

On a recent cruise, booked for My Time Dining, we met two other couples we really liked dining with, and we wanted the rest of our dining room dinners to be with those folks and at the table served by a particular server. My husband had a quiet word with the Maitre D' and discreetly handed him a folded ten dollar American bill. We got what we wanted. Some may say it was bribery. We say we asked the staff to make an extra effort, and were happy to pay for their trouble.

 

We always tip our cabin attendant a folded American $10 the first time we meet him/her, and again partway through the cruise. I shake their hand with one hand and give them the folded bill with the other. They get it. I resent the comment from the person who says we are showing off. These people are far away from their families, and work very long split shifts. They have shown us many kindnesses on our cruises, and not just because of the money, I know. I hope the little extra we give them buys a pair of running shoes for a kid back home, or maybe a chicken for the pot on Sunday. They earn meagre wages, work very hard for their families, and are unfailingly helpful. I just like to help them out a bit.

 

Hope this helps. Canadians are not really sophisticated about tipping. This is what I've learned so far.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I can't help you on specifics re Royal Caribbean, but would suggest you check out the info (FAQs, etc) on their website. You can supplement this info with asking additional questions on the RC board. But I would first read up on your ship (what dining venues are open and when and the ton of other info you'll find) first.

 

We had started cruising during the stuff-the-envelope with cash tips days and then through the current auto-tips time, and I really prefer the latter. Much easier. On Princess, though, every passenger, no matter doing traditional or anytime dining, doesn't prepaid gratuities; these are put on your folio on a nightly basis. We don't do room service, but if we did, we would hand the delivery person a tip. Kids program, which our girl would use, would mean a tip there. Don't do spa treatments or casinos, but I would imagine you'll want to tip there.

 

We have never, ever given our cabin steward or dining room waitstaff a tip at the beginning of a cruise. But then we don't have special requests. I just don't think it's really necessary if you're going to give extra at the end of the cruise (above the auto-tips).

[cairokid]

Thank you all so much for your useful information. Now just have to get the packing done. I'm very excited!