First Cruise Carnival Pride Feb 14 Cash and questions

[Schoifmom]

Tips cover the room steward and wait staff in MRD and Lido deck. On our six day cruise the suggested tips are $72pp or $12/day/person. Which can be prepaid or added to you sign-n-sail card.

 

Almost, but not quite. See the following from Carnival FAQ

 

It is customary to extend gratuities/tips to the shipboard staff for their services. How much to tip is a personal matter and completely up to the guest. Our recommended guidelines in regards to what is appropriate are as follows:

 

Service Per Guest, Per Day

Dining Room Services $6.10

Stateroom Services $3.90

Alternative Services: distributed to kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members. $2.00

Total Gratuities $12.00

 

 

For beverage purchases, 15% of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge.

Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered.

Tipping applies regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or Open Seating Dining.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1123/~/service-gratuities-(tips)

[ELM91189]

Some of these might be repeated but this is what i had learned my first time cruising alone (had gone when I was younger with my mom)..

 

~Bring a surge protector/power strip, there's usually only one outlet, so if you need to charge phones/cameras/kindle, etc you're going to need it!

 

~Keep an eye on your room tab as the week goes, there's a kiosk you can check it (I'm not sure where it is on the Pride, I've been on Splendor), that way at the end of the week you're not shocked by a big bill :-)

 

~Even if you don't think you'll get queasy, bring dramamine! it's pretty pricey on the ship

 

~I suggest pre-paying gratuities, its another cost you won't have to worry about at the end of the cruise because you've already taken care of it.

 

~bring a pop-up hamper for your dirty clothes, so much neater than tossing everything into the bottom of your closet/suitcase.

 

~ when you order drinks from the bar, tip is already included, so unless you want to tip them exxtra for being awesome, don't forget otherwise you'll end up paying more than you need to

 

check out the onboard activities, the trivia/ games/contests. they are so much fun!! I really think this makes all the difference between when people have fun and when they said they were bored.. you'll never be bored :-)

 

Have an awesome time! check out this site pretty well and carnival's tips and trick are all pretty legit. You're going to have a blast! Happy sailing!!

 

Erin

Edited January 20, 2016 by ELM91189

[Beeslilmama]

Some of these might be repeated but this is what i had learned my first time cruising alone (had gone when I was younger with my mom)..

 

~Bring a surge protector/power strip, there's usually only one outlet, so if you need to charge phones/cameras/kindle, etc you're going to need it!

 

You CANNOT have a power strip with a surge protector. It must be a regular strip/cord. There is a new thread on this topic on this board.

[JMAE]

~Keep an eye on your room tab as the week goes, there's a kiosk you can check it (I'm not sure where it is on the Pride, I've been on Splendor), that way at the end of the week you're not shocked by a big bill :-)

 

You can use the kiosk but you can also review your charges in your stateroom on the TV using your four digit folio # located on your sail-n-sign card. The system is similar to systems used in hotels.

[rf54]

First time on the Pride, 5th Carnival cruise. We are sailing on the 14th as well...

 

What are the soda options during lunch? My kids are not big soda drinkers but if it is on the lunch buffets that would be okay.

[swalton85]

First time on the Pride, 5th Carnival cruise. We are sailing on the 14th as well...

 

What are the soda options during lunch? My kids are not big soda drinkers but if it is on the lunch buffets that would be okay.

Soda is not included on any buffets. It would need to be purchased at the bars. It's mostly coke products i believe.

 

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

[Earthworm Jim]

I don't understand the advice to prepay your tips. While there is no disadvantage, there is no real advantage either. You can pay you $84 dollars before you go. Or, you can have it put on your charge card during the cruise and pay it when you get home. It's the same amount of money either way. If you don't pay the $84 up front, then you still have it in your checking account to pay for the tips after the cruise.

 

I guess if your credit card was really close to your credit limit you might want to prepay so you have room to charge things while onboard. Or, if you were crazy undisciplined and couldn't resist spending that $84 on something else before your credit card bill came. But those instances would be a very small percentage of all cruisers.

 

No real harm done prepaying, but why bother?

Edited January 28, 2016 by Earthworm Jim

[RecoveryDude]

I'll be on the Pride February 20th ... first time on that ship and first time leaving out of Baltimore ... but cruising veteran on many lines. Here are my tips:

 

--The first day waiters will be walking around with colorful drinks in cool "souvenir" glasses ... not only do you pay a lot for the drink, but pay extra for the souvenir glass - If you really want the drink of the day but don't want to pay extra for the glass, you can ask for it in "a regular glass"

 

--Get to Baltimore the night before if possible, so you can get to the ship as early as possible ... 11AM is good. Remember, that is "day one" of your vacation !!

 

--Your cabin might not be ready right away, so you will have to schlep your carry-ons for a couple hours - make sure you are prepared for that - and have everything you might need for the first afternoon on board in the carry ons, including swimsuits and any medications.

 

--You will not get your "checked" suitcases until several hours AFTER you board, they will get delivered to your cabin.

 

--Take that first afternoon as an opportunity to explore the ship and get the lay of the land.

 

--If you don't like your table-mates at your assigned table, you can ask the Matre D to assign you to another table. You can also change dining from early to late seating if you like.

 

--feel free to order multiple apps, entreees and/or desserts in the Main Dining Room. Everyone does. The waiters would rather you order them at the same time as opposed to asking for seconds cause they have to make a special trip if you do that.

 

--ANYTIME someone asks for your Sail and Sign card (except getting on/off ship) they are about to CHARGE you for something.

 

--Don't bother even TRYING to see Atlantis in Nassau - you have to buy an expensive resort pass to see anything besides the boring lobby and the casino.

 

--I always bring an over-the-door organizer to store misc items to keep the small cabin organized, also a pop-up hamper, a pop up cooler for ice in the cabin, and a pop up 6 shelf organizer to hang in the closet to organize my folded gym clothes, shoes and stuff - not many shelves in there!

 

--Bring a library card or some "non-credit card" with a magnetic strip to lock/unlock the in-room safe - DO NOT USE YOUR SAIL AND SIGN KEY, it will de-magnetize it. You CAN use a real credit card, but then you gotta hide it somewhere in the room or take it with you cause you can't put in the safe, lol

 

--If you have a EUROPEAN adapter for the plug handy you can use that to get an extra outlet, otherwise I just bring a USB hub so I can plug in my phone and ipad.

 

--They have a "social" internet package that's pretty cheap and u can use facebook messanger and whats app to keep in touch with ppl from home.

 

--BRING A HIGHLIGHTER so you can highlight things on each days funtimes that you want to do the next day.

 

--BRING some advil as well a couple doses of cold medicine and dramimine its super expensive on board

 

--I bring a couple magnetic clips to stick on the metal walls to organize all the papers that come each day.

 

--Make steakhouse reservations EARLY in the cruise or they will be sold out

 

--photos they take of you are REALLY expensive ($15 each) -- we typically only buy the ones as we're getting off the ship in port.

 

--You can mix together the soft serve ice cream and milk from the lido deck and make your own milkshakes!

 

That's all from me! 23 days till I leave on MY Pride cruise!!!

 

Cheers!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude :)

[John Reid]

We will be on that cruise too, our fifth on the Pride. It can be cold until the first evening or so, it depends on the weather. Our Jan. 2014 sailing was so cold muster drill was inside. As an earlier post indicated the pool is covered and the temperature warn enough to go swimming. There is a lot to do and see for your first cruise. We love the comedy shows and relaxing. On the first day your steward will ask or give you a card to have morning cleanup or nightly turn down service. You don't have to pick just one, we always pick morning and evening. You won't find an ice bucket in your room but if you ask your steward on the first day they will fill it in the morning and evening each day.

 

if you are driving to Baltimore bring cash to pay for parking much shorter line than credit card. I think it is still $15/day.

 

If you have any question I will check back. Enjoy your cruise!

 

From a fellow Pride cruiser, very good advice.

[caddykid12]

Pre pay your tips, it's so much easier than having them added to your account. As for cash, we typically bring $500 or so. We bring at least $150 of that in ones and fives for tips for room service, taxi, porter etc.

My one tip for a first time cruiser is to bring a pop up hamper- your suitcases for under the bed and that's where most put their dirty laundry but with a pop up hamper you don't have to get on the floor and drag your bag out to put your laundry away.

Enjoy your cruise, I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

500$$$$????? Only. Omg!!! You deff stay in a budget. My last 7 day cruises I have brought 4000$ each time.

 

I also pay my final bill in cash too so that's why so much. Instead of leaving in on the credit card

[DonnaBeachLover]

$4000.00 Cash brought for every cruise? Not all of have that kind of spending $$$. You said you pay off S&S with cash. I enjoy the free gift cards or statement credits from using my charge cards. They are paid off in full to avoid any interest charges. Some cards pay 2% on everything like Citibank Double Cashback or 3% like Sam's MasterCard on the travel category. You would make $120.00 in free $ on $4000.00 with the 3% back on travel with Sam's MasterCard.

[ommax2]

 

Try not to use ATMs in port; they charge a lot and I have friends that have had their info stolen that way.

.

 

This is really important. Do not plan to use your ATM card in ports! It isn't worth the hassle!

 

Mary Anne

[John Reid]

I think he's two days into the cruise.

[almendrada]

500$$$$????? Only. Omg!!! You deff stay in a budget. My last 7 day cruises I have brought 4000$ each time.

 

I also pay my final bill in cash too so that's why so much. Instead of leaving in on the credit card

 

O.O That's more than 10% of my annual salary. I choose cruising (in part) because it's an inexpensive vacation. No WAY would I spend that on a cruise!

 

I'm not sure where everyone else is on this, but I have a feeling that $500 is a lot closer to the norm than $4000 is. :-/

[ELM91189]

You CANNOT have a power strip with a surge protector. It must be a regular strip/cord. There is a new thread on this topic on this board.

 

Thank you! I wasn't aware of that, i'll make sure it's a regular power strip when i pack for my cruise :-)

[caddykid12]

[quote name='almendrada']O.O That's more than 10% of my annual salary. I choose cruising (in part) because it's an inexpensive vacation. No WAY would I spend that on a cruise!

I'm not sure where everyone else is on this, but I have a feeling that $500 is a lot closer to the norm than $4000 is. :-/[/QUOTE]

500$ is just enough to cover all additional tips and buy memorable pics with family.

I guess if you DO NOT gamble, play bingo, buy the cheers or bubbles package, eat speciality dining, buy excursions, buy pictures, buy slot tournaments or blackjack tournaments, and more..... and if you basically eat your free 3 meals and sleep 500$ is perhaps normal or then over budget per say.