Q about taxes, kids, logistics

[IslandGallery]

Hello. The last cruise I went on was over 20 years ago! We live on a Caribbean island that is a cruise port. We are thinking about cruising FROM here to the US (this is not my question, I know the details and requirements for this special arrangement).

 

Here are some questions (keeping in mind we would likely cruise with Norwegian though Carnival and Royal are also options from our port).

 

1. It says taxes and so forth are not included in the rates- what kind of taxes should we be considering, as in how much additional cost will there be?

 

2. What about tipping, I know it is customary and we would be happy to tip, but there seems to be ways to do so in advance? Is this via credit card at a certain rate to avoid tipping in cash? Is tipping in cash also okay? Who all do you tip and how much? Trying to figure out how much money ON TOP of the cost of the fare we should plan on?

 

3. We have a 3.5 year old who would be with us. Anything specific any moms out there want to share that is useful for having a small child with you?

 

4. Anything we should know about using the ship while in port (since we will likely be on the ship doing stuff more than some others because we are from a port). Anything that you can't do while in port? Is it nice to use the ship while others are off ship?

 

5. What about at the final port? In the US- is it easy to get a taxi like an airport? Are there hotels nearby? Anything tricky we should know about this part of the trip? Hard to get a hotel? Expensive?

 

6. Any tips about an inside cabin? We would definitely be going for cheapest option because this is more of a mode of transportation for us, not really a vacation so any advice about inside staterooms?

 

Thanks so much!

[paul929207]

1. The taxes are fees and port charges imposed by the ports you visit. The amount will be billed as part of the cruise price.

2. Most lines now offer the "opportunity" to pay the gratuities in advance or have them added to your on board account. The amount will vary by line, but is usually about $12 to $15 per person per day. Cash is used for tipping for special services. 15% is also added to the cost of all beverages.

3.

4. While in port, shops, casino, etc are closed. Buffet is open. Main dining room is closed on some (?all?) lines.

5. Taxis are readily available. Hotels are near by. Cost of the hotels will depending on how busy they are that day(s),

6.

[cb at sea]

If you are using a Caribbean island as a "home port"..(I'm not even sure you'll be allowed to do that)....normal charges/taxes won't apply. Whatever they quote you, you'll need to cough up.

 

Tipping is a common courtesy....the ship will add the daily tips to your bill...no worries. That a will cover your cabin attendant, waiters, asst waiters and head waiter. Any drink you buy will have 18% (all lines now charge 18%) added to the cost. If you buy a drink package the tip is added to the cost. The only thing NOT included in the tips is room service...tip if you use that...$1-5 depending on how much they bring to you.

In port, the casino and shops are closed...as is the dining room for lunch. That's about it!

Most ports have PLENTY of cabs...no worries!

Nothing wrong with an inside cabin, if YOU are ok with it!

Edited March 26, 2016 by cb at sea

[1025cruise]

What you are looking to do will not be allowed. Due to US regulations, they will not allow you to embark at your home port.

[paul929207]

If you are using a Caribbean island as a "home port"..(I'm not even sure you'll be allowed to do that)....normal charges/taxes won't apply. Whatever they quote you, you'll need to cough up.

 

Tipping is a common courtesy....the ship will add the daily tips to your bill...no worries. That a will cover your cabin attendant, waiters, asst waiters and head waiter. Any drink you buy will have 18% (all lines now charge 18%) added to the cost. If you buy a drink package the tip is added to the cost. The only thing NOT included in the tips is room service...tip if you use that...$1-5 depending on how much they bring to you.

In port, the casino and shops are closed...as is the dining room for lunch. That's about it!

Most ports have PLENTY of cabs...no worries!

Nothing wrong with an inside cabin, if YOU are ok with it!

Princess was still collecting 15% tip on beverage purchases two weeks ago.

[GottaKnowWhen]

Hello. The last cruise I went on was over 20 years ago! We live on a Caribbean island that is a cruise port. We are thinking about cruising FROM here to the US (this is not my question, I know the details and requirements for this special arrangement).

 

Here are some questions (keeping in mind we would likely cruise with Norwegian though Carnival and Royal are also options from our port).

 

1. It says taxes and so forth are not included in the rates- what kind of taxes should we be considering, as in how much additional cost will there be?

 

2. What about tipping, I know it is customary and we would be happy to tip, but there seems to be ways to do so in advance? Is this via credit card at a certain rate to avoid tipping in cash? Is tipping in cash also okay? Who all do you tip and how much? Trying to figure out how much money ON TOP of the cost of the fare we should plan on?

 

3. We have a 3.5 year old who would be with us. Anything specific any moms out there want to share that is useful for having a small child with you?

 

4. Anything we should know about using the ship while in port (since we will likely be on the ship doing stuff more than some others because we are from a port). Anything that you can't do while in port? Is it nice to use the ship while others are off ship?

 

5. What about at the final port? In the US- is it easy to get a taxi like an airport? Are there hotels nearby? Anything tricky we should know about this part of the trip? Hard to get a hotel? Expensive?

 

6. Any tips about an inside cabin? We would definitely be going for cheapest option because this is more of a mode of transportation for us, not really a vacation so any advice about inside staterooms?

 

Thanks so much!

 

From what I have read, I will be very surprised if you are allowed to do this. But good luck with it! If you can you can make it work out...

 

1. Port taxes. Rolled into your fare. You need to dig a bit but you can see the final total bill before committing.

2. Tipping often (depending on the company and phase of the moon) included in your advance charge. Sometimes added to your on-board tally daily. Typically a flat amount $12-15 per person per day which goes to cabin stewards, waiters, and a few other key service staff. You may request that the ship give you some or all of that set-aside back to you, or you can leave it alone, or you can supplement with cash in envelopes. It all depends on your sense of justice and equity and gratitude for good service or displeasure with poor service. Many on this board will argue passionately in favor of what they believe is the correct one of those three options.

3. I'm not a mom, not a dad. From my perspective as another passenger, just try to maintain peace and quiet... On the other hand, my first voyage was about that age and I am sure I was not all that well behaved.

4. You may know your island, but aren't there differences? Are you sure you want to pass up the opportunity to at least wander through the port of each island? But from what I have heard, being aboard when everyone else is ashore can be very relaxing.

5. Tens of thousands of people come and go through the southern U.S. ports weekly. The hotel and tourism industries and cabbies and restaurants etc etc have noticed all those people and have built up to accommodate and provide services. Plan ahead, do internet searches, reserve ahead to avoid surprises, but you needn't expect any big drama.

6. Clueless here.

Edited March 26, 2016 by GottaKnowWhen
I hate spell correctors!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hello. The last cruise I went on was over 20 years ago! We live on a Caribbean island that is a cruise port. We are thinking about cruising FROM here to the US (this is not my question, I know the details and requirements for this special arrangement).

 

Here are some questions (keeping in mind we would likely cruise with Norwegian though Carnival and Royal are also options from our port).

 

Not sure exactly what you mean by "special arrangement." You might want to be a little more specific and less mysterious as there could be nothing wrong or special with what you want to do or it may be something you can't do. Many of us do live by a port (I live about an hour's drive from the Port of Los Angeles, but there are some things that aren't allowed such as if I want to do a coastal cruise, but want to leave the ship before going to the foreign port, which would be a violation of the PVSA). If the cruise you're considering doesn't start at your island, it may be for a reason -- no embarkation facility, for example.

 

1. It says taxes and so forth are not included in the rates- what kind of taxes should we be considering, as in how much additional cost will there be?

 

Is there a travel agency with cruise experience in your home town? You may want to stop in and talk to them. They can handle your booking (usually you don't get charged for this) too.

 

2. What about tipping, I know it is customary and we would be happy to tip, but there seems to be ways to do so in advance? Is this via credit card at a certain rate to avoid tipping in cash? Is tipping in cash also okay? Who all do you tip and how much? Trying to figure out how much money ON TOP of the cost of the fare we should plan on?

 

Most mass market cruise lines now have an automatic daily hotel charge, which can be considered the equivalent of a tip for your cabin steward and your waitstaff. The easiest thing is to keep this as is. Then you only have to concern with tipping the porter at the port (who handles your checked baggage), room service, the child program staff, any tour guides you have in a port if you do a tour, taxi drivers... A helpful place to find out about onboard charges, etc. will be the website for whatever line you'll be on.

 

3. We have a 3.5 year old who would be with us. Anything specific any moms out there want to share that is useful for having a small child with you?

 

My daughter's first cruise was at 23 months of age on Carnival. She was a month too young to be in the kids' program so she stayed with us the whole time. Also she couldn't go into the pools as she was still in training (swim diapers aren't allowed nor is pullups). If your kid is all trained, that's a plus.

 

Her second cruise she was old enough (3 years) and she enjoyed going to Camp Carnival. We also took her to shows (even on her first cruise -- she went to a Blues Clues show the month before so she was used to a big crowd at a show).

 

The waitstaff tends to dote on the little ones. Many have young kids back home that they miss.

 

What exactly do you want to know? The only other things I can suggest is to be organized when planning your packing list. Bring any items for your kid that you might need (medicines, for example) as you can't depend on the ship's stores to have these. On the first day or night, there will be an orientation for the kids' program and you should bring your kid so he/she can meet the other kids then.

 

4. Anything we should know about using the ship while in port (since we will likely be on the ship doing stuff more than some others because we are from a port). Anything that you can't do while in port? Is it nice to use the ship while others are off ship?

 

As others have said, once you're in a port or its waters, the ship's stores and casino will be closed. Some people will take advantage of spa specials that may be for port stays. Or a quiet time at the pool with most people off the ship. If there's a self service laundry (and if open on port days), you'll have less competition for available machines. Some ships will offer activities (movies, usually) for those staying on board. There should be at least one dining venue open for lunch. And some passengers may spend a few hours in port and then return to the ship to eat.

5. What about at the final port? In the US- is it easy to get a taxi like an airport? Are there hotels nearby? Anything tricky we should know about this part of the trip? Hard to get a hotel? Expensive?

 

Are you definitely going on an one-way cruise? And if so, which port? But yes, all cities and many towns in the U.S. will have hotels. Not being sarcastic, but you can google your disembarkation city and you should be able to get names of the hotels there. You can check the destinations boards on CC too and find plenty of info about hotels that people recommend. Usually taxi drivers will know that if a ship is going to be docked in their city, they will have fares.

 

If you are unsure about how to book a hotel, a TA can help you.

 

6. Any tips about an inside cabin? We would definitely be going for cheapest option because this is more of a mode of transportation for us, not really a vacation so any advice about inside staterooms?

 

We usually get inside cabins. It will be dark in there at night (no light from windows), but my hubby prefers a dark room to sleep in. We also will often leave the light on in the bathroom and leave the door ajar. But you can also bring a small flashlight for each person in your cabin.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Still wondering about the cruise being "a mode of transportation." What exactly do you mean?

[chengkp75]

What the OP is asking to do, and apparently wasn't asking for clarification on the details of, is in no way a violation of the PVSA, since their cruise will start in a foreign port and end in a US port. PVSA doesn't even enter into the equation. What they are planning on doing is "downstream" boarding, which only affects how CBP screens the passengers when disembarking, and is up to the cruise line to decide whether or not to allow this, due to the added cost and possible delays on disembarkation. No legality involved, so if the OP has obtained permission from the cruise line, then that question is over.

[Wendyland]

I think a lot of your questions have been answered already, but I'll add a couple thoughts.

 

1. I like to price out cruises thru the website. If you stop before booking, you'll see the total price that includes tax.

 

6. We've only stayed in inside rooms. Make sure there's nothing loud above your room like the dining room or a night club. You can view the ship layout online. I wouldn't book a room that's too close to the elevators, so you don't hear folks chatting while waiting. If you're prone to motion sickness, pick a room midship that is on a lower level.