Frugal Cruiser - insider tips??

[newlywife-MN]

Going on my first cruise Sun Feb 5th, W. Caribbean itinerary on the Star... I've seen lots about packing snacks, soda, drinks, liquor, etc. I am wondering what's allowed by Princess vs. what they don't allow/would confiscate. This is our first cruise and l know it doesn't matter what kind of a deal you got if you can't keep it... Please share your input.

 

BTW... regarding the in-room fridge, does it have a freezer part (should l pack a cooler thing to keep bev's cold while on shore)? So if I pack soda, water, wine or booze do I have to "smuggle" it, or is that OK

 

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[wblevin]

I have never seen a refrigerator in the room with a freezer. But ice is readily available through your cabin steward or up at the buffet - if you bring zip lock bags, you can use the ice in a cooler. I have never concealed the sodas - I walk into the terminal with them on embarkation and they go on the security conveyor belt with no one ever even giving them a second glance (they are in a grocery bag however). I pack the liquor in the suitcase and again have never had a problem.

 

BTW - I apologize about my post regarding the taking of food off the ship - I was thinking of the Caribbean Islands, and Mexico which I thought the original poster was doing - In Europe, there was no problem taking food off the ship either or when we did Hawaii or even Alaska. I have not been lucky enough to cruise to Australia or South America YET- lol. My mistake - sorry :)

[britsbest]

Make a request on this board for a scan of the soda sticker, copy it and print

out on address labels enough for the family.

 

 

Regards

 

Cb

 

You will need two as it changes from week to week and you'll not know in advance whether its a red one or a green one !

[Tracy1]

1. Go to the Spa as soon as you get aboard and volunteer to be a model for the spa tours. You might be chosen and get a free massage, facial etc. Keep in mind that people will be watching your treatment but they do a good job of keeping you covered up.

 

2. read the daily announcement sheet delivered to your cabin. There will be free drinks at the captains party, art auctions (don't buy anything just drink the free champaigne) etc. Also, I disagree with an earlier poster, go to the shopping talks they give away free stuff at these too.

[JXOPF]

Every time I try the search feature, my computer times out, so I'm going to ask my question here. Forgive me as it's probably repetitive.

 

Tipping: Has anyone elected NOT to do the auto tip at the beginning of the cruise and tip personally? I've seen the comments on removing tips midway thru but what about at the beginning? If so, when do you personally tip...first night, every day, or at the end?

 

Soda Card: What is the cost (Grand Prin) and does this get you sodas anywhere, incl. room service? Is it really that much of a savings and worth the effort to bypass the soda card and haul cases of your own on board?

I'll happily do what y'all advise!

 

Vino: I like wine w/dinner and will bring my own on board. Do you just stroll into the dining room with your own glass that you filled from the room or what?

 

Noise: I'll slide this question in tho it has nothing to do with saving $$.

How bad is it to have a room near the lifts and laundry room?

 

Thanks for any guidance.

[chrysalis]

Every time I try the search feature, my computer times out, so I'm going to ask my question here. Forgive me as it's probably repetitive.

 

Tipping: Has anyone elected NOT to do the auto tip at the beginning of the cruise and tip personally? I've seen the comments on removing tips midway thru but what about at the beginning? If so, when do you personally tip...first night, every day, or at the end?

 

Soda Card: What is the cost (Grand Prin) and does this get you sodas anywhere, incl. room service? Is it really that much of a savings and worth the effort to bypass the soda card and haul cases of your own on board?

I'll happily do what y'all advise!

 

Vino: I like wine w/dinner and will bring my own on board. Do you just stroll into the dining room with your own glass that you filled from the room or what?

 

Noise: I'll slide this question in tho it has nothing to do with saving $$.

How bad is it to have a room near the lifts and laundry room?

 

Thanks for any guidance.

 

Tipping.....if you decide to take the tips off, that is up to you, and if you wish to tip in cash, then when you do so depends on how you are dining...traditional vs personal choice...if trad, then you have the same wait staff and can tip at the end of the cruise...if PC, then staff might be different each night and tipping "as you go" would be the answer.

 

Soda card...about 3.50 or so plus 15%...only for fountain drinks and not for cans or room service. I think it is good value and convenient, but some do not like the taste of the fountain coke.

 

Vino...you can carry your own bottle to the dining room, they will open it and provide the glasses, and MIGHT charge you the 10$ corkage fee...I have seen some people just walk down with a glass already poured, and others with a half bottle.

 

niose...will not be a problem if close to those places.

[JXOPF]

Soda card...about 3.50 or so plus 15%...only for fountain drinks and not for cans or room service. I think it is good value and convenient, but some do not like the taste of the fountain coke.

 

I'm confused about the soda card. It costs 3.50 or is that what each soda costs?

 

And here's another one... Do they charge for drinks in the casino if you're gambling? :rolleyes:

 

Thx for answering all my questions!

[MichTraveler]

I'm confused about the soda card. It costs 3.50 or is that what each soda costs?

 

And here's another one... Do they charge for drinks in the casino if you're gambling? :rolleyes:

 

Soda card is about $3.50 per day. Varies by length of cruise. Cans of soda are available on a per can basis. (About $1.50 or $2 per if I remember correctly.)

 

Didn't see any free drinks in the casino -- this isn't like Vegas.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

JXOPF - Hiya!

 

Soda is $1.50 per can/ or $3.50 per day for unlimited fountain soda.

 

Yes, they will ask you to sign for drinks in the casino - not like Las Vegas.

 

Nickles and Dimes,

Have a great cruise!

Kaye

[chef_drake]

:eek:

 

 

Jennew, anyone?

[chef_drake]

Make a request on this board for a scan of the soda sticker, copy it and print

out on address labels enough for the family.

 

 

Regards

 

Cb

 

 

I meant this

[Times Prince]

Tipping: Has anyone elected NOT to do the auto tip at the beginning of the cruise and tip personally? I've seen the comments on removing tips midway thru but what about at the beginning? If so, when do you personally tip...first night, every day, or at the end?

 

Soda Card: What is the cost (Grand Prin) and does this get you sodas anywhere, incl. room service? Is it really that much of a savings and worth the effort to bypass the soda card and haul cases of your own on board?

We talked with crew members and the hotel manager on the tipping thing - tips are turned in by each steward/waiter, etc along with the cabin number of the tipper. If that cabin has included auto-tips, then the special tip is returned to the person you rewarded for thier service. If you have not included auto-tips, then tips are pooled for all the up-front and behind the scenes hotel staff. The auto-tip thing provides compensation for all the hotel staff who made your cruise memorable, whether you've seen them once, every day, or not at all. So if you want to reward someone for outstanding service, leave the auto-tip on your bill and then provide that person with extra (which they then get to keep).

 

Re: the soda card - this is for fountain drinks only. Room service provides cans of soda, not covered by the soda card. However I've found it is no big deal to go to the nearest bar and pick up some soda on the way to the cabin that we can then enjoy at our leisure. The ones by the pool usually use a larger plastic glass.

Savings? - you're spending $80+/day on room and food and are worried about $2-4 in soft drink costs? I say, relax and enjoy the cruise. :)

[bdjam]

We talked with crew members and the hotel manager on the tipping thing - tips are turned in by each steward/waiter, etc along with the cabin number of the tipper. If that cabin has included auto-tips, then the special tip is returned to the person you rewarded for thier service. If you have not included auto-tips, then tips are pooled for all the up-front and behind the scenes hotel staff. The auto-tip thing provides compensation for all the hotel staff who made your cruise memorable, whether you've seen them once, every day, or not at all. So if you want to reward someone for outstanding service, leave the auto-tip on your bill and then provide that person with extra (which they then get to keep).

This is exactly the way I understand the auto tip to work. I’m not quite sure that I understand the desire anyone might have to remove the auto tip – unless one has received sub-par service (in which case there are ways to rectify the situation), there’s no reason to take it off. Given the low base price of a cruise, the auto tip hardly makes it an unaffordable vacation. Try going anywhere else and see if $10 per person per day covers all the tips.

[cabana]

It's nice to know they get to keep their tips. Removing the auto tip is lowbrow IMO

[ggcruiser]

Make a request on this board for a scan of the soda sticker, copy it and print

out on address labels enough for the family.

 

 

Regards

 

Cb

 

I hope this person is joking...

 

Anyway - I agree, don't bypass auto tip and don't drink, gamble, buy photos, play bingo, pay for shore excursions (create your own), shop in the boutiques, go to the art auction, use the internet cafe or go to the spa.

 

Happy cruising! I think you can still have fun and not spend money - esp. if you like to eat - the food is free!

[jennew]

:eek:

 

 

 

Oyyyyy....

 

lesson 1. Don't share your soda card.....EVER.

 

However...you can share your chocolate banana and pina' colada with your DH.

[jennew]

I forgot to add- skip the cruise port shopping. What is UP with all those shops? We went on our last cruise with friends who own a jewelry store. He did not see a single good deal at any of the stops and this guys knows both the business and the quality of the items.

[chrysalis]

Oyyyyy....

 

lesson 1. Don't share your soda card.....EVER.

 

However...you can share your chocolate banana and pina' colada with your DH.

 

 

..even a large chocolate banana is NOT large enough to share......

[TNTLAMB]

I've often wondered. Does Carnival have a stake in Diamonds International they ar even in Alaska and why don't you ever hear of tanzinite anywhere but at cruise ports?

[jennew]

Tazanite makes my kids giggle...it's funny that this *rare* stuff is so readily available at every stinking cruise port.

[chrysalis]

everything you ever wanted to know......

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite

 

just remember, it was DeBeers' marketing that made the diamond what it is today......