new to RCCL

[billyandted]

Hi

As you can see I'm new to RCCL. We just booked the Brilliance for next Feb to the Panama Canal!! I can't wait.

I noticed the tip amounts are recommended but it doesn't mention if it's automatically taken from your on-board account or if you have to do envelopes at the end?

I've also read that it could be hard to get a table for 2 in the dining room.

My DH & I have been travelling for the last 8 years with family & friends & as enjoyable as that was "Ve just Vant to be alone" this time round whenever we can with 2500 passengers around us. LOL

If anyone has any pointers on this particular ship please share. :)

Thanks

[wrp96]

Brilliance is a great ship. I sailed on her this past February and would gladly go back in a second. Here's where I posted live from the ship, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=299889. My review is at the end of the thread.

 

Yes, the tips are a suggested amount. The default is that you will be given envelopes at the end of the cruise to personally hand your tips to your head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter, and room steward. During the cruise, you will be given the option to sign up to have them put on your SeaPass account. If you choose to do this, you will be given vouchers to hand to the appropriate people. From what I understand, if you put them on your SeaPass you cannot adjust the amounts that are taken out (but I may be wrong about this). If you want to give more, you just put some extra cash in with the vouchers in the envelope.

 

If you want a table for 2, request it now. Then when you get to the ship, check to see if you've been given one. If you haven't go and speak to the maitre'd and if at all possible, he will accommodate you. Yes, the number of tables for 2 is limited, so he may not be able to find a table for 2 for you. One thing about dining. On the Panama Canal itineraries ,the dining times are 5:30 and 8, with the 5:30 time usually the more popular time. If you want a table for 2 more than a specific dining time, let the maitre'd know and you will have a better chance of getting the table you want.

[WECoyote]

Wrona does not seem to ever be wrong. She gave you the most accurate answers you will receive to your questions. The only thing I can add is that if you decide to add the tips to your sea pass, it WILL be the suggested amount. I have asked on a couple of different ships about adjusting the amounts and it was not an option.

 

I have been seated at a table for two only once out of over a dozen RCI cruises (and we did not request it). We now only ask for large tables just because it can be a riot! We have met so many neat people over the years. Only one time were we ever seated with someone we could have done without. Everyone we have met has been loose and relaxed and just wanting to have a good time. It has made for so very many funny stories (we talk about some of the couples we met over 10 years ago!) Heck, I could probably get my next cruise paid for if I submitted all the tales to Reader's Digest...only problem is convincing the Digest that some of the tales are true! That is us...so with all that said, let me echo Wrona's suggestion to go see the head maitre'd just as soon as you get on board and check out what your table assignment has been made for you.

 

EDIT: Just remember, it is highly unlikely you will EVER see these same people again! :) hehe

[cruisinmon]

We did Sovereign April , there were lots of 2 person tables, some window tables. Request it now and check in soon as you get on ship.

[billyandted]

Thanks for all the quick answers.

Do the staff prefer to be handed the cash in envelopes or does it work out the same if I put it on my account & just give them any extra in cash?

I try not to travel with much cash but I certainly will plan on doing that if it's preferred by the staff since they work very hard & I don't want them waiting one way or the other.

If we can't arrange a table for 2, I've already put in that request, then I know from past experience that we'll have a fun time with table companions who are on vacation mode.

[emdia43]

Traveling without much cash- there's an ATM onboard,but it costs $5 to withdraw money. I just used it on our last night for room attendant tips etc.

Take plenty of $1's for tips to taxi driver/shuttle bus and excursion drivers/luggage handlers etc. I take a bank envelope stuffed with $1's and it's surprising how often I had to pull it out.... LOL

I don't know anyone who doesn't like cash........:)

[ksrgatorfn]

Brilliance is a great ship. I sailed on her this past February and would gladly go back in a second. Here's where I posted live from the ship, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=299889. My review is at the end of the thread.

 

 

That blog is fantastic! I would love to do one for my cruise as well at the end of the month! (Works just as well as a diary, and you can share it with everyone!:D )

 

Thanks for the great stories...even though I will be taking the med cruise and not the canal, all the info pertaining to the ship is perfect. (IS that skin care stuff still working? I think a facial is going to be the first thing I sign up for!)

 

 

Kim

[ksrgatorfn]

Speaking of tips...I am going on the med cruise...should I tip in Euro's or dollars?

[AdamOfCanaveral]

Thanks for all the quick answers.

Do the staff prefer to be handed the cash in envelopes or does it work out the same if I put it on my account & just give them any extra in cash?

I try not to travel with much cash but I certainly will plan on doing that if it's preferred by the staff since they work very hard & I don't want them waiting one way or the other.

 

You don't need to carry the cash for tips during the whole trip. You can go to the cashier in the casino at any time and get cash which will be billed to your sea pass. I think there is a limit of a couple of hundred dollars a day. No need to use the expensive ATM.

 

I'm not sure if the staff have a preference one way or the other. I've been told that the vouchers are credited to their accounts very quickly, so it probably doesn't matter. I've had bartenders tell me that they prefer to have extra tips added to the bar bill rather than be given cash.

[tarheelmjfan]

Do the staff prefer to be handed the cash in envelopes or does it work out the same if I put it on my account & just give them any extra in cash?

 

This topic has been discussed on here many times. At least, on the X board. We finally just asked our cabin attendent & head waiter on our Apr. Celebrity cruise, which they would prefer we do. They both said they prefer guests to put the gratuities on their account. Apparently, it aids in saving money for home, which is why they're working on the ship. We also gave them a little extra in cash, which seemed to surprise & thrill them. :)

[ksrgatorfn]

Thast good to know! Thanks! i will be sure to add it to the bill, not to the desk!

[wrp96]

That blog is fantastic! I would love to do one for my cruise as well at the end of the month! (Works just as well as a diary, and you can share it with everyone!:D )

 

Thanks for the great stories...even though I will be taking the med cruise and not the canal, all the info pertaining to the ship is perfect. (IS that skin care stuff still working? I think a facial is going to be the first thing I sign up for!)

 

 

Kim

 

Thanks! Yes, the skin care stuff is still working. I still have the occasional minor breakout (stress related) but they are few and far between and go away quickly whereas before I constantly had breakouts. I'm to the point where I now feel comfortable going out of the house without concealer and foundation on - which I would've never done before.

[Andros]

I too am fairly new to RC and cruising at all. We loved Brilliance last year and are sailing her again this fall. You can look at my review and my homepage(links both in signature) for my experiences and for websites pertaining to Brilliance(on homepage). Hope you have as good a time as we did! Andros

[pcur]

Currency on board the Brilliance (leaving from Barcelona) is in U.S. dollars.

 

We have had a table for two on all our cruises for the last 9 years. Requesting them in advance doesn't do much good. It's not part of the usual procedure, so the "small" table is interpreted to be a table for 4. However, you may get it, so always request ahead.

 

Now, when you get on the ship, go check your table, then ask where the maitre 'd is taking table change requests, and go there early. It's usually around 1 or 2 PM, but not always in the dining room.

 

They actually "make" tables for us. They can tuck them in almost anywhere, because they are so small. Twice we were given a table for four where the table was not filled, so they moved the other (unknown to us) people to another table. Most people prefer to sit with others; we don't. Just tell the maitre 'd it's important, don't be too picky about the location (next to the railing, next to the window, etc.), and he will accommodate you.

[billyandted]

This topic has been discussed on here many times. At least, on the X board. We finally just asked our cabin attendent & head waiter on our Apr. Celebrity cruise, which they would prefer we do. They both said they prefer guests to put the gratuities on their account. Apparently, it aids in saving money for home, which is why they're working on the ship. We also gave them a little extra in cash, which seemed to surprise & thrill them. :)

Thanks for that inside info. Since we're used to Princess / Carnival where the tips come off automatically we wanted to make sure we did the right thing for the staff.

I usually leave a pack of gum, or candies, a souvenir pen etc.. on a daily basis because we have always had the best service & want them to know that we appreciate it.

I'll put the tips on our card & if I need more cash I'll hit the casino.

[billyandted]

Currency on board the Brilliance (leaving from Barcelona) is in U.S. dollars.

 

We have had a table for two on all our cruises for the last 9 years. Requesting them in advance doesn't do much good. It's not part of the usual procedure, so the "small" table is interpreted to be a table for 4. However, you may get it, so always request ahead.

 

Now, when you get on the ship, go check your table, then ask where the maitre 'd is taking table change requests, and go there early. It's usually around 1 or 2 PM, but not always in the dining room.

 

They actually "make" tables for us. They can tuck them in almost anywhere, because they are so small. Twice we were given a table for four where the table was not filled, so they moved the other (unknown to us) people to another table. Most people prefer to sit with others; we don't. Just tell the maitre 'd it's important, don't be too picky about the location (next to the railing, next to the window, etc.), and he will accommodate you.

Thanks for the tip.

We really don't care where the table is. We just want a small measure of aloneness(if there is such a word) & even though we've been married for over 42 years we enjoy each others company alot!

Maitre'd here I come LOL