Some advice for a new cruiser

[Colleen51]

I note their is alternative dining, sushi bar etc - how do we know about all these places. Do we pay separately for food that isn't served in the dining room/ like the alternate dining and room service? Drinks are all extras aren't they? but we just charge everything and fix it up at the right? Appreciate the advice. Colleen

[catmand]

the altenative dining room on some of the ships has a sur-charge but you need to make reservations there and it isn't necessary to use it at all, just something a little different that some enjoy. All other food is "free". how you find out where what is what, explore the ship fully and read your little information flyers that are put in your room every evening, also "ask" anyone would be glad to tell you.

 

some drinks are also "free"....but soft drinks and alcohol there is a charge for.

 

No everything is charged to your room and you settle up at the end of the cruise.

 

Also rrom service is also free but you would want to tip the server a couple of bucks. The best way to learn about all of this, read these boards and ask any questions you may have, someone will have the answer, have fun!

[rjg41]

To expand further, the speciality restaurants are on the Mille class ships(Millennium(Olympic), Summit(Normandy), Constellation(Ocean Liners) and Infinity(United States)) and the up charge is $30/person and well worth it. That covers tip but you can leave extra if you wish. As a side you will note that three of the restaurant names are the same as passed ocean liners. Portions of the interiors of each of these restaurants are the actual interiors of the ala carte restaurants that were on those ships.

 

Tips are added automatically to the beverages that you purchase. You can buy a soft drink sticker(tip is also added automatically to this also) that is put on your ship board card that entitiles you to unlimited soft drinks at any bar and restaurant. While you can play some games to share this it is intended as a sticker per person.

 

It is wise to bring a some singles for room service tips(typically $2/visit), other cash tips like the landside porters(typically $1/bag) and the hosts on shore excursions. Some people get two dollar bills for this. In the casino you can use your ship credit card to get cash(something like $1500/day) which is put on your credit card as a purchase thus no fee on the ship or the credit card. This service is intended for you to gamble but that is not a must.

 

On most if not all ships you can monitor your on board purchases at any time from the TV in your room. They are posted almost immediately. A good idea to monitor since the bill at the end of the cruise can be a BIG surprise for some. Also, sometimes mistakes are made and you should report those cases immediately. You can also purchase shore excursions on the TV in your room if you did not book before departing and eliminates waiting in that long line at the excursion desk. You best bet is to book on line from home since some sell out however your credit card will be charged immediately and there are rules about canceling.

 

Have a great cruise!

[CaptData]

There is usually a place on board near the pool where you can get hamburgers/hotdogs and fries, pizza too. The buffet is free as well. You can add to the Room Service menu but make sure you include everything you need ie milk, and sugar for tea and coffee. Jam and toast, butter etc. If you oder pop from room service you will be charged as they bring it in a can. If you per-order wine you can have it delivered to your room or the Dining Room with no charge for corkage.

[Kami's pal]

Ross Klein has written two excellent and easily understood books explaining all the behind the scenes operations. He call himself a "cruise junkie"; a term most of us who read cruise critic boards everyday can relate to! After 8 cruises, I found the answers to most of the questions I had but was unable to get answered by officials on board, such as :

What are the wages of the crew?

Why the extra charges e.g. orange juice no charge in the dinning room, but $2.50 in the lounge?

How safe is the water?

What happens to the wastes?

How do they feed 2000 passengers?

Why do ships register in third world countries (called 'flags of convenience')?

What are the differences between different cruise lines?

What about those shipboard 'romances' or ? .

 

I first borrowed the most recent book from my library and then ordered it from Chapters. Look for "Cruise Ship Blues: The Underside Of the Cruise Industry", published 2002 1SBN #0-86571-462-2

[MSBYRDY]

Just finished reading that book, interesting indeed.

Marilyn

[Colleen51]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I should have mentioned that we are travelling on Infinity in a balcony cabin to Alaska. Leaving home in 10 days time and sailing out of Vancouver on 19th - can't wait!!!!!!!!

[dkjretired]

There is also alternative dining on your ship for $2.00 per person, this is seperate from the specialty dining room and the regular dining room. The dinning room menu is also available from room service during dining room hours. On Celebrity ships there is no buffet for dinner but is available for lunch and breakfast.

 

Don

[jezzdogg]

Also what they do not tell you in the dining room is that on any night you can order Shrimp cocktail, casear salad, or hearts of lettuce and tomato, salmon, chicken or a strip steak for dinner if you do not want to choose from the menu. Also if you have a favorite dessert you can order that again for another nights, just let the waiter know at least a day in advance.

[Colleen51]

I get seasick - so I hope that I can enjoy all this fine dining. Colleen

[hajekfam]

I note their is alternative dining, sushi bar etc - how do we know about all these places. ....

Colleen

In your cabin on the bed or table, there will be a daily ship's newspaper called Celebrity Today. When we first walk into our cabin, the first thing that I do is to read it. It contains all sorts of information about the ship in the first issue. Also included is a sheet that has all the activities and times listed for the day as well as all the dining venues and hours. This sheet is printed on a little heavier paper and folds so that you can carry it with you. You will receive the next day's copy with information about the port(if you stopping at a port) as well the next days times and activities sheet each night when the steward turns down the bed (usually while you are at dinner).

There are no announcements about activities, so do read the daily. We bring a highlighter to mark off anything we do not want to miss.

[Colleen51]

Thank you - I am a great user of highlighters at home but hadn't thought to pack one so will put one into the bag now. Nearly packed now. Colleen

[Bob & Sandy]

Ross Klein's books are very biased - see the WAGES OF EMPLOYEES thread.:eek: