Aussies cruising in US?

[aussie57]

Hi all

We are contemplating booking a 13 night Alaska cruise from LA in May on Celebrity Mercury.

Does anyone have experience sailing on a US ship in their home waters? We have cruised 5 times with P&O/Princess in Australasia but were wondering what to expect with celebrity? Are there major differences with cruising culture & etiquette? Gratuities are included in the package that we are looking at so I guess that won't cause confusion.

On a fly/cruise package where you board soon after arrival in USA is jetlag likely to stop us from being able to participate in ship board life for a few days? (We've never flown internationally before). Are there steps we can take to help with that?

All hints & tips appreciated.

Thanks

[Ela 2]

Hi Anne & Allen,

Everyone is tired after a long flight. Just think how you feel after a day-long car trip and multiply that by a couple of times. The different time zones throw your sleep/waking pattern out of whack. If you can have a couple of nights in a hotel before boarding the ship, you will feel rested when you start and be ready to enjoy everything. You can easily do some local sightseeing on the day or so you would have available before you board the ship.

 

We have sailed on three American cruises. There were few differences. Ones that I can think of are:

1. The main course at dinner is called the "Entree".

2. Expect salad at dinner as a side dish. The salads are usually very good.

3. Questions at trivia are virtually all American questions.

4. Even on shore tours the driver/tour escort is likely to be standing at the door of the bus with their hand out for a tip.

 

Have a fantastic trip. :):)

 

Evon.

[S&D]

Yes to everything Evon has said...and add that we always book a hotel for a night or 2 before and after the cruise, it helps with the jet lag etc.

 

We did the Mexican Riviera on Princess US - also the Asia cruise twice with the Sapphire and Star Princess...loved the ships..we keep returning. Then we did the Diamond Syd to SFO...fabulous too.

 

The Americans seem to demand a very high level of service and you may notice the service is a little more attentive on the US ships than the ships here at home..(which still have GREAT service..:D)..its just a small difference!

 

The tipping once in the US needs getting used to...how much etc....but you seem to work it out after a day or so.

 

Most paramount is - get good travel insurance for the USA..its very expensive to be sick there!!!

 

 

Have a great trip...

 

 

S&D

[AndrewK]

Hi Anne and Allen,

My wife and I are already booked on that particular cruise as you'll see by my countdown clock below. We haven't cruised wholly within US home waters but in 2007 we did cruise out of Los Angeles for Sydney via Hawaii and all places in the Pacific on the Regal Princess (now Pacific Dawn). While there were a lot of Americans aboard and the ship had been operating out of the US up until that point, we didn't notice any major differences in cruising culture compared to cruises out of Sydney on P&O and Princess.

 

On that occasion we did have an advantage in the fact that I have a brother living in California so we were able to fly a week ahead of the cruise and stay with him ... and see a bit of California. On the May cruise we will arrive in L.A. on Saturday 9th May, have all day Sunday to ourselves, then embark on Monday 11th. This should give us enough time to get over some of the jet lag as well as being able to catch up with my brother and his family for a day.

[Bpos]

I can endored what the other CC have advise - and would strongly suggest you arrive at least two to three days before the ship leaves to allow for delays and to get over the jet lag - it is a killer.

 

Travel insurance is a must - I had four days in a New York hospital after our cruise from San Francisco to Alaska and incurred a bill for $100,000 USD (yes that is correct).

 

Seems like you are looking at a repositioning cruise and therefore will find that the ports in Alaska will not be overwhelmed by other ships in port at the same time. Alaska is wonderful - you will love it irrespective of what ship you are on.

 

Recommend going to the Alaska and Canada boards on Cruise Critics for more information about ports etc. We booked two cars at Skagway for $200 that accommodated the 9 in our party and saved about $1000 on the ship train tour (and had the opportunity to stop at any time to take photos etc)

[AuzzieCruiser]

We cruised 'blind' to Alaska in 2004. We had no idea what we were doing.:rolleyes: If we were doing things right etc.

I agree with everyone else. Especially the arriving part early. We arrived into Vancouver on the Saturday and our cruise went on Sunday. If our flight had been cancelled (there was only one SYD-YVR flight a day), we would have been in trouble. Plus of course getting over the long flight, adjusting to the time difference and weather as well.

I felt fine the next morning, but it really hit me on Day 3 or 4.

One thing I can never get used to over in the States is Marinara. I keep on thinking Seafood, but it is in fact Bolognaise Sauce.

As Evon stated, have a few $1 and $5 bills handy for tips for any tours that you do. It is expected. They virtually help you off the bus to get their tip.:p

And obvious is travel insurance. Never leave home without. I also had a trip to Hospital in San Francisco that ended up costing $5500USD for 5 hours.

Just a little note.....when we cruised with Celebrity on the Infinity back in 2004, we were actually placed at a table of all Australians. Actually, just thinking about it, we have never been placed at a table with Americans.:confused: How strange.

[Twosox]

Cruising in America is a little different. We are the opposite to most and as Kiwis have before cruised offshore on American Ships whereas this year we are doing P & O for the first time.

 

We did Alaska in 2006 on Coral Princess. It is a lovely trip and the land portion is also great. If you look at my other post "1st time P & O cruisers" we have digressed a little onto Alaska.

 

With regards to gratuities you do not have to pay them up front and if you have you can probably still ask to have them removed and pay who you want at the end of the cruise in envelopes available from the Concierge.

 

There is an automatic gratuity added to all bar purchases which is 15% and as everything is in USD you will find drinks are a lot more expensive, especially with the current exchange rate. Having said that the American cocktail are huge, creamy and STRONG!!

 

We recently cruised on Celebrity Millenium back from Honolulu via French Polynesia and found Celebrity okay. Their food is really nice and as Mercury is a sister ship to Millenium I am pretty sure she will have an Aqua Spa area which has a fantastic spa pool extra extra large which exceptionally strong jets and huge taps in each corner which give a real mean head and shoulder massage. There is no charge to use this pool or general area only for the services like massage yoga etc. Have a look at the photos on Celebrity's site of you haven't already

 

They also have in the Aqua Spa a great little buffet that is open from something like 12 -3 which great healthy food choices (but still yummy desserts)

 

The seating for dinner when we sailed Celebrity in October was still set seatings not Anytime Dining but we were surprised we actually enjoyed it in the first sitting (2nd one you end up far too late) as we hade 4 other Americans from Honolulu at our Table. We made good friends of them had great laughs ecery night and thoroughly enjoyed their Company. I am sure I will miss not mixing with Americans and Poms on P & O as I imagine we will all be Aussies and Kiwis

 

Read all the forums about Alaska, you will get heaps of tips, talking of which, yes the Americans do expect tips everywhere so make sure you carry Cash (which drives us nuts!)

 

If you want any info I am happy to help

 

Have a fantastic trip and make sure you take thermal undies to layer your clothing.

 

Cheers Linda

[Pacific Sandy]

Hi Anne and Allen,

My wife and I are already booked on that particular cruise as you'll see by my countdown clock below. We haven't cruised wholly within US home waters QUOTE]

 

 

Hold on there - remember, a good portion of your Alaska cruise will be sailing in Canadian waters. The best part, I'm sure !!;)

[mummsie]

Hi all

We are contemplating booking a 13 night Alaska cruise from LA in May on Celebrity Mercury.

Does anyone have experience sailing on a US ship in their home waters? We have cruised 5 times with P&O/Princess in Australasia but were wondering what to expect with celebrity? Are there major differences with cruising culture & etiquette? Gratuities are included in the package that we are looking at so I guess that won't cause confusion.

On a fly/cruise package where you board soon after arrival in USA is jetlag likely to stop us from being able to participate in ship board life for a few days? (We've never flown internationally before). Are there steps we can take to help with that?

All hints & tips appreciated.

Thanks

 

We found if you smile and be polite to the waiters and other staff you will get much better service. Some of our US cousins are very demanding and sometimes some (not all) will not treat them or talk to them very well. We had excellent service at all times. As Evon said - all the bus drivers will expect a tip. Everybody will except a tip - even the bag handlers at the airports. Make sure you get some small currency notes before you go - you will need at least a $100 in $1's to get you through. We were stuck the first time with our smallest note being $10 so that was what we had to tip. We got good service but no $10's worth :eek: - mummsie

[aussie57]

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for all the tips! Anyone know if Celebrity is like Princess as far as food costs & room service go? IE Are things like pizza & burgers free or are they counted as alternative dining & charged extra for? Ditto - Room service...it was free on Princess but there were charges on P&O Aust. Also do they have "decent" espresso coffee available for purchase? Or is it just stewed American-style?

[surfoz]

Hi Aussie57

 

I am also researching Alaska cruises, so I am following this thread.

The stewed american coffee is enough to put me off Princess for life.

 

cheers

[S&D]

The latte's and cappucinos are great ... hint - buy a cappucino card - small extra cost........from the patisserie/bar , really nice coffee and great comfy chairs to people watch...LOL...

 

also...dining room brewed coffee is very good....

 

just avoid the buffett coffee...or drink tea, ....:)or do as we do..take some sachets of Gold Blend...Hmmmmm!!!!!!:D:D..DH carries them in his pocket for a quick cuppa coffee on the go!!

 

 

S&D

[Pacific Sandy]

Hi Aussie57

 

I am also researching Alaska cruises, so I am following this thread.

The stewed american coffee is enough to put me off Princess for life.

 

cheers

 

 

You funny Aussies !!!

 

It's "Brewed" coffee - not stewed.

 

Actually, the coffee on Royal Caribbean isn't bad. They use "Seattle's Best" and it is drinkable. Plus, Dining Room coffee is always better than Buffet coffee.

 

On Princess, believe it or not, they use a liquid coffee concentrate and add it to boiling water. Makes me gag.

 

The Espresso at "Lattetudes" on RCI is wonderful.

[surfoz]

You funny Aussies !!!

 

It's "Brewed" coffee - not stewed.

 

Actually, the coffee on Royal Caribbean isn't bad. They use "Seattle's Best" and it is drinkable. Plus, Dining Room coffee is always better than Buffet coffee.

 

On Princess, believe it or not, they use a liquid coffee concentrate and add it to boiling water. Makes me gag.

 

The Espresso at "Lattetudes" on RCI is wonderful.

 

Lol Sandra, trust me it is stewed, broiled slop!

sent you an email .... cheers Jeff

[aussie57]

You funny Aussies !!!

 

It's "Brewed" coffee - not stewed.

 

Actually, the coffee on Royal Caribbean isn't bad. They use "Seattle's Best" and it is drinkable. Plus, Dining Room coffee is always better than Buffet coffee.

 

On Princess, believe it or not, they use a liquid coffee concentrate and add it to boiling water. Makes me gag.

 

The Espresso at "Lattetudes" on RCI is wonderful.

 

So Sandy

How was the coffee on Millenium? I'm interested in Celebrity? Also do you pay extra for room service & alternate dining venues on Celebrity, do you know?

Thanls

Anne

[Twosox]

Hi there Anne

 

Room service is not charged for on Celebrity and the burger and pizzas are all free. The pizzas are served in the main buffet area but there is a separate burger bar in the main pool are. This is an excellent casual luch if you do not want to change from your swimsuit as is the Aqua Spa if you want healthier. The burger bar is more or less select your own and design your own burger. They also have pieces of chicken salad and nachos.

My husband had his lunch from here most days as we lived by the pool on our recent Hawaii cruise which was very Hot.

 

There is a separate cafe "the Cova Cafe" which does all sorts of coffee for a charge but I have never actually tried it although it is very popular with the Americans. I don't very often enjoy American Coffee..I much prefer the excellent variety in Enzed and Oz.

 

I am quite shocked that P & O would charge for room service although it won't really concern us as we don't usually use it.

 

You will enjoy Celebrity, We find it much like Princess with better food, although we enjoy the Princess Ships more.

 

There are two alternative restaurants with a charge which are usually traved about.

 

Have a look on the Celebrity forum on this site but bear in mind that each site tends to have it's own leaning towards that particular cruise line.

 

Cheers Linda

[aussie57]

Whoa...gosh I think I need some encouragement from you guys. DH & I are now booked on the Celebrity Mercury for Alaska in May. I joined the Roll Call & the people there are nice. But I've been reading lots of info on the Celebrity Board & the atmosphere there is quite different. People saying things like if I see another question about tipping, formal nights etc I'll scream.... And if you don't like it don't cruise with Celebrity...& if someone turns up at my table without a tux I'll ask to be moved! Aren't these Boards about helping people with your experience?

Everyone on the Aust/NZ Board is so nice, helpful & supportive. If a question is asked by a new person that's been covered before we send them a link to the thread or just answer it cheerfully. Are the people on the ship going to be snobbish? We're only cruising in a cheap inside cabin & lots of the posters assume you have a balcony. We've always believed a cruise is what you make it & have taken the good with the bad in good spirit

Sorry but Im feeling a bit daunted. Our TA recommended this cruise as we were looking for a fly/cruise deal, woithout us knowing anything about Celebrity, but have we chosen to cruise with the wrong line?

[Twosox]

Hi there Anne and Alan

 

I know what you mean about the Celebrity site, it can be a bit off putting, whereas generally the Princess site is good. The cruise we did back from Hawaii on Millenium was our first time on Celebrity so I was rather apprehensive as I really enjoy Princess....However we had a great crowd on our cruise especially the Hawaiin Americans, and most of the Americans (especially on Princess) really seem to enjoy the company of us all down under (not that we have bumped into many Kiwis, usually Australians, but we can handle that..Ha Ha)

That is why this site is so friendly, I don't think the Kiwis and Australians moan so much

 

As in any situation there was the odd person around that made one wonder why they bother cruising and being thrown in with the masses, there were even people near us who never appeared to leave their cabin but had rolling room service (for which there is no charge...pity their cabin steward)

 

I had read about all the wonderful extra touches on Celebrity but personally I find there are more on Princess. Celebrity has great food but that aside it is really hard to compare cruises as there are so many defferent demographics, itinerary, fellow passengers, weather, state of the seas etc.

 

Any cruise is a good cruise and I am sure you will enjoy Celebrity, we found them pretty casual, in fact we were nicely dressed up for one of our formal nights and one of our tablemates came in in his dress shorts as he hated longs.

 

Have a wonderful trip, you will meet some great people

 

Cheers Linda

[Pacific Sandy]

Whoa...gosh I think I need some encouragement from you guys. DH & I are now booked on the Celebrity Mercury for Alaska in May. I joined the Roll Call & the people there are nice. But I've been reading lots of info on the Celebrity Board & the atmosphere there is quite different. People saying things like if I see another question about tipping, formal nights etc I'll scream.... And if you don't like it don't cruise with Celebrity...& if someone turns up at my table without a tux I'll ask to be moved! Aren't these Boards about helping people with your experience?

Everyone on the Aust/NZ Board is so nice, helpful & supportive. If a question is asked by a new person that's been covered before we send them a link to the thread or just answer it cheerfully. Are the people on the ship going to be snobbish? We're only cruising in a cheap inside cabin & lots of the posters assume you have a balcony. We've always believed a cruise is what you make it & have taken the good with the bad in good spirit

Sorry but Im feeling a bit daunted. Our TA recommended this cruise as we were looking for a fly/cruise deal, woithout us knowing anything about Celebrity, but have we chosen to cruise with the wrong line?

 

Hi - Now you know why we are so eager to cruise in the South Pacific. We are so fed up with the arrogance of a certain nationality who only go on cruises to run people down in an attempt to make themselves feel important.

 

Thank-you for a great experience Down Under. It was a refreshing change.

[aussie2324]

We sailed on the Carnival Triumph Nov 30th - Dec 14th 08 Eastern and Western Caribbean. Room service is free, Pizza is free They have a coffee shop similar to Starbucks not free. We gave our room stewards and extra tip at the end of the cruise. They work hard clean & your cabin twice a day. And make these cute animals out of bath towels and leave them on you bed. Part of their turn down service. We are going on our 1st aussie cruise on sept 5th on the Pacific sun so can't compare at the moment. But I think P&O have big shoe's to fill. We want to do the Hawaii to Vancouver then up the Alaskan coast on the Carnival Spirit in Sept 2010. Can't wait for the prices. Would sail on a US ship again in a heartbeat.

 

 

 

[newfarmers]

on every board you will find apologists for the line, formal or death people, etc etc.

 

our first cruise was on Infinity. Now we're hooked. It was a back to back alaska/hawaii. lowest outside first segment, some friends upgraded to a suite for second segment and arranged for us to take over their balcony for USD500. we have no P&O experience, just Celebrity and then year before last HAL. In under four weeks we'll be giving Royal Caribbean a go. We enjoyed both although HAL was a more relaxed although a much older crowd.

 

Like someone earlier commented that were sat with a table of Aussies, we were sat with three others at an enormous table for ten. The others were a lovely couple from Boston on their honeymoon who we have remained in contact with and an Italian and her mother and two seats that were never occupied. The daughter had lived in Melbourne at some stage in the past. The other three Aussies were horribly insulting to the Italians and after that first meal they never came back. Seven days was too long to spend with those three. On the second segment we were sat with four Americans and we've kept in contact with them all, except sadly the delightful Sue, who passed away a couple of years back.

 

Celebrity is quite dressy at night, they take the formal/informal/smart casual quite seriously. People were turned away from the dining room if they didn't have a jacket on formal night. I hate wearing a jacket, let alone a tie, but we hired tuxes and took sports jackets with us and it was actually a bit of fun dressing up. We hired tuxes again for HAL but are just taking light weight suits for the Legend cruise in Feb.

 

If you don't want to dress up you always have the option of the buffet. Infinity only had one alternative restaurant back then, think there is another now on Millenium class ships. We went twice, think it was USD30 pp each time, The meal was fantastic. The service was faultless if a little 'cold'. The chocolate souffle was amazing. One of the group we became friends with was gluten intolerant and they made her a gluten free souffle. In three weeks I put on nearly 5 kilos. Ouch

 

Don't be concerned. Once you see that ship as you're about to board all your worries will melt away. Everyone on the ship has something in common, they want to go on a cruise to Alaska. What more could any of us want:)

[h & m]

Whoa...gosh I think I need some encouragement from you guys. DH & I are now booked on the Celebrity Mercury for Alaska in May. I joined the Roll Call & the people there are nice. But I've been reading lots of info on the Celebrity Board & the atmosphere there is quite different. People saying things like if I see another question about tipping, formal nights etc I'll scream.... And if you don't like it don't cruise with Celebrity...& if someone turns up at my table without a tux I'll ask to be moved! Aren't these Boards about helping people with your experience?

Everyone on the Aust/NZ Board is so nice, helpful & supportive. If a question is asked by a new person that's been covered before we send them a link to the thread or just answer it cheerfully. Are the people on the ship going to be snobbish? We're only cruising in a cheap inside cabin & lots of the posters assume you have a balcony. We've always believed a cruise is what you make it & have taken the good with the bad in good spirit

Sorry but Im feeling a bit daunted. Our TA recommended this cruise as we were looking for a fly/cruise deal, woithout us knowing anything about Celebrity, but have we chosen to cruise with the wrong line?

 

Hi there Anne & Alan

 

Don't be put off by the boards. We have had some great cruises on Carnival, RCL and Princess, where we have made lovely friends. In fact our next cruise in April will be the first with possibly a majority of Aussies.

 

Although I participate in our roll calls, and enjoy getting to know people before the cruise, especially the long ones, sadly I don't post on the general boards any more. Too many folks ready to pass judgement on your question, even if they cannot answer it. Luckily I have never met anyone like this at sea, of any nationality.

 

The P & O Australia board is very different, just lovely people willing to give advice and share their experience.

 

I reinforce what others have said. Try to get there a couple of days earlier. Not so much for the jet lag, I find adrenalin kicks in at the beginning of a holiday, the dreaded jet lag happens when I come home.

 

But to avoid the possibility of delayed flights, and associated anxiety, it is worthwhile arriving early.

 

Ditto all the food differences, to me they add to the fun. One more, American bacon is so crispy, they just use the streaky bacon and it's crunchy. But you can ask for English or Canadian bacon , more like what we eat here.

 

The crew on all the ships are lovely, just be treating them like people too we have had the best service imaginable.

 

We cruised Alaska last year, it was wonderful. Tried the Norwegian Pearl, the ship was beautiful, but we did not care for the Freestyle dining concept, we like traditional dining and meeting people from all over the world.

 

 

Have a great cruise

 

Hilary :)

[aussie57]

Thanks everyone for such helpful replies