First Time Cruiser wants tips

We have booked a Caribbean - Panama Canal cruise on the Coral Princess
for the end of February 2006. We are getting married by the Captain at
sea.

This will be our first cruise but have travelled a fair bit. We would
like some pointers, tips, warnings and things to be aware of.

Thanks.

Brett and Tina

Make sure you understand the tipping policy! It was very confusing to me,
always changing!
wrote in message
ups.com...
We have booked a Caribbean - Panama Canal cruise on the Coral Princess
for the end of February 2006. We are getting married by the Captain at
sea.

This will be our first cruise but have travelled a fair bit. We would
like some pointers, tips, warnings and things to be aware of.

Thanks.

Brett and Tina

Thanks for the reply. In what way was it always changing?

I know they charge $10 USD/person/day to your room which you can
change. As well there is a tip added to your food and bar tabs.

What else should I know?

Tipping depends on the line!
The basic system has so much for the
room steward, so much for the assistant
room steward, so much for the main
dining room waiter, so much for the
assistant and on through the list of
palms that are extended. Usually your
bar tabs have 15% stuck on them at time
of service. Some lines will let you
change the amounts and still charge the
tips to your account, others say "this
amount" or do it yourself.
If you want to do it yourself, some
lines will let you draw cash from the
casino (to gamble with of course!!) and
you can utilize your "winnings" to fill
the envelopes on the last evening. You
can be sure there will be envelopes
available - just contact your room steward!
Have a great cruise, and if you get
super service reward it! We always carry
a couple of AT&T Phone Cards to give as
extras - they can't get pooled!
Cheers,
John

wrote:

Thanks for the reply. In what way was it always changing?

I know they charge $10 USD/person/day to your room which you can
change. As well there is a tip added to your food and bar tabs.

What else should I know?

If you have super service what should you tip extra, 5, l0, 20. Please
do not say what you think the extra is worth. I would like to know the
average. I feel I did not leave my room server enough on my only cruise
this summer.

wrote:
Thanks for the reply. In what way was it always changing?

Check the website of the CL you'll be on. Some CL's give
you the option of adding it to your account or leaving cash
in separate envelopes, others will charge your account unless
you specifically tell them not to.

The best collection of tips that I've found for first-timers is
at http://www.cruise-critic.com/ftc/index.cfm, where you'll
also find a review of your ship, its layout and its itinerrary,
as well as cruiser forums. =R=

Don't be pressured into buying any prints at the art auction. If you really
like something, buy it, but don't get suckered into believing it's a great
bargain.

If you plan on making a purchase of a camera or electronic item do some
extensive shopping before you leave home for prices. Even at that you'll
probably fine that they have different models which make a true price
comparison difficult.

Don't over pack. Like most people, you'll probably bring to many clothes &
regret it when you return home.

wrote in message
ups.com...
We have booked a Caribbean - Panama Canal cruise on the Coral Princess
for the end of February 2006. We are getting married by the Captain at
sea.

This will be our first cruise but have travelled a fair bit. We would
like some pointers, tips, warnings and things to be aware of.

Thanks.

Brett and Tina

My tip to you? Hmmmmm......relax, relax, relax.....don't let the little
things bug you.

Sheila-------------thinks people watching is lots of fun ;0)

Buy underwater cameras here in the states. their fairly cheap and if
you snorkel you get good use out of them.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks for the reply. In what way was it always changing?

Clint is a resident troll... ignore him.

--Tom



I know they charge $10 USD/person/day to your room which you can
change. As well there is a tip added to your food and bar tabs.

What else should I know?