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Here’s your primer before first setting
foot on a cruise-ship deck. Tips include
where to look before you book, how
dinners onboard work, what to pack, what
comes with the price and how much to
tip.
More than half of those who've never
taken a cruise would like to do so,
according to a 2006 survey by the Cruise
Lines International Association.
But if you've never cruised before, the
concept might sound intimidating. How do
you book? How do you dress for dinner?
How much do you tip?
Here are five things first-time cruisers
need to know.
1. Must I use a travel agent to
book a cruise?
Every cruise line has a Web
site. You can easily book your own trip.
But which cruise is right for you? Do
you like partying in discos and bars, or
would you prefer Tommy Dorsey-style
music in the cocktail lounge? For shore
excursions, are you up for kayaking, or
do you want the trolley tour? Do your
kids need a baby sitter, organized arts
and sports activities, or a teen lounge?
Editors note: You
can research and compare what each ship
offers, or get advice from a Web site
like
www.cruisereviewsonline.com
It costs nothing extra to consult a
travel agent, "and you've got a
professional who may actually have seen
or been on the ship doing the work for
you," said Bob Sharak, CLIA's vice
president for marketing.
2. Do I
have to eat in
the formal
dining room with
strangers and
dress for
dinner?
Most ships have
various dining
options:
buffets, cafes,
specialty
restaurants and
formal dining
rooms. Many
ships offer
"dress casual"
nights in the
formal dining
rooms. But even
formal dress
nights don't
necessarily mean
tuxedos and
gowns; a suit or
dress will do.
(Some folks
dress casually
even on formal
nights.)
Some cruise
lines let you
sit where you
want in the
dining room. If
not, chances are
you'll have fun
meeting other
people at your
table.
The dining room
can also help
you avoid
loading your
plate repeatedly
at the buffet.
Portions are
controlled
(although you
can always
request more
than one entree
or dessert); and
some menus
highlight
low-fat or
low-calorie
options.
3. What
should I pack?
Bring flip-flops
or other slip-on
shoes, and a
robe or cover-up
for walking from
the pool to your
cabin.
Pack for the
weather. A New
York-Caribbean
trip in winter
means a few cold
days at sea.
Alaska in
August? Bring
rain gear.
Some ships have
self-serve
washing machines
and dryers, some
don't. Sending
dirty clothes
out to the
ship's laundry
can be costly.
So bring enough
clothing for
your trip, or
find a coin-op
laundry in port.
Your stateroom
bathroom may
have a pullout
clothesline for
drying swimsuits
or handwashed
items.
If you want a
clock by your
bedside, bring
one. Not all
staterooms have
them (though you
can always
arrange a
wake-up call).
The stateroom
bathroom will
have shampoo and
soap, but not
necessarily free
moisturizer and
conditioner,
like you'd
expect from a
hotel.
4. Does the price include everything?
Cruise prices include the room, food and some
beverages. Free drinks might include coffee, tea,
iced tea, lemonade, and with breakfast, juice.
Luxury cruise lines don't charge extra for wine or
liquor. On many other lines, you can't even get soda
for free, but you can buy beverage packages with
unlimited soda ($6 a day is typical).
You could spend a lot on alcohol, casinos, spas,
Internet access, video games and shopping.
If you're on a budget, stick to free
activities—pool, gym, shows, and in port, a stroll
through town or the beach instead of that pricey
helicopter tour.
If you want shore excursions, you'll find vendors
offering tours in each port. They may charge less
than the cruise line charges for similar outings.
But if you have your heart set on a certain
activity, book in advance through the cruise line
and consider it money well-spent. Popular tours will
sell out.
"If you're dying to do a glacier sightseeing trip in
Alaska, you've booked it in advance and it's taken
care of," said Sharak. "Or if your tour bus gets a
flat tire and is tardy coming back to the ship, if
you've booked it through the cruise line, that ship
is not going to leave without you."
5. How much and whom do I tip?
Some luxury lines forbid tipping.
Other cruise lines recommend certain amounts. Some
offer prepaid gratuity options or levy a service
charge for dining room staff and the person who
cleans your room. A typical tip for stateroom
attendants is $3.50 a day; dining room staff tips
run $5-$10 per day, with that amount shared by your
waiter, wine steward and maitre d'.
With prepayments, you're charged a gratuity for each
person in your party, for each day of the cruise. So
even if your kids never eat in the formal dining
room, prepaid tips will go to the servers on their
behalf. You might be better off deciding on tips
near the end of your cruise, in case it makes more
sense to tip a buffet worker who delighted your
children each night at dinner with a magic trick.
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Q:
When can you get pricing for Caribbean Cruises for 2009?
When would be the best time to book?
Sunday,
December 16, 2007 7:44 pm
Robert Mathews
A:
For most cruise lines, You can get pricing now and reserve
your cruise. But if you wait until the "last minute" , about
four to six weeks before sailing cruise lines will discount
their rates if they have unsold inventory ( cabins ) to
fill. This year, we have been some very low prices, as there
are too many cruise ships that "winter" in the Caribbean.
Talk to a travel agent who specializes in cruises; they are
best equipted to give you advice on what cruise line or
cruise ship best suits your needs and budget.
Dawn
Gesualdi
Monday, December 17, 2007 9:46 am
