Cruisingbairn

I am just off the AOS after a Baltic cruise and although this was our first cruise so have nothing to compare it with, we had no real complaints with anything on board other than some of the extremely rude guests that were on board.

We enjoyed the ships facilities and services. We thought the staff done a great job and I was pleasantly surprised after reading on here that staff remember your name and what your drinking is actually true. We were always offered drinks in every bar.

That's spot on, reasonable prices, so might use it for shirts.

Cheers

Hi,

Just wondering how much it would be roughly to send away a shirt for the formal night to be cleaned to save me packing a 2nd shirt for the 2nd night?

Thanks

Not too fussed about Starbucks coffee and tbh I often find myself picking up a coffee at McDs as is cheaper and far better in taste imo.

Thats great to know, I do like a coffee so will be helping myself to plenty.

Is the free tea and coffee self service or do you need to ask for it?

So you can get the "free" coffee in MDR, Windjammer and Cafe Promenade?

Other "free" drinks are water and lemonade? Is this correct?

Cheers

Thanks

Is it ok to use a small case(typically the size you would take as a cabin case on a plane if going away for a couple of nights) as your carry on bag?

We only have a 20kg limit for our hold luggage for our flight to southampton but can use another 10kg in the cabin.

Cheers

Thanks for the info folks!

Just starting to get organised for next Thursday. Currently trying to research the best way to pack a suit into a normal case rather than using a suit pack.

Am I right in thinking no irons are provided in the room? If so how are people meant to look the part on formal night with a creased suit\shirt etc.

Any other packing things I should be wary off?

Do they hold back money back on your debit card as some people have suggested?

You don't need to wait in any line if you leave payment on the credit/debit card you use at check-in. They will leave your final bill at/under your door during the last night - if everything looks okay, you don't have to do anything.

Thats handy.

Got it now I think.

So once I've paid off my bill on the last night with which ever card choose, I take it i can then nominate a whatever card including the one held on file to be used for the last evenings purchases?

So do you need to pay on last night or the morning you get off the ship?

Can I clear up the final bill situation?

During the online check in I provided my credit card details that was to be used for all purchases/charges on board. However can I change which card I wish to pay this from at the end of the cruise? for example I give them my CC details to hold during the cruise but when paying off the final balance can I just pay this with my debit card?

I take it final bills are paid when leaving the ship? Is this a long painful experience standing in a huge queue?

Thanks as always

Glad to hear that glasses of iced water is available on board.

I had visions of spending a fortune on water :(

After watching this video, you'll never think about cutting tips again. The crew works so hard for very little.

I also just watched the video and how much of it is sensationalised I don't know but it certainly did not paint a good picture.

The bit I thought that was completely wrong was Celebrity cruises stated a long the lines of that crew were not given impossible workloads but then went on to say they are aware of crew paying other crew to help them finish their work. Very worrying.

Ok thanks for that. If I see fit I will slip something extra but I certainly won't be carrying cash on me every night.

This is my first cruise and I haven't pre-paid my tips, I will just pay the standard amount at the end.

Regarding tipping as we go along, do I also need to slip the waiters etc cash or is this all covered by the $12 per day? Would hate to be sitting at a dinner table and people judging you because you haven't brought a tip.

Do they randomly pick who sits at what table?

Also why does it only ask for the last 4 digits of the card?

Yes I definitely will be spending money on board was just wondering why you had the option of not setting up an account when surely everyone spends money on board.

Hi,

In the process of doing online check in. I was just going to provide my credit card for onboard expenses but then I noticed it also gives an option of I will not be setting up and onboard expenses account.

What is the best thing to do here?

Thanks

how much does this cost?

Thanks for that. We will be visiiting Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Russia and Belgium.

Euros are sorted for Estonia, Finland and Belgium.

Still not entirely sure what our plans are for Norway and Denmark but were considering doing the HOHO bus since we can get that when we step off the boat and we can see the major sites before we leave, so will probably need cash for all that.

Will work it out. Thanks.