New Cruiser needs info..Inspiration Carnival

[shell52602]

My husband and I are going on our first cruise on the Carnival Inspiration Oct. 15, 2005. We will be going to Cozemul and the Cayman islands. I am still unclear on the tipping policies. Carnival automatically adds 15% gratuity; Are we suppose to tip with cash as well at time of service??? Who do we tip and how much? Also another big concern I have is spending cash. My husband and I are casual drinkers, we want to buy a couple of pictures of us together, as well as do one shore tour in cozemul. My question is...HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ALTOGETHER FOR 1 SHORE TOUR, LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT ON PORT OF CALL, TIPS, ETC? I would also be happy to hear from anyone who has been on this ship or ports of call for activity, tour info, or anything else you think we might want to know. Thanks so much!

[MidtheNight]

15% gratuity is for bar drinks only and added directly onto you Sign & Sail card (room bill). That does not include the gratuity for your steward, waiter, asst waiter, etc. which is $10/person/day (this is the "suggested"). We pre-paid ours at time of reservation (easier) and it can be reduced later if needed at the purser's desk as this all can be charged to the S&S card. Ship excursions are also added onto your S&S card. So basically if you're putting your room bill on a credit card then all you will need is gambling $, drinking $, and how much you want to spend in the ports themselves. Typically, hubby and I will bring along about $1000 in cash (we gamble and do shore excursion not associated with the cruise line) for a 7 day cruise. Just don't ask to see the cc bill though because I'm typically buying art, playing bingo, drinking which can add up very quickly.

 

I know this answer seems kind of vague and hazy but it really depends on how much "you" decide to drink, spend, gamble, etc.

[woodman]

If during imbarkation you use a credit card to charge you Sail and Sign card to the gratuitiesi will automatically be added to you charge card. Every time you buy a drink on your S/S card there will be a 15% gratuity added automatically. There is no need to give anyone else on the ship a cash gratuity. All the help know these gratuities are added to your bill so they know you have tipped them in advance. However if you are happy with a particular service or act you can feel free to give that person a extra cash tip you you want. If you are unhappy with a particular service yuou may go to the Pursers desk and remove some or all of the fratuity that has been charged. However if you pay the gratuities in advance of your cruise you can not remove any of the gratuities.

Except for the casino you have no need for cash on the ship. The only way you can buy any thing onboard is with you S/S card. You will need cash when you go ashore. US Currency is excepted where ever you go. How much you need is up to you. Be carefull where you use your credit card in foreign ports.

The Inspiration is a great ship. We have sailed her 3 times and are booked for this coming January. The food has always been real good as well as the service. It is an older ship but in good shape and easy to find your way around her. I'm sure you will have a great cruise.

If I were to do one shore excursion during this cruise I would do the Sting Ray City one in Grand Cayman. At Cosumel all the beaches are great and shopping in San Miguel.

[Love PalmTrees]

Another good idea is to bring with a fair amount of smaller bills. You will need this to pay for taxis, tips, souveneir purchases from smaller vendors in huts, etc. I always try to make exact payment for taxis, etc. They sometimes cannot make change for larger bills or give it to you in pesos.

Cozumel has a great shopping area now right by the dock. So, if you are doing an excursion, you do not have to worry about having time to go into town. We have shopped in both and prefer the shops at the dock, plus it saves you the taxi cost, if you are not really looking for any big ticket items. Lots of great photo oppurtunities there, too, of both the ship and your DF (darling family/friends) by Mexican fountains, etc..

You will love the Inspiration!! We were on her twice, before she went into dry dock and the itinerary change. The people and service were outstanding. The food was great. What more can you ask for!!!! (Except, maybe to go be able to crusie more often would be nice......) Have fun!!:)

[Doughboy77]

shell, there are several people from these boards who are going to be on that sailing. We've got a roll call thread set up at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=161291&page=1

 

We'll see you on onboard soon!