Safe in room and Zip-lining

[newbiecruiser55]

I check that out before I made my decision. Even on our cruise line (Norwegian), they do not guarantee that you will make it back on time (though they will hold the ship for you). They take absolutely no responsibility for excursions even though you book them through the cruise line.

Edited December 3, 2018 by newbiecruiser55

[newbiecruiser55]

17 hours ago, jlp20 said:

On a seven day cruise, I check on charges on day two. I first verify MY charges are going onto my account. On day six I get a second print out to verify no other pax charges show. If you have ever seen the line at the purser's deck on the last morning, you understand why I check the day before. For longer cruises, the time frame is expanded with possible second mid cruise check. Kind of hard to remember if you had that drink six days ago. 

We got the drink package so hopefully no drinks get charged. That is why I wanted to pay with my card so that I wouldn't have to go through a bill at the end. However, if we can check daily then that isn't a big deal. Thanks so much for you post, it was very helpful.

[newbiecruiser55]

On 12/2/2018 at 9:37 AM, Philob said:

On board purchases are made with your Sail/Room key card only.  As other have mentioned only the casino handles cash.  I've never seen an on-board vendor accept a credit card.

 

You get a print out of your on board charges on the last night or you can check your account at anytime, either on your cabin TV or going to the front desk and ask for a print out.

 

On the last night or on disembarkation day you can go to the front desk (where the line is) and settle your on board account with cash or let them have your credit card info in the beginning and everything you bought on board will be charged to it. 

 

Hidden fees?  Unless you've pre-paid the "daily service charge" or "tip, it will be added on your account every evening.  Drinks from the bar will have a 15-18% "tip" added on per check.  There's a line on your check if you want to add more.  Some room service items have a service charge.

 

If you think your cabin steward (or any waiter) did extra good, thank them and palm him/her some cash before you leave.

 

Some folks advocate going to the front desk and remove the daily service charge in the beginning and tip as they go along or tip at the end.   I'm not one of them, but "Search" around and you'll find hundreds of discussions or rants about this.

Thanks, we got the drink package for free (which was one of the Norwegian perks). We prepaid the gratuity on both the drinks and the daily service charge. Looks like I will be using my credit card then after all. If I can check it every night then checking out won't be overwhelming. I don't think there is a choice on Norwegian for tipping. You either pay up front or pay at the end, but either way it goes on your bill. Unless you have very poor service and complain then you pay the tips.

[pacruise804]

When we cruised Norwegian, any drinks purchased while still in US waters (sailed from Miami) were charged FL sales tax based on the price of the drink.  It isn't much, but something to be aware of if you see small drink charges even though you have "free" drinks.

[dkjretired]

2 hours ago, newbiecruiser55 said:

I check that out before I made my decision. Even on our cruise line (Norwegian), they do not guarantee that you will make it back on time (though they will hold the ship for you). They take absolutely no responsibility for excursions even though you book them through the cruise line.

 

No cruise line gives a guarantee, that is just lawyer talk but in reality  if you are on a cruise line excursion they will wait for you, if you are not they won't. If you are unfamiliar with locations it may be a problem.  For example if you are going to St. Thomas and go to St. John, you better make that last ferry back.  Just one example,   All it takes is once. 

Edited December 3, 2018 by dkjretired

[Philob]

4 hours ago, newbiecruiser55 said:

I check that out before I made my decision. Even on our cruise line (Norwegian), they do not guarantee that you will make it back on time (though they will hold the ship for you). They take absolutely no responsibility for excursions even though you book them through the cruise line.

Sometimes it's something that's out of the cruise lines control.  I think I saw here that a Norwegian(?) ship a few years back had to leave 3-4 hours early and stranded a few hundred pax.  Something about a tropical storm that turned into a typhoon and was making a b-line to the port.  Fortunately it was Hawaii, the cruise line put everyone up in a hotel and the ship returned the next day to pick them up.   I think I would rather be stranded in a hotel than riding a typhoon out on a ship.

Edited December 3, 2018 by Philob

[MicCanberra]

3 hours ago, dkjretired said:

 

No cruise line gives a guarantee, that is just lawyer talk but in reality  if you are on a cruise line excursion they will wait for you, if you are not they won't. If you are unfamiliar with locations it may be a problem.  For example if you are going to St. Thomas and go to St. John, you better make that last ferry back.  Just one example,   All it takes is once. 

even if the ship doesn't wait, the cruiseline will look after you (accommodation and transport to the next port) if you are on the ship's excursion.