Differences between a Caribbean and European cruise?

[Clarea]

18 minutes ago, Espn said:

 

So is your on-board account in $USD or in Euros? Also, would it be best to carry Euros for tips rather than $USD if tipping in cash?

 

On board account is always in USD.

[rimmit]

58 minutes ago, londongal796 said:

 

It's also worth noting that $USD does not go anywhere near as far around Europe as it does in the Caribbean, where most islands and items are priced as $USD. With the foreign currency conversion, anything they do want to buy while in port will come at an extra premium. 

 

While that is definitely true,  most are sending their money home to their families, children, spouses.  In port they may buy some trinket at best,  but typically spend most of their money on WiFi and phone calls when in port.

 

Either way,  the American Tipping culture is highly favored by the crew.  A little bit goes a loooong way when you tip them just even a little extra.

 

Esp if you see the same waiter, bar tender on a subsuquent cruise ship many months latrr.  They will remember you like no other and go faaaar out of their way to just say hi whether they are serving you or not.

Edited February 19, 2019 by rimmit

[Pratique]

On 2/17/2019 at 9:53 PM, CruiseMelissa said:

This is really interesting.  What are the logistics involved?  How do they get the inventory from Florida on a regular basis?

 

Thanks for the reply!

I was told the same thing by the provisions manager on Symphony. It seems that Europe doesn't have nearly as good a food distribution system as the US does. When sourcing provisions from Europe availability and pricing can change dramatically. It's a real headache for the provisions manager on the ship (who apparently has most of the responsibility to make the arrangements) and it takes a lot of leg work to ensure that enough provisions of the desired type and quality are available at a reasonable cost. They have to shop all over Europe and get everything delivered to the port on time. So it seems that sourcing provisions from Florida is easier and more reliable, where they've got it down pat. Believe it or not.

 

I don't know how they get it all shipped over to Europe though.