Questions from a new cruiser

[UKCruiser_2008]

These are real newbie questions: :rolleyes:

 

1. Tips: I like in the UK and am unfamiliar with tipping in general. I don't want to make any faux pas so was wondering what the average tip is for the following situations:

 

a) someone brings room service to the cabin

b) server brings you drinks to the table

c) buying drinks at the bar

d) do you tip your waiter each night?

e) How do you tip the people who clean the cabin? Every day, or at the end ofthe cruise? Do you give it to them or leave it in the cabin?

 

2. How long are the shows in the evenings? We are sighned up for dinner at 8 PM, can we make it to the 8:45 PM show, or do we have to wait for the later one? There seems so much to do and early mornings too - do you get much sleep on a cruise?!

 

Thanks!

[trock]

These are real newbie questions: :rolleyes:

 

1. Tips: I like in the UK and am unfamiliar with tipping in general. I don't want to make any faux pas so was wondering what the average tip is for the following situations:

 

a) someone brings room service to the cabin

b) server brings you drinks to the table

c) buying drinks at the bar

d) do you tip your waiter each night?

e) How do you tip the people who clean the cabin? Every day, or at the end ofthe cruise? Do you give it to them or leave it in the cabin?

 

2. How long are the shows in the evenings? We are sighned up for dinner at 8 PM, can we make it to the 8:45 PM show, or do we have to wait for the later one? There seems so much to do and early mornings too - do you get much sleep on a cruise?!

 

Thanks!

 

Hello!

The Carnival UK site should have some info for you on this..

http://www.carnival.com/cms/International/l_Eng/byc_eng.htm

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/International/l_Eng/BYC/byc_eng_12.pdf

 

They recommend Head Waiter & 2 Team Waiters:$5.50 per guest per day

 

Auxiliary Staff- $1 per guest per day

Housekeeping -$3.50 per guest per day

 

 

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ehpride]

These are real newbie questions: :rolleyes:

 

1. Tips: I like in the UK and am unfamiliar with tipping in general. I don't want to make any faux pas so was wondering what the average tip is for the following situations:

 

a) someone brings room service to the cabin I typically tip 1 to 2 dollars depending on if it's a small or larger order.

b) server brings you drinks to the tableThe 15% tip is added to the cost of the drink and it goes on your S&S card.

c) buying drinks at the barSame as above.

d) do you tip your waiter each night?No. 10 dollars per day per person is put on your S&S account or can be prepaid through carnival. It covers your wait staff and room steward.

e) How do you tip the people who clean the cabin? Every day, or at the end ofthe cruise? Do you give it to them or leave it in the cabin?See above.

 

2. How long are the shows in the evenings? We are sighned up for dinner at 8 PM, can we make it to the 8:45 PM show, or do we have to wait for the later one? There seems so much to do and early mornings too - do you get much sleep on a cruise?!There will be a show for each seating time. Shows last probably about an hour or so depending on the show. Dinner can last from 1 to 2 hours so you'll likely make it to the later show if there are two. The show times are set to accommodate both dinner seatings. I figure I can sleep at home :) Or nap in the afternoon on the lido deck!

 

Thanks!

 

 

Any other questions, go right ahead...nothing is too silly here!

[BFlat]

A. I always tip room service

B. At dinner usually tip fairly good on the first night to have drink brought shortly after arrival every other night.

C. Not generally

D. Leave that til the last night in an envelope, along with assistant.

E. Usually on the last day in an envelope, unless I need something like extra ice or chocolates for the kids.

Overall do it when it feels right, like at a gaming table and you just hit, feel generous and tip. They give you good service let them know immediately.

Lived in Newbury for 2 years and was there for two weeks in June 2006.

[*Mach*]

These are real newbie questions: :rolleyes:

 

1. Tips: I like in the UK and am unfamiliar with tipping in general. I don't want to make any faux pas so was wondering what the average tip is for the following situations:

 

a) someone brings room service to the cabin

b) server brings you drinks to the table

c) buying drinks at the bar

d) do you tip your waiter each night?

e) How do you tip the people who clean the cabin? Every day, or at the end ofthe cruise? Do you give it to them or leave it in the cabin?

 

2. How long are the shows in the evenings? We are sighned up for dinner at 8 PM, can we make it to the 8:45 PM show, or do we have to wait for the later one? There seems so much to do and early mornings too - do you get much sleep on a cruise?!

 

Thanks!

 

 

a a buck or two depending in the number of items you order...

b no tip

c the gratuity is included in the bill... the standard 15%

d if you feel the service warrants you can tip your waiter at the end of the sailing. Their normal tip is a portion of the $10/day that's charged to your Sail and Sign for gratuities...

e same as above...

The shows run about an hour and are generally well worth the time. There's an adult show at midnight, normally in the forward show lounge...

Welcome to Cruise Critic and a wonderful addiction!!

 

Mach

[UKCruiser_2008]

Thank you for the advice! But now I am confused!

 

If the server/stateroom staff get tipped automatically, the only people you are expected to tip are the drinks servers and room service - UNLESS you think they should get something extra for good service?

 

How much do you usually spend per person on a 7-day cruise - including on shore? One of us is a non-drinker too so will just have that soda card.

 

Sorry, I have so many questions and am obsessed with planning, although we are not even going on the cruise until November!

[BFlat]

The question is broad but yes tip if you feel generous, they don't expect it but sure could use it. Self control must be practiced since everything will be so awesome and some people will be pushy. If you plan on excursions they are priced for you on the Carnival website. Gamble? Drink a bit too much? Can't say no? Those are questions you will have to ask yourself, but with the dollar so weak against the pound you should fair pretty well there.

[Ehpride]

No need to tip the drink servers for drinks that cost unless you wish to tip extra. Room service is free but most tip them. You should tip the porters at the pier who take your luggage. 1 dollar per bag is typical. They will also provide you with an envelope for the maitre d but I don't tip the maitre d unless they've done something special for me. Yes, your tips automatically go on your S&S for your wait staff and room steward, but you can certainly tip them extra in cash if you feel they deserve it.

 

How much you spend on shore really depends on what you choose to do. You can buy shore excursions from the cruiseline or independent operators. Those really depend on which excursion, how long, etc... Food and souvenirs would probably be your only other expenses on shore and those can vary from person to person and port to port.

 

On the ship, it costs for several things. Pictures are extra, as are alcoholic drinks and pop/juice. Desserts or coffee from the specialty coffee bar. Anything bought from the gift shops will obviously be extra. The casino of course as well as bingo. What you spend on your cruise really can vary depending on what you choose to buy. If you don't want to buy any pictures, drink only the free drinks, don't buy any souvenirs and do your own thing in ports, you could really keep spending down. Personally, last time on a 7 day cruise, my S&S account was about 300 dollars for some alcoholic drinks, some souvenirs, my tips and some pictures and the dvd.

[Kurbanfan]

If the server/stateroom staff get tipped automatically, the only people you are expected to tip are the drinks servers and room service - UNLESS you think they should get something extra for good service?

 

 

Your waiters/stateroom staff's tips are deducted off of your sail and sign card, so you don't need to worry about them

As for you drink servers/bar tenders their tip is included in the price of the drink.

Room service is at your discretion. They are the only ones it is not included. Normally a dollar or two.

You can tip extra at any time but it is not mandatory.

Hope that helps:)

[farler05]

Thank you for the advice! But now I am confused!

 

If the server/stateroom staff get tipped automatically, the only people you are expected to tip are the drinks servers and room service - UNLESS you think they should get something extra for good service?

 

How much do you usually spend per person on a 7-day cruise - including on shore? One of us is a non-drinker too so will just have that soda card.

 

Sorry, I have so many questions and am obsessed with planning, although we are not even going on the cruise until November!

 

Bartender & drink servers - You're automatically charged 15% on the price of a drink, so you don't have to tip the waiter or bartender extra. At the end of the cruise, if you feel they've done a great job, above & beyond the expected, give them a little extra. That is completely up to your discretion.

 

Cabin Stewards & Dining room staff - You're charged $10 a day per person for gratuities for the food staff & cabin steward. The amount can be lowered or raised at the Purser's desk based on what you thought of the service. We leave the tips on there & then give the steward & our dining rooms servers additional money. If I remember correctly, we gave the room steward & waiter $50 extra & the assistant waiter $30 on our last cruise. We also brought along a thank you card for each of them, wrote a custom note in each card & included the additional tip in it. We left the card on our pillow before leaving for dinner the last night & the steward picked it up & thanked us later. We handed the cards to the waiter & assistant waiter & they were profusely grateful. That's just the way we do it.

 

Money spent - I think our last S&S bill, for a 7 day cruise, 2 people was $900+. That includes $125 for a bracelet & $220 for a Cabana in Half Moon Cay. The rest was all alcohol. I'd say we spent another $300-$400 in ports on souvenirs, food & drink.

[UKCruiser_2008]

Yes that is very helpful, thank you everyone for the advice!

 

ANOTHER question: What is the weather like in on the Western Caribbean cruise at the end of November?

 

also - my boyfriend refuses to wear suits (don't ask) so we will be missing out on the formal dinners - are there decent alternatives, or will I have to order a surprise tux for him? :D

[crusinpsychRN]

It's warm to hot in November. A sport jacket and tie will do these days.

[Kurbanfan]

Yes that is very helpful, thank you everyone for the advice!

 

ANOTHER question: What is the weather like in on the Western Caribbean cruise at the end of November?

 

also - my boyfriend refuses to wear suits (don't ask) so we will be missing out on the formal dinners - are there decent alternatives, or will I have to order a surprise tux for him? :D

 

The weather should be great as you are at the end of hurricane season:D

 

The dress code has changed a bit, from formal to cruise elegant.

Check the link below:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Dress_Attire.aspx

[candigirl41]

Your boyfriend will only need a shirt and tie. Some don't even wear that on Cruise Elegant night. I have read on these boards where some of the men wear a nice polo shirt and dockers. Don't miss the dining room you will be sorry. Especially on Cruise elegant night as you get lobster.

 

Candi

[poobears]

I never figured up what DH and I spent not much.

 

Excursion booked direct, not through the cruiseline $140

 

Tips $80

 

Extra tips around $150

 

S&S account $303 including bingo, gambling, some tees for the kids, we don't drink so no $$ spent at the bar

 

Think that was it. We prepaid our standard tips and our excursion so didn't have to worry about having $$ for it once on board.

[Gayle V]

Hello UKCruiser,

 

Sadly, Carnival has changed from Formal nights to Cruise Elegant nights, which don't require as much dressing up. Here's the Carnival site dress code for their new "Cruise Elegant" night.

 

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats..

 

This was just implemented a short time ago, and I get the impression that most people are still treating the night as a formal night. I know hubby and I will still be wearing formal wear (suit for him, ankle length dress for me). But with the new code, the suit is definitely optional, so there's no reason to skip dinner in the main dining room.

 

As for the suggestion of a polo for Cruise Elegant night, I really don't think that fits the definition of a "dress shirt". Sure, there will be some people casually dressed, but they will be in the minority. (No matter how low you set the bar, there will be some people trying to crawl under it.) But the fact that you ask the question, implys that you want to dress appropriately, so I would strongly discourage that, he not wear that. (Only so that YOU feel comfortable amongst everyone else in the dining room. I don't think he'll care.)

 

If your boyfriend insists on very casual dress, and you can't convince him of the DRESS shirt and tie, why not just play that evening by ear. Whatever he wears, just take a look around at the general crowd of people entering the dining room. If they are mostly dressed in "formal" wear, and you would feel uncomfortable among them, then go to the buffet that night. But if it looks like you'll fiit right in, then go on in. Enjoy whatever you choose.