Formal nights are part of the cruise experience on many ships. If you are a regular with your favorite line, you know what to expect. If you are new to cruising or trying a new line, these tips should help. The cruise industry understands segmentation. There are different lines catering to different types of passengers. A cruise company often owns several lines, each with a different customer profile. This can vary by age and income. Everyone …
Tipping the staff on passenger ships has been around forever. For those who ask, “When should I tip?,” here are four answers from a seasoned cruiser. Four Answers Yes, you know many cruise lines build in tipping as a line item on your shipboard account. You likely leave that alone, yet want to give certain people something extra. Here are four approaches: Tipping on departure. It’s the traditional way. The stationary folder in your cabin has …
What is the proper etiquette for tipping aboard a cruise ship? How to Tip Aboard a Cruise Ship and to Whom Let’s consider tipping in three versions. The automatic gratuity the cruise ship adds to your account statement, those white envelopes you hand out at the end of (or during) the voyage and paper money in singles and fives. I usually include a business card in the white envelope, writing “thank you” with both our names on the …
Do I really need to tip on a cruise ship? The Case for Not Tipping The Staff on a Cruise Ship Here’s how you might make that case. I will never see these people again. You sail on many lines. Maybe your cruise was a one shot deal. I’ve spent way more than I thought this week! It happens. You get your account statement a day or so before arrival. You want to limit the hit to …
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Why should I tip people who are only doing their job? It’s a fair question. I bring it up because I’ve always wondered why so many people are lined up at the Purser’s Office the day before the ship docks. The Case for Tipping The Staff Aboard a Cruise Ship The first reason is so obvious, it goes beyond a bullet point. The restaurant and housekeeping staff sign on for several months. They are working long hours. …
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Accelerated relationships are one of the great benefits of cruise travel. Instead of seeing someone a few minutes a day on the commuter train, you are in close proximity 24/7 for your entire vacation. Broadly speaking, although your fellow passengers may come from several nationalities, they are more similar than different. You’ve met someone and want to keep in touch after the ship docks. How do you do that? What are We Talking About? Romance is …
Read moreHow to Convert Shipboard Friendships into Longer Ones
Does your car really deserve a vacation? You may think not, especially if you are embarking on a 14 day cruise and parking costs $20+ per day. That’s a $300.00 expense you’ve never thought about. The Home Port Advantage If you live in or near the city your ship calls home, this is a great benefit. Let’s look at your options for getting yourselves and your massive amount of luggage to and from the ship. A …
Read morePractical Advice for Getting to Your Ship and Parking
Are you open to new experiences? Some people stick with one cruise line or even one ship. Others spread their business among several lines, seeking out ships new to the fleet or at least, new to them. Ships come in all sizes, from yacht like to mega liners. Some ships sail on rivers, others stick to oceans. Let’s assume you are on a new big cruise ship for a week. What are some “must do” activities? …
Its true cruise ships are made of many, many profit centers. You might think once the ship pulls away from the dock, your objective should be to get as much as possible for free. After all, cruises were one of the first “all inclusive” vacations. (Although alcohol was usually separate.) Frugal or not, here are eleven things where you should part with some cash during your vacation. A drink in the best bar with the best …
About 60.2 million American households own dogs. (1) People are very attached to them. In Europe, it’s common for people to bring their dog to pubs and restaurants. (In the UK you get the idea all dogs are on Valium, but that’s another story.) You might wonder, when I take a cruise, can my dog come along too? Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only ship I’m aware of that has provisions for pets. There’s an …
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