1st Time.... Pride 11/02 with many Questions

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Alley

Guest
We pre-paid our tips. I read on other posts that people carry 1$ bills for room service tipping etc. If I pre-paid my tips does that mean I don't have to tip at all or should I still tip?

I was also wondering if I should pack a bath robe or is cruising like staying at a 5 star hotel and they provide one for you?

Should I purchase the drink card? Is it really worth it? Can you buy one drink card and share it between two people?

If I put alcohol (vodka etc) in my luggage will they search my luggage and take it from me?

Should I purchase shore excursions on the ship or wait until we get on shore to purchase?


If anyone has any advice please feel free to post all good pointers, advice, do's, don't , dislikes and likes.

Thanks! :)
 
P

Petert

Guest
Hi Alley,

Will try to help with some of your questions, and if you continue browsing this board I think you will get a good deal of helpful information. The prepaid tips that you see mentioned cover your waiter, asst waiter, cabin attendant and sometimes your head waiter. Having a quantity of one dollar bills available will assure that you can tip the waiter that delivers your room service order (usually not your cabin att.), baggage handlers etc, and pay for small items like taxis, shuttles or other incidentals during port calls.

Bathrobes are sometimes supplied with suites, or to those that have made a number of cruise on a particular cruise line. If it is not mentioned on your documents you can expect to supply your own. Drink cards are not usually a very good buy, and I would recommend that you wait and check it out on board if you interested. You might get away with sharing a card but that is not the intent of the issuer.

If you bring alchohol in your carry on bag, the bag will be xrayed and your booze could be confiscated and returned at the completion of your cruise. If your carefully pack (to prevent breakage/spilling) a bottle or two in your checked baggage, you will probably have no problem. Even in your carry on most cruise lines allow a bottle or two of wine or champaign for a special occasion, however, if you take it into the dining room you may be charged a corkage fee of about $10.

Excursions are a very personal choice and you have to decide what is important to you. The advantage of preordering on line is that an excursion that you really want will not be sold out when you get aboard. Most excursions purchased from the cruise line will be more expensive than you might find ashore, but will give you confidence that your return to the ship before sailing will be assured and that you will get know what to expect. at some ports of call you may want to do your own exploring (check out the ports section of this board). For your last request I would recommend that you continue your interaction on this board, and ask when you have a specific question. Hope that you have a great first cruise experience.

Peter
 
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jedgar

Guest
Pre paid tips amount to $9.75 per person per day and break down to, room steward $3.50; Dining room team service $5.50; Alternative dining service $0.75. In addition a %15 tip is added to all drink charges. On some ships they provide you with an envelope for the Maitre d' if you wish to tip him. Room service is tipped at each service. If you use Camp Carnival it is customary to tip them.

Bath robes are provide in all balcony and above cabins on all ships and in all cabins on some ships.

Drink cards, if your are refering ot the soda card it is good for only the person named on the card and can not be shared. Carnival does not have a alcohol card, what they do have are bar credit cupons sold in blocks of 4 at $19:50 (including tip) per block, purchased friom gifts and services before the cuise and can be used by anyone. They are really meant to be gifts and do not save you much money.

Alcohol placed in checked luggage should be safe, but you must pack it carefully to avoid breakage. If in carry on luggage it will be confiscated an held for you until the end of your voyage.
 
A

Alley

Guest
1st Time Pride 11/02

Okay... So when you use your drink card how do they know who's using it? Do they check your ID?

If I carry a water bottle full of vodka on board will they ask to smell it to make sure it's really water?
 
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Z3Racergirl

Guest
Alley- which itinerary are you going on? Eastern/Western Carib?
What kind of things do you want to do in port? Snorkel, shop, party, etc.
I have been on about 20 cruises and can answer about any question you have.
Check out the post on this board, called Conquest Sept 28, anyone else? ( there are about a zillion posts in the thread) . Even though that isnt your cruise and you dont know those people, lots of them are first timers, and I answered a lot of their questions. I can help with yours, too. For now, I gotta go pack!!
 
A

Alley

Guest
HELLO EVERBODY & Thank You for all of your help!!

We're doing the Mexican Riviera... Long Beach, California to PV, Mazatlan and then Cabo San Lucas.

I've been to Cabo so I know what to expect there but I'm not sure what to do in the other ports? I want to shop, swim, snorkel, jungle tours, tequila tours, party what ever is fun is where I want to be. Any suggestions?

What about the sea sickness patch has anyone used it and if so did you have any problems with it? We're in catagory 8I-Panorma deck and I'm very worried aobut sea sickness.

We plan on eating breakfast on the balcony and we're wondering if the balcony will have a table? Anyone know?
 
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Sea Turtle

Guest
Hey Alley--

I haven't been on the Pride but on the sister ship Spirit so can relay my experiences from that ship.

All cabin categories will have robes. If they're not already hanging in the closet upon arrival, your cabin steward will deliver them the first night, and if he/she doesn't just ask. They are available for all.

I've had an 8H midship on the Spirit on Panorama and was fine with what bit of rough seas we did hit. On your itinerary the captain has the option of moving closer in to the shoreline if it gets too rough miles offshore. I've never tried the patch--don't like the possibility of some of the side effects I've read about.

My balcony had a small, low table. Big enough for a tray of coffee, juice, and bagels.

My favorite excursion of the Mexican Riviera trip was in PV. I don't recall the name of it but it involves a boat trip with snorkeling option along the way to a secluded beach with lunch included/open bar on boat and at beach. Send me an email if you want me to look at my 'papers' for all the particulars.

Enjoy your planning! :)
 
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