English guy needs advice

N

nigelh

Guest
Hi everyone

Myself and my girlfriend are coming over from the uk for our 1st cruise, and i have been reading some reviews/forums and stuff.
But can anyone help me...with a few questions
we are traveling from Tampa on the Inspiration on sept21st.

1) What the deal with the tips?.. us english have a whole difernt attitude towards tips and being "Automaticaly charged" for them seems a bit weird.
Is it the done thing to just pay the automatic charge? or cancel that and pay the waiters etc as we go? or do both?
2) Is it best to not book the trips with the line and take them locally when u get to the destination
3) anyone know if the Holiday inn Downtown in tampa is close to the port?
4) Anyone know the best/easiest way to get to Orlando from Tampa?
5) any general tips?
6) it seems u get fruit juice,iced tea, and soda free?is that right?

your info for a english 1st timer would be really appreciated
 
E

eruceht

Guest
1. The suggested daily tipping amount for your head waiter, busboy, cabin stewart ect. are automaticaly added to your sail & sign card to be paid the last night of your cruise. You may add or deduct from this amount as you wish. Fifteen percent (15%) is added to each shipboard transaction such as drinks. I do not believe you have any say on the latter.
2. Your best bet is to make your own tour arrangements as there will be tour guides lined up as the ports competing for your business.
3. Your hotel is six miles from the airport.
4. Interstate 4 east takes you to Orlando.
5. Have fun!
6. Fruit juice, tea, coffee & milk are included, soft drinks are not.

Hope this helps, have a great time.nigelh wrote:

> Hi everyone
>
> Myself and my girlfriend are coming over from the uk for our
> 1st cruise, and i have been reading some reviews/forums and
> stuff.
> But can anyone help me...with a few questions
> we are traveling from Tampa on the Inspiration on sept21st.
>
> 1) What the deal with the tips?.. us english have a whole
> difernt attitude towards tips and being "Automaticaly charged"
> for them seems a bit weird.
> Is it the done thing to just pay the automatic charge? or
> cancel that and pay the waiters etc as we go? or do both?
> 2) Is it best to not book the trips with the line and take them
> locally when u get to the destination
> 3) anyone know if the Holiday inn Downtown in tampa is close to
> the port?
> 4) Anyone know the best/easiest way to get to Orlando from
> Tampa?
> 5) any general tips?
> 6) it seems u get fruit juice,iced tea, and soda free?is that
> right?
>
> your info for a english 1st timer would be really appreciated
 
T

tamasutra

Guest
Hi. The automatic tipping is very strange. My husband and I have been on two Carnival cruises since they implemented this policy, and we tell them we don't with to tip automatically. We then tip at the end of the cruise based on service provided.

As I think someone else mentioned, bar drinks have 15% applied automatically and you cannot change that.

Good luck!
 
S

Sunshine

Guest
HI:
SInce this is your first cruise you may be more comfortable booking through the ship's excursions. They will cost a bit more than booking on your own, but you will go with a group from the ship and they will get you back in time.

Have a great time on your first cruise :)
 
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