Five things to know before taking your first cruise
More than half of those who've never taken a cruise would like to do so, according to a 2006 survey by the Cruise Lines International Association. But if you've never cruised before, the concept might sound intimidating. How do you book? How do you dress for dinner? How much do you tip? Here are five things first-time cruisers need to know. startclickprintexclude--> Some cruise lines let you sit where you want in the dining room. If not, chances are you'll have fun meeting other people at your table. The dining room can also help you avoid loading your plate repeatedly at the buffet. Portions are controlled (although you can always request more than one entree or dessert); and some menus highlight lowfat or low-calorie options. pool, gym, shows, and in port, a stroll through town or the beach instead of that pricey helicopter tour. If you want shore excursions, you'll find vendors offering tours in each port. They may charge less than the cruise line charges for similar outings. But if you have your heart set on a certain activity, book in advance through the cruise line and consider it money well-spent. Popular tours will sell out. "If you're dying to do a glacier sightseeing trip in Alaska, you've booked it in advance and it's taken care of," said Sharak. "Or if your tour bus gets a flat tire and is tardy coming back to the ship, if you've booked it through the cruise line, that ship is not going to leave without you." 5. How much and whom do I tip? Some luxury lines forbid tipping. Other cruise lines recommend certain amounts. Some offer prepaid gratuity options or levy a service charge for dining room staff and the person who cleans your room. A typical tip for stateroom attendants is $3.50 a day; dining room staff tips run $5-$10 per day, with that amount shared by your waiter, wine steward and maitre d'. With prepayments, you're charged a gratuity for each person in your party, for each day of the cruise. So even if your kids never eat in the formal dining room, prepaid tips will go to the servers on their behalf. You might be better off deciding on tips near the end of your cruise, in case it makes more sense to tip a buffet worker who delighted your children each night at dinner with a magic trick. |
