Cruising costs

I loved the places we visited on our cruise, often you can choose to look at a port on your own or venture out with a guide to a variety of places. I didn't think our visits were at all shallow, we had some excellent local guides. The on board cruise is an experience in itself. 

We were in Bali when one of the Cunard Queens anchored in the bay, and out of curiosity we went down to the pier to watch the passengers come ashore. They were all very old. 

Thanks for that ET, I wouldn't consider myself "very old"

Ian, the tipping thing yes can be very annoying and I do agree with you that they should be paid decent wages in the first place.

On our first sea cruise (15 years ago) we had fixed times and tables for dining. The same waiter and assistant waiter every night, the waiter was a lovely man, he told us that he was a fully qualified marine engineer but moved to being a waiter because he makes more on tips than he did on wages. On that ship they advised new cruise passengers of what they should tip. At that time it was 6$ per person per day for a waiter, 3$ for the assistant waiter and 1$ for the Maitre'd, there was 2 of these overseeing the 2 restaurants. Cabin stewards were also 6$. if you have the time to work all that out it comes to a fair amount. 

DK mentions that the Americans have a different attitude to tipping. We did a cruise with Royal Caribbean some years ago, the restaurant was 2 sittings, fixed tables (so same waiters) and was well supported all week, that is until the last night (tipping night) when the restaurant was more than half empty. We mentioned it to the people on our table, a mixture of American/Canadian and us. It appears this is a new thing among the younger cruisers, they have the pleasure of being waited on all week but are not willing to tip so on the last night they go to the self service restaurant. The Americans on our table not only paid the tips on their bills but also tipped extra personally.

I love going on cruises but it is getting harder to find one that still gives that extra something at a reasonable price.

DK, we've not used P&O but Thomson use £'s on their ships, as do Cunard. Costa use €'s in the med/adriatic and $'s in the Caribbean.

 Sorry, meant to say if you don't like the idea of "dressing up" NCL are strictly casual, very few of the cruise lines now insist on DJ's although most do like to see jacket, collar and tie on formal nights. I love the dressing up bit, in fact its one of the things I love about cruises and I do miss it. With not going to the 'mess' anymore what am I to do with all my evening and cocktail dresses 

Sorry, TG but Cunard on board spend is priced in $ unless it has changed since Christmas. AFAIK, of the Carnival Group, only P&O are priced in sterling.

I'm thinking that cruising might be a bit too regimented for me. The idea of wearing a jacket and tie on holiday......I spent 40 years with that performance.

And the thought of a 'tipping night' when you are expected to hand over money to someone for carrying your plate from the kitchen to your table without actually spilling it on you........mmmmmm maybe not.

Ian

I go back to my suggestion of a short 2/3/4 day cruise as a taster. They cost no more, probably cheaper, than the same length of time in a reasonable hotel on full board. I doubt on such a short cruise they would bother with formal nights, the rest of the time it's smart casual and no ties or jackets required. You won't know you enjoy or hate it until you try it. A risk you will take of course is that Mrs IanH will love it even if you don't!!!!

David

Strange when we did the Panama Canal in 2012 it was all in £'s

Ian, you don't HAVE to go to formal dinner nights, that's the thing about cruises you do what you want, when you want. Food is served pretty much 24 hrs on most ships. 

Tipping night as you put it, only happens on the more formal ships, there are many, many ships now that are very casual. As DK said before a lot of ships included the tips in with the price or it is added to your on board bill (if you agree) 

Cruising is not everyone's cup of tea but if you don't try it you will never know. I get the impression that you like good smart, comfy stylish hotels, with good restaurants, the choice of bars/lounges and entertainment sometimes (all this based on previous posts about your holiday's) well that's what it is like on modern cruise ships. Good service by staff who are polite and helpful. Excellent food, very good comfy cabins/rooms and the entertainment on some ships is as good as you will get anywhere.

Go on try it you know you want to really.

According to Cunard website all onboard transactions are in USD, you can convert to GBP at a 3% surcharge.

I have tried sea cruising twice both from UK ports to Norway, and decided it is not my thing, enjoyed the scenery and some of the onboard entertainment, disliked the regimented dining and formal "meet the captain" nights, prefer river cruising.

Attendance at the captain's cocktail party is not compulsory.