Thread: Gratuity Question & More

Ok everyone...i've got some questions...ready??

1. My cruise agent told me yesterday that I can't prepay gratituties that they would be put on my sign and sail card. This is correct?

2. Since we are not alcoholic drinkers,if we buy a soda card do we still get charged that 15% everytime we use the soda card?

3. At this point, we did not take the cruise insurance with the cruise agent because we just don't have that extra money right. She said that I had 10 days from the date of booking to take the cruise insurance through whomever she deals with about cruise insurance. My question..is there a time limt where I have to purchase cruise insurance? Do I have to do it within 10 days..period?

All answers will be appreciated as always.

patty

When you go through check in, you give them a credit card and you will get a card that you will use on the ship for all charges!! We have never pre paid!! You can also use cash but is a pain!

When you get a soda card, you need to show the bartender or waiter your card but he doesn't take it. No 15% is taken out!!

You can get insurance after the 10 day period, but any pre existing medical problems will not be covered!! They will if paid for within 10 days!!

Sue:

I knew you would come to my rescue...lol..so that's what the 10 days is for...

Thanks Sue

patty

Are you allowed to bring soda,drinks onboard? Does the lugguage get checked?

patty

There are several Patty, but Travel guard is a good one!!

I"ll check them out...thanks Sue..again!!

patty

We are all here for you, you will be a pro pretty soon!!

Is that before or after I have my nervous breakdown?...lol

patty

Originally Posted by hopingtocruise

I"ll check them out...thanks Sue..again!!

patty

Please check them out. It was only $58.00 for my husband and I. Not each but total. And well worth the stress it releaved. I too was a little strapped but it is definately worth it.

Patty, I've done the pre-tipping a couple of times and found it very useful as I could pretty well forget about the money counting at the end. It's a personal thing, but it worked well for us. I hate that scurrying around for cash when I'm trying to fill out all my disembarkation stuff and feeling the pain that the cruise is almost over! For those that deserved some extra at the end I just put some money in an envelope and handed it to them on the last night. I also felt that having prepaid, the staff would also know that I wasn't going to stiff them.

Downside is that if you are not happy to give the required amount to someone, then it takes a bit of organising, but to be honest, for the amount involved it wasn't worth getting too worried about for us. Some also like handing all the cash over perhaps with a thank you note, but I just relied upon the questionnaire to do that bit. I've also heard that the staff like cash rather than a credit note as they get the money a bit quicker, but then if they are budgeting it correctly it shouldn't be a problem and they get it eventually!

Phil