[Rhodes22-list] Off Topic - Questions about foreign travel

[Wickman, William E]

I have been on several big ship cruises, and the only thing that I will
add is that the tips are not unsubstantial.  It will add up to several
hundred dollars.  And they like to get it in cash.  The cruise ship
should provide you with guidelines for tipping.  For what you are
paying, they may include tips in the price.  Be sure to check.

Regarding liquor, we took it one step further.  We packed several
bottles of rum and vodka in our luggage before boarding.  If you buy
liquor in the duty free shop on board, or buy it on land and try to
bring it on board, they will confiscate it and return it to you when you
disembark at the end of the cruise. Even if you don't finish your bottle
of wine at dinner (which was rarely in our case) they will save it for
you until the next dinner; you cannot take it back to your cabin.  So,
while you cannot take bottles to your cabin once you are on board, we
have never had any problems bringing it on through our luggage.  

Also, be aware that the shore excursions offered by the ship are
substantially more expensive than what you can get on your own.
Everywhere we went, you could get the same or similar excursions through
local vendors when you got off the ship.  There is usually a crowd of
enterprising folks waiting for people as they disembark.  Depending on
how adventurous you are, you can go pot luck with one of the shore
vendors, or make your own reservations before the trip (tours, car
rentals, etc.).

Bill W.



-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of
R22RumRunner at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 8:06 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Off Topic - Questions about foreign travel

Robert,
The only experience I have with cruising is from a seven day cruise in
the  
Caribbean. Expect to leave tips for the people that make your bed and
also your 
 table waiters. We found that you could buy booze on the ship fairly
cheap, 
but  the soft drinks cost an arm and a leg for mixers. Every time we
went 
ashore, we  took a back pack and crammed it full with coke for rum and
coke.
You and your bags will probably get separated before they arrive at your

cabin, so be sure to pack a small bag with necessities and perhaps a
swim suit  
if so inclined and keep it with you. We didn't get our bags until later
that  
evening.
We signed up for a lot of side trips when ashore and had a ball. It was
one  
of the best vacations we've ever taken. Did I mention the 24 hour
availability 
 of food? Go, and have fun. We probably spent an additional $1,000.00
for the 
 week we were on board.
 
Rummy
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