Is there a difference between being a solo cruiser and a single cruiser? Consider this, while single cruisers tend to want to find others with whom to congregate, those who choose to cruise solo have to be comfortable with the concept that they are responsible for their own good time, whatever path that takes. To be alone aka. solo is a choice. That choice, however, doesn't always guarantee a fabulous cruise vacation. In this coupled-up world, a solo can find it difficult to negotiate the obstacles inherent on most larger cruise ships, from harried and inattentive maitre d's to programs and activities that make it difficult for a solo to participate.
Why does a single or solo cruiser have to
A solo or single cruiser creates "spoilage" in cruise-speak -- in other words, not only an empty bed that doesn't add booking revenue, but also a missing body to add auxiliary revenue from drink sales, casino use, shore excursions and spa treatments. With rare exception, a single or solo can expect to pay between 150 and 200 percent of the published cruise fare to cover the cost of the "missing" guest. What's worse, at least two major cruise lines -- NCL and Princess Cruises -- are now making solo guests pay double the non-commissionable fees (NCF's) that every guest is charged at the discretion of the cruise line. (These are not government-mandated fees and taxes, which by law can only be charged per person.)
If you're unhappy with the service you've received, is it ever okay not to tip?
No. You should never let your money talk for you. If you get good service, in addition to leaving a good tip, you would want to thank your server, bellboy, etc. When it goes the other way, you still should leave the customary 15 percent. If you had horrendous service and it was the service provider's fault, some people might go as low as 10 percent. But we suggest that you leave 15 percent and then immediately speak to a manager to express your dissatisfaction. Say that you're unhappy with how you were treated and that you're reluctant to return after such an experience. That will speak volumes to a manager.
What's a good rule of thumb for tipping tour guides (and drivers)?
On a short bus tour (several hours or less), tip your guide 10 - 20 percent of the cost of the tour. Give it to him or her when you say goodbye. Charter and sightseeing bus drivers are also tipped in certain cases: when drivers double as guides, $1 per person per day. When the driver has been particularly amiable, the person in charge of a private charter sometimes asks each passenger to contribute $1 or more to a tip pool. On a longer tour with no built-in gratuity, each passenger should give $5 - $10 to the guide and another $5 - $10 to the driver.
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How to: Blend in if you are a novice cruiser
(1) Don't ever pay the brochure price. You never spring for the hotel rack rate, right? Cruising is the same. The list price in the catalog is there mostly to make all those promotions seem like better deals. Call a travel agent for the best deals.
(2) It's a ship, not a boat. There's plenty of nautical lingo you can ignore, but calling an ocean liner a boat will get you pegged as an ignorant landlubber every time.
(3) Wear whatever you want—until 6 p.m. It's fine to go casual to a buffet, but at any other type of restaurant, men should swap the Hawaiian shirt for a button-down and blazer, the swim trunks for slacks, and the flip-flops for business-casual shoes. Women, the equivalent.
(4) Passport, passport, passport! Many cruisers rarely leave the ship, what with all the restaurants, zip-line rides, casinos, lectures, and comedy shows. But if you ever do want to escape, one sure way to feel like a rube is to get stuck on board. To disembark at most ports, you'll need an international ID.
(5) All mandatory costs (food and lodging) are paid for up front. "It's possible to get by without spending a nickel during the trip," says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of cruisecritic.com. But it will be a miracle if you do. Cruise lines are masterful at making all those "optionals" (spa treatments, margaritas, shore excursions) seem too enticing to pass up. So plan ahead to avoid any unpleasant surprises with the purser.
(2) It's a ship, not a boat. There's plenty of nautical lingo you can ignore, but calling an ocean liner a boat will get you pegged as an ignorant landlubber every time.
(3) Wear whatever you want—until 6 p.m. It's fine to go casual to a buffet, but at any other type of restaurant, men should swap the Hawaiian shirt for a button-down and blazer, the swim trunks for slacks, and the flip-flops for business-casual shoes. Women, the equivalent.
(4) Passport, passport, passport! Many cruisers rarely leave the ship, what with all the restaurants, zip-line rides, casinos, lectures, and comedy shows. But if you ever do want to escape, one sure way to feel like a rube is to get stuck on board. To disembark at most ports, you'll need an international ID.
(5) All mandatory costs (food and lodging) are paid for up front. "It's possible to get by without spending a nickel during the trip," says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of cruisecritic.com. But it will be a miracle if you do. Cruise lines are masterful at making all those "optionals" (spa treatments, margaritas, shore excursions) seem too enticing to pass up. So plan ahead to avoid any unpleasant surprises with the purser.
How to: Find the best cruise value
Bottom line, it all comes back to optional costs. Cruisemates.com recently did the math comparing a luxury ship (Regent's Seven Seas Voyager) with a middle-market ship (Celebrity's Solstice) on nearly identical six-night Caribbean itineraries. At first glance, Regent cost far more: $3,365 vs. $1,895. But its all-inclusive bill covers airfare, alcohol, shore excursions, and tips. If you opted for those extras on Celebrity, your total expenses would be about the same, so it's arguable that Regent is a better value, given its top-notch restaurants and service.
Value is in the eye of the beholder!
Value is in the eye of the beholder!
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How to Avoid: "We spent that much on extras?"
The reality is that cruises can (and will) nick you at every turn. How much is up to you. Spending an extra $50 per person per day is fairly average, and it's easy to drop a whole lot more.
"The major extra is alcohol," says Brian David Bruns, who wrote about his year working as a cruise waiter in Cruise Confidential. "We were always puzzled by passengers who stayed on board drinking $6 Coronas when they could buy them for a buck apiece at a bar in port."
Another way to save: Ask a friendly crew member to tell you about excursions you can book on the spot in port. They generally cost half of what the cruise line charges.
How to Avoid: "We spent that much on extras?"
The reality is that cruises can (and will) cost you more than you initially paid. How much you spend is up to you. The average person will spend about $50 per day and it's easy to spend a whole lot more.
"The major extra is alcohol," says Brian David Bruns, who wrote about his year working as a cruise waiter in Cruise Confidential. "We were always puzzled by passengers who stayed on board drinking $6 Coronas when they could buy them for a buck apiece at a bar in port."
Another way to save: Ask a friendly crew member to tell you about excursions you can book on the spot in port. They generally cost half of what the cruise line charges.
Gratuities is a big hit on the pocket book after a cruse. Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International suggest $10 per day per passenger. for a seven day cruise, that is $140 before you even leave the port. One way to avoid this chunk of change is to pre-pay your gratuities.
HOW TO: Get the best deal on a cruise
Budget Traveler Suggests:Travel Agents reign supreme when it comes to finding a great deal on a cruise. Real-live agents are paid commissions by the cruise lines, so you won't pay a cent for their help, and they'll usually offer more insight and personalized advice than your computer or friend. "Look for an agent who cruises a lot, really knows the ships, and can figure out which is right for you," says Paul Motter, cruisemates.com editor. When you do find agents that appeal to you, don't hesitate to ask questions. They can assume you know everything IF you don't ask!
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Mystery: Tipping on a Cruise
There is probably no topic more discussed onboard among novice and experienced cruisers than tipping: when to tip, how much to tip, whom to tip.
It is important to understand that, technically speaking, no tip is ever required. A tip is a voluntary expression of thanks. On nearly all big-ship mainstream lines, the service crewmembers are dependent on the generosity of travelers for the vast majority of their salary. Luxury cruise lines often have no tipping policies. In these cases, the gratuities are built into the fares.
With the evolution of the cruise industry and increasingly diverse population of cruisers, tipping is confusing: Europeans expect a surcharge to be added to their account for first class service while the Japanese typically do not tip. This is a great article from Cruise Critic explaining the hows and whys of tipping. Insiders guide to cruise tipping
It is important to understand that, technically speaking, no tip is ever required. A tip is a voluntary expression of thanks. On nearly all big-ship mainstream lines, the service crewmembers are dependent on the generosity of travelers for the vast majority of their salary. Luxury cruise lines often have no tipping policies. In these cases, the gratuities are built into the fares.
With the evolution of the cruise industry and increasingly diverse population of cruisers, tipping is confusing: Europeans expect a surcharge to be added to their account for first class service while the Japanese typically do not tip. This is a great article from Cruise Critic explaining the hows and whys of tipping. Insiders guide to cruise tipping
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