tips: do you always tip at the end of the cruise and who to ?

excursions: any recommendations, do you book through the ship or find someone ashore ?

spending money: not big drinkers what else to spend money on how much approx would you recommend?

these are just a few questions don't want to bore you with more, but any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

ps forgot to mention we are going on ventura , have been reading mixed reviews must admit am a little worried but going to form my own opinions, wouldn't do if we all liked the same would it ?

Did the equivavent cruise this year and found it very good. Excursions; the official excursions are generally a bit expensive. I tend to only do them if they are difficult to replicate on your own. The caribbean is full of very reliable taxi drivers who will take you to a beach or wherever and pick you up without problem. If it is the beach you want then also lookout for the water taxis who will also take you to a beach (boat trip included for similar money to road taxi) and again pick you up.  Official excursions in my opinion you might do submarine, catamaran, aerial tree thing etc. whereas a tea room  type excursion taxi operator will find you a nice place far cheaper.  I suspect others will confirm much of what I have said.

Bon voyage Keith

Ships cruised on:  SS France  RMS Queen Elizabeth  Oronsay  Oceana  Ventura  Vision of the Seas

I think you'll find most of us on here love nothing more than to talk about it - we can't twitter on to non-cruisers in real life as much as we'd like, so ask anything you want..... if anything, we're likely to bore YOU!

Tips - in your cabin, there will be a leaflet entitled  "Who and How Much to Tip".... and a convenient envelope or two. 

Excursions - I presume you do know you can see them all in your online Cruise Personaliser - and book them on there?   Haven't done a Caribbean cruise so can't comment - although I would expect you will see the entire taxi-driving population of the island when your ship docks! 

Haven't been on Ventura.  Anything else you want to know? 

Jam

Welcome to the forum! Dont get worried aboyt tips as above poster says there is s guide in your cabin. Also there is this on the website:

Tips are usually given in cash at the end of your holiday to your stateroom Steward, Restaurant Stewards in the Club Dining restaurants, and to any other staff who you feel you wish to reward. The amount you tip is entirely up to you although, as a guide, we recommend a total amount per person (aged 12 and over) of £3.10 per day, which covers all staff who have looked after you during your holiday. The only exception to this is for passengers travelling on Oceana and Ventura who have opted to enjoy the flexibility of Freedom Dining as, with this style of dining, you may be seated at a different table and served by a different waiter on each occasion. We will therefore add an automatic service charge of £1.60 per passenger, per day to your shipboard account for the Restaurant Stewards. You will, of course, be able to increase or decrease this charge at your discretion by visiting Reception at any point during your cruise. You can also tip any other staff, including your stateroom Steward, as you feel appropriate. Further details of who and when you should tip can be found in your stateroom.

The officail excursions can be a bit pricey but if you are nervous about getting back to the ship on time TIP( Always syncronise your watch with ships time before leaving the ship as the ship will not wait for you-we left 2 behind in La Corruna) then an organised excursion is a stress free way to visit. The cost is added to your onboard spend account so you do not have to find too much local currency. If you are feeling confident then go for a taxi but do some research from experienced cruisers on board about where to go. They will be a great source of info.

Spending money is a difficult one! There are shops where you can buy makeup,perfume bags and watches/jewellery so there really is no limit. Drinks are a good price in comparison to hotel land prices.If you want to get your hair/nails done then this can add on a cost as well as massages which are normally £40 up. PandO do their best to relieve you of your cash so just keep an eye on it by keeping all your receipts.

Hope this answers it for now!

Dolphingirl

Search and review cabins at www.yourcruisecabin.com

Forgot to mention. I think most people take US$ to caribbean, especially useful are the lowest denominations, 1, 5, and 10. Islands typically have their own local dollar, so enquire what the price is in US currency, if you need change they tend to sometimes give you local dollar change. All got round with small dollar bills to exact dollar total.

Regards Keith

Ships cruised on:  SS France  RMS Queen Elizabeth  Oronsay  Oceana  Ventura  Vision of the Seas